Bible Lands Winter 2018 Magazine of the and the Middle East Church Association

www.jmeca.org.uk

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The story of Hayat Heitali...... p.4 Report from Jordan...... p.6 ‘Dusty...faithful feet’ in Ethiopia...... p.12 ‘Home-grown’ clerics in Cyprus...... p.15 Book Reviews...... p.20 THE JERUSALEM AND Bible Lands Editor Letters, articles, comments are welcomed by the Editor: THE MIDDLE EAST CHURCH The Reverend Dr. Stephen W. Need ASSOCIATION Email: [email protected] The next issue will be published in May for (JMECA) Summer 2019. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily Founded in 1887 those of the Association; therefore only signed articles ‘To encourage support in prayer, money and will be published. personal service for the religious and other Front cover photo: Hayat Heitali with JPBC charitable work of the Episcopal church in physiotherapist Ms. Lucy Ghrayeb. Jerusalem and the Middle East’. JMECA Website www.jmeca.org.uk Reg. Charity no. 1158476 www.jmeca.org.uk The site has information for each of the four Dioceses with links to the websites of each one and regular Patron updates of Middle East news. The Most Reverend and Right Honourable The Archbishop of Canterbury THE CENTRAL SYNOD OF THE PROVINCE Chairman President The Reverend Canon Anthony Ball The Most Revd Administrator Secretary Mrs Georgia Katsantonis Mrs. Shirley Eason [email protected] Assistant: Mrs. Shirley Atkins 1 Hart House, The Hart Treasurer The Ven Canon William Schwartz Farnham GU9 7HJ, Surrey. [email protected] Jerusalem Office days: Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 2.00pm. The Most Revd Suheil Dawani Tel/Fax 01252 726994 The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, P.O. Box 19122, The Council of JMECA delegates the administration 65, Nablus Road, Jerusalem 91191 of its assets to a Standing Committee which is Tel: +972 2 6272932 [email protected] THE JERUSALEM AND THE EAST MISSION TRUST website: www.j-diocese.org LIMITED (JEMT) Administrator as above Iran Vicar General Directors The Revd Dr Albert Walters Mr. John Clark (Chairman) Egypt Dr. Clare Amos The Rt Revd Mr. Andrew Hill All Saints Cathedral, PO Box 87, Distribution Zamalek, Mr. John G Pringle (Hon Treasurer) Cairo, Egypt Tel: +20 2 2738 0821 The Reverend Dr. William Taylor [email protected] Mr. David Wright OBE website: www.dioceseofegypt.org The Reverend Canon Hugh Wybrew The Reverend Canon Dr Matthew Rhodes Cyprus and the Gulf The Rt Revd Consultants Diocesean Office, PO Box 22075, 1517 Nicosia Tel: +357 22671220 The Reverend Dr. Stephen W. Need The Bishop’s PA Mr. Richard Owens OBE Mrs Georgia Katsantonis Sir Harold Walker KCMG [email protected] website: www.cypgulf.org

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Mr John Clark, chair of the JMECA standing committee, writes:

A member of my local The imposition of severe sanctions by the US Government congregation was on Iran is making life very difficult for ordinary Iranians, talking to me about the with sizeable increases in the cost of living. The three situation of Christians in congregations continue to meet each week under the the Middle East. She knows the Middle East and said that oversight of the new Vicar-General. We need to hold Iran, headline comments about Christians normally speak about its people and its Christians regularly in our prayers. persecution. She knows the situation is rather different, And writing about prayer, this issue contains a revised more complex and nuanced. cycle of prayer for the four dioceses, Praying Round the We talked about how Christian communities have been Province, with essential information to provide subjects, part of the warp and woof of so many nations of the Middle people and activities for our intercessions. East. They contribute to the rich tapestry of life and vitality This year JMECA has been able to increase its grants to the in the region, whether they come from the historic churches province to £300,000. JMECA is the only charity in the UK or the new expatriate communities, notably in the Gulf. I with the specific brief to support the whole province through reminded her of how the Episcopal Church is a small and prayer, finance and sharing information. So it is particularly varied but significant part of that pattern. I gave her a copy fitting that our Treasurer, John Pringle should give account of of Bible Lands, its articles outlining the range of Anglican the sources of JMECA’s income, how the charity manages presence and service in the region, with positive examples its finances and makes grants to many of the institutions of commitment and service, often in demanding situations. and to the general ministry of the four dioceses. And this issue reflects that variety. The Jerusalem Donations from readers, supporters and parishes are Princess Basma Centre for children with special needs is important if we are to increase our contribution to Christians a flagship pioneering example of the Diocese of Jerusalem in the region. This Christmas we are supporting a specific extensive commitment to serving communities of all faiths. Appeal from the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf for the Joel Kelling, the new Regional Facilitator for the Anglican clinic in Aden, part of war-torn Yemen. Details can be found Alliance in the Middle East, writes about the situation in at https://www.jmeca.org.uk/node/1170 Our main annual Jordan where there are so many refugees from the conflicts appeal comes for the Good Friday and Easter Offering in Syria and Iraq. when the Church in the Middle East is a specific focus for There are developments in Jerusalem and it is particularly the . interesting to read the reflections of Archbishop Suheil’s But we welcome gifts throughout the year. They can be PA and to learn more from Susan Lukens about the impact made online too on the donate page of the JMECA of St George’s College. There are new arrivals too – website – https://www.jmeca.org.uk/welcome-jmeca Canon Richard Sewell as dean at the College and Revd Don Binder as Archbishop Suheil’s chaplain. On another note, JMECA now welcomes a new Chairman of its Board. Canon Huw Thomas has stepped down because As I write, news has come in of the murder by ISIS of seven of his responsibilities as Interim Chaplain in Algiers. He has Coptic Christians in Minya, Egypt and that is a reminder been succeeded by Revd Canon Anthony Ball. Anthony is of the persecution that Christians in Egypt in particular Canon Steward and Almoner at Westminster Abbey. He are facing. But alongside these terrible events there are brings Middle East experience to the role. He has served in positive developments such as the first graduates at St the diplomatic service in the Middle East including a posting Frumentius’ School of Theology, the social outreach in Damascus where he was also Anglican Chaplain and the activities of the diocese and the growth in congregation Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Heads of numbers. Bishop Muneer’s report on his visit to Ethiopia the Orthodox Churches in Syria and Lebanon. He went on also contains a message of hope. to join the staff of Archbishop Rowan Williams at Lambeth Articles about the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf can often Palace with responsibility for and focus on the large congregations in the Gulf States. So it Ecumenical Affairs. He is also a Canon of Cairo Cathedral. is a particularly helpful balance to read Archdeacon John Thank you for your support in whatever form it comes, Holdsworth’s account of ministerial training in Cyprus and prayer, interest, concern or financial gifts. to hear of Andrew Mayes recent arrival in Limassol. John Clark

3 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, a diocese of the worldwide Anglican Communion, extends over five countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and , within the Province of Jerusalem and the

Archbishop Suheil Dawani Middle East. There are 27 parishes that minister to the needs of their communities, centered on the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr, Syria Lebanon in Jerusalem. The diocese supports 35 institutions, which include hospitals, clinics, kindergartens and schools,

vocational training programmes, as Palestine well as institutions for the deaf, the & Israel disabled and the elderly, reaching out to Jordan interfaith neighbours in mutual respect and cooperation.

