From Bishop Suheil S. Dawani, bishop of Jerusalem on the situation in Gaza

My prayers are with all the people affected by the conflict in Gaza, please offer your prayers, and, if you can, also your help!

~ The Rev. Peter M. Carey

From "Episcope" blog...

The Rt. Rev. Suheil S. Dawani, Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, issued the following statement on January 8, 2009 about the situation in Gaza and the Al Ahli Arab Hospital.

At a time when great tragedy is occurring in the Holy Land in Gaza, I want to share some insight into what we are experiencing on a moment to moment basis. Our Diocese has one of 11 hospitals serving a population of 1.5 million residents in the Gaza Strip. The Al Ahli Arab (Anglican) Hospital has been in operation for over 100 years and has a very dedicated medical staff of doctors, nurses, technicians and general services personnel.

During the best of times they are stretched to their maximum meeting the medical needs of this populous community. Now, during the current military conflict with its heavy toll on human life and material, the hospital faces even greater responsibilities and challenges. The result is growing strain on the hospital's resources. Every day since the beginning of military operations, the hospital has received 20-40 injured or wounded patients. A large proportion of them require hospitalization and surgery. These patients are in addition to those with non-conflict-related illnesses. About one-fourth of the patients are children.

In addition, the conflict has brought new type of medical and surgical conditions. For example, patients with burns and acute, crippling psychological trauma, are being seen more frequently. Because it is not possible for aid workers to enter Gaza at this time, the hospital's staff is working around the clock, struggling with the effects of exhaustion and against limited resources in a conflicted area of ongoing military operations.

Read the rest HERE, at "Episcope" blog...

Pray for Gaza...give to ER&D in support!

Photo/Matthew Davies, Episcopal Life Online

from "Episcope" blog...

On January 1, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori received word about the situation in Gaza. Here are portions of the note she received.

The situation here, as you can well understand, is quite difficult and "tense" due to the very sad specter of the tragic ongoing operations - with the consequent heavy loss of life, with the many hundreds injured, maimed and wounded. Our Al Ahli Arab Hospital in the heart of Gaza City is at an overflow capacity - taking care of all those who either come individually or are being brought in for specialized treatment from the Government's Al Shifaa Hospital. Al Ahli had to release those in a "moderate care" status to meet the heavy demand in the inflow of the wounded and injured.

Thanks to U.S. Aid, the first full truckload of U.S. contributed shipments of needed medical and other humanitarian and food supplies crossed over into Gaza. More assistance will be provided by U.S. Aid when the second list of emergency needed supplies is given to them.

The loss of so many innocent lives, children, women and men has stunned all of us with its shocking realities.

In closing, we do pray that this New Year will be a far more peaceful year on this "Fragile Earth, our Island Home."

Contributions to may be made to Episcopal Relief & Development http://www.er-d.org/. Also checks made out to DFMS with "Gaza" in the notation line can be sent the Church Center, 815 Second Ave., NYC, NY 10017.