In a new initiative by St George's College Jerusalem, Dean Richard Sewell and College Course Director Rodney Aist are broadcasting a weekly series of 'conversations'offering their commentary on what is currently being experienced in the city and the wider Diocese.
The first conversation (which can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPc-r21qGPE) is entitled "Surviving a War," and describes the general situation from the perspective of the College. Asked what prompted this initiative, Dean Richard said, "I have done a number of Zoom webinars and people seemed to value an on the ground perspective in the midst of the ongoing war and the terrible suffering across Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem and Israel. Also we wanted to share with our many friends and supporters around the world that we are still here and continuing to do our best to keep the ministry of the College alive."
"The aims are to keep a steady flow of news, information and perspectives during a time when most visitors and pilgrims are unable to travel. We want to present these as bite-sized chunks which people can digest every week. We are looking at the current situation and its terrible impacts but also at the issues which also lie at the heart of the College work, pilgrimage and education in the Land of the Holy One."
He is hoping that the College's many friends around the world will be interested and see this as both a way to keep themselves informed but also to have something to share as a resource for church and other groups.
Although this is not primarily a fund raising initiative, the conversations are seen as a way of giving people who have supported the College during the painful time of closure, a sense of a continuing live connection to the College which has kept on staff during these almost two years. The Dean says, "of course we always need more to keep us afloat as the situation which prevents pilgrim groups from coming is not going to change dramatically any time soon."
He is aware of the danger of becoming repetitive and says that they will endeavour to keep these short conversations current, topical, insightful,broad and well-informed.
When we feel we have covered everything (if that can ever be done) we will bring the conversations to an end.