Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

Editorial

News

Obituaries

The need to share with friends our sorrows and our joys, our concerns and our hopes, continues to be of the essence in our relations with one another.

Election of new Coadjutor Bishop

On June 15th the Revd Canon Suheil Dawani from Ramallah was elected, Coadjutor Bishop of the Anglican Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East. He will work alongside me for a period of two years. Bishop Elect Suheil Dawani says, “With the support of my colleagues, friends, and family, I have committed myself before God to utilise my utmost efforts and experience to revive our Church and to enhance the rich Christian faith in the lives of our people”. We assure Bishop Elect Suheil Dawani of our continuous support and prayer.

Bishop Riah with newly elected Coadjutor Bishop Suheil Dawani
(second from right)

On July 3rd I installed Hatem Shehadeh as priest in charge of the churches of St. John the Evangelist and St. Luke’s in Haifa. Despite mourning the death of his father, who had passed away a week before his installation, he felt hopeful and strengthened. “The presence of the heavenly Father and the Lord’s victory over death strongly encourage me for my future ministry to Christ.”

Bishop Riah installing the Revd Hatem Shehadeh as priest in charge of
St John the Evangelist and St Luke's, Haifa in July

New deacon and German missionaries

On May 28th I ordained Nael Abu Rahmoun to the order of deacon. He studied in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) for five years, and has served St. George’s Cathedral for the last year. He hopes to work in the field of ecumenism and pastoral care for youth. He sees his vocation in promoting the unity of Christians and interfaith dialogue, as he seeks to help people rediscover the true meaning of religion. Deacon Nael said, “Religion has to serve justice, reconciliation, and peace. It must never be a reason for war and division, but rather, for dialogue and peace, especially in the Land of the Holy One.”

I invited Johannes and Janina Zang from Germany to serve the Diocese as missionaries. They are delegated by the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in London, and arrived here in April. Janina is responsible for the communications sector, succeeding Nancy Dinsmore in the Development Office for Jerusalem. Nancy has left Jerusalem but still works for the Diocese as the Development Officer for North America. Janina is also involved in art projects and wishes to assist the Diocese with pilgrims and pilgrimages. Johannes trains young people of the Diocese as organists, and hopes to establish a choir.

A Symbol of Hope and Reconciliation

The first World Council of Churches Conference on World Mission and Evangelism to be held in an Orthodox context took place in Athens in May, at the invitation of the Church of Greece. I presented a cross from Jerusalem to remind Christians world wide of the continuous struggle of the indigenous Arab Palestinian Christians in the birthplace of Christianity.

Cross presented by Bishop Riah in Athens

Summer Camps

Many of our Diocesan institutions ran summer camps again, the children taking part in music, sports, art and educational activities. The Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Centre in Ramallah held its third summer camp with up to 90 children from different schools. The director, Mr. Giovanni Anbar, said that the emphasis was on giving children the skill to use their theoretical knowledge in practical ways, especially in the technological field, and nurturing the cultural exchange between Muslim and Christian children.

In Raineh near Nazareth about 65 girls and boys took part in the first summer camp to be held in this town. It was organized between the Holy Family Episcopal Church and its vicar, the Revd Samuel Barhoum, the Arab Association for Human Rights, Highway Projects and the Raineh local council. It aimed to build a brotherhood between Muslims and Christians, to strengthen English and leadership skills, and to enhance a sense of belonging to the Palestinian people.

As Israel forbids any education about Palestinian history and heritage in schools, it is important that children receive this knowledge during the summer camps. Among other things, students learned about 40 unrecognised, mostly Bedouin, villages in Israel. Many of these villages do not have access to running water or electricity, nor paved roads or schools. This was a moving and shocking experience for many students, most of them visiting such a village for the first time.

Alongside local clergy and leaders, the Highway Projects team helped also at St. Margaret’s summer camp in Nazareth. Using Bible studies, drama, craft skills and conversational English, they worked with about 60 Christian children and youth drawn from the Anglican churches of northern Israel.

Intent on mask making at Summer Camp

With you the walk is easier

We thank you for your friendship, your brotherly and sisterly concern, your visits, and your gracious support. I cannot find enough words to express our deep gratitude to you all. With you the walk is easier.

Riah

Information on the Diocese of Jerusalem