Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

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Editorial
Chairman's & Treasurer's notes

News

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New Appointment to Abu Dhabi

The Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf is pleased to announce the appointment of the Revd Andrew Thompson, currently Chaplain of St Paul Ahmadi and Kuwait, to be Chaplain of St Andrew Abu Dhabi.

Andy and Navina expect to move in the late summer before an institution and induction in September.

Please pray for them and their family, and for the people of Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.

The Crown Prince and St Andrew’s Abu Dhabi

The church in Abu Dhabi started in 1966 on a piece of land on the Corniche which was the gift of Sheikh Zayed, the late founder of the UAE. There is also a strip of land in Musaffah, donated by the Sheikh in 2004. Unfortunately, it has never been developed due to shortage of funds. The retiring chaplain, Father Clive Windebank says that the increasing number of expatriates living on the mainland, make the development of this site a priority.

The good news is that the Crown Prince has pledged to help fund the refurbishment of the St Andrew’s Church compound which is a group of ageing buildings that draws tens of thousands of worshippers every week. St Andrew’s has been fund raising for the essential work for years and has gathered more than half a million dollars. The plan is to revamp the complex into a modern place of worship, to landscape the outdoor area with newly constructed outer wall and entrance area. “Millions of people have used the place in the last 30 years and now it is worn and shabby” says Father Clive. The surprise news of the Crown Prince’s support will not stop the money raising by the people but the promise is that Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed, who is also Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will ‘take care of any shortfall in the funds’. Father Clive says the news took him ‘utterly by surprise’.

This generous act is a clear sign that the leadership is not only tolerant of the churches but actively supportive of the place and the work of the Christians in the community.

In his seven years in Abu Dhabi one of Father Windebank’s main aims had been to build understanding between Islam and Christianity. We wish his successor, Reverend Andrew Thompson every blessing as he continues the work.

Congratulations Mr. Nigel Shonfeld!

The Bishop and the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf wishes to congratulate Mr Keith Nigel Shonfeld, the Treasurer of St Barnabas, Limassol, for being awarded an MBE (Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. Keith is a cemetery administrator for the British Cemetery Committee and his award comes for services to the British community in Cyprus.