Following his recent visit to the Jerusalem, Archbishop Justin Welby has joined with Archbishop Hosam Naoum to launch a
Joint Appeal for Gaza, Palestine and Israel.
Towards the end of October, Archbishop Justin Welby paid a solidarity visit to Jerusalem in the aftermath of the Gaza War's eruption, and immediately following the bombing of Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, which Archbishop Hosam and his chaplain, The Rev. Canon Donald Binder, had visited just three days before the outbreak of the war. Together, at this time of extreme crisis in the Holy Land, the two Archbishops have decided to issue a Joint Appeal Letter, calling for prayers and donations not only for the hospital's vital work in Gaza, but also for the wide range of their ministries throughout the Holy Land which are also being greatly affected by the war. Alongside the various healthcare programmes they run, the diocese also provides education and training, youth and women's ministries and ecumenical & interfaith engagement. Full details of the ministries of the dioceses can be found on their website.
In the joint letter Archbishop Hosam Naoum writes:
"Just over two weeks ago, the world was horrified at the sudden eruption of war in the Holy Land resulting in hundreds of deaths, injuries, and displacements. Since that time, those numbers have multiplied into the thousands, as open hostilities have drastically escalated. Innocent civilians, especially women and children, have been caught in the deadly crossfire."
Speaking of the missile strike on the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, he goes on to write "Although Ahli's buildings were heavily damaged, two nights later our devoted staff partially reopened the hospital. In doing this, they demonstrated the determination we have in the Diocese of Jerusalem to persevere in our Christian mission to serve others as though we were serving Christ himself (Matthew 25: v31-46).
He asks the larger Body of Christ to support their mission throughout all the Holy Land in three ways
- Pray for the diocese's mission as well as for the peace of Jerusalem
- Advocate with your representatives for a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land, so that all who dwell within these lands can live in security
- Support their ministries in Gaza, Palestine and Israel, and throughout the Diocese of Jerusalem by contributing financially
Archbishop Justin Welby writes:
"As war devastates the Holy Land, we ask where Christ is to be found amid the cries of His children. When the lives of the innocent are at risk, we strain our eyes for the light of the One who offers healing, peace, and justice. In Gaza, the Al Ahli hospital, run by the Diocese of Jerusalem, is that light."
He calls on people to "pray for those who mourn, those who are in pain, and those who are in fear, and for those who are caring for the injured and bereaved" and urges everyone who is able to support the work of the Al Ahli hospital and all those caring for the wounded body of Jesus Christ.
Below you can download the full joint appeal letter (as pdf)
Thank you again for all your prayers and support during this time of great calamity! Continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for security for all who dwell in its lands.
The Rev Canon Don Binder
International Partners receiving donations for this appeal:
UK: JMECA or Friends of the Holy Land (Joint Anglican-Roman Catholic):
Germany: EMS
USA: American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
Canada: Canadian Companions
Australia: Anglican Board of Mission
Other ways to send donations via JMECA:
Cheques: Post cheques/postal orders made payable to JMECA, to the Secretary at our Farnham office; 1 Hart House, The Hart, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7HJ
Bank Transfer: please email the Secretary for bank details
Standing Orders: for regular giving (monthly/annually etc) please request a standing order form here
Please mark all payments with details of the appeal / work you are supporting.
Posted 24/10/2023
