A new chapter

The Rev Muriel Pearson and the Rev Dr Stewart Gillan reflect on the importance of the Church of Scotland presence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

‘What the Lord requires of us is this, to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.’

THE arrival of two new mission partners in St Andrew’s Jerusalem and Tiberias this year strengthens the Church of Scotland’s presence and work in a place central to our Christian faith.

The Rev Muriel Pearson has been based in Tiberias since April and the Rev Dr Stewart Gillan is set to arrive in November to take up duties in Jerusalem.

Compared with the larger and more historical denominations, our presence is very small, so we seek deeper communion and stronger partnership with our sisters and brothers in faith and with colleagues in Church and community-based organisations.

St Andrew’s Guesthouse, newly refurbished before the Covid-19 pandemic, provides a welcome to visitors to Jerusalem, like the Scots Hotel in Tiberias. In both, this is due to staff who are from all faiths and none, and who work together harmoniously, regularly saying: ‘This is family.’

Tabeetha School, founded in 1863 provides a remarkable educational and spiritual home to pupils from over 40 nationalities, welcoming all students regardless of race, nationality, gender, or religion in a land where communities are segregated. Students learn in English and the school’s Christian ethos celebrates diversity and promotes acceptance, helping them prepare to live in a complex society.

The Mission Partners are chaplains at the hotel, guesthouse, and school, and able to contribute through membership of the board and day-to-day involvement. Providing a listening ear is key.

The congregations are small but play an important role in the makeup of this complex ecumenical scene as representatives of the Reformed Communion of Churches and are pilgrim congregations where folk sojourn for short or longer periods.

An important part of the Mission Partners’ work is to feed back experience to Scotland, and encourage folks’ own engagement in an informed and nuanced way.

Part of the work is meeting and learning from partners committed to working for peace with justice through small grassroots projects and then sharing that work with congregations. We also support the work of the WCC’s Ecumenical Accompaniers, providing space for recreation in Yakvei, above the manse in Tiberias.

Kairos Palestine, the Palestinian Christians’ call for justice, https://www. kairospalestine.ps/invites Christians to come and see for themselves and meet ‘the living stones’. A pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a wonderful thing, but unless it engages with real people, it misses an opportunity to understand better and engage, to find reading of Scripture brought alive and faith enlivened.

Stewart and Muriel are happy to be consulted and involved and can be contacted at sgillan@churchofscotland.org.uk and mpearson@churchofscotland.org.uk

In an increasingly fraught world, where global issues are overwhelming, and in a Church context at home of restructuring and reimagining, it is essential to ‘think globally and act locally’. An important supporter is the Friends of St Andrew’s Jerusalem and Tiberias who are vital in their support, their interest and their willingness to share the journey. Relationships are crucial. When we read the gospels, making relationships is what we see Jesus do, and the role of Mission Partner reflects this.

Stewart and Muriel say: “Together, we ask for your support in prayer and partnership in this deeply spiritual and strategic ministry with people who have been working for peace and justice in God’s name all of their lives.” ¤