04.11.2015
First Steps Taken Towards Partnership Between Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and Jerusalem
The United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East are preparing to take the next steps in formulating a partnership link. This year’s Dublin and Glendalough Synod approved a motion to enable the Council for Mission, in conjunction with the Archbishop and the United Society, to commence negotiations on developing the link.
The motion was proposed by the Revd Ken Rue (pictured), chairman of the Council for Mission. He noted that the ‘Prepare a Place’ appeal in Dublin and Glendalough last Advent had raised over €110,000 to fund developments at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza and said the motion to develop a formal link would build on that initiative.
The Episcopal Diocese covers a vast area and includes Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Lebanon, all lands that are in sharp focus at this time.
Outlining the reasons for the partnership, which is envisaged to last up to five years, Mr Rue said the venture would deepen our knowledge of our Christian heritage and help us express solidarity with our fellow Anglicans and other Christians in a diocese where Christian witness is under pressure.
“Christians in the Middle East feel abandoned. Friendship with the Diocese of Jerusalem and sharing with its people would increase our own understanding of life there and provide the opportunity to build personal relationships to our mutual benefit,” he stated.
He added that a link would help us reflect on our mission and witness in these United Dioceses by sharing with people from a different context. There was also a lot to be learned from the considerable interfaith engagement being undertaken in Jerusalem, he suggested
“The Council for Mission anticipates that the partnership link would include a regular two way flow of information, the welcoming of visitors from the Diocese of Jerusalem, the building of relationships between schools and parishes, a shared cycle of prayer, some fund–raising for projects in the Diocese of Jerusalem, study resources for school children and adults and a Diocesan Pilgrimage. Such a Pilgrimage would give the opportunity to engage with people there – finding out the realities of everyday life and sharing experiences,” Mr Rue explained.
Speaking to the motion, Geoffrey McMaster, also a member of the Council for Mission, said that there were many horrific reports coming from Syria but that despite the horror, many were staying there to maintain a Christian presence with some even ministering to IS. “That is God at work. This partnership will focus this dioceses on what being a Christian really is,” he stated.
The Revd Abigail Sines, Curate with the Christ Church Cathedral Group, spoke of spending five weeks in Bethlehem as a volunteer last year. She suggested that meaningful engagement between the two dioceses would be priceless. “I urge people to engage with this in a meaningful way and connect with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world,” she said.
The motion was supported by Synod.