Let Light Shine: St. George’s College Jerusalem - Canadian support for their time of need

The Canadian Campaign for St. George’s College Jerusalem

        ~  A Call for Compassion and Community Support  ~      

In a world shadowed by conflict, hope shines brightest in the darkest times. St. George’s College Jerusalem, a global center for pilgrimage, faith formation, and reconciliation, now finds itself at a crossroads. With its main sources of revenue — pilgrimage fees, gift shop sales, and lodging fees — severely impacted by the ongoing war in the Middle East, the College is struggling to sustain its vital work. Staff salaries have been cut, and essential operations are at risk. Without immediate support, the future of this cherished institution is in jeopardy.

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ABOUT 

The Old City of Jerusalem has eight gateways, each one offering a distinctive portal into the place where many generations of pilgrims remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. Not too far from the historic Damascus Gate in East Jerusalem, there is another gateway, used by thousands from around the world who seek spiritual renewal in the Land of the Holy One: St. George’s College Jerusalem.

The College is an integral part of the ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. It is nestled within the bustling St. George’s Cathedral Close, alongside the diocesan Cathedral, guest house, administrative offices, episcopal residence and St. George’s School (Kindergarten to Secondary), whose students are often found playing beside the College.

WHY – The Present Crisis

St. George’s College was founded in 1920 for Palestinian seminarians and was redeveloped in the 1960s as a centre for pilgrimage, teaching, and reconciliation, for clergy and laity from the worldwide Anglican Communion and other churches. The College provides a unique gateway to the Land of the Holy One and those who live there.

The College’s staff offer skilled guidance and information to enable pilgrims to see, feel, and understand the biblical and contemporary richness of the land and the Christians, Jews, and Muslims who live there. The College is wholly committed to building awareness and dialogue through pilgrimage, education, and by arranging encounters between different groups of people to promote reconciliation.

The College normally draws many pilgrims to the Land of the Holy One, and many local Palestinians provide services and goods to pilgrims. Everyone benefits when pilgrims are on the land.

The warfare that has intensified in the Middle East since October 2023 has had a devastating impact on the ministry of the Diocese of Jerusalem. Archbishop Hosam Naoum has said “my diocese is bleeding at this time” and he has appealed to Anglicans from around the world to offer prayers and practical support.

Violence and uncertainty have created a major crisis for St. George’s College.

The $2 million annual budget of the College is primarily supported through earned revenue from pilgrims’ fees, gift shop sales, and other lodging fees. This revenue stream has been totally disrupted. It is highly unlikely that pilgrimages will resume in the next twelve months and there are insufficient funds to provide already-reduced salaries for the College’s staff and essential operations in 2025.

The situation is dire for the remaining staff and their families, and for the future of the College itself.

LET LIGHT SHINE

St. George’s College Jerusalem is a gem of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Although some emergency funding has been made available in 2024 through its North American Committee (NAC), St. George’s College Jerusalem is now appealing to all Anglicans and friends to help provide essential support in 2025.

Let Light Shine: The Canadian Campaign for St. George’s College Jerusalem is the NAC appeal to friends of the College in Canada. It will run until April 2025.

The Campaign objective is to raise $250,000 from Canadian friends of St. George’s College Jerusalem, to provide funds for paying staff salaries and related operations in 2025.

During this time of alarming tension and restrictions, the College has adapted with creativity and resilience. The Dean and remaining staff have produced videos for virtual pilgrimages, developed future curricula, and continue to maintain the facility.

The Canadian Campaign team maintains close contact with the College’s Dean, the Very Reverend Canon Richard Sewell, and with Archbishop Hosam, both of whom are deeply dedicated and committed to the College. Please join in solidarity with them to help St. George’s College in its time of need.

Friends in Canada can donate to the St. George’s College Jerusalem fund through the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. Tax receipts are available for all donations, with online donations receiving an automatic receipt.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Every act of generosity brings light into the world. Here’s how you can be part of this important movement:

• Make an Online Donation: The simplest and fastest way to give is through CanadaHelps. Your donation is secure, and an official tax receipt will be emailed to you immediately.
• Mail a Cheque: Prefer to mail your donation? Send a cheque to:
      Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
      71 Bronson Avenue,
      Ottawa, ON K1R 6G6.
      (Be sure to note “St. George’s College Jerusalem Fund” in the memo line.)

Your support provides life-changing resources and ensures the continuation of this vital mission. Every donation counts, whether it’s $20 or $2,000. Your contribution is a message of hope for those in need.

Let Your Generosity Shine Through

God, who said let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts. 2 Corinthians 4:6

Today, St. George’s College is calling for that light. This is your opportunity to stand in solidarity with an institution that has supported pilgrims and peacemakers for over a century.

Your support helps secure the employment of dedicated staff, providing stability for them and their families, while ensuring St. George’s College continues to inspire, educate, and unite people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Imagine the impact of your support, the lives touched. Imagine the future leaders who will one day walk through the gates of St. George’s College, filled with hope, strength, and a mission for peace.

Let your generosity be the light that guides them.

Donate Now and let light shine.

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The North American Committee (NAC) for St. George’s College Jerusalem includes Canada and the U.S. Founded in 1988, NAC raises funds and manages an endowment to support staff salaries, educational and cultural programs, facility maintenance, and scholarships for pilgrims.  Read more here.