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[email protected] Fall Winter 2019 Affirming, Courageous, Caring A Miraculous Mix in Bethany Grace Lutheran Church of Evanston Aziz Abu Sarah, a Palestinian I played anything. I said, ‘Yes, 1430 South Blvd. growing up in the occupied a bit of guitar.’ ‘Then you must 847.475.2211 territory of east Jerusalem, play something!’ exclaimed lost his brother Tayseer after Anna, the Jewish lead singer. I Grace Is An Open And Affirming RIC he was arrested and beaten began to play, ‘Kiss,’ by Prince, Congregation by the Israeli Defense Forces. and the whole group excited- Tayseer was caught throwing ly joined in. Marwan, the Pal- OUR MISSION: stones, to which he refused to estinian lute player, told me To courageously confess. After his release, Tay- they would invite me up to live out our faith by seer died at the age of 19 due play it at the end of their set. sharing grace with to the effects of his internal injuries from beatings dur- After the band set up to play, our group was invited to each other and the ing his arrest. Aziz was ten years old at the time. It took the dance floor. We were entertained by Aziz’ young communities we serve. many years of challenging and reconciling relation- nephews as we circle-danced ecstatically in both Pal- OUR VISION: ships, but out of Aziz’ pain and anger something mi- estinian and Israeli styles. The Middle Way played a All God’s people raculous was birthed: a peace-building travel philoso- mixture of soulful and energetic Israeli and Palestin- will feel accepted, phy known as ‘dual-narrative’ tourism.