On Jerusalem Sunday we pray for the Anglican (Episcopal) Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Last summer, several members of our diocese participated in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for the Women of the Bible course led by Bishop Jane through St. George's College in Jerusalem.
"Safe here in Canada, we often do not realize the hardships people in that region suffer," said Canon Barbara Burrows reflecting on an afternoon the group spent with Shafeeqa Dawani, the wife of the Most Rev. Suheil Dawani, Archbishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, in the Province called the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. Shafeeqa uses her position to help empower women in Palestine."We take much for granted: access to proper health care and education, freedom to travel, freedom of religion, empowerment for all. Shafeeqa taught us about living in hope, and to encourage others to live in hope, faith and love."
You can read reflections and view pictures from the Holy Land Pilgrimage in The Messenger.
In some Canadian parishes the open collection on Jerusalem Sunday will be directed to the National Church / Canadian Companions of Jerusalem to strengthen directly the ministry on the Mount of Olives for children with disabilities called The Princess Basma Centre run by the Jerusalem diocese. For Jerusalem Sunday resources, visit The Anglican Church of Canada website
The Anglican Church of Canada has had a long and meaningful relationship with the Jerusalem diocese and the Middle East.