Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

Christmas 2002

Our link with the Diocese of Exeter continues to grow in strength and meaning. As forecast in the last article in 'Bible Lands', the Youth Synod did visit Cyprus and a wonderful time it was. This was not least because of all the care and work put into that visit by Mrs Georgia Katsantonis, my secretary, for whose work the members of the Synod were deeply grateful. We were privileged to have Bishop Michael and Mrs Langrish, together with Catherine their daughter, as part of their visit.

Around the year, Brigadier Nigel Speller and the Liaison Group in Exeter maintain an almost constant link. We see the results of their labours in the steady stream of locum priests, often with their wives, who come out to do duty during times of vacancies and holiday periods. It was a joy again for me to meet with the Liaison Committee, to share with Bishop Richard of Crediton in the celebration of the Eucharist in Exeter Cathedral, and to address the members of the Liaison Group.

It was also a great pleasure that the Revd Anthony Fletcher from Kyrenia was present, with Jane his wife, to speak about the proposed extension to St Andrew's, Kyrenia, which we hope will get underway there before too long. On the Sunday morning I got out into the Devon countryside to preach to one of the Deaneries, coming together for the Eucharist, and to tell them something more of the life of the Diocese and especially of our hopes and plans in Qatar, with which Chaplaincy the Deanery is linked.

News from Bahrain

As always, there are comings and goings to report. Dean Keith Johnson and Pat left Bahrain on retirement, moving for six months to Cyprus, where they were an active part of the scene. Their many friends were pleased that Keith had an operation in England on his hip and now is relieved of the pain under which he had valiantly carried on for so many months. We were delighted that Canon Alan Hayday, with Pam his wife, will be coming out as the new Dean of St Christopher's, Bahrain, at the beginning of November. Canon Alan comes with much experience from the Diocese of Lincoln, and we look forward very much to the Haydays enriching the Diocesan fellowship.

The Revd Tom Frizzell has returned to the USA, and we owe him a debt for his much appreciated ministry. The Revd Victor Salve and Shrimathi de Silva, the excellent Secretary in Bahrain, continue to work and maintain continuity and stability. During the interregnum, it has been good to welcome back to Bahrain and the Diocese the Revd Clive Windebank, who first became associated with the Church many years ago in Kuwait, and also Barry and Barbara Simmonds, who were at St Christopher's in the seventies.

Archdeacon Ian stays in Qatar

Last time in 'Bible Lands' I announced that Archdeacon Ian Young would be moving from Qatar to become the new Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, Nicosia. That was a forecast that has proved wrong, for the very best of reasons. When that appointment was made, it looked as if the building of the new church in Qatar was going to be delayed for a number of years. Then suddenly everything seemed to be moving ahead. Because of his great experience and knowledge of the community and life in Qatar, Archdeacon Ian's continued presence there is vital. Though disappointed, the people of Nicosia have readily accepted that this is the right decision for the good of Qatar and the wider Church.

Now we have the good news that the Revd Steve Collis, with Kath his wife, will moved in December from Abu Dhabi to Nicosia. Of course, it is not such good news for Abu Dhabi, but plans are already underway for finding a successor to Steve.

Extension to Aden Clinics

In Aden, the extension to the Clinics, especially the Eye Clinic, is complete and enabling more work to be done and better provision especially for ophthalmic operations. John Sandford-Smith has visited again and performed a good number of operations, and we look forward to a regular pattern of visits from him and one or two other eye surgeons.

We are very blessed in our local staff, but could still very much use one or two nurses from abroad. If any of our readers know of someone who might be interested, please let us know.

Tenth anniversary for Paphos

In Cyprus we said farewell, though actually only 'au revoir' to Derek and Hennie Hamblin, after much valued ministry of more than a year at St Helena's, Larnaca. On June 15th I licensed the Revd Danny Borkowski, and installed him as Chaplain at St Helena's. Danny, with Kay his wife, was for some time in the Canterbury Group and was ordained in the Cathedral in Bahrain. It was a joy to welcome them into the Cyprus part of the Diocese.

Ministry goes on in Paphos, which is soon to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the full-time chaplaincy there. Marvin Bamforth continues as Chaplain, and he has been ably assisted by a series of locum priests, mostly from our companion Diocese of Exeter, as well as by Keith Johnson. By the time this appears in print, we should have welcomed the Revd Keith Henshall as Associate Chaplain in Paphos, and we look forward to getting to know him and his joining of the fellowship of the Diocese.

Hopes raised for Qatar Church

Earlier in this article I mentioned our hopes for the beginning of the new Church in Doha, Qatar, without delay. This is just one of the developments centered upon Qatar. As a result of the Archbishop of Canterbury's excellent visit to Bahrain and Qatar last Autumn, there is at least one other significant development in our relations there.

Recently the Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar paid a brief visit to London, during which he accepted an invitation from the Archbishop to visit Lambeth Palace. Archdeacon Ian was also present. Not only was an assurance given by the Minister of the imminent agreement about a site for the church, but also the Archbishop sent back to the Emir of Qatar an invitation to convene and host the second of his series of Muslim/Christian dialogue conferences, the first of which was held at Lambeth earlier this year. We were delighted that His Highness the Emir very readily agreed, and look forward to that conference taking place in the early part of next year.

Visit to the USA

I visited the USA during the Summer and had a series of most useful meetings, especially within the Episcopal Church Centre in New York, not least with the Presiding Bishop, Frank Griswold, and enjoyed the gracious hospitality of himself and his wife Phoebe. It was an opportunity to talk both about the Province, with its particular hopes and pressures, and about the Diocese and its developments. I found everywhere a great interest in the very varied pattern of our membership and lives, and in what we are doing in what is recognised by many as a key part of the world.

It was a privilege too, to preach in St Michael's Church in the historic city of Charleston. The church is on the site of the first church in that city.

Kuwait conference planned

At the end of October, the Middle East Council of Churches, through the work of its Liaison Officer in the Gulf, the Revd Rolf Pearson, is organising a conference in Kuwait under the title 'Witnessing for God: Materialism in the Gulf - Effects on Christians and Muslims and their response'. Please keep this in your prayers, and Rolf too as he organised it.

Prayers for the Province

As I write this, the news is more and more of a possible US-led attack on Iraq. The concern throughout this region is very considerable. The negative effects of such action are incalculable. We are praying that a better way can be found. Meanwhile, we remember our friends in Iraq.

We remember too constantly in our prayers our sister dioceses and their particular opportunities and pressures. We are reminded daily of the tragedy in Palestine/Israel. The lives of so many people, including those within our church in the Diocese of Jerusalem are affected every day. We pray for them all, and especially for Bishop Riah in the difficulties and harassments that constantly impede his ministry. That is the solidarity of life within the Body of Christ, His Church, as well as in the larger human family.

As we continue to pray for peace and justice, for statemanship, wisdom and courage, we remember all those who suffer and pledge our continued prayer, even as we cling to the hope of better days.

With the prayers, thanks and good wishes of all in the Diocese.

Clive