Observations of Cathedral Workings

Canon Robert Edmunds (aka Fr. Bob) and his wife Deborah returned from vacation on Tuesday and I was finally able to meet them. Fr. Bob is Bishop Suheil's chaplain, is in charge of the Cathedral and responsible for the English congregation, as well as being my advisor for the summer. Deb is the Bishop's assistant. I spent most of Wednesday with Fr. Bob, discussing the workings of the diocses, the cathedral, his role, what my role can entail, etc... We sat with Bishop Suheil for about half an hour, who was very eager to have me not only involved in the English congregation but also with the Arabic-speaking congregation. He has extended invites to several functions being held at by the diocese and seems a relaxed, progressive man.

As a woman in a diocese that does not yet, but is prepared to engage in the conversation of, ordaining women, liturgically my role can include: Altar Guild responsibilities, being an altar server/crucifer, reader or offering prayers of the people and leading Morning or Evening prayer. All of this I have been engaged in so far.

I can, and will, be able to lead reflections (short sermon-like talk followed by group discussion) during course at the College. I am preparing to do that this week when I return to Bethlehem.

I cannot be a Eucharistic assistant or preach. While I do miss preaching and think it would an excellent experience to do so while in Jerusalem, I made peace with this "taboo" before coming.

Bishop Suheil primarily attends/celebrates with the Arabic congregation, which has about 150 congregants, some of whom can make it on Sunday and many who cannot due to logistical reasons. The English congregation is about 20 people, mostly ex-pats. The bulk of attendance fluctuates on account of tourists and pilgrims staying at the Cathedral Guest House or College.

Although I'm at a cathedral, the parish feels rural in terms of size and in a way, function. It is run by a small staff of about 10, some of whom are volunteers, and it is hard for duties not to cross over at times. Programming like adult ed or Sunday school are not set up partly due to lack of regular/predictable attendance, partly due to lack of volunteers to run them. While pastoral care at the parish level is undertaken with the Arabic congregation by Fr. Zahi, it is infrequently required by the English parishioners since they are primarily transient.

Specifically important to the Bishop are education and health care. The diocese includes 27 parishes and supports 33 institutions, including hospitals, clinics, kindergartens and schools, vocational training programs, as well as institutions for the deaf, the disabled and the elderly across Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.

Fr. Bob and I discussed the ability of our visiting some of institutions during my stay, meeting with the staff, students and patients as appropriate.

What was interesting to learn about the workings of the diocese: communication is...carefully limited? between parishes and the diocese. While clergy are in touch with the Bishop's office, what we in N. America would consider necessary in terms of regular parish council, deanery meetings, clergy conferences, etc, don't quite happen in the same sense. Clergy in charge of parishes seem to hold projects/ministry close to their hearts, only the basics of which are shared.

Another observation, about funerals: a mother and a father of two staff members at the Cathedral died in the last week. In addition to the funerals being held at the Catheral, a separte "family" gathering is provided. The "family" being the Catheral staff and parishioners who wish to offer they respects to the deceased's immediate family. Done on a different day than the funeral, it echos the sense of community and friendship (family) firmly rooted in the Arabic culture.