Bible Lands Summer 2014 Magazine of the Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association

www.jmeca.org.uk

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Jerusalem Egypt & North Africa Cyprus & the Gulf Iran

Pupils at the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf in Salt, Jordan greet two bishops (see page 10)

Contents include: U.S. PRESIDING BISHOP VISITS JORDAN – page 10 PRIESTS and IMAMS in PARTNERSHIP – pages 12-13 and 19 WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN IRAN – page 20

THE JERUSALEM AND Bible Lands Editor Letters, articles, comments are welcomed by the Editor: THE MIDDLE EAST CHURCH Canon Timothy Biles, 36 Hound Street, ASSOCIATION Sherborne DT9 3AA Tel: 01935 816247 Email: [email protected] (JMECA) The next issue will be published in November for Winter 2014/15. Founded in 1887 Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily ‘To encourage support in prayer, money and those of the Association; therefore only signed articles personal service for the religious and other will be published. charitable work of the Episcopal church in JMECA Website www.jmeca.org.uk Jerusalem and the Middle East’. The site has information for each of the four Dioceses Reg. Charity no. 248799 with links to the websites of each one and regular www.jmeca.org.uk updates of Middle East news.

Patron The Most Reverend and Right Honourable THE CENTRAL SYNOD OF THE PROVINCE The Archbishop of Canterbury President The Most Revd Dr Mouneer Anis Chairman Mr. Richard Owens OBE Secretary Mrs. Georgia Katsantonis Administrator [email protected] Mrs. Shirley Eason Treasurer Assistant: Mrs Debbie Taylor The Reverend Canon William Schwartz. 1 Hart House The Hart Jerusalem Farnham GU9 7HJ, Surrey. The Rt Revd Suheil Dawani [email protected] St George’s Cathedral Close, PO Box 1248, Office days: Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am – 2.00pm. Jerusalem Tel/Fax 01252 726994 Tel: +972 2 6272932 The Council of JMECA delegates the administration [email protected] website: www.j-diocese.org of its assets to a Standing Committee which is Iran THE JERUSALEM AND THE EAST MISSION TRUST The Rt Revd Azad Marshall LIMITED (JEMT) PO Box +971 4 62170 Dubai UAE also St Pauls Administrator as above Church, Avanue Hafez (North), Opp, Bazar Val Asr No 749 Tehran 15977 Iran Directors [email protected] Mr. John Clark (Chairman) Egypt Mr. Andrew Hill The Most Revd Dr Mouneer Anis The Venerable Howard Levett All Saints Cathedral, PO Box 87, Distribution Zamalek, Mr. Richard Owens OBE Cairo, Egypt Mr. John G Pringle (Hon Treasurer) Tel: +202 7380829 [email protected] The Reverend Dr. William Taylor website: www.dioceseofegypt.org Sir Harold Walker KCMG Mr. David Wright OBE Cyprus and the Gulf The Reverend Canon Hugh Wybrew The Rt. Revd. Michael Lewis Diocesean Office, PO Box 22075, 1517 Nicosia Tel: +357 22671220 Consultant [email protected] The Reverend Canon Timothy Biles website: www.cypgulf.org

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Middle East Chaos and Confusion The churches of the Middle East are living in turbulent times. These newspaper extracts show the challenging political background to their work. Readers of this magazine will see that the response of the Anglican churches remains one of service to the whole community, with special care for the traumatised and afflicted. Failed Government When Mr Morsi won the presidency, he promised to govern for all Egyptians. EGYPT But he did not. The Muslim Brotherhood had worked for power for more than Key dates 80 years. It was determined to seize its chance to reshape Egypt into the way it wanted. Mr Morsi, the public face of the Muslim Brotherhood’s top political 25 January 2011: Anti-government leadership, behaved as if it had an overwhelming mandate to transform Egypt protests begin into a much more Islamist state. Many Egyptians are pious Muslims, but that 11 February 2011: President Hosni did not automatically mean they shared the Brotherhood’s austere vision of Mubarak resigns the future. To make matters worse, the Morsi administration was not very competent. It could not keep its promises about reinvigorating the economy. 24 June 2012: Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi wins presidential elections Independent, 27th April 26 December 2012: President Morsi signs a new constitution following a referendum Military Crackdown 3 July 2013: President Morsi In July last year, after the military removed from power the Muslim Brotherhood-backed is deposed by the military head of state, Mohammed Morsi, many thousands of his supporters established protest after street protests camps in Cairo. When the army and security services moved in to clear the protesters, about 1000 people were killed, increasing the hostility between the Brotherhood and the 14 August 2013: Hundreds military, and re-emphasising the polarisation in Egyptian society. of pro-Morsi supporters killed when troops clear sit-in Since last summer, while the interim government has continued to follow its declared protests roadmap to democracy, with a new constitution approved in a referendum in January this year, the authorities have also cracked down on dissent. 28 April 2014: 683 Morsi ­mission, and many thousands supporters sentenced to death A new law, for example, restricts the rightout to protest trial. without per after an eight minute trial of people have been imprisoned with­ Gerald Butt, Church Times, 25th April

JERUSALEM THE YEMEN Poverty and Insecurity Peace Talks Collapse The Yemeni Republic in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf is When Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the Arab world’s poorest country. More than 14 million people plans to build further settlements in occupied East need humanitarian aid, hundreds of thousands have been Jerusalem and Palestinian President Abbas announced driven from their homes by waves of violence, malnutrition a reconciliation with Hamas the peace talks, which had levels are the second highest on the planet, more than 4 made little progress, came to an end. The American million people are ‘food insecure’ and Sanaa is the most vice president John Kerry, who had chaired the year water-starved capital city in the world. Yemen has become long talks, warned of the consequences: “Israel a base for a quarter of a million refugees escaping Somalia risks evolving into a de facto ‘apartheid state’ with and Ethiopia, adding to the complexity. The oil supply, which institutionalized discrimination against some of its own has been the main source of income, is dwindling and the citizens if it cannot find a way to finalise a two state pipelines have been subject to sabotage. The humanitarian solution”. He said further delay could cause Palestinian situation is declared to be ‘terrifying’ by the International aggression against Israel and that a unitary state would Rescue Committee while the US considers the Al-Queda end up being a state with second class citizens or presence on the Arab peninsular to be the most prolific and a state that destroyed the capacity of Israel to be a the most dangerous in the whole world. Jewish state. Edited from a report by David Miliband US Secretary of State, John Kerry President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee

speaking to the Trilateral Commission, 25th April

3 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 home in our Anglican congregations. Through some intricate

Bishop Michael Lewis and special relationships, the Diocese is often responsible for churches and congregations which are not Anglican, some of which are Iraq still working out their relationships to the Cyprus Bahrain Bishop and Synod. Worship is largely in Qatar

English but in some locations we have Kuwait liturgy in Arabic, Syriac-Aramaic, Tamil and

Urdu. Bishop Azad Marshall of Iran has a United Arab particular ministry to the Urdu-speaking Emirates congregations within our diocese.” Oman

