Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

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Editorial
Chairman's & Treasurer's notes

News

Highlighting:

Egypt's home-grown Ministry

The work of the Alexandria School of Theology (AST) is beginning to bear fruit in the diocese.

The Reverend Dr.Emil has been ordained deacon and will serve at St. Mark’s pro-cathedral in Alexandria. He is also director of ‘Way of Life’, a centre involved in the prevention of drug addiction.

The Reverend Osama, made deacon at the same time, will serve at All Saints in Stanley Bay Alexandria. He was licensed as a Lay Minister before his ordination and he brings considerable experience to the work as he was formerly employed by Caritas Egypt.

The Reverend Ehab Ayoub was ordained deacon in the Church of our Saviour in Suez, where he will minister. His ministry will be non-stipendiary while he continues to study at AST.

Training the Trainers

All diocesan clergy and youth leaders met together for a course on Youth and Sunday School Ministry. It was led by Fuzz Kitto from Australia and Mark Takki the Diocesan youth worker. Developing homegrown Sunday school teachers and youth leaders is a strategic target for the diocese and the one year course will be held in every church in the diocese. This is made possible by a contribution from USPG.

Alexandria School of Theology

The diocesan Faculty of Theology is developing strong links with Moore College in Sydney Australia. There are regular visiting lecturers from Sydney and the latest was a former bishop in Sydney, the Rt. Revd. Peter Tasker. He also spoke to all the clergy at their Chapter meeting before continuing to visit the church in Addis. The Rt. Revd. Dr. Paul Barnett, another former bishop in Sydney, has also visited and gave public lectures in Cairo and Alexandria on the Book of Revelation.

FINANCIAL CONCERNS
The Bad News: The departure of the British International School in Cairo has reduced income and as a result there is a current deficit. Last year it was over half a million Egyptian pounds and this year it is likely to be one and a half million pounds. The bishop comments “This deficit does not allow us to support our ministries as we would like to do. This breaks our hearts. Please pray for us and for God’s provision.”

The Good News: After months of uncertainty and anxious waiting it has been confirmed that the very substantial grant from Irish Aid and CMS Ireland will be continued. Severe cuts in Irish Aid budgets had put the project at risk. This is for the work in Ethiopia where Bishop Andrew Proud is establishing a centre in Gambella. The construction will now continue and the diocese looks forward to an opening ceremony, watch this space, or Google Anglican Church in Ethiopia to follow progress.