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Global South Encounter meets in Egypt

Thank you very much for your prayer support during the Third Global South Encounter, in October 2005. The Encounter went very well and Egypt was the right choice as a venue.

The opening session took place at All Saints’ Cathedral where the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Bishop Moses representing Pope Shenouda, and Government ministers and officials joined us. This session showed the tolerance and friendly atmosphere of Egypt.

The opening Communion Service afterwards expressed the vibrant churches of the Global South. We had African, Egyptian, Sudanese and English songs. It was a real joy. After the service the Archbishops went to pray and open our new Alexandria School of Theology. Dr Emad Azmy, the Principal gave a short introduction to the School. Many Archbishops asked if they could send some students to the School to do Islamic Studies and Church History.

After the opening session and service we went on to the Red Sea where we resumed the sessions of the Conference. This was a very inspiring place, where the people of God crossed the Red Sea and experienced the presence of God day and night.

The highlight of the Conference was the visit of Archbishop Rowan Williams. He gave a fantastic message about ‘One holy, catholic and apostolic church’. We really saw his wisdom and graciousness in responding to the many questions that came from the delegates.

I am very grateful to Canon Samy Shehatta for all his hard work behind the success of this event. I am also thankful to Helen and all the supportive staff that helped for this occasion.

Christmas celebrations televised

We look back on wonderful Christmas celebrations. The Christmas Eve service was televised and broadcast the next day, twice. We thank God for this and for the privileges given to the Church in Egypt. President Mubarak and the Minister for Interior sent special representatives to attend this combined English, Arabic and Sudanese service. New this year was the participation of the Eritrean and Ethiopian congregations.

On Christmas Day we had a service in Jesus Light of the World Church in Old Cairo, and in the evening we celebrated in St Mark’s, Alexandria. The Governor of Alexandria and the Chief of Police attended this. We were touched by their participation.

Women Lay Ministers Licensed

On 26th December I ordained Deacon Emil Nabih as a priest for the Ras el Soda congregation. I also licensed four new lay ministers, Kamel and Robert, and two women, Madlaine and Gihan. These two are the only licensed Egyptian women in the Diocese.

Last November I ordained Deacon Michel Milad as priest for the Arabic speaking congregation at All Saints’ Cathedral. He replaced the Revd Raja Zabaneh, who is now my assistant for Interfaith Relations.

The Revd Andrew Wheeler was made a Canon of All Saints’ Cathedral. Andrew worked with the Diocese for three years, serving the Sudanese refugees in the 90’s. He and Sue committed 20 years of their lives to serving people in the Sudan. He taught and discipled many Sudanese pastors and bishops in Bishop Gwynne Bible College in the south of Sudan.

75th Anniversary of Menouf Episcopal School

On Wednesday 28th December we had a great celebration at the Menouf Episcopal School, which was founded by the Church Missionary Society, U.K. (CMS) in 1930. The Governor of Menoufia and Sheik Fawzy, the President of the Interfaith Dialogue Committee of El Azhar and other friends from Cairo and Alexandria attended the celebration. We invited the retired principals, to honour them. Mrs Mary Habib, the first Egyptian principal, came especially from Alexandria to participate. This was a very joyful day for her. Bishop Ghais came too: during his time, the present school was built.

We were all impressed by the standard of the students who performed many activities including music, singing and computers. We were also encouraged by the spirit of love and team work between Christian and Muslim students and teachers. At the beginning of the celebrations children read verses from the Bible and Quran.

It is clear that Mr George Girgis, the new Principal, is a very capable team leader. Janette Grimmer from New Zealand, who is working in the school as a teacher trainer, received an award from the Governor of Menoufia during this event.

We also visited the Menara School for children with special needs, and were all impressed by this wonderful ministry. We thank God for Mary Abadir and her vision and perseverance that are behind the excellent standard of the school. The Governor was very encouraging, and appreciated very much both the Menara School and the Episcopal Training Centre in Menouf. This Centre is lead by Jeanette Grimmer and provides English and computer courses for young people who are at university or have finished their degrees and desire to improve their English. This gives them better opportunities for employment.

We thank God for his faithfulness during these 75 years. We also give thanks to all people and organisations that support these successful institutions.

My Sabbatical

I am hoping to take a Sabbatical from mid June until the end of August, and then from the middle of September until the middle of December. I will spend the first part at Trinity School for Ministry, Pittsburgh, USA, and the second part at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, UK. Nancy will join me. I am still waiting for a response from one of my brother bishops who may be able to cover for me during this period.

People and prayer needs

Canon Medhat Sabry is now in charge of St Mark’s, Menouf in addition to St Michael, Heliopolis. The building of St Mark’s is going on. The plan is to finish one floor to be used as a church and then complete the building when funds are raised.

The Revd Mark Cregan and his wife Juliet are now part of the team in Alexandria, helping with the English-speaking congregations in St Mark’s and All Saints’, Stanley.

Pray for Canon Godfrey and Daphne Taylor who are going to St George’s, Asmara for several months. Pray also for the council and congregation as they face challenges and difficulties.

Pray for the Sudanese community especially after the tragic end to their three-month demonstration in front of the UNHCR office in Cairo. Pray for a quick implementation for the peace agreement in Sudan, so that they would be encouraged to go back and rebuild their country.

Pray for funding for Harpur Community Health Centre in Sadat City. We have started the finishing stages and this requires about 200,000 US Dollars (£114,000).

Yours in Christ

Mouneer

Information on the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa