New appeal seeks to bring hope through aid in the Middle East

The Church of Ireland is today (Monday, 21st October) launching a fresh appeal to help to provide humanitarian aid for people in need across the Middle East through Bishops’ Appeal, its world aid and development programme. All parishes in the Church of Ireland are being encouraged to support this initiative, with a focused time of prayers for peace and the opportunity to give to the appeal particularly on Advent Sunday (1st December).  The Middle East Appeal will continue throughout Advent and Christmas with funds raised being shared equally between the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs a number of schools and hospitals in the region including in Gaza, and Tearfund.

Endorsing the appeal, Archbishop John McDowell remarked: “Many clergy and members of the Church have spoken to me about their grave concern, which I share, for all the people caught up in the tragic situation in the Middle East, and will want to give as generously as they can to support this appeal by Bishops’ Appeal.  I encourage all parishes to set aside time each week and especially on Advent Sunday to pray for peace and to provide an opportunity for everyone to give in support of this emergency appeal.”

Archbishop Michael Jackson added: “Knowing the work of both the Diocese of Jerusalem, and of Tearfund in the Middle East, in places I have visited often, I want to endorse this appeal and encourage everyone to give what they can to relieve the suffering of so many in the region. I join Archbishop John in encouraging all Church of Ireland parishes to give space and priority to this appeal and to praying together for peace and stability to return to the region.”

Perspectives from leaders in the region

The Archbishop of Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum, recently remarked: “The whole system is collapsing but as Christians, we continue to have hope, and we are called to be resilient. We are called to be God’s presence in the world. And this is exactly what we are doing right now. Despite everything, people are determined to continue with their ministry. And I have to say that it has proven our people are really tenacious. They are strong, hoping despite everything. This is really a gift that God gives to us: knowing that if we are really challenged, if we are in distress or in trouble, as Paul says in Romans, this produces patience; it produces perseverance and therefore resilience.”

Safa Hijazeen, Tearfund’s Regional Director for the Middle East, has said: “The humanitarian suffering in Gaza and across the Middle East is greater than ever. Tearfund’s church partners are doing their best to respond across the region, working in very difficult circumstances to provide meals for displaced people, ship vital medicines, and keep schools running.  Tearfund’s supporters have already been incredibly generous, and their donations have supported vital work supporting people impacted by the violence – but a year after the October 7th attacks, the need in Gaza is immense and Lebanon stands on the brink of disaster.”

How to give

You can support our Middle East Appeal in four ways with either sterling or euro donations with Middle East Appeal 2024 stated where appropriate:

• Online donations of more than £10 / €10 at the following link – https://store.ireland.anglican.org/donations/the-bishops-appeal
• Sending a cheque, payable to Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal to: Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 CF67
• Making a bank lodgement into the Bishops’ Appeal accounts – please email bishopsappeal@ireland.anglican.org and we will supply you with the relevant details.
• Holding a collection in your parish with proceeds then forwarded to the Bishops’ Appeal through one of the routes mentioned above.

To allow for receipt of your donation, please state the parish or your name if you are giving as an individual.  All of the above details are also provided on the Bishops’ Appeal website at https://bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give

Prayers for peace and stories which share and support the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem and Tearfund will follow on the Church of Ireland’s website and social media channels over the coming weeks.