Bishop Martin meeting with the Archbishop of Jersusalem, Hosam Elias Naoum
With these words of Jesus, Canon Hatem Shehadeh, the Rector of St John’s and St Luke’s, Haifa, summed up the mission of his church, and with it, the whole Diocese of Jerusalem.
I recently returned from a solidarity visit to the diocese, visiting parishes in the north of Israel and the West Bank. This is my third visit since being given responsibility for our Diocesan Covenant Link with the Diocese of Jerusalem in 2024. On each visit, the hardships and struggles experienced by our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land seem greater. Yet if the suffering grows, so does the hope, determination and faithfulness to the calling of Christ.
The Psalmist cries, “How long, O Lord?” This is also the cry of the church in the Holy Land – a cry that we join. But this was described to me by those I met as a cry of hope, not despair. We cry “how long, O Lord?” because we expect an answer; God will bring the suffering of his people to an end, and in the meantime calls us to faithful witness.
On this third visit to build our Covenant Link, we were exploring together what might be done together. The Anglican diocese’s priority is relationship, friendship and solidarity, not aid (though there is much need for financial support for its vital institutions such as its hospitals and schools). Our Covenant Link is of mutual support and encouragement, to both receive and to give. I have been blessed by our relationships, and I look forward to these blessings being shared in our diocese.
How might you get involved in our link?
Through pilgrimage. Our sisters and brothers in the churches really value visits to the ‘living stones’: the Christians of the land. Pilgrims encourage them that they have not been forgotten by the wider church; pilgrimages are also financially vital to the well-being of the Christian community. Tourists and pilgrims are beginning to return to the Holy Land after the upheaval of the past two years. We will be scheduling a Diocesan Pilgrimage later in 2026 – or if you would like to go independently, we would gladly put you in touch with churches.
Through prayer. Pilgrimage is not possible for everyone, but prayer is. Pray for our Christian sisters and brothers in the Anglican and the wider Church of the Holy Land to be strengthened for their work of witness.
Through parish links. Jerusalem Diocese is full of amazing parishes doing remarkable things in difficult circumstances. Our own parishes can learn a lot about “letting our light shine” from them. If you are interested in establishing a link between your parish and a parish in the Holy Land, please speak to me.
Finally, stay in touch. We have a mailing list that informs people of events, pilgrimages and news relating to the link. If you would like to join it, please email Hannah Nightingale ([email protected]).