a blocking in the stomach, and looseness in the eyelid. She also had a cleft lip palate which put her mother in a lot of suffering that started with feeding her milk. “I could see the cavity of the nose from the inside and always had the fear of milk reflux which made me cautious day and night,” Sa’ida said. The Jerusalem Princess With unconditional love, care and diligence for Hayat, Sa’ida followed up on her daughter’s condition. Basma Centre (JPBC) She accompanied her through several operations, By Elaine Moller beginning with the cleft lip and palate repair at the age of two and a half years, in addition to the A two-part article covering the background strenuous visits to the doctor and the periodic follow- and work of this well-known Jerusalem up appointments to ensure that the two holes in the institution. heart had repaired on their own as Hayat grew. In her quest to find an adequate care that complimented Part Two: The story of Hayat Heitali her child’s needs, Sa’ida kept looking for a specialized “I’m sorry to tell you the bad news. Unfortunately, your future daughter will have a lot of disabilities”. With these devastating words, Sa’ida prepared herself to welcome her second baby while she was in her second trimester of pregnancy. Sa’ida was deeply saddened with the news after having a regular ultrasound examination to the foetus’ organs but she determined to give life to her daughter and decided to call her Hayat, which means ‘life’. Following the doctor’s words which prophesied a deformity, Hayat was born with one arm longer than the other, a 3cm shorter leg, a congenital heart defect, 4 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem Archbishop Suheil Dawani

centre in the city of Nablus that could provide her Centre, I was enrolled in the Mother’s Empowerment child with the needed rehabilitation services. She was Programme. Like the rest of the mothers, I instantly only thinking of Hayat reaching her maximum level of joined the psychosocial sessions in addition to the independence but encountered no luck at all. awareness raising meetings held for us and noticed an immense change in my habits towards my daughter. Most of the centers provided basic physiotherapy I became more aware of the issues related to her which did not suffice for Hayat’s complex condition. well-being”. Sa’ida elaborated, “I was eager to get a referral to the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre (JPBC) due to its Sa’ida expressed her satisfaction with the center’s profound reputation. I have heard lots of significant services, “Three weeks have passed since Hayat’s testimonies from mothers of children with disabilities transfer to the Centre,” she said, “and I am greatly in regard to the great contribution the Centre has impressed by her improvement. Hayat received provided to their children.” comprehensive rehabilitation services including Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Hayat was referred to receive Hydrotherapy, Speech and Language comprehensive rehabilitation services therapy and Music therapy. In addition, at JPBC after being diagnosed by the Hayat enjoyed full access to the ball multidisciplinary team that conducts pool in the sensory room. weekly visits to a partner community- based rehabilitation centre in Nablus. With a great smile on her face, Sa’ida adds “I can’t wait to return back home Sa’ida is burdened by being the and surprise my husband and daughter sole breadwinner of her family as “Isra’a” with the huge progress Hayat her husband is unemployed. Her has made here”. She continued “I will challenge began with taking a three- teach everyone in the family the new week vacation from her employer so exercises I learned during my time at as to escort her daughter to JPBC. JPBC”. She also felt hesitant about leaving her eldest daughter “Isra’a”, a first-grade student, without “Mama” was the only word Hayat was able to speak! following up on her daily homework. But now she makes indicative gestures expressing her needs and responds to words like “give” and She was also worried about who was going to “take”. Also, Hayat now sits in a stable and balanced prepare daily meals for her family, as well as do position and can stand on her tip toes. She can even laundry and day-to-day housework; but she insisted carry things with both hands! Additionally, she started on putting Hayat first. Sa’ida felt responsible towards recognizing the visual shapes in front of her. Indeed, her child and wanted to empower her with physical when I place two toys in front of her she prefers one of rehabilitation. them and expresses that clearly through her repeated “I came here hopeless, depressed, and full of negative endeavors to reach for the toy she wants”. Sa’ida feelings, but I felt better day by day. I was driven by concluded, “Thanks be to God and to the JPBC team the power of determination each time I participated in that Hayat started to have a thriving life! the psychosocial sessions with other mothers”, Sa’ida Elaine Moller is Programme Officer at JPBC expressed happily. Visit JPBC at www.basma-center.org Then she continued, “The moment I arrived at the Photos: JPBC 5 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem The new Regional anything but normal, with the majority of the camp’s inhabitants only tens of kilometres away from their Facilitator for the homes but unable to return to their homes or other members of their families at least for now. Azraq on Archbishop Suheil Dawani Anglican Alliance in the the other hand, whilst neatly ordered into five ‘villages’ Middle East, Joel Kelling, of a much smaller scale which are all immaculately laid out, feels like a very long way from anywhere, reports from Jordan located in the middle of the desert just off the road Having returned to the Middle East in late which leads to Saudi Arabia. June with my family, I have been settling into a new city – Amman, and getting out to learn more about the ministries of the Province. Here are some experiences so far.

In late August I took two trips in the space of a week, travelling with Sabri Shanteer and members of his staff from the outreach team of the Holy Land Institute of the Deaf (HLID) to Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps. These two cities of displaced people (with populations of 78,554 and 58,000 respectively) are located in the north of Jordan, close to the Syrian border. Whilst large, they are home to only 16.7% of the displaced Whilst these descriptions may be bleak, I’m seeking peoples who have found refuge in Jordan. The rest are to tell a story of hope amid exile. HLID have been in hot communities throughout the northern half of the working in Zaatari since 2012 and in Azraq from country, in cities such as Mafraq, Irbid, and Amman. 2017. In both camps, in port-a-cabins arranged Zaatari feels vast, one single urban space with neatly around small but well tended gardens, they are the narrow and wiggly roads in the east of the site engaging with children with a number of challenges testament to its rapid development from 2012. The from blindness and deafness to problems with motor camp is close to both Zaatari village and the city of skills and learning difficulties. Fifty children in Zaatari Mafraq where it is at least theoretically possible to and another thirty in Azraq are receiving education find work (and gain work permits – 36,000 were given in language learning, personal health and hygiene, to Syrian refugees in 2017). Jordanian police at the and creative arts. Farah, who is a part of HLID’s entrance tell me that it is easy to get permission to outreach team tells me that there is no official Syrian leave the camp for up to three weeks at a time. The sign-language and that typically the deaf students bicycles and bus service, and the shops and mosques have not been able to communicate with each other give a semblance of normality amid a context which is or their families until now.

6 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem

Today, HLID volunteers are teaching not only the daughter Dina who is herself physically and mentally students but also their parents how to communicate disabled. They’ve fled twice, leaving Mosul in 2014 through Jordanian sign language and opening up their as ISIS approached and in 2016 from Baghdad worlds. What is more remarkable is that all but one of after a colleague of Duraid’s was kidnapped. Unlike Archbishop Suheil Dawani the volunteers in the camps are refugees themselves Syrian refugees, the Iraqis are unable to gain legal (Marwan, the exception to this, is deaf himself, a employment and whilst they receive support from the graduate of HLID’s school in Salt and an inspirational UNHCR, which covers some of Dina’s medical bills, success story) who had no prior knowledge of signing it is not enough. They’re looking for help in order to or working with disabled children. leave the Middle East and find respite and support I speak with one of the volunteers in Zaatari, who’s elsewhere. They want to know if I can help but I feel name – Amal – means ‘hope’ in Arabic. She expresses that all I can do is tell their story which doesn’t feel how she feels her life has been enriched by the like enough. Fr. George says that he doesn’t want to experience of working with HLID and imagines a time assist the Christian depopulation of the Middle East when HLID are able to open institutions inside of Syria but in their case the family would perhaps be better and hopes she can return home and continue working off abroad. with them. It’s good to hear the optimism and desire Later on, having attended a presentation by Finn for a return home and the dream not only of rebuilding Church Aid, Fr. George and I contemplate the need but developing new opportunities for more inclusivity for sustainable long-term solutions, supporting host within Syrian society in the future. communities as well as refugees. We continue a conversation about the establishment of a clinic on the premises of St. Paul’s, an idea he has had for some time. We’ve begun discussions with an NGO about their potential support and assistance and the need for a strategy for how the Anglican Church responds to these crises of displacement. Throughout this time I’ve been struck by the way we use language around the people affected by conflict and displacement. The teachers and pupils in Zaatari and Azraq are refugees but this doesn’t begin to describe the fullness of who they are. Fr. George refuses to refer to ‘refuge ministry’ and instead talks about the activities of the parish, despite approximately half of it being made up of refugees. Partly this is because Sabri Shanteer might be happy to consider HLID the Anglican Church in Jordan is made up largely of working within Syria in the future but for now his focus the descendants of Palestinian refugees and partly is on providing the best support possible for the because of the strength of hospitality present in ministry within Zaatari and Azraq. He wishes that he Arabic culture. was able to pay the volunteers more than the “pocket But a greater money” they receive currently and to be able to work part, I believe, is with a greater number of children than they currently born out of faith do. For that to happen they need more funding which and belief that is proving more difficult as the Syrian conflict looks we are all made set to continue into an eighth year and is replaced by in the image news from elsewhere in our media. and likeness of Back in Amman, and in the same week, I visit the home God and equally of one of the parishioners of St. Paul’s Ashrafiyeh, a loved by God. neighbourhood which has seen displaced people This must inform come and go over the past century. Today it is Iraqi how we engage Christians who are here, dispersed amongst the with all of those churches perched on the steep hillside south of the around us. city centre. Fr. George al-Kopti has invited me to visit

