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Friends and Colleagues,
Pray, Study, Act: The Episcopal Peace Fellowship calls its members to ministries of prayer, study and action.
Pray: EPF PIN mourns the passing of our first convener Cotton Fite on 15 August 2017. We extend our love and condolences to his widow Diane and to his family. Let us pray:
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
Check out this week's Sabeel Wave of Prayer, with the link to your right.
Study: This week we honor and remember Cotton Fite, first convener of the Palestine Israel Network, which grew out of Cotton's vision for an expanded and more robust witness for a peace with justice in Palestine and Israel and which found a home in the Episcopal Peace Fellowship as a successor network to EPF's Israel Palestine Action Group.
Cotton Fite, fourth from the left in the back row, shepherds EPF PIN folk and allies at the 2012 General Convention in Indianapolis.
Friend and colleague Newland Smith writes:
Cotton Fite has been a good colleague for the past ten years. We began working together in the formation of the Palestine Israel Network. Cotton was the first convener of PIN and then went on to become the Chair of the Seraj Library Project. When Cotton and I met in early August, he was so pleased by the growth of the children's libraries in the West Bank and told me about working with a consultant for the transition to a different form of governance. When we finished our conversation, Cotton headed down to 912 Sherman Avenue in Evanston IL to make phone calls for the campaign of Daniel Biss who is running for Governor of Illinois. At Saint Luke's Episcopal Church Evanston where he was a member of the clergy, Cotton was highly respected as a preacher and as a pastor. When I informed a fellow resident of the retirement community where my wife and I live of Cotton's death, this resident said, "Cotton saved my life." Two other residents, both members of St. Luke's, commented to me how much Cotton's pastoral visits had meant to them. Cotton came to Palestine and Israel only in the final decade of his life but he made the search for justice in this part of the world a priority. But Cotton was a realist and when we would meet, would ask me the hard question, "Will this initiative really work?" The Seraj Library Project is an excellent example of what works and Cotton knew this. I have lost a friend in Cotton. May he rest in peace with all the saints.
Dick Toll:
One of the memories I have of Cotton was his advocacy of a network for the Episcopal Church to support the needs for justice for Palestinians. He raised up the vision of such a network at a Friends of Sabeel leadership retreat in July of 2009 in Portland OR. The network met for the first time in October 2011 in Chicago. Other networks were already established in the Presbyterian Church, and other networks have formed and are being formed in other denominations.
Naim Ateek:
I give thanks to God for the life and ministry of my friend Cotton and commend him to the loving mercy of God. I have always appreciated his faithful position on justice and peace for the Palestinians.
Brian Grieves:
My first contact with Cotton was a call I received from him while I was still working at the Church Center in New York. He informed me of a new group that was being formed under EPF called the Palestine Israel Network. And so began a good friendship. He was never afraid to speak the hard truths of the occupation, but always with grace and wisdom. He will be missed by many. We honor him by continuing the pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people, who, for far too many decades, have endured the misery of a draconian and inhumane occupation.
Linda Gaither:
Jackie Lynn, former EPF executive director, called me on 15 August with the news about Cotton and, because Cotton was and is Cotton, we found ourselves laughing at beautiful memories and Cottonisms. He was so valiant and faithful and compassionate... a Prince of Nonviolence.
Harry Gunkel:
We all know Cotton's remarkable passion, commitment and dedication to justice, and his deep and unwavering love for Palestine and its people. And who can remember Cotton without a smile on his face, and that twinkle in his eye? I am so happy that the last time I was with Cotton was in Jerusalem. We spent some time together walking the streets he loved so well, talking, and enjoying lunch.
Act:
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Cotton. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive hm into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
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Episcopal Peace Fellowship
PO Box 15, Claysburg, PA 16625
312-922-8628
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