The Good Friday offering to assist churches in Jerusalem and the Middle East is a tradition in the Episcopal Church that dates over 80 years. Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has sent a letter to all congregations asking for their continued support.

The Good Friday offering, the Presiding Bishop writes, “offers us the opportunity to join in deepening the bond we have with the churches and people in the land of the Holy One.”

Funds collected on Good Friday are gathered and distributed to the Dioceses of Jerusalem and Cyprus and the Gulf, all members of the Anglican Communion.

Among the many projects assisted by past Good Friday offerings are: Diocese of Jerusalem’s St. Peter’s Elderly Home for Christian seniors, St. Andrew’s Clinic for diabetes, educational scholarships, and St Andrew’s Housing Projects for young Christian couples; and in the diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, the many medical ministries of Ras Morbat Clinic based at Christ Church in Aden, Yemen, such as a clinic for mothers and babies, eye care, a vocational school, and ministry to seafarers.

Resources for understanding and implementing the Good Friday offering in local congregations are available here: https://test.episcopalchurch.org/good-friday-offering/ and here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/110049_126699_ENG_HTM.htm

For more information contact the Rev. David Copley, Episcopal Church Mission Personnel Officer and Team Leader, dcopley@episcopalchurch.org.

The Presiding Bishop’s letter in full:

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Epiphany 2011

For the Congregations of the Episcopal Church

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

For almost a century, the Good Friday Offering has been a source of support, love, and hope for our brothers and sisters in the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. This year’s 89th Good Friday Offering offers us the opportunity to join in deepening the bond we have with the churches and people in the land of the Holy One. I have been deeply moved by the stories of pain that conflict and division bring to the lives of every person in that Province of the Anglican Communion.

The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East was founded in 1841 with the purpose of forging friendships with the ancient churches and serving the expatriate communities in the area. The people of the Church continue to witness to the hope and love of God in times of conflict and times of peace. Since 1922, members of the Episcopal Church have given thanks for the extraordinary work, commitment, and relationships through their generous giving to the Good Friday Offering, which supports the mission and ministries of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. This offering expresses our own commitment to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to walk with the church of the Middle East as they continue to work toward justice, reconciliation, and peace. Through our prayers for and support of these churches we are helping to realize God’s vision of shalom.

More information on this offering is available online at https://test.episcopalchurch.org/good-friday-offering/. There you can find additional resources about the work happening on the ground in the Middle East and access the Good Friday Offering bulletin insert.

Again, please join with me in giving thanks for the work of the Good Friday Offering by generously sharing the gifts we have been given with our sisters and brothers throughout the Middle East. I remain

Your servant in Christ,

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

Presiding Bishop and Primate

The Episcopal Church

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The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

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