and hear the story of Duraid and Nada, and their

7 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem My journey and being able to visit a few; writing letters of thanks to the many people from all corners of the world who send A Reflection from Pauline Collier after two monetary gifts in support of these establishments; keeping the lists for Confirmations, Graduations

Archbishop Suheil Dawani years as PA to Archbishop Suheil Dawani and Board Meetings; arranging schedules for the Before going to Jerusalem in Archbishop’s overseas visits and for those many March 2016, I had visited the Holy visitors wishing to see the work of the diocese…and Land on two previous occasions. much more. The first time was to attend a course at St. George’s College The Muslim community have a great camaraderie and the second time was part amongst themselves and a ready smile for visitors. I of a pilgrimage. It was after this recall the group of young teenagers whom I met while visit that I thought there might be walking through the Old City. They were with their something I could offer but not teacher and visiting Jerusalem for the day. As I passed quite sure if it should be in education – which had them they said ‘Hello’ and on my reply they entered been my life’s work – or… what? into a long conversation about where I came from, where I was going etc. A happy group of girls who The Rev. Dr. Stephen Need, my parish priest, who were open and friendly. And then the Muna family who had previously been a Dean of St. George’s College run the Education Bookshop and Stationers in Salah and his wife Jill began making enquiries and after Ad-Din Street who seem to have the very book or some months I found myself working in St. George’s stationary item you need and an answer to any query. Cathedral Close as PA to Archbishop Suheil Dawani. Having been there for two years and now returned Also, the Bel Canto Choir, with every rehearsal carried home, I can look back at a fascinating experience. out in Hebrew but as everyone spoke English there was always someone to whisper the bar numbers in Being able to visit so many of the Holy Places, where my ear. I took part in several concerts with them but Jesus walked, preached, had a meal, in fact where it the one which will remain with me was the Christmas all happened, has been an extraordinary experience Eve Concert 2017 at the YMCA Concert Hall in West and will always remain with me but so will the people Jerusalem. It included, ‘I Can Tell the World’, a spiritual of the land: the Arabic speaking congregation who by Moses Hogan, and Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’. worship at St. George’s Cathedral week by week, my colleagues working in the Majma (the Arabic word for I thank God for showing me the way to Jerusalem, for the Diocesan Offices), the friendliness of Salah Ad- two wonderful years of sharing its life and for giving me Din Street Muslim community, walking through the the opportunity to serve him in the work of the diocese. Old City and its four Quarters with the representation of the three faiths living there, and my friends of the Jerusalem Oratorio Bel Canto Choir, a Jewish choir which I joined in West Jerusalem. The Arabic-speaking congregation attend the 9.30. am service at St. George’s Cathedral every Sunday, a service which is conducted in Arabic and English. Although small in number they are very faithful and give a warm welcome to all visitors. I have been to various events with them and although most of them speak English when we are together it is naturally Arabic which they use among themselves. I have never found the Arabic a problem as someone would often interpret for me and if they did not, well did it really matter? It was good being with them. My work for Archbishop Suheil Dawani has been very interesting and included the following areas: communicating with the twenty-four Parishes in Jerusalem, Palestine, Jordan, Israel, Syria and Lebanon; contacting the hospitals, care homes, schools and guest houses, all financed by the diocese 8 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem The Associate Dean at the daytime visits and in the evenings that we seek love. Andrew Mayes, British theologian and frequent St. George’s College, Rev college lecturer, opened a recent homily saying [and I paraphrase], ‘as tourists you look down at a place, Archbishop Suheil Dawani Dr. Susan Ackley Lukens, but as pilgrims you look inward’. And Andrew’s simple reflects on her time in but wise words stay with me. The community of the college has changed me inwardly and deepened my Jerusalem sense of the transforming power of love. My time at St. George’s At the college, one of my jobs was to check off the College has given me names of pilgrims on the rooming list when they gifts I never imagined arrived. But on departure, the checklist was no receiving when I arrived longer needed. I cherished long heartfelt embraces for a weekend visit nearly as we wished each other well, lifting in prayer shared 6 years ago. During that sufferings and joys or planning a rendezvous in the time there have been coming year. Course participants arrived alone but many experiences and left as members of a new international pilgrim family. many insights from the Over a year ago, in the middle of a typically busy land of the Holy One. course, characteristically I said goodnight to everyone Here are just a few of them. one evening and went off to my apartment. Later, a First, the gift of knowing fully that no matter where we lot of commotion came from the third-floor common are from on the planet, we all seek solace. Be it from room. Without invitation, I walked into a party. Music, our family, our professional lives or the unrest in our laughter and conversation filled the room. Just as one political arenas - we come to Jerusalem to find solace of the pilgrims started to demonstrate a dance move, in the holy places of the land. he noticed me at the doorway, ‘Oh, Susan, come on Several years ago a pair of Canadian sisters came in’. And so began an hour of pure delight including to be pilgrims with us at the college. We traveled to jokes amid serious theological questions (after all this reflect and pray at Beersheba with the story of Hagar, was a group of seminarians!). I often recall that party, to re imagine a cave in Bethlehem and the birth story the stories, the uncontrollable laughter, and the deep of our Lord, and then north to the shores of the Galilee theological discussion. And above all, the sense of waters to be called by Jesus to be his disciples. God’s love among us. This is the greatest gift from Experiencing Biblical narratives in these places was serving at St. George’s College: love – and learning the planned journey, but it was the yoga at dawn on from pilgrims that despite our differences, we seek the college rooftop that breathed solace in my soul; and find the face of Christ in each other. a small gathering of our pilgrims from several corners St. George’s College is a treasure to all who pass of the world, watching the new day arrive stretching through its doors. The daily life of the place contributes postures of grace. We all seek a calm inner body hidden depths to growth in faith. These three gifts peace, be we Canadians or sojourners from the Nepal. have been fundamental for me and continue to make Second, the gift of Jesus. The college days are all the difference. filled with excursions to sacred spaces and holy places. In-depth scripture lessons are experienced in the landscapes where they actually took place, and the continued interweaving of worship, prayer and reflection is central. But whether the college pilgrimage is for an individual quest or a parish journey, the seeking is the same: Jesus. Who was he? How did he live? Who is he and what does he mean? The sense of Jesus in the Holy Land can be vivid and sometimes overwhelming and as Christians we all seek his presence. And third, the gift of love. It is in the community of our pilgrim life together at the college, in 9 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem Prince William visits the Holy Land

Archbishop Suheil Dawani Prince William made a five-day state visit to the Holy Land in June this year to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. It was his first visit to the area. Beginning in Jordan and meeting with Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah 11 and refugees at the Makani programme, the Prince flew to Tel Aviv. Basing himself at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem he visited important Israeli and Palestinian communities in the area, meeting with young people and officials including the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem’s Old Netanyahu and the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. He City. In , the Prince met with Anglican met with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, Christian community and visited a local refugee camp. in Ramallah. Meetings with young Palestinians and Israelis in a The Prince attended a service at the Yad Vashem number of different locations enabled him to get a feel Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem as well as visiting for the country and to see some of the local projects. the Western Wall, El Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of A personal visit for the Prince was to the tomb of his the Rock. The Most Rev’d Suheil Dawani, the Anglican great-grandmother, Princess Alice von Battenberg Archbishop in Jerusalem and Primate of the Province (mother of the Duke of Edinburgh), who is buried in of Jerusalem and the Middle East, accompanied the the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Mary Magdalene Prince on a number of his visits which also included on the Mount of Olives.