Yemen

Staff News The Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf, the Rt. Revd. Michael Lewis has announced the following staff THE REVD ANDREW SYMONDS has been changes: appointed Assistant Priest, with House for Duty, in the parish and chaplaincy of Paphos. He received THE REVD NIC DENNY-DEMETRIOU was Licensed the bishop’s licence in Paphos on 5 February and and Installed as the new senior priest in Paphos at will work with the Revd Nic Denny-Dimitriou, senior a special service in Agia Kyriaki Church on Saturday priest, and the rest of the ministry team . He comes January 18th, the Feast of the Confession of St Peter. with his wife Rosemary after serving most recently in A packed church greeted and welcomed Nic and his the Diocese of Swaziland and latterly as chaplain to family and Nic’s wife, Revd Julia Denny-Demetriou, the Anglican nuns at Whitby in Yorkshire. who was also given permission to officiate in the diocese at the same service. Bishop Michael presided and the Ven Dr John Holdsworth, Archdeacon in Appointment of Commissary Cyprus, preached the sermon. “We all look forward in the United Kingdom to hearing great things about Paphos in the future,” he said. The Revd Bertrand Olivier, parish priest of All Hallows by the Tower in London,has been appointed by the Bishop as his Commissary in the United Kingdom.A Bishop’s Commissary represents, publicises, and advances the interests of a diocese in another country. In the UK Fr Bertrand, already a great supporter and friend of the diocese, joins the previous incumbent of All Hallows, the Ven Peter Delaney, in fulfilling this honorary role. Every year All Hallows hosts the diocesan celebration eucharist and the annual general meeting of the Friends of the Diocese and is also the venue for a variety of other meetings, interviews, and gatherings. 4 55 (Continues on next page) development industry. We’re not in the rental business not We’re industry. development not even business. We’re not in the heritage and we’re business, let alone in the in the charitable association quasi-companies and glorying inbusiness of running in and of the Kingdom of God. quasi-Boards. We’re the news that tell everyone to go is in order we do All has come.” the Kingdom of God priority concerned strong The Bishop’s second One was the need to He raised three issues. ministry. ministry. corporate of sense congregation’s a develop mustn’t be solo heroes or Lone “Our public ministers team of skill the of development urged He Rangers.” local church isn’t the clergy and ministers working. “A or congregation, (or people the and hand one the on of A local church is the People council) on the other. bound God, in which laity and clergy are inextricably The Anglicanin Kingdom service for the glory of God”. to which he was committed, affirms “people way, within the unity of a diocese, and priests together, neither under its bishop’s oversight and authority; Hisautonomy”. congregational nor autocracy clerical the Diocese second issue was vocations. He said of Ministry had been blessed by receiving all manner now mature from elsewhere but that the Diocese was believe “I vocations. own its produce to enough is saying to the our duty is to hear what the Spirit and to individuals Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, He wanted to and leaders within it, here and now.” will have had nurture local vocations, people “who unique diocese experience of our unique region and such with its particular challenges and opportunities” a ministry would be a blessing to the Diocese and the need constant the was issue third The Church. World faith. the in exploration and learning continued for “The challenge is to spread understanding of and in vocation, commitment to best practice in ministry, and in discipleship.” The Bishop’s third priority concerned creating a stronger support base. He admitted that this had had Great efforts to address. hard particularly been been made to establish an endowment fund. With from quota or share of system comprehensive no allow would as such chaplaincies, and parishes central remuneration of paid clergy and central development of mission projects, strategic planning was difficult. He paid tribute to those parishes and their remunerated both have that congregations clergy and developed premises and projects fairly, “but I still record and with determination, imaginatively, what feels to me in aggregate to be a weakness”

Three years ago the Three years Bishop’s Presidential five Address outlined for principal purposes work of the life and is a the Diocese. Here progress summary of his the at delivered report, 2014 Synod. : His first priority concerned presence and witness were a sign of He said buildings and properties one of think “I progress much saw He presence. developed, new site has been a wholly where location chapels and halls adjoining and church fine a with no churches in attractive grounds in an area where existing, an where another of think I before. were huge a by transformed been has facility used much an ambitious extension. I recently co-dedicated to an already brand-new sanctuary squeezed on unfolding of busy compound. I’ve watched the development, a programme of systematic new of a loved but redevelopment, and refurbishment in culminate will which buildings, of collection tired I’ve itself. the reordering of the main place of worship bursting at the seen a small historic church, regularly craft additional carefully worshippers, seams with extraordinarilyspace for worship. I’ve consecrated an midst of an impressive principal sanctuary in the our set-ups, several of that, like Centre Anglican entire services not only Anglican church life but that of other Christian groups that seek safe space. I’ve rejoiced at the addition, in one remarkable compound, of a two- storey building housing not only a community hall and residential accommodation but also an early-years facility that is on the way to becoming an all-through primary school”. However he knew buildings were congregations in rejoiced He issue. only the not that took seriously the society surrounding them, young and students with work on majors that one adults but yearns also to be a blessing to others, one which had recruited a priest especially to pastor and develop a worshipping community at the Anglican that rejoiced He Emirate. its of end other Arabic, Urdu, Mandarin Chinese, worship in Tamil, had been started. He also praised the witness of the Mission to Seafarers, “which seems to me to go from strength to strength, has been blessed by high- quality appointments and committed volunteers” The Bishop reminded the Synod of the real purpose of property or building the in not “We’re labour. this all So how are we doing? doing? we are So how Bishop Michael’sBishop Address Presidential

Cyprus and the Gulf Bishop Michael Lewis The fourth priority urged a serious encounter with that our presence and church life can be genuinely Islam. There were some encouraging examples of evangelistic”. He believed that to be evangelistic is progress “but I do long for more widespread sharing to believe that the News is good. He saw a great of opportunities for encounter, dialogue, and study task and almost limitless opportunities to be more

Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus with the laity. Since most of us live and are spending active in promoting and encouraging the sharing not a few years in or near the heartlands of Islam, that of faith and practice among all people. And the key is a shame and a missed opportunity to say the least.” workers, he said, would not be the clergy alone but all faithful worshippers, churchgoers. “Evangelism is The fifth priority concerned evangelism. In Muslim- a remarkably democratic privilege”. majority nations some thought evangelism was ‘on hold’ but the Bishop said “we should realise The full text may be found on the Diocesan website www.cypgulf.org Bishop Michael Lewis Prince Charles’ Visit To complete a two day official visit to Qatar in February, HRH The Prince of Wales visited three of the churches located in the “Religious Complex” in Abu Hamour. Accompanied by HM British Ambassador Nicholas Hopton, Prince Charles visited the St Isaac and St George Greek Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Anglican Church of the Epiphany where he was hosted by Archdeacon Bill Schwartz, Chaplain of the Church of the Epiphany and Archdeacon in the Gulf who said “It has been a wonderful experience for me to welcome His Royal Highness to see how our religious communities operate in Qatar. My parishioners come from all over the world, which has enriched our community and mutual understanding of each other. Thanks to the generosity of the State of Qatar, we have a place to come together and celebrate our faith. It is a testament to Qatar’s tolerance and commitment to inter-faith harmony.”

During his visit to the Anglican Centre, which caters for Prince and Archdeacon the large number of Protestant communities in Qatar, Prince Charles held a meeting with representatives The British Ambassador, Nicholas Hopton, said: “I of different Christian denominations in Qatar and am delighted that the Prince of Wales was able to listened to their experiences of living and working in experience firsthand the vibrant, diverse and unique the region. They discussed the effects of conflict on nature of the Christian community in Qatar. His Royal religious co-existence in places like Syria. Highness has a long experience of working with all religious communities in the UK, especially our growing Muslim community. He has a deep commitment to promoting religious tolerance and the defense of all faiths, in all areas of the world. It has been a pleasure for us to welcome him here to see how the culture of religious tolerance flourishes in Qatar.”

HRH The Prince of Wales meeting with Christian leaders at the Church of the Epiphany 6 Christ Church Aden Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus

Christ Church Aden is an Anglican church in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. For almost 150 years, daily prayer and weekly worship have shaped its mission. Today that mission is to serve many people: the Yemenis and refugees who are healed in the medical clinic and whose sight is restored in the eye department, the seafarers visited in the port Bishop Michael Lewis and the weary who rest in the guesthouse. he has carried out over 2500 operations at the clinic. Christ Church is an enduring sign of God’s That is a remarkable achievement, but more than love in Yemen. that he has, with enthusiasm and patience shared his wisdom and shown others how to do the business. A peaceful sunset scene in Aden, but it has been an We are enormously grateful to John and to his wife, eventful few months at the Ras Morbat clinics. Sheila, for generously and bravely letting him go to The redoubtable, conscientious and endlessly Aden so often. cheerful Dr John Sandford Smith (pictured above on a boat trip with the eye team) returned recently from The Bishop writes: his 15th visit to Ras Morbat, operating and teaching “Christ Church Aden, incorporating the Ras Morbat in the eye clinic. He performed 31 cataract operations Clinic, is a sign of hope and love. All the activities that and supervised a further 65 carried out by our two go on within the compound are intended as an offering local eye surgeons and by a good friend, Qaid, who of thanks to God. Since God is the only maker of all was long ago one of the first eye technicians. He has creation, the activities are also acts of service to God’s since been studying in America and hopes to return people and a witness to God’s embracing love for us home to Somalia to set up an eye clinic there. It is all. Christians rejoice with their brothers and sisters, a bold and courageous step and one that Dr John Muslims and others, that He has all of us in His hand, has long encouraged him in. While in Aden, John and He is merciful, compassionate and close”. celebrated his 77th birthday and managed to swim on May God bless the Yemen, Aden, Ras Morbat, and most days. Patient statistics show that over the years Christ Church.

