In Muscat on Thursday 2 December a joint delegation of leaders of the Reformed Church in America and the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf called on His Excellency Dr Mohammed Said al Mamari, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in the Sultanate of Oman.

Both Christian traditions have a long history in Oman. The first missionary in modern times was the Right Reverend Dr Thomas Valpy French, previously Bishop of Lahore in India. Subsequently the Reformed Church has had a long and honourable history of service in the Sultanate, both pastoral and medical. Today Anglicans and others join their Reformed colleagues in undergirding the work of the Al Amana Centre for Christian-Muslim encounter and dialogue, located at Mutrah on the coast.

Seen here with Dr Mohammed al Mamari are the members of the Anglican half of the delegation: Archdeacon Bill Schwartz, Archbishop Michael, and the Reverend Chris Howitz. That same night the archbishop confirmed candidates at a eucharist in the Good Shepherd chapel at Ghala, and on the following day preached at the well-attended 9 am service in the Bosch Hall.