Jerusalem visits Kew The St. George’s College and Cathedral gardener, Mr Samer Bassa, visited Kew Gardens in London on Monday 16th July this year. Mr Bassa was on a two-week visit to England in which he spent time in the Lake district and in Essex. His visit to Kew

fulfilled a life-long dream to see the famous garden. After a tour of some of the garden’s great treasures, including the newly renovated Temperate House, Mr Bassa met with the Director, Mr Richard Deverell, and then had tea near the Victoria Gate, the garden’s main entrance. The visit was especially significant because the Biblical Garden surrounding St. George’s College, Jerusalem was created by Mr Nigel Hepper who worked at Kew and visited the college regularly until his death about ten years ago. Mr Bassa lives in Bethany and has been gardener at St. George’s for 28 years. 10 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem New dean for which he worked at the Church of Scotland Hospice in Tiberias as a volunteer. St. George’s College Prior to ordination Richard worked for the Anglican

Archbishop Suheil Dawani Mission Agency, USPG, as a mission educator with additional responsibilities for USPG’s relationship with the Churches in Pakistan and Bangladesh. For three years he initiated and oversaw an Inter-Faith Project in East London. For the past seven years Richard has been Team Rector of the Barnes Team Ministry in south London. His wife JulieAnn, a Primary School teacher and counsellor, will be joining the college community whist their son, Nathaniel, and daughter, Eliana, continue to pursue their careers and studies in the UK. Asked to reflect on his forthcoming ministry and role as Dean of Saint George’s College, Richard responded, The Right Reverend Suheil Dawani is pleased to ‘I am so excited and feel very privileged to have been announce the appointment of Revd Richard Sewell selected as the new Dean of St George’s College. as the next Dean of St. George’s College. This role brings together a lifetime’s interests and commitments in ministry and beyond. I am delighted Richard comes from the Diocese of Southwark, United to be able to join the staff team of the college and the Kingdom. He was ordained priest on the Feast of cathedral and to lead the college into what I pray will St Francis 2003 and has served in parishes in the be a very positive future’. Diocese of Southwark throughout his ministry. He trained for ministry at SEITE (South East Institute of Richard arrived in Jerusalem at the beginning of Theological Education - now St Augustine’s College October. We wish him and JulieAnn best wishes for located in West Malling, Kent). He also studied the future. Theology at the University of Birmingham following Photo: Jerusalem Diocese

New chaplain in Jerusalem Archbishop Suheil Dawani commissioned the Revd Dr Donald Binder as his new Chaplain at a ceremony in St. George’s Cathedral on Sunday 21st October. Revd Binder hails from the USA and was until recently Rector of Historic Pohic Church near Mount Vernon, Virginia. He studied at Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1989. He completed a PhD in New Testament Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Rev Binder is already familiar with Jerusalem and relationship with St. George’s and the Diocese of the Holy Land having done a course at St. George’s Jerusalem, I am thrilled at this opportunity to serve College in 1988 and been a scholar in residence at the Archbishop as his Chaplain over these next three the Ecumenical Theological Institute at Tantur near years. My wife and I look forward to becoming part Bethlehem. He also took part in the well-known of the St. George’s community and to helping the University of South Florida excavations at Sepphoris Archbishop advance his ministry of reconciliation’. in Galilee. Don is married to Christine and they have We wish Don and Christine all the best for their time three grown-up children. in Jerusalem. Revd Binder said, ‘Having enjoyed a 30-year Photo: Jerusalem Diocese 11 ( The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa www.dioceseofegypt.org Africa Egypt & North

Since its beginning in 1839, the Diocese has been committed to serve others as Jesus did. We are committed to serving all people holistically, regardless of their religion or social status. Numerically we are small, but in this strategic part of the world, we have a great opportunity and responsibility to be ambassadors of our Lord Jesus, demonstrating in ‘Word and Deed’ what our faith means to us. The Diocese supports over 30 institutions which include hospitals, clinics, nurseries, schools, a theological seminary, micro-enterprise ventures, vocational Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis training programs, as well as institutions for the deaf Tunisia and the disabled. The five goals of the Diocese are: to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Christ; to grow Christ’s church by making disciples and Algeria Libya Egypt equipping leaders; to serve our neighbours; to work for unity among all Christians; to Eritrea dialogue with other faith communities.

Support from The Jerusalem and Middle Djibouti

East Church Association (JMECA) to the Ethiopia Diocese in recent years has been directed to helping with mission work, ordination training for Egyptian candidates and medical outreach. Somalia

A report from Bishop Mouneer Anis on his recent where the number of churches has grown from 7 in visit to Ethiopia and Algeria 2000 to 141 in 2017. 8th – 16th September, 2018 A new hope We spent the first day in Addis Ababa and spent Sunday the 9th at St. Matthew’s Church where Bishop preached and I celebrated the Holy Communion service. While in Addis we noticed that the local people were in the streets carrying Ethiopian flags and celebrating with great joy! The reason for all this was the celebration of the Ethiopian New Year. They follow a different calendar, so it is now 2011. The other reason for the obvious joy was that the new Dusty… faithful feet Prime Minister has invited all of the opposition leaders to come back to Ethiopia in order to participate in Introduction building the future of the country. We were able to see On the 8th of September I travelled to Ethiopia to join the hope in the eyes of the people who have suffered with Archbishop Josiah Fearon, the Secretary General from oppression in the past. of the Anglican Communion; Bishop Andrew Proud, On Sunday evening we travelled to Gambella. On the Bishop of Redding, Oxford; and Rev. David White, Monday morning we visited two new churches for the CEO of the Anglican Communion Office. Rev. the Anuak tribe. In the afternoon we went to visit the Rajan Vincent, of Christ the King Anglican Church, churches in Itang. Each group of churches has a Tripoli, Libya joined me as well. The purpose of the mission centre where people gather once a month for visit was for Archbishop Josiah to see the extent of the training and fellowship. I was touched when I learned ministry in Ethiopia, especially the Gambella region that some of the women walked for three hours to 12 ( The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa www.dioceseofegypt.org Africa Egypt & North

come and welcome us in the mission centre. Their act as a judge when people brought problems to him. dusty feet spoke of their faithfulness to the Church It was also wonderful to see the new St. Augustine’s of Christ. Catholic Basilica and to meet some Anglicans who worship there. The great and wonderful surprise for me was that on a large piece of land they have built a new church with Photos: The Diocese of Egypt mud and tree branches! They asked me to give the church a name which I did. The church is now called “The Good Shepherd Church.” Other news from Egypt… Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis • An important Youth Conference was held in Alexandria from June 14th–18th with about a hundred and thirty young people present. They travelled from Old Cairo, El Salam, Giza, Ezbet El Nakhl, Port Said and Banha. The theme was ‘Discover, Invest and Start’. Participants were encouraged to discover their God-given gifts, invest in them and start acting upon them. As well On Tuesday, we met with around 35 clergy and lay as lectures, discussions and a variety of different ministers. They shared about what the Lord is doing activities, there was worship and prayer giving in their midst. They also gave us all an update about thanks to God. The event was led by Ramez the number of churches in each mission centre. Bekheet from the Diocesan Youth Committee. Archbishop Josiah asked them about their hopes for the future. They are very much looking forward to a • St. Frumentius’ Anglican Theological College in Bishop who can live in their midst, not far away. They Gambella, Ethiopia celebrated recently with its first also would like to see development work in the areas batch of graduating students. The college opened of education and health happening in Gambella. As in November, 2015 and is the first theological I write this report a group of engineers finished their college in Ethiopia. The college has been providing visit to Addis Ababa and Gambella to develop plans theological education in the region not only for for the extensions of St. Matthew’s as well as the new Anglicans but also for other churches. Three years land in Gambella. after starting its courses the first students have now graduated. The first years three years have not Visit to Algiers been easy, partly because of the political tensions in the region. But now the college has established We also visited a good reputation and looks forward to continuing Algiers in order to see to provide high quality courses in the future. the ministry in North Africa. It was a great • Dr. Wendy LeMarquand who has worked in encouragement to see a vibrant service on Friday Ethiopia for a number of years has been awarded morning and another Arabic service in the afternoon. an Honorary doctorate by Wycliffe College in The church is definitely growing in Algiers! It became Toronto, Canada. Dr. LeMarquand worked in the obvious to all of us that the need for several clergy area while her husband Bishop Grant LeMarquand is becoming urgent. We are happy that a number of was bishop in the area. Sadly they had to return potential clergy are now being trained at St. Cyprian’s to Canada for health reasons. Dr. LeMarquand’s Theological Centre in Tunisia. work with the Mother’s Union of Gambella was instrumental in establishing a women’s programme which is now led my local woman themselves. The programme includes health care awareness, sharing experiences and stories and education in the Bible and in faith. Bible Lands sends Dr. LeMarquand many congratulations. • Four new Lay Readers were licensed at a Eucharist at All Saints’ Cathedral, Cairo While in Algiers, we were able to visit Annaba (Hippo) on 12th October. They are which is in the east of the country. It was wonderful to Rafik Wagdy, Shady Mouneer, visit the ruins of the site of St. Augustine’s Cathedral Cynthia Buttram and Stan Lie. and to see the seat where he used to sit, preach and 13

Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus

Bishop Michael Lewis explains that the Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf covers Oman, the Yemen, the seven United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and the whole of Cyprus. “In every part of the diocese, except in Cyprus and Iraq, the congregations are largely expatriate, made up of Christians from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and the African continent. Many do not come from an Anglican background but find a welcome church

Bishop Michael Lewis home in our Anglican congregations. Through some intricate and special relationships, the Diocese is often responsible for churches and congregations which are not Anglican, Iraq some of which are still working out their Cyprus Bahrain

relationships to the Bishop and Synod. Qatar Worship is largely in English but in some Kuwait locations we have liturgy in Arabic, Syriac- Aramaic, Tamil and Urdu. Bishop Azad United Marshall of Iran has a particular ministry Arab Emirates to the Urdu-speaking congregations within Oman our diocese.” Yemen

News from Cyprus and the Gulf New Chair of Selectors The Revd Jon Lavelle has been named by Bishop Dean Butt has been congratulated by the Bishop on Michael as the new Chair of Selectors in succession the developments during his tenure, and he in turn to the Very Revd Chris Butt who will be retiring next has welcomed Jon’s appointment. “This is a great year. Jon is the first priest to have been ordained appointment,” he said, “I know Jon will do a really in the Diocese having gone through the current good job.” selection process, and so understands it from every perspective. A former university lecturer, following Two new deacons in Cyprus ordination he served his Curacy at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Bahrain before taking responsibility for St Two new deacons were ordained in St Paul’s Luke’s Church Ras Al Khaimah in the Dubai, Sharjah Cathedral in Nicosia on July 7th. Justin Arnott will and Northern Emirates Chaplaincy. Jon is a native of serve as stipendiary Curate at the cathedral, while Buffalo New York, where he will serve as Rector of Peter Day will be non-stipendiary Curate in the St John’s-Grace Episcopal Church, having returned parish of Ammochostos. A packed cathedral with there for family reasons earlier this year. The Selection Conference is the body which advises the bishop on vocations for public representative ministry. Its next meeting will be at Ras Al Khaimah in October, when eight candidates will be considered. This meeting was oversubscribed as the diocese is enjoying a period of growth in the number of people who want to be part of a process of discernment for ministry.

14

Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus

representatives from throughout the Island and known as the Al Fadi beyond heard Bishop Michael preach a sermon or Redeemer School, about God’s priorities in his selection process. Their will eventually serve ordination means that around a third of the diocesan about 300 children. clergy have come through a diocesan selection The Chaplain of St. process from churches within the diocese. George’s, Rev Faiz Jerjees, emphasised Ordination of Revd Charlotte the importance of the school in inter-faith relations in Bishop Michael Lewis Lloyd-Evans the country. Workshop at St. George’s Baghdad: Confronting hate speech Once again, the Anglican Church of St George Baghdad acted as a focus for the wider community when on 7 July it hosted a workshop entitled The Revd Charlotte Lloyd-Evans was ordained priest Confronting hate speech. Dr Sa’ad Salloum, head of at St. Andrew, Abu Dhabi on the Feast of St. Cyprian the Massarat Foundation, explored the idea of hate of Carthage, 15 September 2018. She will continue and hatred as well as how to monitor and address it. to serve in particular at St. Thomas’s Church, Al ‘Ain. Among the contributors, Fr Faiz Jerjes, parish priest Please pray for her, for her husband Gareth and their of St George’s, talked of others’ misconceptions of family, and for the people of St. Andrew’s and St. the doctrine of the Holy Trinity which have often led to Thomas’s. hate-filled hostility. He explained that Christians firmly believe in the oneness of God. A video produced by New school opened the Massarat Foundation was screened and much at St. George’s Baghdad discussion ensued. A brand-new primary school has been opened at St. George’s Church in Baghdad, Iraq. The ceremony took place on Michaelmas Day, September 29th and was led by Rt Rev Michael Lewis, Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf. The school has grown out of the church’s kindergarten and is the first of its kind in the country. It will serve the Moslem population and will include years 1, 2 and 3. It is hoped that the school,

‘Home-grown’ clerics the Gulf. The Diocese he inherited had a historical and cultural memory of either: not needing home grown in Cyprus clergy, or not being able to select and train them. Only one serving cleric was ‘home grown’ at that time, and Six years ago the Diocese of Cyprus and the the procedure for any potential ordinand appeared Gulf had just one ‘home-grown’ licensed to be that they were approved by the Bishop advised cleric. Now around a third of the clergy by an ad hoc group, and then organized their own have come from diocesan congregations. training at their own cost without wider reference. Archdeacon John Holdsworth describes From the outset the Bishop’s vision was for a Diocese how the Bishop’s vision has taken root. which could discern vocations, both lay and ordained, and organize its own bespoke training programmes Surely, one of the vital signs of a mature Diocese is that that would take account of our special context, and it is generating vocations. That was certainly Bishop allow vocations to flourish among those who could Michael’s view when he became Bishop of Cyprus and 15 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus

