"I continue to be inspired by the Christians who are a small fraction
of the population of most of the nations throughout the Province of
Jerusalem and the Middle East," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts
Schori writes in the annual Good Friday letter to all congregations
asking them to consider assistance for Jerusalem and the Middle East.
"Time and again in
quiet conversation with Christian leaders and in public statements and
presentations I witnessed the pain of loss expressed with passion and
grief by so many on account of political and social pressures and the
cycles of violence which continue in Syria, Israel/Palestine, and
Egypt," the Presiding Bishop writes. "While there was great sorrow
expressed about loss, there was also great hope and expectation that
peace and prosperity are possible. "
Funds collected
from the Good Friday Offering are gathered and distributed to the
Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East which includes the Dioceses of
Jerusalem and Cyprus and the Gulf, all members of the Anglican
Communion.
"I encourage you
and your congregation to join in supporting our sister and brother
Anglicans throughout the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East
through the Good Friday Offering," she concludes.
Information and resources for the Good Friday Offering are available here. For more information contact the Rev. Canon Robert Edmunds, Episcopal Church Middle East Partnership Officer, redmunds@episcopalchurch.org.
