Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Last week, I dispatched Bishop Julian Dobbs, Chair of the Global Mission and International Relations Task Force to visit Israel. He met with Jewish communities throughout Israel, Palestinian Christians in the West Bank, and families of those directly affected by the October 7, 2023 massacre. He also represented the church in conversations with government and military officials. As you will be aware, the situation for all the people of the Middle East is extremely fragile. 101 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip and thousands of innocent individuals have been displaced as a result of the hostility in the region. As the twelve-month anniversary of the attacks approaches, I am calling the Province to pray the following collect in our churches on Sunday October 6, 2024
God of all comfort and hope, who in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, proclaimed good news to the poor, bound up the broken-hearted, and set the captives free: We remember before You this day all who are affected by the violence of October 7, and we ask You to heal the wounded, comfort those who mourn, and bring justice and peace to the land of Israel. Look with mercy upon the peoples of the Middle East, that, in Your great compassion, the light of Christ may shine in the darkness and bring hope to every nation. As Simeon rejoiced to see Your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel, so we pray that Jesus, the Messiah, would be known as the true hope for all the earth. May Your Kingdom come, and may Your peace reign in every heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