not afford training costs. Moreover, a complete ministry project would also be able to take into account Diocesan deployment needs and help Diocesan cohesion. He delegated the task of bringing his vision to fruition, to a newly appointed senior colleague with experience in Bishop Michael Lewis theological education, and together they have worked with the Diocesan Synod who have contributed an initial budget, and the Foundation and JMECA who have each played a substantial part in financing the project, to make the aspiration a reality. Seven years on, there is evidence of a new culture and the vision beginning Newfoundland, a degree awarding Anglican to be realised. foundation, accredit our theological learning course: Exploring Faith. This course combines learning, We now have a professionally trained group of with some formational elements, and is ideal for selectors from which are chosen the specific people a scattered Diocese such as ours. Local Church to act in that capacity at each selection conference. Learning Groups work at a series of modules which We average around one each year. The most recent, can build over a period into a degree qualification. We held at Ras Al Khaima in the UAE considered eight had a graduation ceremony for our first two graduates candidates. Training pathways are validated by a last Summer. Currently we have 33 students registered Theological Educators’ Group, meeting every three with Queens, either discerning vocation or working years which consists of Diocesan educators and through a training programme. The Group Facilitators members from partner institutions. These include have a special and important role and this Autumn UTC Bangalore, St Padarn’s Institute in Cardiff, the we have a residential programme for them, led by Near East School of Theology in , and Queens Rev Canon Professor Leslie Francis and the Dean College Newfoundland. They recommended that of Liverpool. since the qualities required for public representative ministry are so similar that it would be advantageous Summer 2019 will see the first Summer School for for prospective lay ministers, especially Readers, to those who are in training as well as those recently undergo the same selection procedure, and this has ordained or licensed. This will be held in Beirut and now happened for the first time. will give opportunity for formational cohort experience of worshipping and working together. The theme is During the last four years we have used St Padarn’s ‘Church in Context’ and there will be opportunity to for some residential courses, and Queens College recognize the special contexts in which our ministry is conducted. Around a third of our clergy are now ‘home- grown’ and we are now in a position to offer some of our trained clergy as a gift to the rest of the Communion – a long overdue payback!

Photos: John Holdsworth

16 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus Rev Dr Andrew Mayes TSSF appointed to Limassol May 5th, 2018 was a glorious day

Bishop Michael Lewis in Limassol, Cyprus, made even more special with the Licensing of Rev Canon Dr. Andrew Mayes as the new Priest for the Parish of Limassol. Limassol Parish consists of St Barnabas’ Church in Limassol and St Lazarus’ in Pissouri. Father Andrew also combines his duties as Parish Priest with the role of Spirituality Adviser to the Diocese. Father Andrew comes with a huge amount of It was a truly joyful occasion with the Cyprus sunshine experience and knowledge, having written a number welcoming Father Andrew, his wife Ann and their dog of books and already being the spirituality advisor Habiby and, as usual, we had a celebration in the for the Diocese of Chichester. He was previously the grounds of the church where everyone enjoyed the Rector of East Blatchington and Bishopstone, near fellowship. Seaford, Sussex. Previously he has ministered in the For Father Andrew, it is a coming-home to the dioceses of London, Chelmsford, and Birmingham, Province, where he has worked as Course Director at all in the Province of Canterbury. St George’s College, Jerusalem and where he leads The Right Reverend Michael Lewis, Bishop of Cyprus courses annually. and the Gulf, licensed Father Andrew at a service with Edna Gregory participation of our Interim Minister Rev’d Christine Goldsmith and members of the regular congregation. Photos: Edna Gregory and Christine Taylor

Ammochostos the wider parish of Ammochostos where her curacy will include chaplaincy among students and others. Mrs Navina Thompson was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Michael on Friday 20th April at St. Andrew’s Please pray and give thanks for Navina, Church, Abu Dhabi where she and her husband Andy, and their family as well as for the Canon Andy Thompson lived. people of St Mark Famagusta, the parish of Ammochostos, and Fr Martin They have now moved to St Mark’s Famagusta within Phillips-Last, parish priest. 17 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus Special Appeal: treat patients in much earlier stages of deterioration of their sight, which will also contribute to the ability Eye Clinic in Yemen of the patients to continue caring for and working to support their families. Many patients cannot afford The latest news from this kind of treatment in the private clinics. Ras Morbat Yemen has highlighted continues to offer eye care to the poor and displaced the deteriorating health people in and around Aden. of the local population. Yemen is one of the Bishop Michael Lewis world’s least developed Project Costs countries and remains Overall the project will cost around £25,000 which the poorest and most includes purchase of the equipment, accessories and rural country in the Middle East and the recent political training for the surgeons to offer this particular kind of unrest has made the situation worse for the population treatment. The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf has with diminishing food, fuel supplies and inadequate been able to fund the first £10,000 towards this project health provision. and is therefore looking for donations to make up the It is in this context that the Ras Morbat Clinic is working £15,000 shortfall. to provide accessible healthcare for the poorest in the Cheques made out to JMECA can be sent to community. The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf who The Administrator, JMECA, 1 Hart House, The Hart, run the clinic is looking to raise £15,000 to purchase Farnham, Surrey GU9 7HJ, with a note specifying new vital ophthalmic equipment and provide training your donation is for the Yemen Eye Clinic appeal. for its staff to identify earlier and treat the deterioration No matter how you donate, let us know if your of sight. donation is eligible for Gift Aid. The clinic urgently needs new surgical equipment to Please visit the JMECA webpage to help – offer more comprehensive treatment for cataracts and https://www.jmeca.org.uk/node/1170 glaucoma. This equipment will allow the clinic staff to

Diocese of Iran Iran

The United States has unilaterally withdrawn from serve these small communities by holding them in

Vicar-General Revd Albert WaltersAlbert RevdVicar-General the ‘Iran Nuclear Deal’ which limited Iran’s ability to prayer. But also remember all those who follow the way develop nuclear weapons. It has also re-imposed of Jesus in Iran, together with the whole population stringent sanctions on trading and doing business and leadership of the country. Pray too for the role of with Iran. This has had a severe effect on Iran’s Iran in the wider region. economy with great rises in the price of food and increasing scarcity of medicines and other essentials. A Prayer for Iran The Christians of the diocese and the wider country O God who has implanted in the hearts of men and face the challenges of living at this demanding time. women a great love of gardens; grant that in barren The three small congregations continue to meet under and clamorous days the men and women of Iran may the pastoral oversight of the Vicar-General – the Revd once again enjoy the fruitful and life-affirming aspects Dr Albert Walters – and the three deacons who lead of their rich heritage, and so by this route enter the the weekly services. garden in which your Son reveals himself alive as Archbishop Suheil, as President Bishop, had planned master gardener and fructifier of all your creation, to visit in mid-October, but it did not prove possible. It even Jesus Christ our Lord. is a reminder of how isolated the congregations are. (Jerusalem: prayer offered in the Garden Tomb at a It is rarely possible for people to visit. time when the small Christian church in Iran was facing In this situation those outside the country can best great difficulties) 18

Our Treasurer John Pringle explains where our capital comes from and how we decide Finance matters… to spend the income from our investments.

JMECA and its associated charities are blessed with a send all your donations to support the ministry of the four portfolio of investments of £7M that yields over £200,000 a dioceses as the charity’s administrative, book keeping and year. Together with donations that we receive we are able to audit expenses are met separately. distribute nearly £300,000 every year towards the ministry Guided by our investment advisers CCLA, who follow and mission of the Province. Church of England ethical guidelines, our total investments How have we managed to accumulate such a large sum have grown by 36% since 2013. Our investment policy has of capital? It is due entirely to the generosity of benefactors always been conservative with emphasis on generating the who, over the past 100 years have left legacies or made income vital to the mission and ministry of the Province. donations to further the work of the Anglican Church in the It is our policy only to distribute the income received on our Middle East. Two examples will illustrate this. investments, though occasionally in an emergency or for In 1918 the Rev. Canon Stephen Campbell left a sum of a costly project some capital is released. Maintaining our £3,000 in his Will which the society was instructed to invest capital secures JMECA’s ability to support the Province and use the income from to establish and support mission way into the future. schools in Syria and the northern parts of the Jerusalem Each year, following discussions with our Accountant and Bishopric. Initially his legacy was invested in 5% War Bonds, other Directors, the Treasurer recommends to the Board how yielding an annual income of £142. This legacy is still paying the income is to be allocated. Where there is no restriction out more than 90 years later, now providing a much-needed on how income may be spent the total is divided equally grant of £1,000/year towards education in the region. between the four Dioceses. We ask the Bishops to let us In the 1970s a travel fund was established to support Bishop know how this unrestricted amount is spent so we can satisfy in his ministry of education and interfaith the Charity Commission that it is being used in accordance relations throughout the Province. Following his death in with our stated objectives. 2012 the JMECA Directors decided to maintain the fund We realize that our contributions are only a part of the in his memory to be used for travel to and from and within essential funding that all the Dioceses need to fulfil their the Province. wide-ranging ministries in the Middle East. But thanks to We are fortunate that supporters like you continue to donate your generosity we play our part in ensuring the Christian on a regular basis and leave legacies in your wills so our presence in the Middle East thrives and works for the benefit work may continue long into the future. We are able to of all.

