The 2024 Provincial Youth Conference held in Famagusta, North Cyprus came to a close on Friday (30 August), as organisers bid farewell to participants returning home after five days of activities and reflection; fellowship and prayer.
Around 30 participants from the Dioceses of Jerusalem and of Cyprus and the Gulf took part in the conference, which had as its theme Under the Tent of Abraham and Sarah: Rethinking Mission for Young Leaders in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. It was the second such event to be held in the Province, following last year’s in the Jordanian town of Rafah.
“At a time when so many in the region are in despair, it is more important than ever that young people are able to come together to draw strength and share in the joy of Christ,” said Bishop Sean.
The conference programme included sessions led by the Reverend Canon Dr Peniel Rajkumar, Director of Global Mission at USPG, as well as talks, group discussion and visits to points of interest across the divided island. The parish churches of St Andrew Kyrenia and St Mark Famagusta hosted services of Holy Communion.
Bishop Sean led Holy Communion at St Mark’s on the opening day of the conference, later joining the group to share stories of faith journeys.
Day 2 was a busy day, including a session on conflict and peacebuilding efforts in Cyprus, and a tour of parts of the divided city of Nicosia. A beautiful morning service of Holy Communion at St Andrew Kyrenia was led by the Reverend Nael Abu Rahmoun, vicar of Christ Church Nazareth.
Day 3 centred around a visit to the “ghost town” of Varosha on the eastern coast of Cyprus.
“The visit was followed by a poignant session led by the Revd Canon Dr Peniel Rajkumar on peacebuilding in the context of religious conflicts,” said Rachael Anderson of USPG, which supported the conference. “There was deep discussion of what it is to be peacebuilders, with a lot of sharing of personal experiences and contexts.”
Evening prayer, led by Ayia Napa parish priest the Reverend George Vidiakin, was held via Zoom, allowing friends from across the Province and beyond to join in celebration, with readings by conference participants Joyaline, Saba and Rahel.
A long and moving day that had dawned with a stunning sunrise over the Church of St George of the Greeks next to the guesthouse, ended at the guesthouse with pizza and song—including a tune combining Tamil, English and Arabic (www.facebook.com/100064581166759/videos/pcb.896976169131747/3666480186937148 — click on images below to view full size).
Day 4 featured tours—and great photo ops—at ancient Salamis, and at St Barnabas monastery, which offered another wonderful chance to take joy in music (www.facebook.com/100064581166759/videos/pcb.896976169131747/354002724449808 — click on images below to view full size). The morning service of Holy Communion was led by Limassol parish priest the Reverend Deborah Moorgas.
The final day provided an opportunity for reflection, with a roundtable discussion with participants sharing their expectations for what the event could achieve going forward.
Several expressed their hope that the connections they had made with one another would be sustained and strengthened, with online meetings and efforts to reach to out to their wider peer group.
“Most young people in this region face difficulties,” said one, referring to war, displacement and a lack of resources. But participants had been “encouraged: in the time of Jesus there were problems, too. Carry Jesus for every place and everyone and every corner, to bring home encouragement.”
Another hoped for better times ahead. It would be “nice to stop talking about issues of war and famine; refreshing to have war less of a focus. Hopefully, the nature of our region will be changing.”
The final service, led by the Reverend Mark Derry of Epiphany Church Doha, was based on a Kenyan eucharistic liturgy, and focused on a Jerusalem cross used to symbolise worshippers’ reliance on Christ, and victory in Christ. At the end of the service Fr Nael presented the cross to Bishop Sean as a gift from the Diocese of Jerusalem, calling upon Sean to continue to hold the clergy and people of that diocese in his prayers.
Please, join Bishop Sean in holding the Diocese of Jerusalem in your prayers
The 2024 Provincial Youth Conference brought together young people of different backgrounds and cultures from across the Province to discern ways to rethink mission and to serve, whether as lay ministers or ordained. The event was supported by USPG and organised by the Reverend Wadie Far and the Reverend Nael Abu Rahmoun (Diocese of Jerusalem); the Reverend George Vidiakin, Linda Balfe and the Reverend Mark Derry (Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf); and Joel Kelling (Anglican Alliance)
Photo credits: Linda Balfe; Rachael Anderson