The Venerable Michael Winstanley Mansbridge 1932-2014 Archdeacon Michael, who died peacefully at his home in the Isle of Wight on 17th January aged 81, was chaplain in Abu Dhabi and Archdeacon in the Gulf from 1983 to 1991, and Archdeacon of Cyprus and the Gulf from 1991 to 1999. From 1997 until his retirement in 1999 he was Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in Nicosia. He was a Canon of St Christopher’s Cathedral, Bahrain and a Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia. Ian Young, Archdeacon Emeritus Cyprus and the Gulf, remembers him: “I first met Michael in 1984 at a Middle East Council of Churches conference in Cyprus. He welcomed me to the clergy team and I was immediately struck by his warmth, friendliness and old-fashioned good manners. He struck me as a priest of experience, integrity and lots of fun. I was indeed to enjoy a great deal of fun with both Michael and Fiona during their time in the Gulf and Cyprus. During his time in Abu Dhabi, Michael fostered links with the government, church leaders and congregations and was greatly loved and respected by them all. St Andrew’s compound was, and continues to be, a place of Christian hospitality, housing congregations of many and varied denominations. Hospitality was key to Michael’s ministry both in church and at home. Michael and Fiona kept an open door policy welcoming all and if you happened to be there on a Friday, when most of the groups using the compound have their worship, then tea at four o’ clock would be a truly international affair with visitors and guests enjoying refreshments and fascinating conversations – to the background of drums and loud singing from nearby over-enthusiastic worshipping congregations. You were made to feel so welcome at any church service he conducted especially with his preaching which drew you to him. During his long ministry Michael saw many changes in the church and happily embraced those he felt to be helpful and right always remembering and valuing tradition and history”.

7 Diocese of Jerusalem 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 Middle East. There are 27 parishes that minister

Bishop Suheil Dawani to the needs of their communities, centered on the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr, in Jerusalem. The diocese supports 35 institutions, which include hospitals, clinics, kindergartens and schools, vocational training programmes, as well as institutions for the deaf, the disabled and the elderly, reaching out to interfaith neighbours in mutual respect Syria Lebanon and cooperation.

Palestine ‘Half a Pilgrimage’ & Israel

In spite of violence in the region, which makes Jordan some people cautious about security, the number of pilgrims visiting the city continues to rise. It has always saddened and annoyed me that so many pilgrims from UK travel huge distances at great cost, regard the whole enterprise as a ‘once in a lifetime effort’ and return home without the slightest idea that there is an Anglican church in the land. They only achieve ‘half a pilgrimage’. They see the sites of Our Lord’s life two thousand years ago but they fail to see his living work before their eyes in the here and now. They go home unaware that Palestinian Christians ‘Empowerment’ to a large gathering of women on the are making a vital and hugely respected contribution Women’s World Day of Prayer. The Diocese welcomes to reconciliation in church and politics. And that they pilgrims who wish to see the life of Our Lord today! run 35 institutions including some of the finest schools in Israel, in Jerusalem and in Jordan and medical Timothy Biles centres that bring high modern skills in the service of people in great need- on the Mount of Olives, in Ramallah, in Nablus and in Gaza. A visit to any of these inspiring centres would add an extra dimension to pilgrimage by continuing to proclaim the message first heard in Jerusalem ‘He is not dead but alive and with us’. Visits to any of these institutions would not only be in the pilgrim steps of Our Lord but would also bring huge encouragement to the tiny Christian minority who serve the whole community. Presiding Bishop’s Visit The Most Reverend Dr. Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Anglican church in the United States does visit the Anglican centres on her visits to the Diocese. Her Lenten visit to Jordan included the school which teaches blind and partially sighted in the mainstream, the special school for those with hearing or speech impediments (see p.10) the vocational training centre for older boys and the well known Al Ahliyyah school in Amman. She also spoke of St George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem

8 Development: Training Leaders Sawsan Aranki-Batato, Programmes Development Officer Jerusalem

Decades of conflict have exposed people in The plan was based on needs assessment as well the occupied Palestinian territory to profound as SWOT analysis where the Strengths, Weaknesses, insecurity, loss of opportunities, desperation Opportunities and Risks were analyzed and identified. The current skills of the staff were considered and the

Bishop Suheil Dawani and increased political frustration. In concert with the increasingly restrictive physical and needed education levels and skills to be acquired were identified. administrative framework of the prolonged occupation, political divisiveness is reversing A plan of action for implementing the HRD Strategic human development gains, eroding the Plan was made, the plan included the requested human security of Palestinians and creating specialized education as well as the needed technical a crisis of confidence. In short, the Israeli/ training and skills with the time frame for the successful Palestinian conflict and the resulting completion of the key objectives of the Plan. prolonged occupation create a situation in Gaza Hospital which multiple dimensions of human security are undermined and opportunities and space A good example which shows the need for for human development are obstructed. This implementing the HRD strategic plan is the new is the situation the Diocese faces. development at Al Ahli hospital in Gaza . Following the recent crisis at the hospital the decision was made The Diocesan Institutions to transform the hospital into a Diagnostic Centre as well as Oncology treatment centre. The need for a The Diocese runs 35 institutions including schools, strong leadership and technical staff to run the new vocational training centres, medical centres , hospitals, specialized services is one of the top priorities which rehabilitation centres as well as cultural centres for is indeed a part of the HRDSP ( Human Resources women and youth .The diocesan institutions provide Development Strategic Plan). Finally, it is worth high quality services to all people without prejudice, mentioning that in order to enable the Diocese to fully or discrimination due to religion, social class, gender, implement the plan, a financial and technical support education, or political affiliation and focuses on poor are greatly needed from the generous donors. and needy people. Need for Leadership Such professional institutions need to have a high KIDS4PEACE profile leadership and technical staff who are well Kids4Peace (http://www.k4p.org) was launched in educated and well trained to properly supervise 2001, because of concerns for children in Israel and and manage the institutions. Given this and in order Palestine following the collapse of the Oslo Peace to sustain the services provided through these Initiative. The cradle of Kids4Peace was the Episcopal institutions, the Diocese is keen to develop the human Diocese of Jerusalem, which continues to foster K4P resources by investing in educating young people who programmes with other faith communities. The focus will be the future leaders of the diocesan institutions. is “education for peace,” the programme includes With this approach, the diocesan director of meetings between Israeli and Palestinian families from the Programmes Development Department has both sides of the political divide. developed a Strategic Plan for the Human Resources In February Natalie Portman visited K4P when she Development of the diocesan institutions. took a break from filming Amos Oz’ ‘A Tale of Love and Darkness’. This caused great excitement because Strategic Plan she is one of the most prolific actresses in Hollywood Human Resource Development (HRD) Strategic Plan and was born in Jerusalem. She spoke with hope that, is the framework for helping the diocesan institution’s “we will use our unique human assets of language employees develop their personal and organizational and empathy, rather than military technology or skills, knowledge, and abilities. It includes such propaganda, to resolve this conflict”– an ideal that K4P opportunities as employee training, employee endorses and works for. K4P is creating a programme career development, performance management, that will do that. By extending the hand of friendship it and development, coaching, mentoring, succession is climbing the mountain that politicians have failed to planning, key employee identification and organization do. Natalie Portman’s visit encouraged all the young development. participants that the work is of importance in shaping the world’s understanding of life in the Middle East. 9 Most Revd Dr. Katarine Jefferts Scori visits Jordan Jerusalem

The Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church in America, known as the Episcopal Church of the United States of America

