Cornerstone No. 190, page 5
Tabeetha School; Sunbula Palestinian handcrafts; Sindyanna Olive Oil Centre,
and a few days were spent at the Scots Hotel in Tiberias. A talk from UNOCHA
– the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs and an Israeli journalist,
Amos Harel gave insights into the current political situation; an Anglican priest
told us of the difficulties encountered by Christians living in the Galilee area and
we also visited St John’s Eye Hospital where we were shown around and
observed the wonderful work being done there. We were warmly welcomed by
everyone on these visits.
Nearing the end of the trip, the announcement came t hat the US government
would recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital. Demonstrations and eventually
violence broke out and we were unable to visit Bethlehem or the West Bank, so
alternatives were proposed. I had planned to stay on for a few days to see
friends but was unable to travel to their areas, due to security concerns.
This journey, taken in the company of the Friends of St. Andrew’s was a huge
success, thanks to Walter Dunlop, former Middle East Secretary to the Church’s
World Mission Council who made arrangements from the Edinburgh side, and
to ‘AK’ Miller, an Army Officer who had recently been Military Attaché to the
British Embassy in Tel Aviv. Between them and with all the co-operation of
others, we experienced a wonderfully interesting time, rich in history and happy
memories of people and places.
Cynthia Gunn
*Lord Balfour was Foreign Secretary in Lloyd George’s Cabinet during WW 1. He was instrumental
in writing the Declaration which gave Palestine as a homeland to the Jewish people. Many would
see this was a major cause of to-day’s conflict. Balfour was an Elder of the Church of Scotland and
his descendants are to be found to-day in the St.Andrew’s area.
Condolences
We are very sorry to announce that Bernard Calmès died on 26th November
2017 in Nice, where he lived in retirement. Bernard was an Elder of the Scots
Kirk for a short period many years ago, although he mainly attended a
French-speaking church; he did, of course, maintain a very strong connection
with the Scots Kirk through his wife, Elizabeth, herself a long-standing Kirk
member and founder of the Scots Kirk bookstall. We send our condolences to
Elizabeth and their daughter Claire and their families.
No affliction would trouble the child of God
if he knew God’s reason for sending it.