Provincial Clergy & Spouse Conference

The Provincial Clergy & Spouse Conference

5-8 October 2009, Hurghada, Egypt

The Episcopal/Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, comprised of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa, the Diocese of Iran, and the Diocese of Jerusalem (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine/Israel, and Jordan) celebrated its diversity and unity in a gathering of clergy and spouses in Hurghada, at the Red Sea, Egypt.

It was a great time of learning, sharing and listening to each other on the topics of ministering in predominately Islamic cultural settings, as wel as exploring the concept of "Fresh Expressions" in ministry and how the needs in our very different communities might be better met with more creative and cooperative ministry approaches.

Roman Catholic Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, the Papal Nuncio to Egypt, spoke to us on the topic of "Interfaith Dialogue" and Rev. Dr. George Lings, of the Church Army UK, spoke to us on "Fresh Expressions."

We were especially pleased that the majority of clergy from our four dioceses could attend.  Sharing of insights and the particularities of the ministry context in the different parts of the Province has not only clarifited just how differently the Holy Spirit is moving and working throughout the international crossroads that make up our Province, but also how much we share in common as Anglicans who are engaged in ministry among people from all over the world who make up our congregations.

At the same time, we are reminded that the Arabic-speaking Christians in our midst draw their roots from the very beginning of the Church, remaining faithful through centuries of difficulty and Grace.  This gathering has strengthened our resolve to meet like this regularly, and as often as possible.