Bishop Suheil Dawani (ECUSA) has once again shown herself to be a good friend of the Diocese. On previous occasions she has visited diocesan institutions on the West Bank and in Gaza. This time her visit included institutions in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Arab Episcopal School, Irbid – Home of Peace with the School Board, administrators, teachers and staff. A few days after the visit, the new library was Education finally opened. It was completed with donations from the German Embassy in Amman. The Ambassador attended the opening with many representatives from the Irbid community. The library includes an impressive number of Braille and large print works. This is not the only new development, an entirely new gymnasium, which also doubles as a hall and meeting place was opened in the second semester. Holy Land Institute for Sabah and Samir Esaid (headmistress & priest) the Deaf (HLID) HLID in Salt, is one of the best known and most Irbid is the largest centre of population in the north prestigious institutions of the Diocese. It receives of Jordan, heavily industrial and with a vast Muslim visitors from many parts of the world to observe the majority. However the small Christian congregation is teaching methods that Brother Andrew has created proud of its Arab Episcopal School which is unique and overseen. Established in 1964, HLID offers in including blind and partially sighted children in its rehabilitation, education and vocational training for mainstream. At first this experiment was unpopular. deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind children, as well Parents of the sighted children felt sure their progress as physically and mentally challenged people. The would be hindered by the presence of children with Institute also provides audiology service and ‘made such a disability. Parents of the disabled doubted to measure’ hearing aids. their children would be able to cope. In fact, after Among recent visitors was the Presiding Bishop of seven years, the doubters are happy, the school is the Episcopal Church of America, the Most Revd. thriving, results are good and the buildings have been Katharine Jefferts Schori, pictured with her host the extended and a new church built. Diocesan Bishop Suheil Dawani and Brother Andrew, March 5th became a special day in the school’s history communicating with one of the pupils. when Bishop Suheil brought the Most Reverend Dr. Schori, Presiding Bishop of ECUSA, and several other American dignitaries to see this remarkable school (cover picture) which serves the entire city and surrounding area. They visited each classroom, watched the integration process at work from nursery to 9th grade. The priest, Revd Samir Esaid and his wife Sabah the headmistress, explained the underlying theme of ‘Peace Education’ which shapes the curriculum. The visitors were treated to a performance by the school choir and a traditional ‘dabka dance’ by 7th to 9th grades and then enjoyed a Jordanian lunch 10 11 John Henson John and Jane Henson John and and puts on a brave face in a predominantly Haredi and puts on a brave celebrate a simple (ultra-Orthodox Jewish) area. We tree for Eucharist and then sit under an old mulberry coffee and pastries! we have metThrough the work of the Guest House Pilgrims vary an amazing cross-section of people. politicalconsiderably in their grasp of the underlying we have beenrealities such as the Occupation, but with deep very impressed by a number of expats the Palestinian commitments to meeting the needs of agenciescommunity – through the UN, NGOs, medical also been theand so on. One pleasing surprise has (many fromnumber of Jewish visitors to the cathedral in Jerusalem). come for a Shabbat day-out Aviv Tel enabled us to of Prayer for Christian Unity The Week Lutherans, experience worship with the Armenians, Orthodox, Catholics (known here as Latins), Greek and Melchites Syrian Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox one encounter – where else outside Jerusalem could such diversity? by a visit been has development recent significant One women) them of (6 diocese home our from curates 10 to see something of the Holy Land and then spend a week staying in Anglican parishes in 4 locations in Bank. They explored ministry Israel and 3 in the West has learning mutual Much context. cross-cultural a in taken place! occasional Arabic, limited frustrations – very A few power outages, adjusting to a different concept of time and cultural peculiarities – but we wouldn’t have very a be to continues it and world for the it missed rich experience. Could you be a volunteer? The Diocese has many needs in Jerusalem and in its 35 Institutions. information contact John and Jane Henson For at [email protected] My wife Jane and I have just completed a fascinating completed a fascinating and I have just My wife Jane in Cathedral George’s St. at volunteers as months six years ago we retired to Southwell Jerusalem. A few – incidentally the one in and Nottingham diocese Hosam Rev. in 1965. The Very which I was ordained Jerusalem in George’s cathedral St. Dean of Naoum, Southwellwith connection long a had has 2012, since traffic in both directions over and there has been proved difficult for the diocese the years. As it has much in the way of regular of Jerusalem to provide of couple a for appealed he him, for infrastructure six months at St. George’s UK volunteers to spend to act as his on a bed-and-breakfast basis – one I and the other as cathedral sacristan. Jane and PA had both visited were persuaded to consider it as we previously and knew Hosam a bit, so Israel/Palestine decision. a conversation on Skype clinched the and cathedral the of tower the in flat a small in lived We Bethlehem visit to chance (the 2013 in October arrived proved Easter for Jerusalem in be and Christmas for – dealingirresistable!). Jane’s role was administrative the with Hosam’s emails and correspondence, of callers phone, his diary and the constant stream as sacristan in on a host of different matters. I acted him with visitors, assisted a guide to the cathedral, a number of a certain amount of initial drafting, take services and preaching occasionally. madeis George’s St. that realize probably Readers will residence,of many parts – the cathedral, the bishop’s for pilgrims anddiocesan offices, the Guest House of Holy (offering a variety College George’s St. visitors, world)the around from people for courses Land-related and a school serving the local community (mainly Muslim children, but including some Christians). All these gave us a warm welcome and a high purpose. despite the felt very much at home. Interestingly, We soldiers Israeli by wielded openly guns of number and police, we felt safer in Jerusalem than in London or Nottingham – partly because there is no alcohol- related culture in the streets. It is a huge privilege to have shared the life ministry in Jerusalem. Especially the daily contact with the who face Christians Living Stones ie the Palestinian backgoing history a have but pressures, considerable to the very birth of the Christian Church in Jerusalem. Most of the cathedral services are in English, but the withArabic in worships congregation Sunday am 9.30 some English translation. There is also a small but feisty Arabic-speaking congregation (mainly female) church of St. which meets midweek at the daughter in 1874 by CMS but disused for Founded Paul’s. in 2011 re-opened was church decades, the several View from the Tower of St. George’s St. of Tower the from View

Jerusalem Bishop Suheil Dawani Sharing Perspectives: Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land

It seemed an unlikely venture. A group of Christian However, we soon realised this ‘holiday’ was actually very clergy and a group of Muslim imams and other hard work. There were lectures from eminent scholars. leaders, travelling to Jerusalem to study the Bible Professor Dr. Mustafa Abu Sway detailed the Muslim way of and the Koran together and visit each other’s holy praying and declared the whole creation a mosque, a place to pray in and honour the Creator. The Revd Dr. Lawrence sites. Unlikely, but it happened. It was the initiative Hilditch interpreted the Abraham stories and demonstrated of Bishop Richard Cheetham and was driven by that God’s promises were not to the Jews alone but to all the Christian/Muslim Forum which he co-chairs people of faith, so that the Gentile church of Peter and Paul with Ibrahim Mogra. They both attended the course prevailed over the Judaisers in the first century. Rabbi Ophir which was at St George’s College, Jerusalem, Yarden spoke for the Jewish tradition and explained why an Anglican foundation in the precincts of the some Jews believe the land is theirs, all of it, by the explicit cathedral, where we were hosted in considerable will and gift of God. They regard those who take the land comfort and fed most generously. and build on it as brave heroes, while other Jews regard them as arrogant trouble makers who prevent peace and Any one reading the prospectus might well have imagined jeopardise Israel as a State. Some holiday! the holiday of a lifetime. There were visits in the footsteps of Before any of this could begin, our Muslim partners had Jesus to Nazareth, Capernaum, Lake Galilee, Bethlehem, the problem of being allowed into the country in the first the Mount of Olives and Calvary. In the Muslim tradition place. They brought with them letters from the Archbishop there were visits to Abraham’s tomb in Hebron, to the place of Canterbury commending the course, from the Anglican of the Prophet’s night journey at the Dome of the Rock, to Bishop in Jerusalem extending the invitation and from the Al Aqsa mosque on the Haram el Sharif (The Noble British Embassy confirming its support. One of the Muslims, Sanctuary) and to the place of Jesus’ ascension, preserved who had been mayor of High Wycombe and had received and honoured within a Muslim mosque. the MBE, even brought a picture of himself being honoured Sharing Perspectives: Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land

