April 2014 Newsletter The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem Peace to you in the Name of the Lord Greetings from Bishop Suheil Dawani Dear Friends, Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The Eastertide season reminds us of the possibility of new beginnings. Early this month, the Anglican Jewish Commission met in Ireland to discuss Memory, Community and Identity, a theme which resonates deeply in the once troubled country. The historical experience of Ireland and its rebirth give us hope that one day our own troubled land will achieve peace and, moreover, become a model for cooperation and tolerance. Easter is also a time for celebration and fellowship. This month, I had the pleasure of visiting our parish and St. Luke s Rehabilitation Center in Lebanon. In Jerusalem, the City of the Resurrection, we celebrated the good news with our fellow Christians in both the Western and Orthodox Churches. It is always wonderful to spread the joy of Easter. Easter is the time to celebrate all that is possible with God, for with God all things are possible. Salaam, Peace + Suheil Dawani Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org info@j-diocese.org Editor: The Rt. Rev d Bishop Suheil S. Dawani Page 1
Anglican Jewish Commission meets in Dublin From 31 March 2 April, the Anglican Jewish Commission of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury met in Dublin. Bishop Suheil spoke at the conference, which focused on the theme of Memory, Community and Identity. The Commission s three-day visit included a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin hosted by President Michael Higgins (right * ). The Archbishop of Canterbury s Commission with the Chief Rabbis of Israel was established in 2006 in order to facilitate deep understanding between two historic World Faiths. The meetings have alternated between The Holy Land and England and this was the first meeting held in Ireland. *Photo courtesy of Lynn Glanville. Diocesan Development Australian Council for International Development Visits Diocese of Jerusalem On 28 April, Beth Sargent, Development Practice Advisor with the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) met with Sawsan Aranki-Batato, Diocesan Head of Development. Ms. Aranki-Batato provided an overview of the work of Diocesan institutions, the scope of which was lauded by Ms. Sargent, as well as the challenges they are facing. She also briefed Ms. Sargent on the ongoing projects funded by Australian non-governmental organizations. Diocesan News & Institutions St. George s School Board Meeting On 5 April, the board of St. George s School met to discuss the future development and direction of the school. Bishop Suheil visits St. Luke s Rehabilitation Center in Beirut On 7 April, Bishop Suheil visited St. Luke s Rehabilitation Center in Beirut, where he met with children in their classrooms. He also met with the staff to express his appreciation for their hard work, in particular Micheline Gabriel for her management and dedication. St. Luke s will celebrate its 50 th Anniversary later in 2014. Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Contact us at: info@j-diocese.org Page 2
Meeting with Pastoral Committee and St. Luke s Board of Directors On 9 April, Bishop Suheil met with the All Saints Pastoral Committee and St. Luke s Center Board members to discuss the work of the Diocese, including new projects, and issues of concern. Following the meeting, the Bishop met with the congregation. Parishes Ecumenical Cooperation for War-torn Syria Bishop Suheil met with Rev. Dr. Salim Sahiouny, Chair of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, on 7 April in Beirut. It was agreed that the minister of the Presbyterian Church in Damascus, Rev. Boutros Zaour, will look after All Saints Episcopal Church in Damascus, closed due to the conflict, and will report to the Diocese. Bishop Suheil and Rev. Imad Zoorob, Priest of Beirut s All Saints Church, hope to visit Syria in the near future. Palm Sunday Service The congregation gathered on a sunny Palm Sunday in the Bishop's Peace Garden outside St George's College for the blessing of the palms to be carried in the short procession into the church for the joint morning service. About 120 congregants watched as Bishop Suheil blessed and dedicated the palms and the Gospel story of the commemoration was read from Matthew 21 (v. 1-11). Following prayers, the congregation, followed by the clergy and then the Bishop, processed from the Garden into the Cathedral, carrying the palms, small palm crosses and singing the Palm Sunday hymn into the Cathedral. Congregants enjoyed the event and