Bible Lands Summer 2019 Magazine of the Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association

www.jmeca.org.uk

& TH M E M LE ID SA DL RU E E EA J S N T I D H I C O R C E U S

H E

C

O

L

F

A

J

P

E

O

R

C

U

S

S I

A

P

L E

E

M E

H T

Jerusalem Egypt & North Africa Cyprus & the Gulf Iran

Gaza – news from a ‘suffering church’...... p.6 Awareness Foundation...... p.10 New Archdeacon and Dean...... p.16 Katafiyio Retreat House...... p.17 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 November for (JMECA) Winter 2019/20. 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: Restored angel mosaic at the charitable work of the Episcopal church in Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. 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 Suheil Dawani 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 bishop@j-diocese.org 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 Mouneer Anis 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 Michael Lewis 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

2

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

‘The drums of war are News from Iran is difficult to obtain but in this issue an beating once again’, is article by the Vicar-General, the Revd Dr Albert Walters the opening sentence of brings news of the serious impact of sanctions on ordinary The Economist’s lead editorial for May 11th, referring to an people in Iran, and of the close monitoring of the three American aircraft carrier strike group heading for the Persian small Persian-language congregations. As this editorial Gulf. Just a few days earlier a ceasefire had halted the was being written news came that Dr Walters’ work and latest serious flare up between Israel and the Palestinians residence permits have not been extended and he has had of Gaza, which had led to more than twenty deaths, many to leave the country. Prayers are needed for the church and injured and much destruction. In Syria, government forces the province as they seek to discern the next steps for this had begun their long-expected offensive against Jihadis in isolated community. Idlib, while the situation in northern Iraq remained unsettled Changes to the province? The Standing Committee of the and a tense cease fire was in operation in Yemen’s civil war. Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) met at the end of April The Middle East remains a focal point for inter-communal, and received a request from the province that the Diocese intra-regional and international conflict. The Bishop of of Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa become a Truro’s Commission on the Persecution of Christians in separate, independent province. The Diocese of Jerusalem its Interim Report highlighted the impact on the Christian is also seeking special status due to ‘its historical position communities of the region with significant decline in as Mother Church of our Christian Faith’. The situation for the Christian population and widespread experience of the Dioceses of Cyprus and the Gulf and Iran is unclear. discrimination and persecution. The ACC has set up an exploration committee to look into The role of JMECA is to support the presence and witness the circumstances of this request as part of the Council’s of Anglican Christians caught up in this conflicted region. guidelines for recognising new provinces and asked for a Our Editor has drawn together articles which speak of the report as soon as possible. That Committee has to consider resilience of that presence and its significant outreach in the situation of those dioceses that remain should a new these various countries of conflict. The newly appointed province be formed. Chaplain to Archbishop Suheil brings news from the These developments have taken place while this Bible Diocese of Jerusalem. And John Angle writes about the Lands has been under preparation. We look forward to tiny but important presence of Christians in Gaza. His receiving further information from the province of how plans article is followed by the appeal for rebuilding part of the develop and would hope to share them in the next issue. Episcopal Al-Ahli Hospital. Should any changes to the province take place, they will Fr Nadim Nassar, the one Syrian Anglican priest, founded have implications for JMECA, which was developed from the Awareness Foundation in 2003. The Operations Director The Jerusalem and the East Mission in 1976 to support the writes here about its ministry in Syria and Iraq and Fr (then) newly formed province and has developed relations Nadim’s recent book is reviewed on page 21. There are and support for the four dioceses. encouraging developments in the Diocese of Egypt which are spelt out in varied news items. As we pray for all Christians and peoples of the Middle East (do use Praying Around the Province on pages 22 & There was a lively Cyprus and the Gulf Diocesan Synod 23), let us in particular hold the leadership of the province as David Hammond-Williams reports with news from the in our prayers as they look to the future and meet together varied and large chaplaincies on the Arab side of the Gulf. in the Central Synod at the end of June. From Cyprus itself we have a feature about the Katafyio Retreat House – one of the centres for spiritual renewal in John Clark the province. We also report on changes of Archdeacons Chair: JMECA Standing Committee and other senior clergy in the diocese.

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 Israel, 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.

The Revd Canon Donald D. Binder PhD, Chaplain to the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, sends news from the diocese

When I first came to Jerusalem in 1988 as a young seminarian pilgrimage groups from my Northern Virginia parish on a month-long study course to St. George’s College, the emphasis was always on at St. George’s College, I was following in the ancient footsteps of Jesus. asked by one of my professors at Virginia Theological To be sure, out of gratitude for the spiritual inspiration Seminary to bring his those pilgrimages provided to our parish, we sent greetings to a former student some small support to the ministries of the Diocese of his who was serving as a of Jerusalem through the Episcopal Church’s annual priest in Haifa. The name of the priest, he told me, Good Friday Offering. Nevertheless, it wasn’t until my was Fr. Suheil Dawani. Halfway through the college wife and I arrived in Jerusalem last October that we programme, the two of us ran into each other in front began to understand the incredible extent of those of the diocesan office. We met and spoke there for ministries. Many dioceses in my home province about five minutes, during which I conveyed to him might have one or two institutions that they run or the good wishes of our mutual mentor. At the time, indirectly oversee. The Diocese of Jerusalem has neither of us knew that thirty-one years later he would more than thirty. Moreover, these are spread out over be Archbishop in Jerusalem and I would be serving five countries or territories and include hospitals, as his Chaplain! schools, rehabilitation centres, health clinics, and vocational training schools. Archbishop Suheil serves Now that I have been under Archbishop Suheil’s as Chairman of the Board for all of them, and several leadership for six months, I can truly appreciate the of our clergy function as the Executive Directors. great challenges that he and the Diocese of Jerusalem have been facing, as well as the compassionate and courageous way they have been responding to them. In previous sojourns in the Holy Land, my focus had always been on the past. And so, I’d excavated at ancient Sepphoris in the 1990s as part of my PhD programme. Much later, I spent a sabbatical at Tantur Ecumenical Institute editing and writing for a Festschrift for my archaeological mentor, Dr. James F. Strange. Even after that, when I brought

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

In the majority of cases, these institutions minister to children and families who are not able to pay for most or all of the services they receive. The charitable work that these institutions perform must be supported Archbishop Suheil Dawani by contributions from abroad, as well as from profits received through our pilgrim guesthouses. And so much of our time in the diocesan office is spent working with our many international partners in seeking these donations, as well as with our institutions themselves, helping them to manage their centres more efficiently, without sacrificing services. Centre in Bethlehem, and a chapel on the eastern side of the Jordan river. The good news is that the international response we have received in recent years has been very generous. Through the establishment of these congregations, Not only have we been able to maintain our ministries we are working very hard to raise up new indigenous within the diocese, but also in some cases to expand leadership. We are also doing this through our youth them. Similarly, there has been an explosion of and summer camp programmes, passing on the pilgrim visits over the past year, with more than four Good News of Jesus Christ to the next generation. And million coming to the Holy Land in 2018, an all-time so in March, we sent eleven of our young people to the record. Many of the pilgrims have gone on to become Taizé International Ecumenical Youth Meeting in Beirut. supporters of our ministries here in the diocese, both There, they joined more than 1600 young Christians prayerfully and financially. from the Middle East and beyond to worship and do Bible studies with the leaders of that preeminent Yet many challenges remain. Recent decisions by ecumenical community based in France. We are the United States government have led to the loss hopeful that these young people will someday seek of funding for some of our diocesan institutions. In to serve within our diocesan ministries, either as lay- addition, some of our ageing facilities such as those leaders or by responding to a call to ordained ministry. at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and the Theodore Schneller School in Amman are in need of either On a related front, the Diocese of Jerusalem is also major renovations or complete rebuilding. The dollar seeking to recruit English-speaking clergy to serve estimates for those projects alone range between six our expat congregations in Beirut, Aqaba, and (soon) and eight figures. Jaffa. Yet because of strict labour laws here, we are dependent upon sponsoring missionary societies On another front, the Diocese of Jerusalem faces a such as CMS to underwrite the living expenses of dwindling number of young people in our churches. these missionary priests. They, in turn, look to local Overall, the percentage of Christians in the Holy Land Christians to contribute towards these costs. is now less than 2%. This makes it hard to recruit new lay and ordained leadership to oversee our work. And so, we greatly appreciate the prayers and financial support of the readers of Bible Lands in all Despite these these efforts. I hope that you can see from what I challenges, the Diocese have written, they are having a major impact here in of Jerusalem is working the Holy Land. to construct new churches in pockets of As Archbishop Suheil said in his 2018 Advent sermon potential growth. And simulcast from the Christmas Church in Bethlehem so, in 2017 we reopened and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.: a long-closed church in ‘[Through our institutions] we preach the Gospel Acre, and earlier this year of Christ not so much with our voices, but through we broke ground for a our deeds of love to all who come to us in need, new church to serve our without concern for their ethnic, religious, or political start-up congregation background. In these ways, we become Christ’s in Tarshiha in Upper messengers of reconciliation and peace.’ Galilee. By 2020, we intend to reopen St. Peter’s in Thank you for being our partners in that quintessential Jaffa, closed since the 1948 War, in order to minister Christian mission. to the large expat community in Tel Aviv. There are also plans for a new church in Amman, a World Anglican Don Binder Photos: Diocese of Jerusalem 5 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem Gaza – news from a ‘suffering church’

Archbishop Suheil Dawani ‘The biggest prison on earth’ said former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010 describing the 140 square miles of the Gaza Strip. There is no change in 2019! Ranked the third most densely-populated polity in the world the people suffer from limited provision of power (currently 4-8 hours a day), overcrowded schools (some buildings having three shifts a day), limited water supplies (most salty and impure) and failing sanitation systems. Food insecurity has spiralled to 68%, over 50% of the population are unemployed and there is grossly insufficient provision collapse of the Outpatient Clinic recently and for extra of health care. emergency surgical care for men injured in protests along the border in recent months. The hospital, thanks to support from US Aid (now stopped by US government action), has an Advanced Diagnostic Centre dealing with breast cancer – a huge blessing to culturally fearful Gazan women. In the hospital grounds is St Philip’s chapel. The Archbishop of Canterbury, accompanied by the Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Most Revd Suheil Dawani, visited in May 2017. Other Anglican clergy celebrate in the chapel from time Into this mix put frequent rocket attacks, almost daily to time when entry killings and serious injuries along the boarders during permission can be protest activities and the inability of most people obtained. to gain permission to visit outside or to leave the area whether through Rafah or Eretz. For all these There are many international partner churches reasons and more the UN Rapporteur, Michael Lynk (Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical /Protestant) who has diagnosed the Gazan people as ‘suffocating’, support the Near East Council of Churches Centre making the assertion that the area will be virtually linked with the Middle East Council of Churches. This uninhabitable in the near future. centre provides vocational training and job creation programmes. They run well-baby clinics and a variety This area is home to nearly two million Muslims and of humanitarian and health care programmes, giving just over 900 Christians who generally live together care and hope for many, particularly the young adults hospitably as family. The majority, of course, both in Gaza. Muslim and Christian, are refugees having fled Israel after 1948. In addition to the chapel in the grounds of Ahli Hospital there are three other churches in Gaza: the Roman The Church in Gaza is ‘alive and well’ but it is Catholic Church (usually called the Latin Church), the a ‘suffering church’, suffering as inmates of the Orthodox Church and the Baptist Church. Christianity ‘biggest prison on earth’! And as one Christian doctor in Gaza goes back to the fourth Century with leaders commented recently – the Christian community like St Porphyrius, St Vitalis, St Dorotheos and others. is certainly ‘punching above its weight’, making a Christian archaeological remains are evident in significant contribution to many aspects of life in Gaza various places like at the monastery of St Hilarion in particularly in the area of health care and education. central Gaza. A uniting centre for members from all Ahli Hospital and associated clinics are run by the churches is to be found at the YMCA in Gaza, led by Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem which seeks support a committee of Christians but used by all faiths – a from Anglicans worldwide both for general running wonderful facility in an area of limited opportunities costs and emergencies such as the catastrophic for activity and pleasure. 6 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem

Christians and Muslims and are very popular. All are under Christian leadership but the majority of staff in the schools are Muslim. They work together providing excellent education and seeking to inculcate values Archbishop Suheil Dawani consistent with all that is best in Islam and Christianity. In one Christian school, staff happily meet daily for Bible reading and prayer. A Muslim organisation led by a university professor – the ‘Palestinian Reconciliation Committee’ – has developed links with the international Kairos movement and has organised conferences to share mutual interests. All three churches, the Orthodox (the church with the largest following), Latin and Baptist have regular The Christians in Gaza, ‘though small in number, are Sunday services, children and young people’s work, seeking to thrive not just to survive as they seek to and also social activities. Scouts are popular and there live out the Christian faith with hope and resilience. is often a focus on women’s activities. The Roman They work together to express loving care as Good Catholic church plans activities to give young adults Samaritans in a traumatic, dangerous and sad vocational support to help and prepare them for environment. But it is hard! ‘Gaza children’s mental employment with support from various international health is rapidly deteriorating’ said the Norwegian charities including the Bible Society. There is also a Refugee Council in March 2019. One six-year old wonderful home for the severely handicapped and said to his father ‘why do the people of Israel hate for children and the elderly run by the Missionaries of us so much and try to kill us’? What can you say to Charity called ‘Home of Peace’. In the Baptist Church the family of a sixty-year old church leader who was there is a library, often used by Muslim and Christian prevented from going to Jerusalem to have a pace students studying Comparative Religions at one of maker repaired and died prematurely? How sad that the Universities. Caritas – a Roman Catholic relief although many applications to visit Bethlehem at agency is very active. However, sister Bridget Thige, Christmas were approved, in one instance it was a the new Director General of the Palestinian Territories, father and one child (not the rest of the family) and warns that due to a lack of funding ‘Gaza is on the in another the mother and two children but not the brink of collapse’. father. What do you say to the Christian family whose house was destroyed when retaliatory multiple bombs For the Christians in Gaza their church is very much landed in Gaza at the end of March 2019? their family from whom they can receive love, support and sympathy as they share their faith in a practical way and worship God together. All the churches receive frequent visits from their leaders – international groups of RC Bishops, protestant ministers and Christian charity leaders – all exercising the very important ‘ministry of encouragement’ (Romans 12.8) which is needed so much. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches have strong kindergarten, primary and secondary schools in Gaza City. There are virtually no Christians living outside the city. These schools are private schools for This is life in the ‘prison camp’ of Gaza. The Gazan Church family needs our prayers, our encouragement and our practical support. John Angle Chair of the Hope Christian Trust supporting Christian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Photos: John Angle