by the Queen. However, they were detained at the airport and delayed eleven hours while interrogated individually. It was a humiliating process for them, especially for the two women in their group. It got the course off to a late start, but it was a powerful bonding experience. So, what were the great moments? Sitting in a circle trying to explain why Christians believe that the Trinity does not mean three Gods but one God, was probably not one of them! Discussing how Jesus could be both fully Human and fully Divine at the same time, was probably not a winner either! What were the winners? Wonderfully, we all agreed; there were two. One was the visit to the Anglican school attached to the cathedral. A group of senior boys, full of optimism and hope Professor Imam Ibrahim and speaking perfect English discussed their schooling and Mustafa Abu Sway Mogra their future. They rejoiced that St George’s School the teachers were a Christian/ Bank. We were all emotionally Muslim mix, as were the moved in the most powerful students. They said their faith way by the devotion of the differences had no effect on staff, the quality of the care their friendships and were not and the way the parents were a consideration. ‘We respect responding to their family each other and attend each tragedy and turning it into the other’s festivals’, they said. sort of rich compassion that How much, we thought, this both Muslim and Christian school could teach the world! attribute to the nature of God. The second was a visit to Yes, we learnt a lot from the the Princess Basma Centre Scriptures, from the holy sites, for Disabled Children, another Anglican institution, on the from our lecturers and from each other. But most of all we Mount of Olives. There, a highly qualified staff of Christians learnt from the optimism that we saw in the school and the and Muslims provided medical care and education loving care we saw at the hospital. for seriously damaged We thank Bishop Cheetham and the Christian/Muslim Forum children from for the initiative, the Director of Studies Rev. Dr. Rodney Aist the West for guiding the course, the Dean of the College, Very Rev Dr. Graham Smith for planning it with Professor Mustafa Abu Sway, and for hosting us in comfort. Timothy Biles For details of courses at St George’s in 2015 see sgcjerusalem.org Princess Basma Centre for Disabled Children 13 ( The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa 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 training programs, as well as institutions for the deaf and the disabled.

Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis The five goals of the Diocese are: to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Christ; to grow Christ’s church Tunisia by making disciples and equipping leaders; to serve our neighbours; to work for unity among all Christians; to dialogue with other faith Algeria communities. Libya Egypt Support from The Jerusalem and Middle East

Church Association (JMECA) to the Diocese Eritrea in recent years has been directed to helping with mission work, ordination training for Djibouti

Egyptian candidates and medical outreach. Ethiopia

Egypt Diocesan Somalia Association Wednesday 4th June at 12 noon St Michael’s Chester Square Every year the annual EDA get-together invites one Followed by: of our bishops to address the meeting. In 2012 it • Simple Buffet Lunch, coffee and tea & time was the EDA president Bishop Mouneer and the for fellowship. £5 Donation is welcomed Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Dr. John towards costs. Sentamu also attended. Last year EDA enjoyed • The President’s Message via Skype meeting and hearing about God’s work in The – The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis. Horn of Africa from Bishop Grant LeMarquand and Dr Wendy. This year the visitors are the Revd Dr • 2.30: Annual General Meeting Bill Musk Area Bishop of North Africa and his wife (subscribers’ members only can vote). Hillary. His talk will describe the new situation he is Followed by: attempting to manage “A new day in North Africa?” • “A new day in North Africa?” The Rt Rev Dr Bill The day’s timetable is: and Mrs Hilary Musk. Conclusion 4.15 pm. • 12 Noon: Registration. • 12.15: Holy Communion.

An extract from Bishop Mouneer’s newsletter, earlier in the year: Believing that national unity is very important at this time, the Anglican Church in Egypt want to be bridge builders and instruments of reconciliation in our country. An example of this is our current efforts to use the arts and cultural events, to bring people of all backgrounds together at our Cathedrals in Cairo and Alexandria. Additionally, we completed a successful exchange programme that brought together 60 Imams and Priests from several areas of Egypt that have experienced sectarian conflicts during the past year.

14 The History of All Saints Cathedral Cairo – 75th Anniversary

The story of All Saints has several aspects to it: it is the story of God’s faithfulness, believer’s devotion, and the generosity of Muslim leaders.

• All Saints Cathedral is the mother church of the Episcopal /Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa. • All Saints was not the first Episcopal / Anglican church to be built in Egypt. St. Mark’s Church in Alexandria (later St.Mark’s Pro-Cathedral) was erected on land given by Mo­hammed Ali Pasha in 1839. • The presence of All Saints in Cairo goes back to 1862 when the Governor of Egypt, Mohammed Said Pasha, agreed with Prince Albert (later King Edward VII) to donate­ land for the building of an Episcopal / Anglican church in Boulaq, Cairo. Before that date, the Anglicans worshipped in a room at the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. • On 23 January 1878, All Saints Church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Samuel Gobat, the Bishop in Jerusalem. • In 1909, as All Saints became too small for the congregation, St. Mary’s Church in Garden City was consecrated. St.Mary’s was used by the Bishop as the Anglicans (Archdeacon Adeeb Shammas, Mr. Habib Pro-Cathedral until 1938. Said, and Mr. Ibrahim­ Wakid) continued to worship in the church. • In 1928 King Fouad I of Egypt approved the sale of a piece of land to the Anglicans for the construction of a • Under President Anwar Sadat the project of 6th of new cathedral. In 1935 the land was handed over and in October Bridge necessitated the transfer of All Saints 1936, King Fouad I officially granted permission for the Cathedral in Maspero to another place. Therefore, the Anglicans to build their cathedral at Maspero, along the Governor of Cairo made an agreement with Archdeacon banks of the Nile in Cairo (this is why she is called “The Isaaq Mussad, the representa­tive of the Diocese at that Cathedral on the Nile”). time, to demolish the All Saints Cathedral in Maspero and for the Government of Cairo to build the new Cathedral • The foundation stone was laid on 20 November 1936 by the Rt. Rev. Llewellyn Gwynne, the Bishop of Egypt and on another piece of land. Sudan. • President Anwar Sadat issued a decree in 1974 to rebuild the Anglican Cathedral at the present site in Zamalek. On • It is said that in response to the generosity of King Fouad I to the Anglican community in Cairo, land was donated by 1 July 1977, the foundation stone of the new Cathedral King George VI to the Muslim community of London on Church of All Saints was laid by Bishop Isaaq Musaad. which the Islamic Centre at Regent Park is now located. • On 25 April 1988, All Saints Cathedral in Cairo was The land was given to the Egyptian Ambassador Nashaat consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Ghais Abdel Malek. Pasha at that time. • Since then All Saints has become not only a house • On 25 April 1938, the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, for prayer but also a home to many ministries, the patron saint of Egypt, the Rt. Rev. Llewellyn Gwynne, such as The Alexandria School of Theology, Refuge opened the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Cairo. The Egypt, The Episcopal Training Cen­tre, EpiscoCare, Most Rev. & Rt. Hon. Dr. William Temple, the Archbishop the Wady Shop, the Cathedral Library, Ecu­menical of York and Primate of England, consecrated All Saints Relations, Interfaith Office, and the Prison Ministry. Cathedral. It is worth mentioning that King Farouk I Many of these ministries serve the whole community, donated two copper doors to the Cathedral. Christians and Muslims, Egyptians and expatriates. It is truly a house for all nations and it fulfills the aim to • In 1956 when the British left Egypt, the Egyptian provide holistic service. 15 North Africa Area Bishop Rt. Revd. Dr. Bill Musk Africa Egypt & North Background A long time ago the Christian church was massive Libya is a big country, with lots of a certain kind of and vibrant throughout the North Africa region. Simon, wealth, where no one ever thought that the Colonel the cross-carrier for Jesus, hailed from what is now could be stood against. He was stood against, though Libya. Local martyrs contributed the seed from which with outside involvement and with lots of bloody the church took root and multiplied. St Augustine fighting. The result was freedom, but freedom for studied in what is now Tunisia and ended his life what? as a bishop in what is now Algeria. Through North Algeria had its own brush with awful internecine Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis African Carthage, especially after the barbarians got bloodshed in the 1990s. The government has since to the gates of Rome, Christianity – or at least some spent lots of its vast petro-chemical wealth on of its most serious theological expressions – found security, has allowed a certain easing of restrictions a route to Europe. By and large, within North Africa, on individuals, groups and peoples and is seeking Christianity remained an expatriate-based, Latinised to diversify the job market to provide employment, faith. Indigenous expressions were suspect and especially for the younger generation. eventually squashed. There was not much left of a vibrant, local Christianity to provide an attractive St. George’s, Tunis (pictured above) alternative to, or defence against, Islam as it strode westward out of Arabia. The Legacy Project is the big ambitious effort to which clergy and congregation are committed. It seeks Anglican churches in North Africa date from the to make long-term difference for the development presence in the region of European traders and and maturing of the church in North Africa, through diplomats, and then missionaries. They have remained training indigenous leadership, and serving the poor faithful focuses for the celebration of Christian faith in community where the church is located. They are very each of Libya, Tunisia and Algeria after the dominant thankful to God and to many in the congregation and European presence in the region diminished and beyond who have helped raised $200,000 for this disappeared. In 1976 the Province of Jerusalem and project, which includes building new facilities on the the Middle East was formed, with the Diocese of Egypt grounds of St. George’s Tunis. The church is now in with North Africa and the Horn of Africa as one of its the process of applying for building permissions and constituent dioceses. The emergence of Egyptian the detailed architectural drawings are competed. bishops as diocesans has helped give Anglicanism in North Africa a more locally grounded feeling: our Holy Trinity, Algiers diocesan bishop, Dr Anis Mouneer, is an African and he is an Arabic-speaker! Bishop Mouneer writes of his time at Holy Trinity Church in Algiers, “I thank God for the church in Algiers Each of the Anglican churches in Tripoli, Libya, in and for Rev. Hamdy Daoud who works very hard and Tunis, Tunisia and in Algeria is situated in a wonderfully serves with love. He is so loved by everyone. I was strategic location. We often provide the only Protestant encouraged by the services in the church. It started services in English or in one of the major Indian at 8 am and ended at 3pm. Bible study, prayer, holy languages. We enjoy healthy ecumenical relations communion and youth meetings one after the other. with Orthodox and Roman Catholic friends, on the ‘O Lord bless your church and protect it’.” one hand, and more independent, Protestant, maybe Pentecostal or charismatic, friends on the other. We Christ the King, Tripoli are small enough not to be a threat to anyone, but we are passionate about trusting God and working Rev. Vasihar, the priest-in-charge of Christ the King towards the development of indigenous, national Anglican Church in Tripoli, explains that there was congregations of Anglican Christians throughout the great ecumenical gathering in January. It was attended region. by the Cathilic church, the Union church, the Philipino church and our Anglican church. He says: “By the The Present Time Grace of the Lord we all are fine. We, the ecumenical community, gathered despite the very tense situation Tunisia is a tiny country with a big reputation, at outside. God was gracious to us. We are praying the moment. The Tunisian people threw off a long- for the referendum on the Constitution of Egypt. We established, tyrannical regime through a non-violent prayed for Libya, where there is acute shortage of revolution and set the example for other nations in petrol and diesel and also fresh widespread violence the region to follow. and rumours.” 16 Horn of Africa Area Bishop Rt. Revd. Dr. Grant Le Marquand Africa Egypt & North