Lady Ghislaine Morris Obituaries Bishop Mouneer Anis writes…

Dear Friends, Mrs Betty Moore I am so sorry to hear of the passing The diocese offers its heartfelt away of our very dear friend Ghislaine. condolences to Bishop Harry She was a remarkable lady who Moore, who was Bishop in Cyprus poured herself to serve others. I will and the Gulf from 1983 to 1986 never forget that she took me to visit on the death of his wife Betty on the nearby hospice in Oxford, and I learned that she was Friday 18 May. The funeral service involved in transporting patients from their homes to the took place on Wednesday 30th hospice. She showed her faith in action. I remember every May, 2018 at St Mary’s Church time I had a discussion with her how enriched I felt by her Hopesay, Craven Arms SY7 8HD at deep thoughts. Nancy and I will miss her so much, but 11.15am, followed by committal at she will continue to live in our hearts and thoughts. I pray Shrewsbury Crematorium. that the Lord may give you peace during this time. May she rest in peace and rise May the Lord bless you. in glory. Yours in Christ.

19

Where the Line is Drawn Raja Shehadeh

London: Profile Books, 2018

Raja Shehadeh is a Palestinian lawyer and the founder of Al Haq, the pioneering Human Rights organization which has recorded the abuse and subjugation of the Palestinian people under occupation. He is also Palestine’s leading writer, the author of ten widely acclaimed books and of a number of research papers. My expectation of a book written by a human rights ‘resistance by peaceful means’ family. Sumoud lawyer was that there would be a forensic analysis means steadfast defiance. It believes people have of the many legal issues that arise from the years the power to recover after disappointment, and rise of occupation, of land forcibly taken by settlers, of higher. It is more than suffering in silence, more than a the imprisonment of protesters, of the limitation of lifestyle of patient endurance, it is a positive assertion movement and of the other deprivations suffered of independence and of identity. The self sufficiency by people who face armed military at every turn. of farmers who subsist on their limited produce and Shehadeh lives with that situation but has produced refuse to consume Israeli goods; the builders and a book of a different order. He chooses two themes labourers who lose high income by refusing to work which lift the work to a new level, to a story of warm on Israeli settlements and earn low income by working and sensitive relationships across the political lines. within the Palestinian economy; the school teachers There are times when these lines are crossed and who continue to teach the history of the Palestinians Book Reviews Book Reviews there is the hope that humanity will prevail after all, and although it is written out of the Israeli books are all then there is the realization that crossing those lines embracing the sumoud principle. The author, as he comes at a cost so painful that very few will achieve attempts to encourage sumoud as a way of life, faces it. There is no forensic analysis here, but the intensity the challenges of the ‘intifada’ and the deceptive ‘Oslo and compassion more akin to an epic poem. Agreement’ as ways to peace. With prophetic insight, he fears one is too negative and the other sealed non- The first of the author’s two themes tells the story of statehood into law. The author’s own efforts to live his friendship with Henry, a Canadian Jew who has by sumoud are severely tested and make harrowing settled in Israel. The friendship attempts to cross reading, especially when he seeks to cross the drawn political and social lines and often manages to do lines. When crossing from Jordan the Israeli guard at so, giving the reader hope that good human relations the checkpoint was a friend of Henry’s and they had will overcome the barriers of race, religion, political socialized together and were on first name terms but violence and cruel injustice. But at other times the that did not prevent the humiliation of a strip search. friendship cannot be sustained as each thinks the other is partly responsible for the evils committed on Turning anger and frustration into something positive both sides. Raja wrestles in his mind with the fact that is the challenge of sumoud and in this latest stream his Jewish friend, who is sympathetic to the Palestinian from Shehadeh’s flowing pen we have a profoundly cause in many ways, is in fact a settler and therefore moving picture of the struggle to remain human and partly the cause of the deprivation of the Palestinian compassionate under an occupation which has people. Henry, on his part, feels Raja’s demands that regard for neither. he protests publicly are unreasonable and that he Timothy Biles cannot be expected to put his very comfortable life Former editor of Bible Lands style at risk. The book includes several of the letters they exchanged, showing the affection each had for the other and the sadness that kept them apart. When each got married and later when Henry’s life- threatening illness took over unexpectedly, the lines Raja Shehadeh is also author of Palestinian separating an Arab in the and a Jew in Walks: Notes on a Vanishing Landscape West Jerusalem were heavily drawn. (Profile, 2007) and A Rift in Time: Travels with My Ottoman Uncle (Profile, 2010) among The second of the author’s themes concerns his other titles. chosen sumoud lifestyle. Sumoud belongs in the 20 Book Reviews

Christian Citizenship in the Middle East. Divided Allegiance or Dual Belonging? Ed Mohammed Girma and Cristian Romocea

London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017

The presence of Christians in the Middle East reflects a wide array of relationships with the states in which they find themselves. From a nominally Christian Lebanon (where the ancient native Christian population is probably about 40% of the total), to a massive and ancient Coptic Church in Egypt, and the migrant workers in the Gulf (where their worship to ‘reading the Bible helps Christians to cling to the is in some places welcomed warmly and elsewhere Christian testimony in their own land.’ That may excite absolutely forbidden) the relationship of the Christian the Catholic Bishops who suggested it in 2010, but to the state varies hugely. A book looking at the nature does nothing to keep young Christians living, working of the relationship between the Christian Church or and having families in the catastrophic remains of individual in a mainly Muslim world where democratic Mosul or Aleppo. ideals are hardly practised is therefore valuable. Casey Strine’s article on ‘Migration, Dual Identity and There is an issue of course about which Middle East Integration’ is an engaging and challenging piece, we are talking about. The temporary residence in the having as much to say about integration in the UK Gulf countries of huge numbers of Christians from as anything, and offers clear ideas about a Christian Kerala and the Philippines in particular means that answer to problems in the Middle East. What it does they have no sense of belonging, let alone of loyalty not do, and maybe it cannot do as a book written in to the state in which they reside, whereas the numbers 2017, is offer a way in which pressure can be brought of native Christians left in Iraq or Syria, Lebanon or on the now generally anti-Christian governments of Palestine have a deep ambivalence to the state which Egypt, Israel, Syria, (and Turkey,) and the internally has failed to protect them over the last decades, as is challenged leaders of Iraq and its Kurdish north, to the case for those Christians in the nascent Kurdish embrace the contribution which Christians can and state which sometimes sought to engage them do make to their nations. seriously in greater Kurdistan, across parts of Turkey, Maybe I am asking too much. These essays are by Iran, Iraq and Syria. serious academics and the book should have offered This book of essays looks, sometimes obliquely, at more on Christians as Citizens of the countries of the issues. Some of its essays are abstract thoughts the Middle East as its title suggests. Philip Lewis (in about the nature of citizenship in the Bible, and too Islamic Britain) in particular and Anshuman Mondal brief to deal with issues in depth. Awad’s essay on (in Young, British and Muslim) have written seriously ‘Social Harmony in the Middle East’ launches a totally about young British Muslims and their citizenship, justified and stinging attack on the leadership of the and there is a need to go into more detail about the churches in their collusion with appalling political situation of the corresponding Christian minority in leaders and needs to become a book in itself. He the Middle East. There is probably too much trying to needs to give much more detail and examples (of uncover Biblical roots for the concept of citizen, nation, which there are surely plenty) of the lies told by Syrian state, migrant and not enough on how the Christian church leaders in defence of the murderous and minorities manage. How did they function in the past divisive Assad regime. He does this when he tells the and how do they function today, at the level of church story of the ninth century Syriac Patriarch Dionysius of leaders? For they face the power of generally violent Tel Mahre who rebuked the Muslim Caliph al-Ma’mun and unstable leaderships. In my experience they share for his harsh treatment of demonstrators. Why, he a pragmatic alliance with the powerful. And at the level asks, are the Patriarchs so feeble in standing up for of the individual how does one attempt to be faithful the values of Christ? in daily confrontations and friendships with others? Most of my friends have simply left. It is easier to Issa Diab’s piece ‘A place to call home’ recounts be an unhappy Iraqi Christian in Belgium than in the well the close relationship native Christianity had with Nineveh Plain, and who can blame them? developing the nascent Muslim State, but fails to deal with the way in which Christians can be citizens in the Stephen Griffith states of the Levant in these critical days. He resorts Former Chaplain in Jordan and Syria 21 Praying round the Province The Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, home to the three Abrahamic faiths and the centre of the world’s political conflicts, asks your prayers for...

