Jerusalem Sunday (Information, Resources and a letter from the Chair)
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Jerusalem and the Holy Land Sunday June 1st 2025
Observed on the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Jerusalem and the Holy Land Sunday is a call to action for Anglicans and Lutherans in Canada to stand in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land. Through worship, learning and giving, congregations are invited to support God’s healing mission, especially the critical health care services offered in the region.
Donate to Companions of Jerusalem
A Letter from the Chair to the House of Bishops:
May 2025
House of Bishops
My Dearest Bishops,
On June 1st, the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Anglicans across Canada are invited to celebrate Jerusalem and Holy Land Sunday (https://www.anglican.ca/gr/provinces/jerusalem/sunday/) under the title "For Such a Time as This." Although we are in the Easter Season of joy in the celebration of the resurrection, we know that the Diocese of Jerusalem remains amid high anxiety and tensions in the Middle East and the devastating effects of the war in Gaza.
Every year, the Companions of the Diocese of Jerusalem, with the blessing of Archbishop Hosam Naoum, commend a project that will assist their ministry and to which Canadians can contribute. This year, the Companions have proposed a project that will help the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre to ‘Educate a Doctor,’ who would be specifically trained to help the children of Gaza and the West Bank cope with the physical traumas of the war. This project was first proposed by the centre to our former Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, during a conference at Virginia Theological Seminary. We have since received the endorsement of Archbishop Naoum and have already raised over $30,000 towards the initial costs of $90,000.
I have asked both Archbishop Nicholls, and the former Bishop of Ottawa, Bishop John Chapman, to take responsibility for this campaign. I am grateful that they have agreed to do so and will, therefore, bring years of knowledge and experience to this campaign, having been long associated with both the Canadian Companions and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Many have been drained of hope in the face of the suffering in Israel and Palestine in recent months. The Canadian Companions are pleased to suggest this tangible way to help children and their families for years to come, as the suffering will not simply end with a permanent ceasefire. The after effects of the war – physical and psychological – will require rehabilitation for years to come. You can learn more about the ministry of the Centre at https://www.basma-centre.org.
Funds raised for the Educate a Doctor program will be used to train a pediatrician toward accreditation in rehabilitation techniques (a description of the project is attached). A doctor has already been identified for training and has a placement ready in a program in Tel Aviv. The training of this doctor will help children and families now and for decades to come. Gifts to this program will bring hope and life over and over again. The project needs a minimum of USD 90,000 for 18 months of training.
Funds raised are transferred securely and directly to the Diocese of Jerusalem by the Office of General Synod through a shared ministry covenant between the Companions of Jerusalem and the Diocese for projects identified by the Diocese. Donations can be made through the Companions of Jerusalem webpage here: https://www.anglican.ca/gr/provinces/jerusalem/companions/ - earmarked for ‘Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre Project – Educate a Doctor.’
We understand that you have many diocesan fundraising needs, but trust there is also generous capacity for external projects such as this. If it would be helpful for me or one of the co-leaders to meet with you or your designate, this can be arranged.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
As ever,
The Rev. Prof. Patricia G. Kirkpatrick, M.Th., D.Phil.
Chair of the Companions of Jerusalem Committee
