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The following is an excerpt from the St. George's College newsletter:

 

 

 

Update from the Holy Land

 

 

An Update from Dean Richard Sewell
St George's College Jerusalem: Current troubles in Jerusalem

We had hoped to be writing to you to officially announce the reopening of St. George's College thanks to the very positive success of the Covid-19 vaccination program in Israel. While still hoping for a fall opening, we find ourselves in the midst of a deep conflict, of which I am sure you all are quite aware. I wanted to provide you an update on the current situation (see video) and to reassure you that we in the Cathedral Close and our College Staff are safe.

In the midst of this period of unrest in the Land of the Holy One we can take comfort from the love and grace of God. Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. We too should weep, not just for this pain, in these times, but for the oppression and destruction which prevails in so many lands. Jew and Palestinian, Israeli, Arab, Christian and Muslim, all have their pain and their fears. Only by listening and seeking to comprehend can we find a way forward that will lead to healing of historic and present hurts. We put ourselves in the gracious arms of God and ask what Christ calls us to do for him in the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit. Pray for peace we must, but act for justice, also.
Peace and light,
The Very Rev'd Richard Sewell
Dean, St. George's College Jerusalem

 

View from Dominus Flevit Church on the Mount of Olives, commemorating Jesus weeping for the City of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-42).

 

A Message from Archbishop Hosam Naoum

 

A Prayer for the Holy Land
Archbishop Hosam asks that those within the Anglican Communion and all of Christendom join in offering the following prayer for the current conflict:
Almighty and Everliving God: Our days are in your hands; We lift up all those in the Holy Land who are victims of violence and injustice, that you might empower your Church to bring healing to the wounded, relief to the suffering, and comfort to those who mourn; we pray also that you would soften the hearts of all those involved in the recent conflicts that they would be led to work for justice and lasting peace in the land where your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ first came to bring hope and abundant life to all people; these things we ask in His holy name.
Amen
Click here to see Archbishop's full statement on the violence in the Holy Land and his call to action.

The Most Rev. Hosam Naoum was installed as the 15th Bishop of the Jerusalem and Archbishop in Jerusalem, on the Feast of the Ascension. Archbishop Hosam is known to many St. George's pilgrims, as he served as Dean of St. George's Cathedral from 2012 - 2020 and as Canon Pastor to the Arabic speaking congregation at St. George's Cathedral for seven years prior to that. Please join us in prayers for his new ministry.

 

Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry's Statement on Violence in the

Land of the Holy One

 

One More Time...
One more time we awake to the news of violence. Reports come in, even as you read this, about violence that has caused death, life-changing injury and destruction of property and lives. Violence which is borne of frustration, rooted in injustice and the violation of international law and in truth, the violation of human rights and human decency. In the Name of the God of all creation, the violence must stop, regardless of where it comes from and to whom it is directed. 
One more time The Episcopal Church stands to say that violence is not the way forward. We say the expansion of Israeli settlements at the expense of Palestinian families must end. We say incitement which encourages violence must end. We say enough is enough.  
One more time The Episcopal Church encourages the government of the United States and others who have influence, who are of goodwill and who genuinely seek peace to be partners in peacemaking, to bring about a negotiated settlement to the long-standing conflict which has consumed both Israelis and Palestinians.
  
One more time we find ourselves full of sorrow and sadness. We find ourselves grieving over the loss of life, destruction of homes and the fear that lives in the hearts of tens of thousands of innocent people. We join all people of faith to offer up prayers for healing, wholeness, restoration and reconciliation.
  
And we pray God to grant wisdom and courage to all those in authority to seek peace and pursue it without delay, without excuses, without confusion and with only one agenda: a negotiated and equitable agreement for peace between Israelis and Palestinians — once and for all.”
  
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church

 

Canadian Archbishop Linda Nicholls Calls for Lasting Peace of Jerusalem

 

The city of Jerusalem is an icon of our human capacity, or incapacity, to live together in peace for the prosperity of all and the common good. We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem for in that peace will be seeds for the peace of the world.
Jewish pilgrims climbing towards Jerusalem or into the Temple would recite the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). Today—whether seeking to pray at the site of the Temple or at the mosque or at any of the Christian holy places—surely our prayer must also be with the Psalmist:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity. (Psalm 122:6)
To seek the prosperity of Jerusalem is to seek a just and lasting peace that recognizes the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis—Christians, Jews and Muslims—in this land.
The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls
Archbishop and Primate
The Anglican Church in Canada
Click here for the full statement