Message from Dean Richard Sewell | |
Greetings from Jerusalem at a time when we continue to feel the devastating effects of the war in Gaza. But we have more to share with you than bad news.
I am delighted to share with you our new Introduction to Lent film titled ‘Ways in the Wilderness’. We hope that it will enhance your observance of Lent as a time of study, self-examination and spiritual enrichment. This newsletter comes to you on the brink of Lent and so it is a chance for me to share news from the College as we enter into this important period of reflection. It goes without saying that Christians in the Land of the Holy One are already in a period of deep introspection as we endure the effects of this war which is so damaging to body, mind and soul.
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Rodney and I spent some time filming in the desert, not far from Jerusalem. In the film we explore desert themes in the biblical accounts and in the Christian tradition. The desert, or wilderness, features significantly in Lenten observance especially because of Jesus’s temptations in the Judean wilderness. This offers Christians rich resources for exploring our own forty day period of reflection leading into Holy Week and Easter. Rev Rodney introduces some desert sages whom St. George’s College friends may, or possibly may not, be familiar with. I offer a reflection on how the desert, so beloved by pilgrims in the Holy Land, can enrich and challenge us in our Lenten experience.
We are sharing this rich resource partly because the current very grave and distressing situation in Gaza, the West Bank and throughout the region means that it is impossible for us to run pilgrimages at present. There are no pilgrims in the Holy Land today. Of course, this is creating a very challenging financial environment for us. There is no charge for the use of the Ways in the Wilderness film either as an individual or for church groups, but if it inspires you or your church to make a donation, however small it may be, we would be most grateful. Means of making donations in different parts of the world are given at the end of this message.
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Impact of the Israel-Hamas War | |
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Please continue to pray for us and especially for those impacted by the devastation of Gaza which at the time of writing has accounted for over 27 000 fatalities. In Gaza there is a humanitarian disaster of catastrophic proportions which aid and medical facilities in Gaza simply cannot deal with. Also, please continue to pray for the hostages and their families who are so fearful for the safety of their loved ones. Around the world incidents of Antisemitism and Islamophobia are multiplying in frightening ways with shocking effects. We especially hope that those who know the peoples of these lands will speak of Palestinians and Jews with empathy, acknowledging the human dignity of all people, whatever their religion or ethnicity. However disturbed by this frightening situation we may be, as Christians, we are compelled to see the worth and value of every person, not judging in generalities but seeing the individuals behind the news headlines. Please join us in praying for an end to the war and for the establishment of a lasting peace which contends with the root causes of this long running conflict. May God guide us into the ways of righteousness and peace shown to us by God’s Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ who is the Prince of Peace.
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St. George's College Webinar
26/27 February
We are very pleased to announce that as a companion to ‘Ways in the Wilderness’ there will be a webinar with Rev Rodney and with Dean Richard, which will give St. George’s College friends a chance to explore these Lenten themes further and also to find out about the situation in Jerusalem and beyond, in this time of conflict and pain. In the first instance this will be live on Monday 26 February at 8pm (USA/Canada Eastern Time). This equates to 1am in London, UK on 27/2, 12pm in Melbourne, Aus and 2pm in Christchurch, NZ. A recording of the webinar will be available for those unable to join at the relevant local time. If there is demand for further webinars to fit with suitable times in other parts of the world, this may be offered too.
Topic: Live From Jerusalem with Dean Richard Sewell and Rev Rodney Aist
Time: Feb 26, 2024 20:00PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
01:00AM in London, UK on 27/2, 12:00pm in Melbourne, Aus and 14:00PM in Christchurch, NZ
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4042529172?pwd=MGl0V3AyR1hwTUUzb0xXL0hnS0N4QT09&omn=81221305680
Meeting ID: 404 252 9172
Passcode: SGC
| River Through The Desert Book with Films | |
For any who have not used it before, may I invite you to use my book, written in Jerusalem during the COVID era, called River Through The Desert, a Lenten journey in the Holy Land. This is a six week course for individual or group use, looking at the geography of the land both here and in one’s own context, to explore the presence of God in our lives. The six chapters, Desert, Well, Mountain, Sea, Road and Garden link to six short films to illustrate and expand the words in the book. The book is available on Amazon, price US $16.99, £11.89, AUD 24.76.
Click here to purchase
*All profits benefit the College
On behalf of all of the staff of the College, thank you for your prayers and for your concern for us and for all of the people of the land. I look forward to sharing with you in the webinar stories of these distressing days but in the midst of which there are inspiring stories of resilience and hope. May you have a blessed and holy Lent.
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St. George's College Asks For Your Continued Support | |
Course fees only cover a portion of the cost of running and maintaining St. George's College. We depend on the generous and steadfast donations of our alumni to sustain our ministry of a Christian presence in the Holy Land and a Center for Pilgrimage, Education, Hospitality and Reconciliation. Depending on where you live, donations to our Regional Committees may have tax advantages. For this to happen it is essential that your gift be made to the relevant Regional Committee.
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US donors may make tax-deductible on-line donations by clicking here or by check to:
North American Committee for St. George's College
P.O. Box 163
3737 Seminary Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
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Canadian donors may mail tax deductible donations to :
The Archbishop Fred Hiltz Scholarships
℅ The Anglican Diocese of Toronto Foundation
135 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON M5C 1L8
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Donors in the United Kingdom may make a tax deductible donation through the St. George’s College Jerusalem Trust. Gifts made in this way will also attract the additional benefit of the UK Gift Aid program. Please download this printable form and enclose it with your gift.
If paying by cheque, please send the payment along with the form, to the following address:
The Revd John Angle
2 Orchard Court
Claverham
Bristol BS49 4TB
You may also make a direct deposit by internet banking with the following details, but please send a note to the Rev. John Angle (johnangle@btinternet.com)
to advise of your payment and to claim the Gift Fund contribution:
Bank: National Westminster Bank
Address: 1 Penn Road, Beaconsfield Bucks HP9 2PU
Account Name: The St George’s College Jerusalem Trust
Account Number: 01596616
Sort Code: 600209
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Donors in Australia and New Zealand may make donations through the Australia/New Zealand Regional Committee. Gifts made via the A/NZ regional committee will assist with the promotion of the College in the Asia-Pacific area as well as providing funds for scholarships.
Cheques can be posted to:
The Revd Dr Irwin Faris
Treasurer, ANZ Regional Committee for St. George’s College Jerusalem
23 Cowrie Road
Torquay, VIC 3228
Australia
You may also make a direct deposit by internet banking with the following details, but please include your name so we know who has made the gift:
Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Address: 52 Church Street, Brighton, VIC 3186
Account Name: St. George’s College Regional Committee
Account Number: 10156293
BSB: 063145
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Gifts From Other Countries
Gifts from other countries may be made directly to the College by clicking here.
However you chose to give, please know that your donations are appreciated.
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Other Ways to Support St. George's College | |
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Including the St. George's College in your will, trust or as a beneficiary is a meaningful way to continue to financially back St. George's College. St. George's has been able to keep its facilities up-to-date and modern because of individuals who had the foresight to include St. George's College in their estate plans.
Donors in the United States may receive tax benefits by donating their Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) to the North American Committee of St. George's College. Consult with your tax advisor for tax guidance.
For information on making a planned gift please contact Dean Richard Sewell at dean@sgcjerusalem.org or in North America contact Barbara Warder, Executive Director of the North American Committee for St. George's College at nacstgeorges@outlook.com.
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