Message from Dean Richard Sewell

Greetings from Jerusalem at a time when we continue to feel the devastating effects of the war in Gaza. But we have more to share with you than bad news.

I am delighted to share with you our new Introduction to Lent film titled ‘Ways in the Wilderness’. We hope that it will enhance your observance of Lent as a time of study, self-examination and spiritual enrichment. This newsletter comes to you on the brink of Lent and so it is a chance for me to share news from the College as we enter into this important period of reflection. It goes without saying that Christians in the Land of the Holy One are already in a period of deep introspection as we endure the effects of this war which is so damaging to body, mind and soul.

Everyone will be well aware of the continuing devastating war between Israel and Hamas and that this is impacting every part of Palestine and Israel (and beyond) in various serious ways.

The College is closed at present because we are unable to run any pilgrimages owing to safety issues. At present our policy is to cancel courses on a month-by-month basis according to our assessment of the likelihood of the war ending and a stable situation being established. We write to everyone registered for courses to inform them that a pilgrimage is cancelled as soon as that decision is made. A letter from us will be helpful for insurance claims for cancelled travel arrangements and costs.

When a course is cancelled it is possible for the College to give a full refund of the $500 deposit, as per our policy (detailed on our website). Alternatively, it is possible to transfer a booking to a course later in this year or in 2025, in which case the deposit would be used for that. If desired, please inform the College of your preferred course and the deposit will be transferred. Another option is to make a kind donation of the deposit to the College, but of course there is no obligation.

In the case of anyone wishing to completely cancel a booking for a course further in the future, beyond those ones officially cancelled, we are sorry but the deposit is non-refundable (as per our policy detailed on our website).

This continuing disaster is utterly heartbreaking. We ask all friends of the College to hold all the peoples of these lands in their prayers. No one can condone the killing of innocents; what has happened is profoundly painful to all people. We pray for an immediate ceasefire, the safe return of all hostages and prisoners, so that a peace process can be launched for a safe and just outcome for all.

Ways in the Wilderness

Rodney and I spent some time filming in the desert, not far from Jerusalem. In the film we explore desert themes in the biblical accounts and in the Christian tradition. The desert, or wilderness, features significantly in Lenten observance especially because of Jesus’s temptations in the Judean wilderness. This offers Christians rich resources for exploring our own forty day period of reflection leading into Holy Week and Easter. Rev Rodney introduces some desert sages whom St. George’s College friends may, or possibly may not, be familiar with. I offer a reflection on how the desert, so beloved by pilgrims in the Holy Land, can enrich and challenge us in our Lenten experience.

We are sharing this rich resource partly because the current very grave and distressing situation in Gaza, the West Bank and throughout the region means that it is impossible for us to run pilgrimages at present. There are no pilgrims in the Holy Land today. Of course, this is creating a very challenging financial environment for us. There is no charge for the use of the Ways in the Wilderness film either as an individual or for church groups, but if it inspires you or your church to make a donation, however small it may be, we would be most grateful.