Need for New Church Buildings Only 20 out of the 70 Anglican congregations in Gambella, Ethiopia, have a church building. These buildings not only provide places sheltered from the sun and rain for church services, but they are often the only public meeting space for the community. There is an urgent need for new buildings in these communities, which will be used for worship, for Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis women’s literacy classes, and for training in health and development. The Anglican Church in Gambella was begun by refugees who planted church communities in Constructing a new church building requires stone refugee camps. Since then, the church has grown and cement foundations, walls of mud, and a tin roof. at an astonishing rate and there are now church These buildings, which on average hold 200 people, communities in local villages among several tribes. cost approximately $2,500. The renovations include furniture and doors for some churches, and for others replacing parts of walls or roofs because of rain or termite damage.

Although there are 70 church communities, there are only 20 church buildings. These building are traditional structures made of mud walls, and thatch roofs. A Sudanese Reconciliation few have only plastic tarpaulins as a roof, a few have A new refugee camp has formed over the Ethiopian upgraded to having tin roofs and stone and cement border near Dimm. It is filled with Sudanese escaping foundations. Those without a church building meet the tribal Dinka/Nuer conflict which has engulfed their under a tree, braving the scorching sun in the dry homeland. Bishop Grant describes a visit he made season, and heavy rain during the wet season. to the camp: In 2012 most of the church buildings were destroyed “One Monday morning I led worship at the camp. I by floods in an especially devastating rainy season. was told that there were about 600 members but 800 Many of the destroyed buildings have been re-built turned up. We started at 7.30 am, so that we could or partially re-built, but this work has depleted the worship in the coolest part of the day. We kept it available funds. really short (two and a half hours) since we had a lot The need for buildings for church communities is of baptisms. We also had the Eucharist which many acute because these buildings are often the only had not had in a while. public meeting space for the community. In particular, I caught a glimpse of the kingdom at this service – the churches are used for two projects which aim to although a large part of the fighting in South Sudan build up the women of the community: literacy training, is ethnically-based violence, this church had made and the Mothers Union Community Development and a decision. They would worship together in spite of Education programme started . ethnic and language differences – so we sang and prayed in Anuak, Nuer, Dinka and Murle – my 10 Plan for 2014 minute sermon had to be translated into 3 of those In 2014, the Right Rev. Dr Grant LeMarquand, the Area languages which made it at least 45 minutes – I was Bishop for the Horn of Africa, plans to build 30 new so grateful to be able to experience this inter-ethnic structures, and renovate another 15. worship – kind of an ‘in your face’ to the devil I think.” 17 The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa Africa Egypt & North Diocesan Institutions Flourish

Harpur Hospital, Menouf The Harpur Memorial Hospital in Menouf recently welcomed the visit of Dr. Ali Gomaa, the

Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis former Grand Mufti of Egypt and chairperson of Misr El Kheir. Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis accompanied Dr. Ali Gomaa to encourage the doctors participating in the Fighting Blindness campaign which was organised by the American ophthalmologist Dr. Nabil Jabbour (pictured). This year’s campaign study, and a local committee decides whether the focused on retinal surgeries, in addition to cataract business idea is feasible. Loan repayments are surgeries. As the doctors volunteer their time, this collected weekly, and a 95% repayment rate has been campaign gives opportunities for poor patients to achieved. In a country where political instability and receive subsidised surgery. Harpur Memorial Hospital unemployment have become norms, breaking the in Menouf is also grateful for the ongoing partnership cycle of poverty and helping people start their own of the Ridley Eye Foundation, which has enabled businesses is very important. increasing number of patients to receive cataract EpiscoCare also recorded wide growth in their surgeries they would not otherwise have been able education projects, focusing on women and children. to afford. No less than 801 children were provided with books, Bishop Mouneer also visited Harpur Memorial materials, uniforms and school fees. 377 children Hospital accompanied by the Irish Ambassador, Mrs. benefitted from after school tutorials. There were 34 Isolde Moylan. The Irish Embassy has generously seminars attended by 777 people building political supported the hospital over the years; through a new awareness. There were nine vocational training Hepatitis Clinic and medical outreaches, as well as courses in the valuable skills of sewing, hairdressing, the firefighting system and medical gas supply at handicrafts and computer use and 127 students Harpur Memorial Hospital in Sadat City. During the completed the courses. There were 54 seminars on visit the Ambassador was able to see the projects health issues, attended by 1714 people and there they supported, and meet the doctors, nurses and were 11 six month literacy classes attended by 124 patients. They have a strong interest because the women. founder of the hospital was an Irish doctor, Dr. Frank Egypt is passing through a time of upheaval with a lot Harpur, who came to serve the people of Egypt and of stress and turmoil for families. EpiscoCare is making founded two hospitals, one in Cairo in 1889 and one a huge effort to rise to the occasion and provide some in Menouf in 1910. The vision and the spirit of service encouragement and hope in disturbing times. of Dr. Frank Harpur helped the work to continue over the last 100 years. Bishop Mouneer proudly declared “This proves that projects which are founded on a The Deaf Unit great vision continue to bring fruit”. While Revd Farag is away completing further studies in deaf education at Latrobe Univ in Australia the Unit EpiscoCare has been in the safe hands of Mr.Michael and Ramez, who lead an excellent team. Most of the children have EpiscoCare is one of several Diocesan projects to earned high grades in their exams and it is expected serve the entire community and show the love of God that eight of them will move to local schools and higher for all and especially for those in difficulty. education in the new term. Recently, staff from the Figures released for 2013 show that EpiscoCare Japanese Embassy visited the Unit and were very gave 940 micro loans to establish income-generating impressed by the activities and the progress. They projects through its Community Development Centres have promised to consider further support. in Egypt. The staff at each centre provide initial See [email protected] business training and support to produce a feasibility 18 Together for a New Egypt Africa Egypt & North Imam-priest exchange “The biggest benefit of the project was my friendship with Sheikh Afifi. If I don’t see him for a few days, I always call him. I never dreamed that I would ever speak in a mosque, but through this friendship I’ve now shared at mosques in Alexandria and Cairo” Father Boutros Boutros, Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis Coptic Priest in Alexandria

