24.11.2025
Al Ahli Hospital Has Never Switched Off its Lights – Our Appeal Continues
A message from Archbishop Michael Jackson.
When you are out and about, you cannot but notice that we are on the slip road to Christmas and our thoughts are turning to the Holy Land and to the birth of Jesus Christ as a member of a human family.
Advent starts on the last day of November. It takes us from the desert to the little town of Bethlehem treasured and beloved across the world for its infant innocence.
As we approach the 10th anniversary of the signing of the formal link between the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the Diocese of Jerusalem in Epiphany 2016, we continue to hold our brothers and sisters in prayer.
While a ceasefire has brought a reduction in hostilities in Gaza in particular, in the midst of warfare and turmoil right across the Middle East, our thoughts turn to the wounded and the vulnerable, the traumatized and the bereaved, children and adults of all faiths and belief who have been at the heart of our own hearts across the diocese through our Shine a Light Appeal particularly for the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City in association with the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem.
The hospital never has switched off its lights nor have we ever switched off our Shine a Light Appeal. Plans are taking shape for the reconstruction of healthcare services at Al Ahli whenever possible and this information will be shared once it is made available.
How to Donate
Should you wish to dedicate your collection at any event you hold between now and Christmas – and indeed beyond through to Epiphany – or should you wish to contribute personally to The Shine a Light Appeal, the details for doing so remain the same and are:
Electronic transfer to: Diocesan Funds of Dublin and Glendalough No 1 A/C Current Account, Bank of Ireland, 2 COLLEGE GREEN DUBLIN 2 IBAN: IE50 BOFI 9000 1769 3548 78, BIC: BOFIIE2D. Cheques may be sent to Diocesan Offices of Dublin and Glendalough, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 CF67.
As St John 1.5 says: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never mastered it. Neither does the light cease to shine from the hearts of all who have contributed so magnanimously in the direction of this most courageous and hopeful hospital, staff and people. For all you have done and given I thank you.
A very Happy Christmas to you and thank you for considering Shine a Light at this time of year.
+Michael
Dublin and Glendalough