A Message from the Bishop: Holy Week Aid for Gaza

Dear Beloved of El Camino Real,

It is Monday of Holy Week, a time when we focus on Jesus’ walk through his last days in Jerusalem. During this week, we focus personally on themes of betrayal, denial, and abandonment, mindful of the backdrop of violence, oppression, and fear that brought about the crucifixion of an itinerant preacher whom we know as Jesus of Nazareth.

This year, Holy Week seems even more poignant for us as Episcopalians as we balance our internal spiritual journey with our growing concern over what is happening in our country and all over the world. It can be difficult to remember that even in that horrible week, God was at work. Yes, God was at work in the shadows and margins of that time, sowing seeds of hope and possibility.

On Palm Sunday, the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza was bombed for the fifth time. Al-Alhi, the largest remaining hospital in Gaza, is a ministry of the Anglican and Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Archbishop Hosam Naoum issued a statement about this attack: Statement from Archbishop Nauom. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe wrote a letter about the attack later that same day: Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe.

Our practice is to dedicate our Good Friday offering to the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East. I urge you to be especially generous in your donations this year as our siblings in that part of the world work to foster peace in an untenable situation, often putting themselves at risk for the sake of love and peace. Please give generously to support their work HERE.

Our prayers continue for Archbishop Hosam, the people of the diocese, all those in harm’s way, and those who labor tirelessly for peace. With them, may we, through our generous donations and our prayers, be sowers of seeds of hope.

Faithfully,

Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real