7 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem Gaza – can you help? Archbishop Suheil has made an urgent appeal to supporters to contribute towards the estimated The Al-Ahli Arab Hospital Appeal $150,000 USD (approximately £119,000 GBP) cost of reconstruction which will allow the hospital to continue Archbishop Suheil Dawani its charitable ministry with the many needy patients whom its doctors and staff serve each day. People wishing to respond to the appeal can do so directly to the Diocese of Jerusalem or through a number of partners around the world. The Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Rt Revd Suheil Dawani, has launched an urgent appeal for Until the new building is opened the Outpatient Clinic funds after the outpatient department of the diocese’s visitors are being redirected to the Physiotherapy al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza collapsed. The hospital’s Department which is in another building. Patients director, Mrs Suhaila Tarazi, reports that nobody was are continuing to receive treatment from healthcare injured when the 120-year-old building collapsed professionals but waiting times have considerably because of environmental stress. The steel beams, increased and the space is limited resulting in roof decking, plaster ceiling, and surrounding walls overcrowding in inadequate temporary conditions. caved into the room, before further collapsing into the basement below. The hospital’s consultant engineer and a construction Ways to Donate: team have assessed the damage and made The Jerusalem and the Middle East Church recommendations for reconstruction. ‘Their findings Association is processing donations from UK provided useful insights about the deficiencies of the supporters and is able to reclaim Gift Aid on bar joists in the clinic that were manufactured between donations where eligible. See www.jmeca.org.uk 1900 and the late 1950s, and still being used well after 1960’, the diocese said. ‘These were the chief culprits Online via the appeal page on MyDonate behind the catastrophic failure of the building – but so Online via Paypal (please specify Al Ahli Appeal) were the infrequent renovations, the latest occurring in 1993’. Bank Transfer to the JMECA account (sort code 18-00-02 acc #03283534), please notify us of your donation. By cheque made payable to J.M.E.C.A. sent to 1 Hart House, The Hart, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7HJ. When making your donation please specify Al Ahli Appeal and tell us if you are eligible for Gift Aid.

Thanks to JMECA for funding. David Wakefield and Philip Edwards report on the Holy Land From the Revd David Wakefield

During my sabbatical between January and March, 2019 I spent three weeks in Jerusalem, praying and today. I attended the nine daily services in the Old talking with the ‘living stones’ of the Holy Land and City during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity considering life in Israel and the Palestinian Territories experiencing worship outside my Anglican tradition. 8 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem

After each, I met local Christians and heard their stories of living in the Holy Land. I had meetings with the Anglican Archbishop of

Archbishop Suheil Dawani Jerusalem, the Holy Land Trust in Bethlehem and Dheisheh Refugee Camp with which my Diocese has links. I facilitated an exchange of information between my local primary school and a school and orphanage in the West Bank. I also spent time reading scripture deeper to find out more about this amazing area and in the holy sites, reflecting upon it, and so better its people. We even caught a bus to Bethlehem to equipping my ministry upon my return to duties. To witness the Armenian Christmas Eve celebrations the give further reflection time, I then travelled to Nazareth day after we arrived. to walk the 65km ‘Jesus Trail’ to Capernaum. Either side of the time spent in the Holy Land I had time to We explored the Kidron Valley, including the infamous read, reflect and rest before returning to serving God Valley of Hinnom and Gehenna (the place referred to as a parish priest of five parishes in rural Norfolk. as ‘hell’ in the Bible) locating the ‘Potter’s Field’ where Judas hanged himself. On a lighter note our favourite Thanks in part fun moment was walking through Hezekiah’s Tunnel – to the JMECA a half-kilometre tunnel cut deep underground. The Old grant towards Testament states the king my travel costs, I prepared Jerusalem for an have a far greater impending Assyrian siege, appreciation of blocking the water source the situation in of the upper Gihon, and the Holy Land and leading it down westwards what it is like for those who live there. Meeting people to the City of David, where of different Christian traditions during the Week of it flowed into the Pool Prayer for Christian Unity enabled me to understand of Siloam. We splashed the issues they face to a greater degree. It was a our way through the delight to talk with those who live, work, and worship pitch black, wearing our in Jerusalem, including the patriarchs and church precious head torches! leaders. It was good to meet the Anglican Archbishop, the Most Revd Suheil Dawani, and to hear of the We timed our trip specifically to coincide with the Week work undertaken throughout the Middle East. Visiting of Prayer for Christian Unity 2019. The experience of the school and orphanage in Bethany added to my being part of the services held in Anglican, Armenian, understanding of what it is like for those who grow Lutheran, Latin, Ethiopian, Coptic, Orthodox, Greek up in the West Bank. It was a pleasure to meet them Melkite and Benedictine churches and abbeys was and see their positivity amidst growing tension in the extremely diverse, yet wonderfully rich. area. Hearing first hand from a resident whilst visiting We also met Archbishop Suheil Dawani at St George’s the Dheisheh refugee camp and the head of the Holy Cathedral and Sami Awad of the Holy Land Trust (in Land Trust in Bethlehem added further dimensions to Bethlehem) and were able to engage in rewarding my understanding of the situation. conversations with them both. Another arranged Thank you again JMECA. visit was to Jeel Al Amal, a boys’ home/school in Bethany where girls also day board – we’d visited and Revd David Wakefield supported it in the past. Our final and moving, arranged And from Philip Edwards visit was to Ibdaa Cultural Centre at Dheisheh Refugee Camp near Bethlehem and close to the UN compound. My friend David and I began our trip in and around After Jerusalem we bused to Nazareth to walk the Jerusalem spending 20 days visiting people and ‘Jesus Trail’ to Capernaum. This was a 50 mile 5 day places from our Palestinian hotel ‘base’ just outside hike up hill and down dale – often wading through the Old City near the Damascus Gate. smelly, muddy water! It was demanding, stretching As well as visiting the main sites (including the Church us both, but amazing to achieve. of the Holy Sepulchre, the Mount of Olives, the Church Thanks to JMECA for your kind support! of the Nativity in Bethlehem and Lazarus’s tomb in Bethany) we went off the usual tourist route delving Philip Edwards 9 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem

In the Middle East we have ‘Little Heroes’ and ‘Ambassadors for Peace’. Only a few years ago, many people might have wondered what there would be for a UK-based charity to do in the Middle East beyond Archbishop Suheil Dawani The Awareness Foundation is an ecumenical alleviating poverty here and there. Sadly, this changed educational charity that builds peace and fosters when the disastrous after-effects of the ‘Arab Spring’ community harmony. The Foundation was founded destabilised Syria. The result was an eight-year-long in 2003 by the Revd Nadim Nassar, the only Syrian civil war which still claims casualties every day even priest in the Church of England. HRH The Countess in 2019. of Wessex GCVO is our Royal Patron. The Foundation With civil wars, the pain and the mistrust often last works to equip people everywhere to form an effective for centuries. This is what we are working to prevent counter force to the intolerance and mistrust that in Syria and Iraq, where a strong mistrust between now prevail in so many communities, and to build the faiths has arisen due to perceived and actual understanding between the faiths. Our Mission political differences and a pervasive traffic in stories of Statement is, ‘Deepening faith, building peace, living betrayals or atrocities committed by or against those and demonstrating God’s generous love’. faiths. Few of the children and young people can We fulfil our mission in four ways: (1) we work to enable even remember life before the war, and many have Christians around the world to live a generous and been born during the conflict. The young of Syria have hospitable faith, healing their broken communities known nothing but war. through building respect and understanding between One of the worst effects of the Civil War, after loss the faiths; (2) we work to build partnerships between of life and grave injury, has been the uprooting of people of all faiths through local initiatives and wide- so many Syrians. Out of a total Syrian population of reaching events such as conferences and roundtable 22 million, no less than 50% – 11 million – are now discussions; (3) we work to build understanding either refugees or ‘Internally Displaced Persons’, a between the West and the Middle East; and (4) we polite term for refugees still within their own country. work to enable young men and women, and displaced In Iraq, Christians from across much of Northern Syria children, in Syria and Iraq to guide their communities fled to Kurdish-held areas for safety as ISIS took over on the path to peace and reconciliation, even in the the towns and cities in which they had lived for many midst of conflict. centuries. Understandably, this has affected children We have three major programmes, one online and the most. Many have lost their homes, and have gone two in the Middle East. without food and comfort. They have missed months and even years of schooling. Some have even had PAX is our free online collection of short videos to to traverse corpse-littered villages or minefields with encourage people to commit to building peace in their their families as they made their escape. Many lost communities. It has two objectives: (1) to encourage their faith in God. Christians to live out their faith confidently in their day- to-day lives; and (2) to provide a counter-narrative of With the faiths divided, vast portions of the population peace and understanding to hateful, extremist and displaced, and basic necessities such as running ignorant ideologies online. To date we have released water, medicine and electricity in short supply, what more than 50 videos on a variety of topics. hope for the future can there be for those who have chosen to remain in their homelands?

Little Heroes

Little Heroes is a series of annual 3-day events for disadvantaged children, aged 6 to 12, in Syria. The programme is for children of every denomination, and 10 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem

children of other faiths are always welcome. So far, Ambassadors for Peace over 2,000 children have taken part. Little Heroes has three key aims: (1) to enable the children to come to This is an ecumenical educational programme for terms with all they have witnessed in the war, helping young Middle Eastern men and women, enabling Archbishop Suheil Dawani them to develop a positive outlook and to look to the them to build bridges of mutual respect and future with hope and faith; (2) to empower them to understanding in their diverse communities. We have become Little Heroes – beacons of hope, acceptance been running this programme since 2014 and more and the love of God; and (3) to encourage them to than 800 young people of every denomination have make friends with those who are different, to show participated. During the course of 23 days spread love and acceptance rather than mistrust or fear, and over up to 7 separate events, the programme features to celebrate difference. lectures and group work on the essential skills of leadership, handling conflict, advocacy, transforming Working with experienced educators and a large and empowering communities, and building bridges team of volunteers, we hold Little Heroes events in with other faiths to promote peace and understanding. the ‘safer’ areas of Syria, such as Lattakia, Safita and In addition, each day includes prayers, singing, and As-Suwayda. The educational methods chosen by our sport. educators, including counsellors, offer the children a wide range of stimulating and thought-provoking styles of both play and learning. For instance, art and handicraft activities give the children opportunities for self-expression; the sports, games and ‘adventure’ activities are designed to develop teamwork and allow the children a safe space within which to explore victory and defeat as well as practice sharing in the victories of others and commiserating with those who did not win; and gardening involves planting seeds - an allegorical lesson in growth and nurturing. The Awareness Foundation exists to bring harmony to communities around the world through faith, which in its most authentic form should always be a force for peace and love.

Lisa’s story is typical of how we work. When we started Little Heroes in Lattakia in 2015, Lisa was one of many displaced children who came to take part. Like her peers, she had her own story to tell, but she needed love, time and patience before she would be ready to share it with us. When we first met her, Lisa was very quiet and withdrawn, and her eyes bore more than a hint of the sadness and suffering she had endured. To find out more, visit www.awareness-foundation.com Now, happy, innocent and fearless, she can see a St. John Wright future for herself and her family. Lisa’s story, one of Operations Director so many, shows how much the children of Syria need Awareness Foundation Little Heroes. The scars of the past cannot so easily be put to one side. Investing in these children and Photos: Awareness Foundation giving them positive experiences amidst this terrible war is a vital part of building a brighter future for Syria.

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

News from around the diocese

the work through 11 completed projects. These were carried out in 8 countries across Africa, South America, and Asia. The Council also reviewed and approved 6 new projects. We were especially excited to host the meeting this year, as this is the first year of ARDF Egypt. The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa is thrilled to be partnering with Anglicans around the world to demonstrate the love of Christ and spread the Gospel through our ongoing and increased partnership with ARDF.

Middle East Missions A variety of important meetings and events Roundtable Meeting have taken place across the diocese in This conference included an inspiring opening speech recent months. Here are just a few of them. by Professor David Shenk, as well as presentations on ongoing and upcoming development projects Anglican Relief and Development throughout the Middle East. Bishop Mouneer spoke on the importance of improving education here in Fund Global Council Meeting Egypt and elsewhere; Bishop Samy talked about One conference was the Anglican Relief and how theological education, like that happening at the Development Fund’s (ARDF) Global Council Meeting. Alexandria School of Theology, is crucial to developing We welcomed several members from the ARDF staff mature Christian leaders. Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo and Global Council leaders from around the world. shared about the challenges the church in Sudan At this meeting, the Council reviewed and celebrated is facing and the mission opportunities there. And 12 ( The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa www.dioceseofegypt.org Africa Egypt & North

International Design and Development (IDD) gave a Other new positions presentation on the partnership they are developing Five clergy in the Diocese have been given new with the Diocese to expand the University in Gambella. leadership responsibilities as follows: The conference concluded with an evening Eucharist at which Bishop Kuan Kim Seng preached and Bishop • The Venerable Dr Emad N Basilios, Archdeacon Samy Shehata translated. of Egypt • The Very Revd Canon Hany Shenoda Nassif, Global South Primates Meeting Dean of the Suez Canal Region Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis Another conference was a gathering of the Primates • The Revd Hamdy Sedky Daoud, Canon at of the Global South to discuss the structure of the All Saints’ Cathedral, Zamalek, Cairo Global South. It was a productive meeting and it • The Revd Yashou Bakheet, Sub-Dean, Arabic was wonderful to all be in one place, here in Cairo. Speaking Congregation, All Saints’ Cathedral, The Primates had the opportunity to pray together, Zamalek, Cairo to worship together, and to seek God’s will for the • The Revd Kerry Buttram, Sub-Dean, English structure through discussion and prayer. They also Speaking Congregation, All Saints’ Cathedral, had time for fellowship and food! Zamalek, Cairo Opening of the Media Centre And three deacons have been ordained: • The Revd Dr Rafik Wagdy, Saint Michael and All Angels Church, Heliopolis, Cairo • The Revd Dr Steven Griffin, All Saints’ Cathedral, Zamalek, Cairo • The Revd Richard Kaiser, St. John the Baptist, Maadi, Cairo

Opening of the new hospital building in Menouf The Anglican Diocese of Egypt celebrated the opening of its new Media Centre on 31st January 2019. Dr. Mostafa El Feki, President of the Library of Alexandria, officiated at the ceremonies, expressing the importance of the Media Centre as a window through which communication and connection with society is achieved.

New Bishop and Archdeacon for the Horn of Africa

A brand-new nursing school building has been opened in Menouf. This beautiful building allows for expanded educational opportunities for nurses-in- training at Harpur Memorial Hospital. Many thanks to Francine Abdel-Malak Bishop Muneer has recently appointed a new Bishop Partnership Office Coordinator and a new Archdeacon for the Horn of Africa. The Rt Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Revd Kuan Kim Seng, formerly Bishop of Singapore Horn of Africa and Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, is to be Bishop. And the Revd Rajan Vincent Jacob, currently Priest in Photos: Diocese of Egypt Charge of Christ the King Anglican Cathedral, Tripoli, Libya, is to be Archdeacon of Gambella. 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. The leadership United in Iran has a particular ministry to the Arab Emirates Urdu-speaking congregations within our Oman diocese.” Yemen

There’s no business like synod business they face oppression; in others – Iraq, for example, and Yemen – they face the ravages of war. But their churches are overflowing – and they are building more. Visit the Anglican church on a Friday in Dubai, Kuwait or Abu Dhabi – to name but three – and you will see them playing host to thousands, even tens of thousands, of Christians of many diverse denominations who congregate there for worship. That’s because, with one exception, these congregations are almost exclusively made up of A retired (and I’m sure entirely venerable) archdeacon expatriates – strangers in strange lands. They’re there once described his annual Synod as “a group of to work. But they need to worship as well. And it’s the Anglicans waiting to go home.” Clearly, it wasn’t the Anglicans who offer their spaces to enable them to do one in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. so. In Cyprus, they are mostly British. But in the Gulf states, they are from all over the place – India, Africa, Every February, representatives from the diocese’s Asia. And each brings with it its own worship style. sixteen or so parishes (aka chaplaincies) gather in a hotel in Larnaca, southern Cyprus, to do what Synods Yes, I think we can safely say that the Diocese of do. But this one does a whole lot more. In fact, I doubt Cyprus and the Gulf is unique. And its annual Synod there’s another Synod in the Anglican Communion reflects that in a unique way. For a start, it lasts a week. that is remotely like it. But then this is not your average And it is surely the highlight of the diocesan year, unlike diocese. For a start, it’s roughly 4,000 miles from top to (I suspect) our aforementioned archdeacon’s. And it is bottom. It stretches from the northern coast of Cyprus as much a social occasion as a business meeting. For to the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula, passing many of those present – clergy and lay people alike through no fewer than ten countries on the way. And – it’s the only opportunity they have to get together in most of those countries, Christians – never mind with their far-flung colleagues; to work together, talk Anglicans – are very much in the minority. In some together, eat together and worship together. There are 14

