Whom Shall I Send 2024 cohort with The Rt Revd Bishop Sean Semple and church leaders from across the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East
28 August 2024, Famagusta, North Cyprus
In partnership with the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East and The Anglican Alliance, the second year of the “Whom Shall I Send” leadership, ministry and mission training began on 26 August in the historical city of Famagusta.
Bringing together young people from regions across dioceses that make up the province including UAE, Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus, Qatar and Jerusalem, the programme aims to build cross-cultural leadership capacity across the province rooted in sensitivity to different contexts and environments.
The theme for the week is “Under the Tent of Abraham and Sarah” which will aid discussions and activities on welcoming the stranger, peacebuilding in the context of religious conflicts and partnering with God. Learning will come in many ways and include field trips to places such as Nicosia and Varosha using the historical context of the Cyprus conflict and the Island’s peacebuilding efforts to support understanding and empathy.
Their time together will also be rooted in worship, prayer, and spiritual reflection culminating with a service of Holy Communion at St Marks Chapel which will include the participants stating their commitment and intent to take forward what they have learnt to their local churches and communities.
After both preaching and then sharing his inspirational personal testimony with the cohort at the opening Eucharist at St Marks Chapel in Famagusta, The Rt Revd Sean Semple, Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf said:
“There is great significance in the group meeting here in Cyprus. Cyprus is a divided country, and therefore it is so important for us to be gathered in a place of division, a place that has had a painful history and to seek here God’s inspiration to be people who can reconcile and be peacemakers.”
The Revd Canon Dr Peniel Rajkumar, Head of Global Mission & Global Theologian, USPG said:
“We are delighted to continue to work with the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East on this programme despite the war, unrest and uncertainty they continue to encounter. It makes it more important than ever to unite young people from different backgrounds and cultures to learn and discern with one another what it means to be a peacemaker in your church, community and region. Within this cohort, there is so much talent for leadership that will foster peace and understanding to give us hope for the future. USPG are proud to be a part of their journey.”
Speaking of his hopes for the time together, The Revd George Vidiakin said:
“We hope to bring young people from across the province to get to know one another better. It is not a coincidence that the words community, communion and communication have the same roots. So, we are having Holy Communion services together which will help develop good communication and build a strong community of young people from all the countries across the province.”