1st The Presiding Bishop of the Province, the Most Revd Suheil Dawani. THE DIOCESE OF JERUSALEM 2nd The Archbishop, the Most Revd Suheil Dawani and his wife Shafeeqa. For wisdom as he leads the church in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. His administrative staff and the Very Revd Canon , Dean of St. George’s Cathedral. 3rd The clergy serving the parishes and institutions in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon and the congregations who keep the faith and sustain the churches in troubled times. 4th The hospitals and centres that tend the sick: the Diabetic Clinic Ramallah, St Luke’s Hospital Nablus, the Alhi Arab hospital Gaza, and the Penman Clinic, Zebabdeh. 5th The schools that prepare the next generation: St George’s Jerusalem, the International School Jerusalem, the Arab Episcopal School Ramallah, the Vocational Training Centre Ramallah, Christ’s School Nazareth, St John’s School Haifa, the Ahliyyah School for Girls, the Bishop’s Kindergarten and the Bishop’s School for Boys Amman, the Schneller Vocational Training Institute Amman, St Saviour’s School Zerqa, St John Baptist School for Integration of the Blind Irbid, and St George’s School Lod. 6th The centres of healing: the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre, the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf Salt, the Jofeh Community Rehabilitation Centre Jordan Valley, the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf Beirut, St Luke’s Centre for the Mentally Disabled Beirut, the Home for the Elderly Amman, the Episcopal Home for Children Ramallah. 7th The guest houses that provide hospitality and refreshment for pilgrims and all visitors: St George’s Jerusalem, St Margaret’s Nazareth, St Andrew’s Ramallah, the Schneller Institute Amman and Christ Church Jerusalem. 8th Those who work for peace: the Peace and Reconciliation Movement, Kids4Peace, Sabeel and people from all sides who seek peace and pursue it. 9th St George’s College Jerusalem and its courses: the Dean, the Very Revd Richard Sewell and his wife Julieann, the Course Director, the Revd Mary June Nestler and the Chaplain, the Revd Joseph Rivers and their families Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed, kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all your people the true love of peace. THE 10th The Vicar-General, the Revd Dr Albert Walters; the three deacons and others who take leadership roles. Wisdom for those who seek the new bishop. 11th The political leadership of the nation. The wellbeing of all people in Iran. 12th The congregations of the Episcopal Church in Isfahan (its suburb Julfa), Tehran & Shiraz. The cities where congregations have worshipped in past years – Kerman, Yazd, Ahwaz. 13th All involved in ministry among Iranians through media, literature, witness and leadership training. 14th The Diaspora of Iranian Christians scattered in many nations. Guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love.

22 Praying round the Province Blessed Lord, who faced the time of trial have mercy on our failings and out of our weakness bring your strength.

THE DIOCESE OF CYPRUS AND THE GULF 15th The Bishop, Rt Revd Michael Lewis and his wife Julia. Georgia Katzantonis and the diocesan administrative staff. 16th The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral Nicosia, the Very Revd Jeremy Crocker and his wife Beth. The Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral Bahrain, the Very Revd Christopher Butt and his wife Tricia. 17th The Archdeacon in the Gulf, the Ven Bill Schwartz and his wife Edith, the Archdeacon in Cyprus, the Ven Dr John Holdsworth and his wife Sue. 18th The clergy and people of Cyprus in Nicosia, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and Ammochostos. The work of the Katafiyio Retreat House. 19th The clergy and people of the Gulf in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, Oman, Doha, Aden and the clinic at Ras Morbat, and the scattered congregations of the Arabian Peninsula who keep the faith privately. 20th The Church in Qatar and for Father Paul Davies who leads the mission of the Epiphany Centre. The congregation of Baghdad led by the Revd Faiz Jerjes. The people of Iraq, of all faiths, and all the Iraqi Christians who are sheltering in other lands. 21st The political leaders in Cyprus, Iraq and the Gulf States, that all may seek and create just and stable governments. 22nd The Friends of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. Almighty and everlasting God, creator and giver of all good gifts, mercifully hear our prayers and grant to this diocese all things needful for its welfare. DIOCESE OF EGYPT with NORTH AFRICA and THE HORN OF AFRICA 23rd The Bishop, the Rt Revd Dr Mouneer Anis and his wife Nancy. All Saints’ Cathedral, Cairo and its staff. The diocesan administrative staff. 24th The Bishop in North Africa, the Rt Rev Dr Samy Fawzi Shehata and his wife Madeline. 25th The clergy who serve the church day by day in Egypt, Libya, Algeria Tunisia and the Horn of Africa and the congregations who sustain them. 26th The Anglican Church in Ethiopia and all who serve there. 27th The institutions that serve the community: the Harpur Hospital in Cairo, the Health Centre in Sadat City, the Episcopal School Menouf, the work with the deaf, with refugees, with prisoners and in other areas of welfare and social need. 28th The Alexandria School of Theology in Alexandria and Cairo. Its Principal, the Rt Revd Dr Samy Fawzy Shehata and all his staff and students, that it may be a place of sound learning and good fellowship. 29th The Egypt Diocesan Association and all friends of the diocese. Strengthen the faithful, protect the children, comfort the sick, uplift the fallen and bring us all to be of one heart and one mind within the fellowship of your holy church. *** 30th The Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association. Its Chairman, Revd Canon Anthony Ball, and the Chair of the Standing Committee, Mr John Clark. The staff in the office in Farnham, Mrs Shirley Eason and Mrs Shirley Atkins. All whose gifts, past and present, sustain it.

23 Spain Turkey

6 14 2 3 1 15 Afghanistan Morocco 4 13

5 7 8 16

17 18 Pakistan

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The Four Dioceses Sudan 20 Jerusalem Egypt & North Africa Bishop Suheil Dawani Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis 9 1. Palestine & Israel 5. Algeria 21 2. Lebanon 6. Tunisia 3. Syria 7. Libya 4. Jordan 8. Egypt 11 The 9. Eritrea Cyprus and the Gulf 10. Ethiopia Bishop Michael Lewis 11. Djibouti 10 Anglican 14. Cyprus 12. Somalia 15. Iraq 16. Kuwait Iran Province 17. Bahrain Bishop Azad Marshall 12 18. Qatar 13. Iran of Jerusalem and 19. United Arab Emirates 20. Oman Kenya the Middle East 21. Yemen