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

the majority of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. The upshot could be that it finds itself isolated, whereupon pressure will mount for it to merge into the Diocese of Europe, somewhere it really does not want to be. After all, Cyprus is the only (relatively small) part of it that is actually part of the continent. No surprise then that Bishop Michael Lewis’ presidential address to Synod focused on togetherness and Bishop Michael Lewis integration. There were many passionate contributions to the debate, urging those engaged to reflect. the business sessions, of course (more of that in a Motions were passed in favour of the status quo. But, moment), but there are also workshops, visits (a quiet ultimately, they must await their fate which lies in the morning in a Greek Orthodox monastery, for example), hands of others. theological reflections by guest speakers (this year, it was the former Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan) But it was not all doom and gloom – far from it. In and a gala dinner complete with in-house cabaret. particular, the progress made in the development of ministry within the diocese was warmly welcomed. And all of this sits within a pre-determined theme that, Traditionally, the diocese has recruited expatriate in one way or another, mirrors the priorities – mostly clergy, mostly from the UK, to fill its pulpits. Now spiritual – that the diocese perceives itself to have. though, it is training up its own people – a third of their This year, the overarching focus was on worship and clergy are now home-grown. They’re even exporting the Five Marks of Mission. There was a series of taster them elsewhere when opportunities arise. They’re sessions featuring different worship styles, such as giving something back and it’s a source of pride. Taizé, Tenebrae, a Healing service and a prayer walk. And afterwards discussion groups, which everyone Intentional discipleship is also a key theme in diocesan was expected to attend, assessed these experiences life, as reports to Synod confirmed. Apart from the for their suitability in their own local contexts and the hospitality afforded to sister denominations in many extent to which they fulfilled the aims of the Five Marks. parts of the Gulf, the diocese operates large-scale There were some lively discussions, both formal and community projects, most notably in Iraq and Yemen. informal. And a plenary session gathered together St George’s Baghdad is unique in that its congregation the feedback, which will be used to inform future is almost entirely indigenous. The priest is also an diocesan strategy. Iraqi. And the church provides invaluable practical So, let me take you on a journey through a typical support to hundreds of people still suffering from the Synod day. It starts with the basics, breakfast and aftermath of a cataclysmic conflict, not to mention the worship. Food and prayer are constant themes here. ongoing tensions, across the religious divide. It runs a The chapel is adjacent to the main conference hall school for example. It used to be a kindergarten. But and just about accommodates everyone. But it’s the parents – almost entirely Muslim, like the staff – handy too because it’s less than a stone’s throw to pleaded with them to extend it so their children could the business end of things. And there’s business spend longer there. They responded and the School aplenty to deal with. of the Redeemer now caters up to age 11. Cyprus and the Gulf is one of four dioceses in the Meanwhile, in Yemen, the diocesan-backed eye clinic Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. For now. in Aden – attached to Christ Church – provides crucial A sister diocese – Egypt – has declared its intention medical help to thousands of Yemenis annually. Again, to secede and become a province in its own right it is staffed exclusively by Muslim staff. It also offers and reports from the Provincial Synod suggest they outreach to Somalis trapped in refugee camps there. may succeed. Encouraged by this, the Diocese of None of this could happen without the diocese and Jerusalem has said it wants to follow suit and it too the Synod that is its governing body. But it changes – appears to have decisive support from Lambeth and saves – lives at the sharp end of life in the area it Palace. serves. And it would change yours, if you were lucky This is not good news here in Cyprus. If this were to enough to spend that week in that hotel in Larnaca. come to pass, the Province would be reduced to two David Hammond-Williams remaining dioceses – Cyprus and the Gulf and Iran. Communications Officer, Diocese of St Davids This is difficult politically because of the tensions that exist between Iran and the Gulf states that make up Photos: David Hammond-Williams 15 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus More news of Cyprus and the Gulf, is to be the Venerable Dr Bill Schwartz OBE. He will continue to be Archdeacon in the Gulf, a position he has held since 2009. Please pray Archdeacon in Cyprus, the for Bill, his wife Edith, and the people of Bahrain. Dean Ven Dr John Holdsworth, retires Bill will be installed in Bahrain on Saturday 1st June. The Archdeacon in Cyprus, the Ven Dr John Holdsworth, is retiring. The Rev Christine Goldsmith Having spent a good deal of his leaves Limassol Bishop Michael Lewis ministry in the Church in Wales, The Revd Christine Goldsmith, until recently associate Archdeacon John took up his present priest at St Barnabas’ Church, Limassol has moved position as Executive Archdeacon for to England to be Rector of the Leadenham Plurality the Diocese, Archdeacon in Cyprus in the Diocese of Lincoln. We pray for Chris and her and Chaplain of St. Helen’s Larnaca, husband Rick as they begin a new chapter. in December 2010. He is married to Sue and they have two grown up children and four grandchildren. We wish them well for the future. Social Outreach Forum meets in Nicosia New Archdeacon in Cyprus Local and international NGOs, the UNHCR, and The next Archdeacon in Cyprus and parish priest of representatives from the Anglican parishes on the St Helena’s Larnaca will be the Venerable Christopher island of Cyprus came together on the 4th April at Futcher. Known to many already from his visits to the Home of Cooperation in Nicosia for the Social diocesan synod over the last few years, Christopher Outreach Forum organised by the Diocese of Cyprus is at present Archdeacon of Exeter in our link diocese and the Gulf. Three major challenges that are facing in England. Anne Futcher is also a priest and will people from and in Cyprus were discussed: Human be non-stipendiary assistant priest at St Helena’s Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation; Healthcare and archdeaconry social provision; and Refugees. concern officer. Bishop Michael expects to Confirmations inaugurate their ministries Eight candidates of widely varying backgrounds at St Helena’s Larnaca on were confirmed by Bishop Michael on the Feast of Saturday 7th September. the Epiphany at St Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia. And Please pray for them. nineteen candidates from St Andrew’s Abu Dhabi and St Thomas’s Al ‘Ain were confirmed on 22nd March Dean of Bahrain retires at St. Andrew’s. The Very Rev Chris Butt has served as Dean of Bahrain Prime Minister visits for 10 years. Before that, he St. George’s Baghdad had a varied career including positions in Kent, Cumbria His Excellency Adil Abdul-Mahdi, Prime Minister of and Hong Kong. He is the Republic of Iraq, visited St George’s Baghdad on married to Tricia, who was Wednesday 30th January. He was warmly welcomed brought up in Australia and by Fr Faiz Jerjes, the parish priest, who gave him an they have three adult daughters. He retired at Easter account of the Anglican presence in Iraq. The PM this year and they have returned to live in Birmingham, toured the compound. England. We wish them well for the future. Visit to Patriarch Saki New Dean of Bahrain On Maundy Thursday Bishop Michael Lewis, Bishop Michael is very pleased accompanied by Fr. Faiz Jerjes and Dawlat Abouna, to announce that the next Dean senior Churchwarden at St. George’s, visited the of St Christopher’s Cathedral, Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate in Mansour, Baghdad Manama, Bahrain, one of the two to greet Patriarch Saki. co-equal cathedrals of the Diocese Photos: Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf 16 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus Katafiyio Retreat House for individual and group retreats Have you ever felt like you needed to get away from the busyness of life? You realise that God is on the fringe of what you are doing? You are missing your

Bishop Michael Lewis personal time with God and would really like to involve God more, but you’re just too busy? And in any case, you don’t know what to do or even where to start… In 2014 this was exactly how we felt! We knew we minutes from Larnaca and 1 hour from Limassol. It had to do something about our lifestyle but didn’t has one double and one twin bedroom and a double know how or where to start. We’d become interested sofa bed in the smaller sitting room. There are two in the retreats ministry and so heard of Katafiyio, and sitting rooms with log fires and a private courtyard as it was in Cyprus the thought of some warm sunny garden with a shady, covered veranda. weather, and staying in a quiet environment, was really appealing. We knew we needed some advice on how Whether you are just wanting some space away from to go about changing your normal routine or our relationship with are wanting to hear God God, so we arranged to on a specific aspect of have individually guided your life, on your own or retreats of one hour a by having an individually day for four days. These guided retreat, Katafiyio sessions with the Retreats is an ideal environment Facilitator, at the start to facilitate this. You can of each day, really gave relax in this tranquil setting us direction about what for a day, a week or longer, to think about, how to in complete peace, with write about different no TV or internet access. things, how to use our It’s an ideal location to creativeness (something that is so often buried in our walk in nature, picnic with a friend or explore the island busy lives), and through all this, how to listen to what by car. It can be used for small group away days and God actually wanted to say to us. We were so blessed off-site meetings. by this initial retreat that we returned for another four- Katafiyio became such a wonderful place to us that in day guided retreat each year for the next three years, August 2017 we returned to Cyprus and took on the combining our stay at Katafiyio with a relaxing holiday role of voluntary caretakers of the house for a period in Cyprus. of sixteen months. We wanted to give something back Katafiyio is a traditional Cypriot village house located to a place that had given us so much blessing. We are in the small, picturesque village of Kapedes in the now back in the UK but have wonderful memories of Nicosia District on the edge of the Machairas Forest. our times at Katafiyio. It is centrally located, 40 minutes from Nicosia, 45 If you would like more information about Katafiyio or would like to offer your services as caretakers, then please take a look at the website.

Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, PO Box 22075, Nicosia 1517 Cyprus [email protected] Office: +357 22 671220 Mobile: +357 99 155092 www.cypgulf.org/retreats

17 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus Good news from Bahrain… ‘Good news is worth telling’ was the headline of a two-page spread in the Gulf Weekly (November 28 – December 4, 2018) about a visit to Bahrain by a group from Christians Aware. Dean Christopher Butt put together an excellent, varied programme for us, illustrating the breadth of Christian ministry in the Gulf.

Bishop Michael Lewis We met the Friday and the Sunday congregations in the cathedral. Friday is the main day of worship in Bahrain. The Friday morning Eucharist was followed a community lunch at the Bahrain Petroleum Company populations, but this is relative. We made a brief visit Club in Awali. This was a very fine buffet lunch, the to a camel farm. In a Craft Centre we met Bahraini price very modest, but the wide disparity of incomes of people working and displaying their wares. expatriates in the Gulf meant that some congregation members required a subsidy. The site of the Bahrain Fort has been occupied for about 5000 years and contains evidence of The Tamil Eucharist was the only service at which there seven different civilisations from the Dilmun to the was live music. The Rev Stephen Thanapaul translated Portuguese. The Fort Museum is well laid out showing his sermon for us as he went along. A number of men the various layers of excavation. An evening son et were on their own, indicating the reality for many of lumière performance summarises the history in half working on single person contracts a long way from an hour. In addition, the Bahrain National Museum has family and friends. I spoke with two from South India, excellent displays showing the history of Bahrain. This one was single but the other had left behind a wife was well worth a visit. and son. The US Naval base covers a substantial area, also The Sunday morning Eucharist has a smaller containing the UK Royal Navy base. Security was tight. congregation, but it is important for those who work We were driven round in a golf buggy by the Chaplain, shifts and find it is impossible to get time off on a Christina Mauntel, and had lunch in the Officers’ Club Friday. The Sunday evening Eucharist was followed where we were joined by Mark Mander, RN chaplain, by ‘Living Dialogue in the Deanery’. and talked over the challenges of young sailors being At the Al-Fateh Mosque an excellent guide showed stationed in an environment a long way from home, us round and explained the main points of Islamic friends and families. worship and faith, she was also keen to discuss The Missions to Seafarers’ Centre, in the merchant similarities and differences between our two faiths. It shipping port, required more security checks. The did not surprise me that she had shown the Prince of modern, well equipped centre is less used than it Wales around a couple of years before. was, partly due to an economic slowdown but also We saw the first oil well, dating from 1932, as well as to merchant ships having more access to Wi-Fi. The a number of prehistoric burial mounds of the Dilmun chaplain, the Revd Stephen Thanapaul, visits crews civilization. In a Shi’a area social housing was being on their ships. built. The house sizes looked substantial. There is a We went to the British Embassy, strong security again, disparity in wealth between the Sunni and the Shi’a to meet Mockbul Ali, the Deputy British Ambassador. He gave a succinct view of the political and religious situation. He describes himself as Church of England Muslim – which I take to be a compliment to the C of E ethos of being there for the whole community. Susan Cooper Member of Christians Aware Photos: Richard Stainer and Chris Butt

18 Diocese of Iran Iran

Vicar-General Revd Albert WaltersAlbert RevdVicar-General Greetings from the Revd Dr Albert Walters, Friends of the Diocese of Iran Vicar-General Residential Conference at the Spring is in the air and for millions of people around the London School of Theology world including Iran, it marks the beginning of a new year. Festivities associated with the ancient festival of Saturday-Sunday Sept 14-15, 2019 Nowruz (“new day”) symbolize rebirth, regeneration ‘Watching for God’s Kingdom’ and the possibility of new beginnings. Though Iranians These conferences began in 1998 and have traditionally prepare for Nowruz by cleaning the house been important and informative occasions for thoroughly, going shopping and planning big family developing fellowship among members, and for visits, it is markedly different this time around. sharing information and news of the diocese, of Due to re-imposed sanctions and other related issues, ministry amongst Iranians in the diaspora and in people are experiencing growing economic hardship. this country. This year we are taking the theme They are being confronted with sky-high inflation on ‘Watching for God’s Kingdom’. Where can we see a daily basis. The Iranian currency has been battered signs of the Kingdom of God emerging amongst badly pushing prices of essential commodities Iranians? What of the future? beyond the reach of many. Foodstuffs and medicines The Revd Dr Albert Walters has been invited to the exhibit some of the sharpest price increases. These conference and others have been approached to are difficult and demanding times. There is lingering share with us. This will be the last in this series of uncertainty about the future. However, the situation residential conferences. has not fully stopped people from holding out hope for the new year. For further information please contact Chris Goldsmid on [email protected] In the midst of increasing challenges, members of the Church are in need of much prayer for strength to witness to their faith. Strict restrictions on church attendance continue and there is close monitoring of worshippers. This, coupled with many other factors, Two Prayers for Iran means church attendance continues to drop. Even so, week after week Anglican church members gather faithfully in the three congregations in Tehran, Isfahan Lord Jesus, and Shiraz for worship and fellowship. we thank you for all those who uphold Please pray for the churches in the Diocese: St Luke’s the faith in Iran. Isfahan, St Simon the Zealot Shiraz, St Paul’s Tehran. We pray that you will give them courage, Pray also for the ministry and pastoral care provided enrich them with the gift of the Holy Spirit, by deacons Baba Mohammadi, Ashrafi and Shahram. and strengthen their sense of belonging Pray also for political leaders and those in authority in the nation; the welfare of all people in Iran; diaspora to the Universal Church Iranian Christians living in many nations. so that their sense of isolation may be relieved. With the advent of a new year, we hope and pray Amen that people in Iran will live with a renewed sense of perseverance and that Christians here will continue We thank you for our fellowship to stand firm in our faith. with Christians in Iran, I finish by expressing my deep gratitude for the and pray that together we may live our lives continued interest, prayer and concern shown by with integrity, courage and hope the Friends of the Diocese for our small and isolated gatherings of the faithful remnant as they worship so that your love may be evident week by week and seek to live Christianly day by day. in our communities and we may be known Albert Walters, Now Ruz 2019 as people of the resurrection. With thanks to the Mustard Seed Amen

19 Obituaries Canon Sandy Smock Over the last two Miss Olive Hitchcock (1921-2019) decades, Canon Sandy Olive Hitchcock, who died on Christmas Eve Smock was committed 2018 at the age of 97, was the CMS Asia to issues of peace with Secretary responsible for relations with the justice and interfaith Episcopal Church in Iran (and the wider Middle dialogue in Palestine/ East) in the late 1970s. She had endured severe Israel. health problems in her childhood and testing He worked tirelessly for the Diocese situations as a missionary in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) of Jerusalem, making 16 pilgrimages in the midst of which she had found God to be and enabling over 800 people from faithful. In her tribute at Olive’s funeral her god-daughter, the the Diocese of Los Angeles to meet Revd Sarah Vaughan, spoke as follows of Olive’s love for Iran. ‘the Living Stones’. During that She entered deeply into the Iranian crisis of 1978 and 80 time, Canon Sandy and his dear at great personal cost, and from her own spiritual depths wife Canon Sue Smock were strong strengthened the church leaders and missionaries in such supporters of the ministry of St. Paul’s crisis situations. She always felt a special bond with Bishop Episcopal Church, Shefa’Amr. Hassan and Margaret Dehqani-Tafti and in recent years Sandy died on January 12, 2019. A delighted in his daughter Guli’s ordination and consecration memorial service was held for him as Bishop of Loughborough. at his home parish, Church of Our She died at the College of St. Barnabas in Surrey after some Saviour, San Gabriel, California on years bedridden. May she rest in peace. Saturday February 9, 2019. Book Reviews

