05/15/2026
For the past few years, Oak Life has sought to stand in love and solidarity with our siblings suffering injustice in Palestine. One of the ways this has taken shape is through a partnership with (Friends of Sabeel North America) and an initiative called “Friends of Palestinian Detainees,” through which they paired 12 congregations with 12 detainees. The invitation has been to provide human contact at an international level, foster new relationships with the outside world, offer emotional and spiritual support from people of faith, and create opportunities for detainees’ stories and struggles to be heard and treated with dignity through interpersonal care.
Oak Life was paired with Layan Nasir, a Palestinian Christian from the West Bank. She was first arrested and held in jail in 2021 for handing out sandwiches to students participating in an action on campus. Throughout her detention, we have held space for her in our community by keeping her picture on a dedicated table during our Sunday services. Letters have been written, prayers have been offered, and stories have been shared. Today, we received the news that she has been released!
We celebrate with her family and community and remain committed to not looking away from the suffering and injustice of the world, but responding in love and action.
