Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

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Obituaries

Revd Tim Woods writes from the Middle East desk

Historically, the lands of the Middle East were more closely associated in people’s minds with CMS than with USPG, and in the case of the Diocese of Jerusalem, it was CMS and CMJ (Church’s Mission among the Jews) that held the brief for mission. But over the last two decades USPG has been offering support and solidarity in that diocese, and in the Diocese of Egypt, in new and significant ways.

Jerusalem

Just through the archway that opens into the courtyard of St. George’s Cathedral, there is a small office, round to the left. This is the base for Janina Zang, originally from East Germany, who first went to Jerusalem as an Experience Exchange Programme volunteer with USPG. She now serves as Development and Communications officer for the Diocese, and also, as an accomplished artist, uses her creative skills to encourage young people to express themselves and their stories on paper.

Janina’s husband Johannes is a musician and journalist, and he also contributes in a variety of ways to the life of the Anglican church in the Holy Land. They will return to Germany during 2008, but USPG staff are discussing with Bishop Suheil what can be done to replace them with local people. Meanwhile, we are hoping to be able to send a new volunteer to Salt in Jordan, to work at the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf, another part of the Diocese’s ministry.

USPG will be helping fund three students sponsored by the diocese, as part of their training in ministry. In addition, some assistance is being given to St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus, a diocesan institution with a chronic funding crisis.

The partnership with the Diocese of Jerusalem is considered to be a major part of the Society’s advocacy work, undertaken with full awareness that the number of Palestinian Christians remaining in their native land is steadily dwindling. In the light of this concern, there was a very warm welcome for USPG’s first pilgrimage, which took place in November 2007, drawing a group of 34 supporters and 3 leaders from around the British Isles.

Egypt

Although there are no current USPG mission companions in Egypt itself, since Mark and Juliet Cregan left for pastures new in June 2007, funding support is still contributing to that Diocese’s mission, both in the health and education spheres. USPG hopes to identify future volunteers who can learn from Egypt’s unique place in Muslim/Christian relations, and who can themselves offer something helpful to the Diocese.

The Episcopal area of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa is now under the supervision of Bishop Andrew Proud, who went in 2002 with his wife Janice as USPG missionaries (now mission companions). Their extraordinary ministry has seen a time of considerable church growth in the western region of Gambella, and the introduction of a TEE programme (Theological education by Extension), which is preparing both ordinands and lay leadership for service. In recent years there have been three Experience Exchange volunteers working in support of Andrew and Janice, and based at St. Matthew’s Addis Ababa. USPG also provides funding for theological education, and has been able to offer some limited assistance in other ways, including a grant for constructing a new church.

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