felt the underlying spiritual significance of the occasion. On Palm Sunday afternoon many of the congregation joined the Palm Sunday procession from Bethpage in the Mount of Olives to the Old City. Good Friday Early on Good Friday, Bishop Suheil led the congregation of St. George s Cathedral on the Via Dolorosa in the Old City of Jerusalem. Joining with the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Bishop Suheil, Bishop Munib, and other local clergy walked the Stations of the Cross, finishing just outside the Holy Sepulchre. Prayers were offered in the Church of the Redeemer at the close of the walk. Bishop Suheil later presided over the Good Friday Liturgy at St. George s Cathedral. Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Contact us at: info@j-diocese.org Page 3
Easter Vigil Service at St. George s Cathedral On 19 April, Bishop Suheil presided at the Easter Vigil Service at St. George s Cathedral (left). Easter Sunday in Jerusalem St. George s Cathedral celebrated Easter Sunday with a joint Arabic/English Service (right). With songs of praise and thanksgiving, the large congregation, which included worshippers from around the globe, rejoiced in the news of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Following the service, Bishop Suheil received everyone for coffee and sweets. Bishop Suheil wishes Happy Easter to the Orthodox Churches in Jerusalem Bishop Suheil brought Easter Greetings to the Greek Orthodox Patriarch on 22 April. His Beatitude Theophilos III spoke on the importance of Easter rites in retaining the Christian character of the universal city of Jerusalem, as well as the suffering of Middle East Christians. Bishop Suheil and other Heads of Churches in Jerusalem then visited the Latin Patriarchate, where the upcoming visit of Pope Francis to the Holy Land was a highlight. Clergy Meeting in Kufr-Yasif On 23 April, Bishop Suheil met with his clergy in Kufr-Yasif to exchange Easter greetings. After celebrating the Eucharist together at Saviour Church, they had a short meeting and shared lunch. The meeting was a happy occasion and an important time of fellowship. Greek Orthodox Patriarch delivers Easter Greetings On 25 April, Bishop Suheil received Patriarch Theophilos III in his reception room for coffee and refreshment. His Beatitude came to extend Easter greetings to the Anglican clergy. Wedding of Saleem Dawani and Adma Shehadeh On 27 April, Revd Saleem Dawani and Adma Shehadeh married in Nablus, another joyful event in this Easter season. Bishop Suheil officiated at the wedding, which was attended by Diocesan clergy, as well as many family and friends. Guests rejoiced with the newlyweds, dancing well into the night. Congratulations and wishing Saleem and Adma a lifetime of happiness! Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Contact us at: info@j-diocese.org Page 4
Deacon Honey Becker Appointed Missioner to St. Peter s Church, Jaffa Rev. Honey Becker, currently Minister of Hospitality at St. George s College, has been appointed as Missioner to St. Peter s Church in Jaffa. Reverend Becker s primary role will be to facilitate the reopening of St. Peter s Church, which includes ensuring the progress of the Church s restoration. Rev. Becker will also serve as Minister of Hospitality to the embassy community in Tel Aviv and Chaplain to Tabeetha School. Deacon Becker s ministry will be under the supervision and direction of Father Samuel Fanous, Rector of the nearby parish of Ramleh. Pilgrimages & Visits Bishop Budde preaches at St. George s Cathedral On 6 April, Bishop Marian Budde preached at St. George s Cathedral. Her sermon touched on the story of Lazarus: the experience of death, in all its forms, and the power of resurrection to bring us new, albeit changed, life. Bishop Budde s visit came as part of a pilgrimage from St. John s Episcopal Church in Bethesda, Maryland and the Diocese of Washington. More stories and information are available at: www.j-diocese.org Email enquiries to: info@j-diocese.org Donations may be sent to: The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, PO Box 19122, Jerusalem, 91191 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 to the needs of their communities, centered on the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr in Jerusalem. The church supports 33 institutions, which include hospitals, clinics, kindergartens and schools, vocational training programs, as well as institutions for the deaf, the disabled and the elderly, reaching out to interfaith neighbors in mutual respect and cooperation. Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Contact us at: info@j-diocese.org Page 5