Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

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Mr Richard Owens, chair of JMECA writes...

As I sit down to write an editorial article, the key word that is dominating the media is “change”. For aspiring American Presidential candidates it is the essential ingredient of every speech and slogan. For our own politicians it is the factor that aims to stimulate our interest and sustain our enthusiasm. Nothing new, perhaps, as the seventeenth century poet, Abraham Cowley, wrote:
“The world’s a scene of changes, and to be Constant, in nature were inconstancy.”
It is therefore appropriate, and I hope beneficial, to institute some changes of our own. As you are aware, Maureen Lampard has retired as Editor of “Bible Lands” after ten years of dedicated service. Canon Tim Biles has accepted the challenge of keeping us abreast with the news from the Province, and possibly adding some thought-provoking comments of his own. As Maureen wrote in her last Editorial, we moved from the post-box and typewriter to the e-mail box and compact disc during her tenure. Technology continues to move forward and allows us to provide you with a dramatically improved picture of the Province and the work of the Dioceses. We should be failing in our duty to both the Province and our supporters in the UK if we neglected to use what is available to us. I therefore hope that you will appreciate and enjoy reading this edition of “Bible Lands” in a new format.

The time has also come for a change in the Chairmanship of our Trust Corporation, Jerusalem and the East mission Trust, which administers JMECA and other charities associated with the Province on a daily basis. I have chaired the Trust for over seven years and a sabbatical year, albeit slightly overdue, seems a good time for a change at the helm. My successor will be John Clark, who will be known to many of you. John, who has been a Director of JEMT since 1999, will take over in June. I shall remain as Chairman of JMECA. The style of JMECA, since its predecessor was established in 1887, has naturally adapted to suit the times and requirements. Much of the work previously undertaken in the UK has now devolved to the Province, but the primary object to “encourage support in prayer, money and personal service” for our church remains the foundation of the Charity. To do this effectively for the next 120 years may require some further adaptations. However, if we follow Charles Darwin’s tenet that “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” we should be able to fulfil our objectives for many years to come.