wfn.org | Episcopalians: First annual conference of young theologians meets in Jerusalem

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

September 16, 2002

2002-213

Episcopalians: First annual conference of young theologians 
meets in Jerusalem

by Nancy Dinsmore

(ENS) More than 30 people discussed fresh ways of communicating 
the gospel during the first annual Young Theologians Conference 
at St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem in early September. The 
ecumenical conference, which attracted young theologians from 
Europe, the United States, South Africa and Palestine, focused 
on the theme "Confirming the Christian Message: Communicating 
the Faith Today."

Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal, Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, 
opened the conference on September 6, recognizing those who had 
traveled from afar and calling all Christians to take seriously 
the ministry of peace and reconciliation. "I keep on saying, 
One of the great blessings of being the member of a faith 
community is the act of coming together,'" he said.

In addition to hearing presentations from students and 
well-known English and South African theologians, participants 
learned about local liberation theology while talking to several 
religious leaders and parishioners from Palestine and Israel. 
Attendees traveled to tourist sites, churches, community service 
centers and hospitals in Gaza and several West Bank cities.

First-hand experiences

Participants in the conference witnessed bombed-out buildings in 
Gaza and heard first-hand accounts about the long curfews, 
economic fallout and humiliation that have come with Israeli 
occupation of the West Bank. The Diocese of Jerusalem has been a 
persistent voice calling for peace and justice for all people in 
the Holy Land. Participants also learned how residents are 
coping with the occupation. For example, representatives from 
the YMCA and the Evangelical Home & School in Ramallah described 
programs and classes they offer to help young people get jobs 
despite the poor economic conditions.

"I did feel renewed by the church here and the Christians," 
said the Rev. Graham Miller, a participant from England. He 
hopes to promote an awareness of the problems facing the 
Palestinian church when he returns to his homeland.

The Rev. Russell Blassoples of South Africa said he was 
struck by how similar the people of his native country were with 
the people of Palestine. "Despite the language barrier, we are 
connected through laughter and sadness," he said.

In addition, there was plenty of richness to be found in the 
relationships among the participants themselves, said the Rev. 
Janet Trisk of South Africa. "The people involved were willing 
to tell their own story," she said.

Creating networks

The conference followed more than a year of organization by the 
Rev. Yazeed Said, chaplain to the bishop of Jerusalem, and the 
Rev. Dr. Andreas Loewe, curate at St. Mary's Anglican Church in 
Slough, near London. Said noted that he was pleased with the 
overall turnout, though he hopes to get more local participation 
next year. In addition to allowing Christians from all over the 
world to see the conditions facing Palestinians, it gave local 
Arab churches a sense of encouragement and support, he said.

Said and Loewe said they already have plans under way for a 
second conference to take place in Jerusalem in late August next 
year. Next year's conference should have a broader focus on 
interfaith issues, and it should contain more participants, they 
said. Meanwhile, this year's attendees should create a solid 
network of support in the weeks to come, according to Said. "The 
most important thing about this conference is the follow up and 
to be able to keep connections in the future."

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--Nancy Dinsmore is development and communications officer for 
the Diocese of Jerusalem.