With the second annual observance of Jerusalem Sunday just around the corner, a number of new liturgical resources are available online for parishes planning to join the celebration on May 17.
Links to the resources can be found on a single convenient web page.
The resources include information about Jerusalem Sunday, liturgical materials, prayers, sermon notes prepared by Bishop Michael Ingham (retired), a copy of the General Synod 2013 resolution on Jerusalem Sunday, photos from the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, and a multimedia report on the diocese by the Anglican Journal.
Established through General Synod Resolution A171, Jerusalem Sunday celebrates the close partnership in mission between the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which encompasses parishes in Jerusalem, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
The Companions of Jerusalem—a volunteer body of Canadian Anglicans drawn together in support of the Diocese of Jerusalem—are the primary initiators and organizers of the event, which is part of normal Sunday services and allows parishes an opportunity to communicate information about the diocese and its ministries to their own members.
Last year, approximately 40 parishes participated in Jerusalem Sunday, representing all ecclesiastical provinces in Canada across many dioceses and raising more than $9,000 for the Penman Medical Clinic in Zababdeh, in the West Bank.
The Penman Clinic is the only clinic for many residents in and around the parish of St. Matthew, serving thousands each year. The Most Rev. Suheil Dawani, Anglican archbishop in Jerusalem, has selected the clinic as the ministry of the diocese that could most benefit from Canadian Anglican support through the Companions of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Sunday, and the Gifts for Mission gift guide.
Information about how to support the Penman Clinic is available through the Jerusalem Sunday resources page.
General Synod’s Global Relations Director Andrea Mann said, “Our hope…is that Jerusalem Sunday this year will be celebrated in more parishes, in every diocese, in order to raise more than $9,000 for the clinic.”
Special Jerusalem Sunday envelopes can be ordered free of cost or shipping charges from Global Relations by sending an email to [email protected].
Responding to feedback from evaluations of the first Jerusalem Sunday, this year’s resources include a liturgy from the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr in Jerusalem.
“It’s a growing initiative,” Mann said of Jerusalem Sunday. “As we receive feedback from people, and particularly clergy and parishes who use these resources and celebrate Jerusalem Sunday, we’ll develop additional resources for future years.”
New resources, such as a series of intercessions, will continue to be added in the lead-up to May 17.