The Qur’an & the Bible Gabriel Said Reynolds

London and New Haven: Yale University Press, 2018

Gabriel Said Reynolds is Professor of Islamic Studies to be found in the Bible and Theology at the University of Notre Dame, and in Jewish and USA. In The Qur’an & the Bible, he provides the text Christian tradition. He of a translation of the Qur’an and accompanying makes good use of commentary linking these to biblical passages. The Christian sources in Syriac, which adds an important Qur’an translation is by Ali Quli Qarai who has worked dimension to his work. However, it has to be said as a consultant at the Centre for Translation of the that the bulk of this volume of 1008 pages consists Qur’an, Qum, Iran, since 1994. The translation makes of the Qur’anic text, though this is interspersed with the text of the Qur’an accessible to those looking for commentary. The size of the font used for the Qur’anic a version in clear and contemporary English. translation means that the book is physically weightier than might be considered necessary – but is in line Reynolds, himself a Roman Catholic Christian with a with the format often used in books published by Middle Eastern family background, bypasses issues Yale University. of revelation and of authorship in his commentary by using the phrase regularly: ‘the Qur’an says’. This is a useful book for the student rather than a This is a useful way through what could otherwise book full of scholarly technical detail. Those looking be a minefield. He approaches the Qur’an, however, for originality may be disappointed. However, the book with the convictions of a Western orientalist, though concludes with very useful select bibliography, an he wishes so far as possible to avoid unnecessary index to subjects which appear in the Qur’an linked to controversy. He writes in the introduction: ‘the Qur’an the surahs and their verses, and an index of citations seems to know the Bible as it was read and transmitted of biblical verses. The book appears at a time when orally by Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity, with it is more and more important that Christian scholars the diversity of interpretations which had developed have an accurate idea about the contents and the by that time and which had informed their reading of possible interpretations of the Qur’an, as well as the the scripture’ (p.14f). links with Judaism and Christianity. Reynolds proves to be a helpful guide. Reynolds’ book is a very useful resource for the student of the Qur’an who is interested in the parallels Alan and Clare Amos 20 Book Reviews

The Culture of God Nadim Nassar

London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2018

Born in Lattakia in Syria, Nadim Nassar’s religious account modern background was mixed. His mother was Greek biblical studies. Orthodox, his father Presbyterian, and the local Nadim Nassar’s community was predominantly Sunni Muslim, though evangelical with Christian and Alawite minorities. Nadim chose background to train for ordination in the Near East School of perhaps Theology in Beirut, an inter-denominational Protestant influences his theological college in Lebanon. He went on to study approach, which is to in the evangelical faculty in Tubingen, and then at take the gospels as factual accounts uninfluenced the United Reformed Church’s Westminster College by the theological concerns of the various writers. in Cambridge. In 2004 he was ordained priest in the His approach is more homiletic than scholarly; and Church of England. in his Introduction Dr Habib Badr says that ‘This book contains a reservoir of great sermons.’ His Middle Eastern background explains his enthusiasm for its Christian tradition and what he sees The book’s title, The Culture of God, needs explanation as its distinctive character. He is not alone in claiming and raises a question. Its author explains that, just as Jesus as a Syrian and giving the impression that Syria human cultures arise from the interaction of human has been Christian since the time of Jesus. ‘People in beings in societies, so the culture of God arises from the West’, he says, ‘forget that Syria and the Levant the interaction of the three Persons of the Trinity. region were Christian for 600 years even before Islam Fr Nadim embraces with uncritical enthusiasm the started.’ There were certainly Christians in the region understanding of the Trinity as a communion of from the time of Jesus. But until the early 4th century three Persons united in love. Associated closely they were a small minority, largely in the towns and with the distinguished Greek Orthodox theologian cities. Only after the emperor Constantine legalised Metropolitan John Zizioulas, and widely popular in Christianity in 313 AD did the Church grow rapidly. other Christian traditions, it is not without its critics. Syria can be said to be Christian, at least nominally, However the term ‘Person’ is to be understood when only after Theodosius I banned paganism in 389-391. used of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, it does not and cannot mean the same as when used of individual Fr Nadim’s enthusiasm leads him to another rather human persons. The three divine Persons cannot be sweeping assertion. Writing about the importance of said to interact in the same way as human beings story-telling in Syrian culture, he says that ‘cultures interact: there is only one God. It cannot therefore be that are poor in mythology and stories cannot develop said that ‘love and forgiveness are integral not only a strong spirituality, because these stories feed into to God’s commandments, but to the inner life of the the spiritual life of the people.’ Should we therefore Trinity’. Love certainly, for God is love; but there is no infer that Christians in modern Western cultures are way God needs to forgive God. incapable of a strong spiritual life? But story-telling is no guarantee of a strong spirituality, at least not in But Fr Nassar’s concern is not with the details of Christian terms. In the Middle East, religion is closely trinitarian theology. He writes against the background bound up with social and ethnic identity. That is not of his own experiences in the 1980s of the civil war untrue even of churches relatively recently arrived in in Lebanon, and of the subsequent civil war in his the region. I once overheard a conversation among own country. His chief concern throughout the book Palestinian Anglicans lamenting the fact that even is to make the fundamental Christian point that God their church was as much a social as a religious is love, and that Christians are called to display that community. The remark once made by an Anglican same love, of which forgiveness is an integral aspect, bishop in Jerusalem that he was first an Arab, in their relations with other Christians and all other secondly a Palestinian, and thirdly a Christian was human beings. There can be no quarrel with that; and hardly testimony to a strong Christian spirituality. here indeed is a great sermon, one that needs to be preached and heard, not only in the Middle East but It is of course the case that Jesus, followed the in every human culture. tradition of his people, made wide and effective use of story-telling in his teaching. Kenneth Bailey, in his Hugh Wybrew, JMECA Director scholarly book Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, and former Vicar of St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford writes about the teaching and actions of Jesus in the light of the culture in which he lived. Bailey takes into

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 Hosam Naoum, 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 David Crosby 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 DIOCESE OF IRAN 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 Bill Schwartz and his wife Edith. 17th The Archdeacon in the Gulf, the Ven Bill Schwartz and his wife Edith, the Archdeacon in Cyprus the, the Ven Christopher Futcher and his wife Anne. 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

19

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