The Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane

From the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem. Pray for peace and an end to war. +Ian“A Pastoral Message”Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,As it is evident to all of you and with deep pain, the early hours of dawn of this day, 28th of Shabbat, witnessed a large-scale coordinated military attack by the United States and Israel on a number of cities and facilities within Iran. The operation has been described by the leaders of the two countries as a “progressive strike”, but it has brought fire and destruction to the heart of Tehran, Isfahan and its surroundings, targeting the centers of governance and civil life itself. In addition, Israel had carried out, similar to these events, "preventive" strikes on various targets in southern Lebanon, where the number of casualties remains unknown.Sadly, the circle of violence has expanded, frighteningly quickly. In the following hours, Iran launched a wide-ranging response, using missiles and missiles to target Israel and US military assets across the Gulf, hitting facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kurdistan-Iraq, Jordan and Qatar. Sirens also sounded around the Holy Land, warning of missiles coming from Iran. Suddenly, our people, from the shores of the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf, find themselves once again trapped in shelters, fearing for their lives, as the ghost of all-out regional war camps over our heads.These developments touch the essence of Jerusalem and the Middle East. All the countries currently engaged in this fight, and those that tolerate retaliatory blows, fall within our ecclesiastical borders. Our brothers and sisters in the diocese of Iran are marching under the terror of aerial bombardment; our members in the dioces of Cyprus and the Gulf are witnessing the war coming to their doorstep; and our carers in the Diocese of Jerusalem—which stretches across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria—are facing an unprecedented threat of military escalation.And in the face of this tyrant power, we recite the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9). This call is heavier than ever today. When the “spirit of fear” threatens to devour our hearts, we have to cloic on the “spirit of power, love, and advice” (2 Timothy 1:7).First, I invite the church all over the world to join us in urgent prayer without ceasing. We pray to God to protect the innocents—mothers, children and the elderly—stuck in Aton in this “operation called Raging Rage” and the following “overwhelming response”. We especially pray for the "spirit of advice" of the leaders of the United States, Israel and Iran, that they realize the futility of this bloodshed, and move back from the brink of a global disaster.Secondly, we must provide each other with the shelter of Christian love. I therefore urge our pastors and secularists to be be beacons of consolation. In a time of ‘regime change’ speeches and military warnings, let our proclamation be Christ’s steadfast promise of peace: to build each other up (1 Corinthians 8:1), because our hope is not in naval strength or rocket armor, but in the Prince of peace.Finally, we have to remain "bridges builders". Even when the windows of diplomacy seem to be closing, the church must keep the doors of reconciliation open. We refuse to see our neighbors as enemies, whether in Tehran, Tel Aviv or at military bases in the Gulf. And I make an urgent appeal to the wider Anglican Corporation and to all well-wishers: intercede for us now. The hour is late, and the danger is great. We are persecuted, but not forsaken. Upgraded, but not destroyed. » 4 Core 2 9 May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.In Christ,Archbishop Dr. Hossam NaoumThe Presiding BishopEpiscopal church in Jerusalem and the Middle EastDear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,As you are all now painfully aware, in the early hours of this morning, February 28th, a coordinated and massive military assault was launched by the United States and Israel against numerous cities and installations within Iran. This operation, described by the leaders of the two nations as a “pre-emptive” attack, has brought fire and destruction to the heart of Tehran, Isfahan, and beyond, striking at the very centers of governance and civilian life. Moreover, just prior to these events, Israel had also “pre-emptively” attacked various targets in southern Lebanon, where the number of casualties has yet to be determined.Tragically, the cycle of violence has expanded with terrifying speed. In the hours following, Iran launched a widespread reprisal, with missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. military assets across the Gulf—striking installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kurdistan-Iraq, Jordan, and Qatar. Sirens also blared across the Holy Land, warning of incoming missiles from Iran. Suddenly, our people from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf find themselves once again huddled in shelters, fearing for their lives as the shadow of a total regional war looms over us.These developments strike at the very soul of our Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East. Every single nation now engaged in this combat, and those bearing the brunt of the retaliatory strikes, resides within our ecclesiastical boundaries. Our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Iran are currently enduring the terror of aerial bombardment; our members in the Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf are witnessing the arrival of war at their doorsteps; and our faithful in the Diocese of Jerusalem—extending across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—face an unprecedented threat of military escalation.In the face of such overwhelming force, we recall the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5:9). Today, that calling feels heavier than ever before. When the “spirit of fear” threatens to consume our hearts, we must anchor ourselves in the “spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7).First, I call upon the global Church to join us in urgent, unceasing prayer. We implore God to protect the innocent—the mothers, the children, and the elderly—who are caught in the crossfire of this “Operation Epic Fury” and the subsequent “crushing responses.” We pray specifically for a “sound mind” for the leaders of the United States, Israel, and Iran, that they might recognize the futility of this bloodshed and turn back from the precipice of a global catastrophe.Second, we must offer each other the sanctuary of Christian love. I therefore urge our clergy and laity to be beacons of comfort. In a time of “regime change” rhetoric and military ultimatums, let our message be the unchanging promise of Christ’s peace: to build each other up (1 Cor 8:1), for our hope is not in the strength of armadas or missile shields, but in the Prince of Peace.Finally, we must remain “Bridge Builders.” Even as diplomatic windows seem to slam shut, the Church must keep the doors of reconciliation open. We refuse to see our neighbors as enemies, whether they be in Tehran, Tel Aviv, or the military bases of the Gulf. I extend an urgent invitation to the wider Anglican Communion and all people of goodwill: Intercede for us now. The hour is late, and the danger is great. We remain “battered and bruised, but not defeated.” May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.In Christ,The Most Reverend Dr. Hosam E. NaoumPrimate and President BishopThe Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East ... See MoreSee Less

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On the second Sunday of Lent we are reminded that Jesus became human in our world in order to save all who trust him. The river Tay just north of Perth was partly frozen earlier this year where it flows near Scone racecourse. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.John 3:14-17O God,you see that we lack the strength to help ourselves:protect us both inwardly and outwardly;that our bodies may be guarded from adversity,and our minds may be defended from such thoughtsas assault and harm the soul;through Jesus Christ, our Lord,who lives and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, world without end.Amen. ... See MoreSee Less

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On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week we are asked to pray for all those engaged in ministry, for those involved in discerning vocations to ministry, and for those preparing for ordination. This stand of trees near Tentsmuir Point is lit up by the sun.Almighty and everlasting God,by whose Spirit the whole body of the Churchis governed and sanctified:hear our prayer, which we offer for all your faithful people;that in their vocation and ministrythey may serve you in holiness and truthto the glory of your name;through Jesus Christ, our Lord,who lives and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, world without end.Amen. ... See MoreSee Less

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