Bright Stars of Bethlehem Events on Oct. 23 & 26

Pine Street Church of Boulder will host the Lillies of Gaza Art Exhibit Opening Reception on Oct 23 at 6:00 p.m. Then on Oct. 26 Dr. Tala AlRaheb will preach at Calvary on the subject of Peace & Hope from a Palestinian Perspective. We hope you will attend both! 

Pine Street Church of Boulder and Calvary Baptist Church of Denver are collaborating on an amazing weekend featuring the artwork and stories of Palestinians who are keeping hope alive in Gaza.

Pastor Andrew of Pine Street and Pastor Anne of Calvary both serve on the Faith Leaders Advisory Council of Bright Stars of Bethlehem (BSB). BSB’s vision is for all people of Palestine to have life in abundance. BSB’s mission is to raise awareness and support for Dar al-Kalima University, the first and only university of arts, culture, and design in all of Palestine.

When you hear reports on the news of Gaza, perhaps you feel helpless in knowing what you can do to make a difference. Or perhaps it makes you wonder if “hope” or “peace” are even possible. The testimonies and resilience of these Palestinian artists and voices from Dar al-Kalima will inspire you in a very personal way.

Please plan on attending the Lillies of Gaza Art Exhibit Opening Reception—with a special presentation by Tracie Ortman, Executive Director of Bright Stars of Bethlehem—at Pine Street on Oct. 23 and please plan to be in worship at Calvary on Oct. 26 to hear Tala AlRaheb, PhD preach and share a powerful message about peace and hope. Dr. AlRaheb’s message will not be livestreamed so you will want to be in worship in person!

This is an extraordinary opportunity you will not want to miss!

Lilies of Gaza: Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Pine Street Church, in collaboration with Calvary Baptist Church of Denver and Bright Stars of Bethlehem, invites you to the opening of Lilies of Gaza, an extraordinary art exhibit showcasing the work of 17 female Palestinian artists.

Lilies of Gaza is a project done through Dar al-Kalima University and highlights the artwork, resilience, and creative spirit of 22 female artists from Gaza. These women are living through the horrors of the current genocide in Gaza and sharing their experiences through creative mediums that evoke feelings of grief, outrage, hope, and love for people in the midst of trauma and loss. They share their artwork as a way to show the humanity in the inhumane and make sure the world has not forgotten about the people of Gaza.

As part of the opening night of the exhibit, Tracie Ortman, the Executive Director of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, the US fundraising arm for Dar al-Kalima University, will share the hope in Gaza and the West Bank. Bright Stars of Bethlehem shines a light on the next generation of creative leaders in Palestine, and the importance of arts and culture in careers, life in abundance, and in processing trauma.

Evening Highlights:

6:00 pm – Welcome reception with hors d’oeuvres in the gallery.

6:30 pm – Special presentation by Tracie Ortman, Executive Director of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, followed by Q&A engagement and discussion

Come be part of this evening of art, community, and conversation!

Dr. Tala AlRaheb Preaching in Worship on the subject of PEACE & HOPE from a Palestinian Perspective at Calvary Sunday, October 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Tala AlRaheb, PhD is the Development Director of BSB and has a deep personal commitment to peace and justice for Palestinians.

Dr. AlRaheb earned her Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Emory University, specializing in World Christianity. Her research and publications have focused on immigration, Middle Eastern and Palestinian Christianity, and gender studies.

A passionate educator and public speaker, she has presented widely across the United States at universities, churches, and community organizations, inspiring audiences to engage in justice-oriented work.

“As a Palestinian Christian and scholar, I am deeply committed to walking alongside communities as they create a life of abundance in Palestine,” said Dr. AlRaheb. “I am honored to join Bright Stars of Bethlehem and to help strengthen the vital work being done on the ground.”

Dr. AlRaheb grew up in Palestine and is the daughter of Palestinian theologian and pastor, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, co-founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem and the Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University. Read Dr. AlRaheb’s full bio here.