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February 12, 2009
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Vol 2, Issue 3
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Bishops Denied
entry to Gaza
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Pictured
above is The Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani, Episcopal Bishop
in Jerusalem and The Rt. Rev. Mounib Younan, Lutheran Bishop in
Jerusalem at the Erez Crossing Point into Gaza. Last
week, when they traveled to survey the situation first hand, they were
denied entry. The two clerics, part of a
five member delegation of Jerusalem Heads of Church, sat on a curb
before heading back to Jerusalem.
After
arriving back in Jerusalem, Bp. Suheil stated that, "In spite of
this denial, I will try, and try again to reach our hospital and people
in Gaza to provide pastoral care."
While the
shooting has stopped, progress toward normalcy is painfully
slow. With only one crossing open, humanitarian aid is
delayed and building materials are scarce. Electrical power is still
spotty. The crisis continues even if the story has left the
front page. Please continue to keep these brave people in
your hearts and prayers. Seriously consider an online
contribution at www.afedj.org.
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Ahli Hospital provides free care
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For the last two weeks, Ahli Hospital in Gaza has
provided care to all who enter free of charge. Access to money is
difficult and prompt attention to wounds is critical. Medicine is
also distributed without charge. This in combination
with safer streets since the cease fire has resulted in a new wave
of patients seeking medical attention. The hospital is treating
more needy patients than ever and is hard pressed to keep up with
demand. Still the staff manages to offer caring professional
services to both in- and out-patients.
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Thank you
to the students at St. Mark's School in Southborough MA for their
generous donation to the Gaza crisis.
St.
Anselms in Garden Grove CA is a Spanish, Vietnamese and English
speaking congregation celebrating their diversity by contributing to
Ahli Hospital.
Go to
"Parish Resources" then AFEDJ
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Students need help in the West Bank
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 Part of the curriculum of all 12 Diocesan schools
is respect for other traditions, tolerance and problem
solving. Children from all religious backgrounds learn and
grow together to become future leaders, change agents and role
models.
But some families struggle to pay school
fees. Unemployment in the West Bank is high the Diocese does
not want to turn away any child. Scholarship aid to the schools
of the West Bank and Jordan insures that each child can continue to learn and mature
in a supportive environment. And as resources are focused on the
crisis in Gaza, less is available to maintain other Diocesan needs.
Contact aklynn@afedj.org for
more information on how to support an able-bodied or special needs
student or send a gift now through www.afedj.org. In our next e-newsletter,
we'll share stories about some real kids facing real challenges.
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Ideas to share
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If you're
in the Boston area, Sabeel, a national peace and justice organization,
is hosting Rev.
Dr. Naim
Ateek, author of the new book A Palestinian Christian Cry for
Reconciliation. He'll be
at Church
of the Good Shepherd at 19 Russell Avenue in Watertown MA on
Monday, February
23 at
7:15. Call 617-924-9420 for more information. The event is
free.
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American Friend of the Episcopal Dioces of Jerusalem
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 The AFEDJ is a
nonprofit, non-political 501c3 which helps sustain the institutions of
the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. These include 13 schools, 3
hospitals, 5 institutes for the disabled and 4 affiliates spread
over Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. All provide
for those in need regardless of religious background. All foster
mutual respect and tolerance in a land torn by turmoil and poverty.
Learn more about the work of the AFEDJ or the Diocese of
Jerusalem. Visit www.afedj.org to contribute to any of the important
work done in the region. Or visit www.j-diocese.org for a direct
link to the Diocese of Jerusalem.
While Gaza
is in crisis, all the work of the Diocese continues to need your help
and support.
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