The Imam-Priest exchange initiative for 2014 opened at Al Azhar al Shereef, at the invitation of the Grand Imam. The 30 imams and 30 priests who participated to thousands of Egyptians every week and people in the earlier initiative in 2013 shared what they learnt listen to them. Bishop Mouneer shared that Egypt is and were presented with certificates. passing through a critical situation. He encouraged the leaders that no-one can rescue Egypt except its children, and that as they work at the grass-root level, they have a big influence. One of the very encouraging results of the initiative was the formation of local initiatives of Bait il Aila in Alexandria and Assiut in Upper Egypt. These sub- groups, formed by participants from this initiative, seek to address sectarian tension in their local areas. Bishop Armeya, one of the members of Bait il-Aila, shared his view that these grassroots initiatives are crucial for the success of Bait il-Aila.

This initiative aims at reducing religious tension through practical dialogue. The need for dialogue has become more critical after the 25 January 2011 Revolution because of the inter-religious strife leading to incidents of tragic sectarian violence. It is clear that religion will play a significant role in shaping Egypt’s future. Muslim Imams and Christian leaders need to address religious harmony and the importance of unity, because it is known how fragile the inter-religious relationships are and the dangerous consequences of the alternative for Egypt’s future. ‘Together for a New Egypt: the Imam-Priest Exchange,’ is an interfaith initiative which brought together 30 A goal of the initiative is that the participants would priests (from different denominations) and 30 imams take practical steps in their own communities. A (selected by Al-Azhar) for four weekends in 2013. As Presbyterian minister from Imbaba, a poor area of a result of these meetings, the participating imams Cairo which has faced sectarian violence previously, and priests built friendships and engaged together. met with the imam in the mosque near his church and discussed how to stop the disease of violence. They The initiative is sponsored by Bait il-Aila (House of decided to face the problems directly, and one area the Family), a group which brings together Christian they agreed to work together on is addressing the heads of denominations and Muslims leaders. In spirit of fanaticism in schools. They did not want to the meeting at Al-Azhar, Dr Zakzook, the secretary leave religious teaching to the teachers, and started general of Bait il-Aila, told the participants that they visiting schools together to talk about religious unity, have a hugely significant role and impact on people. and proclaim one God. As leaders of churches and mosques, they preach Edited by Timothy Biles 19 World Council of Churches visit Iran Iran

The purpose of the Bishop Azad Marshall Marshall Bishop Azad visit was to continue conversations with the Iranian Centre for Interreligious Dialogue and to visit member churches of the world organisation

Clare Amos, the WCC executive for inter faith Dialogue, reports First the dialogue: we were an international group of Clare Amos, left, in a male environment Christians sponsored by the World Council of Churches. Among our participants particularly on the Armenian Orthodox church and the were Lebanese, British (me), German, Pakistani, Swiss Presbyterian Synod , both with their headquarters in and two Iranian Christians. We had hoped to be joined Tehran. Clearly the visit we made to the Presbyterians also by two Americans, but they were unable to get was an important act of solidarity which was much their visas. The topic for our dialogue with the group appreciated by the clergy and laity of the church. We of Iranian Muslims from the Centre for Interreligious discovered that, within limits, there was an amount of Dialogue was ‘Modernity and Spirituality’. This offered freedom for Christians to exercise their faith. It was plenty of scope for discussion – not least because however much easier for Christians who came from I suspect the Christian and the Muslim delegations ethnic Armenian and Assyrian backgrounds, rather understood both concepts rather differently! Our than those who were Persian speaking, or whose different attitudes to secularism (whether it was a families came from a convert background. The ‘good thing’ or a ‘bad thing’) was a thread that ran Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Tehran, Sebouh through our discussions. It was a memorable meeting Sarkissian has worked hard to carve out a place for from my point of view: I will not forget that on the day his community within the Islamic culture of Iran. It we arrived I entered a large hall, full of almost 100 means that when on Christian premises it is accepted Muslim clergy, as well as some government ministers, that women do not have to wear the headscarves and being unexpectedly asked to speak off the cuff which are otherwise obligatory. Archbishop Sebouh for about 10 minutes – one of the very few women graciously hosted a reception at which a number of in the room. (Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘If’ sprang to Christian leaders from various churches in Tehran mind at that point.) were present. Sadly this did not include the Anglican pastor Rev Christopher Edgar, who comes from As regards our second objective our focus was Pakistan and ministers to a small group of faithful Anglicans, but seems to be almost unknown to other church leaders in the city (which is why he did not receive an invitation to the reception). Before travelling to Iran I had sent a message to Bishop Azad (who is unable to live in Iran) saying that we would like to meet with the Anglican pastor, but for some reason that message had not filtered through to Rev Christopher. Fortunately, because one of our party, from Pakistan, was a distant relative of Rev Christopher, he and another member of our party managed eventually to track him down and spend time with him – though unfortunately too late for the official reception. Our hope is that out of our visit more crosslinks may become 20 possible between Anglicans and other Christian it is to our detriment if we do not take seriously the groups in Tehran. contribution that can be made by Iran and its particular Shia tradition. We appreciated the care and generosity with which we were hosted by the Centre for Interreligious Dialogue, The communique from the meeting can be found and in particular their taking us to visit both Qom and on the website of the World Council of Churches at Isfahan. The beauty of Isfahan – and indeed of the http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/ stark scenery that we saw as we travelled there – was wcc-programmes/interreligious-dialogue-and- breathtaking. We appreciated too the friendliness cooperation/interreligious-trust-and-respect/ of the Iranian people – a memorable encounter communique-from-wcc-and-cid-inter-religious- in Isfahan was with a group of women who were dialogue-meeting-2014 studying English and wanted to practice on us (see Clare Amos is a senior Anglican theologian who was photo). I left Iran feeling that this is a country with both awarded a Lambeth degree by Rowan Williams. She immense potential – and considerable challenges. has a long history of Middle East theological study and But I am certain that as Christians seek to deepen action and we thank her for her insights. their understanding of Muslims in our world today,

Dorothy Shillaker R.I.P. Dorothy Shillaker who died in a Hereford hospital on April 16th at the age of 96 had served the diocese of Iran in Isfahan for about twenty years as head of Nur Ayin, the first Blind School for girls in Iran. She had had previously worked with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in the Persian Gulf, but accepted the loss of a privileged ‘oil company life’ and salary for the unglamorous one of restricted living and working with poor blind girls. Earlier she had been teaching in Kenya, also a heady post for a lively young woman in colonial days. She continued to build up the pioneer blind training started by her predecessor Gwen Gaster, gaining recognition and plaudits from the Iranian government of those days. She retired in 1975. In retirement she and Ruth Mohan, also a worker with the blind, lived in Moreton-on-Lugg where both took their turn as churchwarden. While Ruth worked with the blind locally, Dorothy continued active support for her past Iranian pupils. Latterly they shared an Abbeyfield home close to the cathedral. In February Dorothy was moved to an excellent care-cum-nursing home just outside the city where she suddenly became seriously and was transferred to hospital in where she died the same afternoon, with Ruth and one of the cathedral clergy at her bedside. Edited from a contribution by Ron Pont Book Review A Policy of Hope Kenneth Cragg and Islam By Christopher A. Lamb Introduction: Rowan Williams

264 pages, paperback – ISBN 9781901764 71 0 – £15.00 – February 2014 MELISE

Kenneth Cragg (1913-2012) was one of the most ambassadors for Christ distinguished Christian interpreters of Islam in the to Muslims, so must be twentieth century. As missionary in Lebanon, roving hospitable in heart and mind to all that Islam truly enthusiast for Christian understanding of Islam stands for. He wrote that Islam in Christian minds must throughout the Muslim world, Anglican bishop in always be the object of a policy of hope. Cairo, and university lecturer, Cragg transformed Christopher A Lamb is a retired Anglican priest with the thinking of many in the West. Islam for him was long experience in interfaith relations in Pakistan not a political, cultural or even a religious issue, but and the UK. He is a Canon Theologian Emeritus of fundamentally a theological one. The Qur’an was Coventry Cathedral. addressed to the world not just to Muslims, so had to be taken with the utmost seriousness by Christians. This book is a revised and updated version of The Undeniably God is great, Allah akbar, but how is Call to Retrieval: Kenneth Cragg’s Christian Vocation that greatness known? Christians, he believed, are to Islam (London, 1997).

21

A Secretary’s Journey to the Heart of Christianity

In October last year I joined a party travelling together as pilgrims to Jerusalem. The group was a mix of men and 4. A walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel and a women aged between mid-40s and early 80s, from a variety float in the Dead Sea of church traditions and all with different reasons for taking a trip to the Holy Land. We started as individuals and returned Along with exploring the religious sites it was great to take as a group of friends having shared a journey that exceeded time out to enjoy each other’s company and have some our expectations in so many ways. fun. Covering ourselves in mud and floating in the Dead Sea just had to be done and there was a lot of laughter as I have been challenged to list my top five experiences from we paddled through the shin deep water that runs the 533 this two week adventure and having quickly listed twelve metre length of Hezekiah’s narrow tunnel deep under the off the top of my head I know I shall regret leaving some old City of David. of them out. 5. Storm on the Sea of Galilee Here are my top five experiences during the pilgrimage: Reverend Haydon Wilcox, our pilgrimage organiser, 1. Walking the Stations of the Cross along the informed us in his notes how the weather can change Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre quickly on the Sea of Galilee. How right he was. Having We followed the route, read the biblical passages and left the harbour in sunshine the sky had darkened as we soaked up the atmosphere as the street narrowed and the reached the half-way point where we were to hold our crowd increased as we climbed to the Holy Sepulchre. It worship. We read a passage from the bible and sang “Dear wasn’t hard to imagine how the noise would have built as Lord and Father of Mankind”. As we reached the final verse Jesus approached the site of his crucifixion. As we stood ending with the words “speak through the earthquake, wind in the crowd jostling to get to the front to touch the rock I and fire,” the thunder crashed, lightning lit the sky and rain gained a sense of the tension and heightened emotions of battered the boat as we were tossed by waves stirred up those who followed the cross on the original Good Friday. by the wind. The crew turned us around and we headed back to the safety of the shore knowing we would think of 2. Communion service at St George’s that day whenever we hear the story of Jesus calming the Cathedral, Jerusalem and talking with local storm on the lake. Christians and other pilgrims There are many more experiences I would love to share with The 8am Sunday communion service at St George’s made you but these are my favourites. I hope they give a flavour for an early start but gave me a wonderful sense of unity with of the variety of ways the pilgrimage touched my soul and our Christian family in Jerusalem and, through them, across why this Easter will be like no other I have celebrated. the world. This experience along with chance meetings If you would like to read more, I kept an on-line diary with other Christian groups and arranged meetings with whilst away which can be found at http://jmecasec2013. local Christians, Jews and Messianic Jews helped us to wordpress.com/ more broadly understand their views on faith, the political situation in Israel and their hope for the future. Shirley Eason Secretary to the Trustees 3. A morning of remembrance at Yad Vasham – the holocaust memorial Walking through the exhibition gives a chronological history of the rise of Hitler and the genocide of Jews and others who were classed as impure. The stories of those who survived and the film footage from the time were particularly heart breaking, whilst the stories of the bravery of those who stood against injustice were equally moving. Overall a draining experience but not to be missed out just because it is hard to face. 22

THE LAST WORD

From the JEMT chairman, John Clark

This summer we mark the centenary of the outbreak of the war which led to the break-up of the Ottoman Empire into the nation states of today. This process took little account of the varied communities of the region, often splitting them across unnatural frontiers made by victorious western nations. Outside powers often exacerbate conflict and division in the region. In these situations initiatives to build bridges across communities, however small they may be is part of the Christian calling for reconciliation and building community. In this issue of Bible Lands we have a number of articles about such initiatives. Our Editor, Canon Tim Biles, reports on discussions at a residential conference for Muslim and Christian religious leaders at St George’s College, Jerusalem (pages 12-13). And Bishop Mouneer writes of similar initiatives in Egypt (page 19). We do not often hear about Iran, where life for local Persian-speaking Christian communities is not easy, although tolerance for recognised minority ethnic Assyrian and Armenian Churches is greater. But such encounters as that which Clare Amos describes in her report (page 20) on the latest in a series of dialogues with the Tehran-based Centre for Interreligious Dialogue are public reminders of the importance of representatives of faith communities meeting and engaging in discussion. Alongside these formal occasions for meeting, the Dioceses of Jerusalem and of Egypt, in particular, are notable for their efforts to engage with the needs of the wider communities through their various educational, social, and medical institutions and we continue to focus on them in this issue. But such work does cost money. We are well aware of the spiralling costs of health care in this country. The same is true for these institutions in the Middle East, which do not receive government funding and have to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds voluntarily each year from local groups, grant making bodies and charities like JMECA. Our prayers and financial support for the bishops, their staff and those who work in the outreach work are vital. JMECA’s own work is growing as donations increase both for general support and for specific programmes. We are also developing our website and use of social media to generate prayer and giving. So we are pleased to report that Debbie Taylor has joined our excellent administrator Shirley Eason, for eight hours a week to assist with the running of the office. Both Shirley and Debbie are members of the Church on the Heath, Fleet which has selected JMECA as one of its partner missions over the next few years and will be supporting some of the social outreach in the region. We would be delighted to hear of other parishes interested in making a similar commitment. John Clark

The Administrator, Shirley Eason, reviews the Questionnaire: Thank you for your feedback! Firstly, thank you to all of you who completed and sent back the questionnaire that was included in the Winter edition. We had a good response and it was very encouraging for us to read the messages of support that many of you included with your form. If you haven’t returned it yet but want your views to be taken into consideration please do send it back; we would love to hear from you and your opinion matters to us. We decided to conduct the study because there was a concern that the magazine may need to refocus now that up-to-date news from around the Province is available on our re-designed website. However, your responses have shown that both the magazine and the website have a place in our publicity portfolio and meet the different needs of our supporters. There are those who appreciate having the current news at your finger tip on your computer but most still find it important to receive the magazine with its balance of news and opinion from around the region. It seems that in the last issue you particularly enjoyed reading the Jesuit’s Prayer and the report on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to the dioceses of Jerusalem and Egypt. If you’d like to express an opinion on the magazine when reading future editions, please do write to us (email addresses are on the inside of the front cover). Shirley Eason

23 Spain Turkey

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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