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Advent

Advent means ‘coming’ and is the special four-week period leading up to Christmas. It is a time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’s birth but also for his coming in glory at the end of time.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Episcopal

‘Episcopal’ refers to the role or ministry of a bishop. So an episcopal church is one in which oversight is entrusted to a bishop. Like many others, the Church in Wales is an episcopal church.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Home News Churches urged to support Christmas Appeal for the Holy Land

Churches urged to support Christmas Appeal for the Holy Land

Provincial news Posted: 21 November 2023

The Church in Wales bishops are urging congregations to support a Christmas Appeal to help those affected by the war in the Holy Land.

The Appeal, launched by the charity Friends of the Holy Land, is raising money to support Christian projects and humanitarian aid in Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It has already received a donation of £5,000 from the Church in Wales’ Overseas Mission Fund.

Donations will:

Help local Christians show the love of Jesus in practical ways by supporting the basic needs of people of all faiths who are sheltering in churches in Gaza.
Pay for essential medical equipment and supplies to help ill and injured people at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, which is managed by the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem.
Enable ongoing projects to continue in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and Israel through this turbulent period and beyond.

The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, says, “Our fellow Christians, living in the birthplace of our faith, are crying out to us now for help and support as their lives are pulled apart by war. Their cry is not just for themselves but for the humanitarian work they carry out for people of all faiths in the region.

Don't let their light go out

“It’s a cry, I am sure, many of our churches have already responded to through, perhaps, other charities. But if you are yet to respond or choose an appeal, we urge you to support Friends of the Holy Land and make it your Advent or Christmas Appeal. Please support it generously, with donations and with your prayers, so that the light of Christ, the Prince of Peace, may penetrate through these dark days.”

Brendan Metcalfe, CEO of Friends of the Holy Land, says, “The Holy Land's Christians have been a light, both spiritually and practically, in the region for thousands of years. They follow Jesus where he walked and love their neighbours by providing the vast majority of hospitals, quality schools, universities and social care in the Palestinian territories. We can’t let that light go out in our generation.

“As we are registered as a charity in Palestine, as well as the UK, we operate our own local bank account so can respond very quickly to families’ urgent needs in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and Israel. Since the war began, we have sent US$50,000 directly to the two Church leaders in the Latin and Orthodox Churches for them to buy supplies of water, food and other basics so the around 1,500 people sheltering with them can survive. We have also sent £27,500 in support of the Diocese of Jerusalem’s appeal for the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, the only functioning hospital in the north of Gaza.

“In the weeks and months ahead, we will be in regular communication with the two Churches to assess their ongoing needs. In the aftermath of this war, Christians are likely to be left with tight restrictions and little tourist income. Three-quarters of them will have no home to return to due to bomb damage. Leaving may seem like the only option. This is the time to help and invest in this vital community's future.”

In a letter sent to Friends of the Holy Land on November 1, the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza, Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias, thanked the charity for its support. He wrote, “The indiscriminate airstrikes on civilians have resulted in fear of death among people, particularly after the death of 18 members of our church: children, women and young people, entire families were killed.

“The Orthodox Church pays the price for its insistence on carrying on with its ministry in Gaza as our parishioners and parish facilities have been affected. But we continue to witness to our Orthodox faith, and under these circumstances we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this help that you have provided urgently and without waiting for us to ask. Your help has been critical for those in pain and suffering in our church.”

Children sheltering at the Holy Family Church in Gaza. Most of them have already lost their homes.

Donate

You can donate directly to Friends of the Holy Land Christmas Appeal.
If you are a UK taxpayer, don’t forget to Gift Aid your contribution to boost your donation by 25%. For those who wish their donations to be restricted to support the hospital, please put the note “Al-Ahli” when making your gift.
You can call the office of Friends of the Holy Land on 01926 512980 to donate over the phone or if you need any help in making a donation.