Saturday December 2, 2023
The Rev. Aaron B. Jenkyn
Special Collection for the American Friends of Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
Jerusalem Appeal
As we enter into the sacred season of Advent, our hearts are heavy at the continuing devastation, trauma and grief in the Holy Land. In response to the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem's urgent appeal (see below) for aid to those living in the Holy Land St. John’s will join with the Episcopal Dioceses of New Hampshire’s Reconciliation Commission to take up a special collection for the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem to be used for ongoing humanitarian and faith-based aid. We invite you to give generously to this cause. A special thanks to the Out-of-the-Box Committee for organizing this appeal.
Click here to donate securely online or write a paper check to St. John’s with the memo line: “Jerusalem Appeal”. Paper checks can be mailed to St. John’s Church, 100 Chapel Street, Portsmouth NH 03801 or dropped off in the office Mon-Thursday 8:30-3pm.
A Reflection from The Most Rev. Hosam E. Naoum, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
Language of reconciliation, trying to speak a word that brings people together can be difficult, and it can be controversial. But I believe that here in the Holy Land we need that language of peace and reconciliation more than ever.
Especially since the 7th of October and the eruption of violence and war in and around Gaza. I would like to ask your prayers to continue to hold both Palestinians and Israelis in your prayers, and as we continue to seek peace in the midst of war.
I urge everyone to continue to work towards a peaceful resolution, a ceasefire for humanitarian corridors, and especially for those civilians - the protection of all civilians, especially in Gaza at this time. We know that violence can be indiscriminate in a sense that civilians or children and women and elderly people are killed in the process, and in the line of fire.
We ask that all people be considerate to what is taking place during these times of war and to be aware that people should not pay the price, especially those who are civilians.
In a time of war, especially here in the Middle East and in The Holy Land, both Palestinians and Israelis are seeking a better future. But this doesn't mean that violence can be the only way, or even the way in which we strive for peace and reconciliation.
The language of guns and the sounds of bullets were never the way forward where people would live together side by side.
So if we are really concerned about the security for Israelis and the self determination of the Palestinian people for a free and enduring and durable state in the future, we need the efforts of everyone around the world, that we may focus on the day after the war, where peace - a just and lasting one - will be the only way forward for the end of the cycle of violence here in the Holy Land.
I urge each and every one of us, and especially those who are Christians around the world, to continue to care for our world, for our creation, and part of that are human beings whom God has grounded his creation and created in God's image.
So as we continue to strive for peace and as we continue to spread the work of reconciliation, even though it falls on deaf ears at this time of war and violence and suffering, now we need to hold to what we believe in, because that is what God has called us for. And as John has recorded, one of the most beautiful verses that Jesus has spoken to his people in John 10.10, “I came that they may have life and have it in abundance.” So may the gift of life, light and peace prevail here in the Holy Land here in Jerusalem.
And from Jerusalem to the ends of the Earth, May God bless you all. Amen.
-The Most Rev. Hosam E. Naoum, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem