Israeli ambassadors' help sought
Taonga News
| 18 Jul 2011
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The Israeli ambassadors in Wellington and Canberra will be asked to help the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem regain his residency visa.
Bishop Suheil Dawani's visa was revoked by Israeli’s Interior Ministry some months ago, and the Bishop is appealing for justice through the Israeli courts.
The Australia and New Zealand Regional Committee for St George’s College, Jerusalem, resolved this week to voice its concern to the local Israeli ambassadors.
“We call on the Israeli Government to rectify this situation immediately by re-issuing the visa to allow the Bishop to continue his vital ministry to Anglicans in Jerusalem,” the committee agreed during its annual meeting in Wellington.
The committee’s chair, Bishop Keith Slater from Grafton, NSW, said St George’s College needed ongoing support from Australian and New Zealand alumni.
“I encourage all alumni who have experienced the gift of the ministry of St George’s to register their interest and join us as companions of Jesus as we support the work of the college and the church in Jerusalem,” he said.
Bishop Keith elaborated on the theme of companions during a sermon at Evensong in Wellington Cathedral on Sunday.
Acts 4:13 – “They recognised them as companions of Jesus” – was placed in the context of Jerusalem where an ever-declining number of Christians is keeping the faith alive in the Land of the Holy One.
“These mostly Palestinian Christians are today’s companions of Jesus,” Bishop Keith said. “We too are called to companionship with Christ on our shared journey of faith.”
College in good heart
St George’s College is an Anglican centre for continuing education and pilgrimage in Jerusalem. Since 1962 scores of Anglicans from Australia and New Zealand have attended courses of between two and four weeks at the college as they seek to deepen their understanding and faith in the land of Jesus’ birth.
“Today the college is in good heart,” Bishop Keith said.
“A range of courses will be offered in the coming year focusing on the Bible and its setting, the Palestine of Jesus, St Paul and the Early Church, Risen with Christ (at Eastertide), to name just a few. Courses are becoming heavily subscribed so it’s advisable to book early.”
A new Dean, Rev Dr Graham Smith, from the United States will replace Rev Dr Stephen Need who is returning to the UK after over 20 years at the college, including six as Dean.
Another new appointment is Rev Dr Kamal Farah as Director of Studies, replacing Rev Dr Andrew Mayes.
The committee meeting in Wellington was also attended by the deputy-chair, Bishop David Coles (from the Diocese of Dunedin), Dean Helen and Stephen Jacobi (Waiapu), Archdeacon Lois Symes (Waikato) and Brad Chapman (Anglican Board of Mission, Australia).
The purpose of the committee is to promote the college, maintain a network for alumni and administer a small scholarship budget. The committee met at St Luke's, Wadestown, from 17-18 July.
Contacts:
Australian alumni: johnws462@gmail.com
New Zealand alumni: office@angmissions.org.nz
St George’s College: www.sgcjerusalem.org
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