25^th-27^th October 2012 are dates that will definitely go down in the date books of the Chaplaincy of Dubai and Sharjah with the Northern Emirates, as a group of young people made history by participating in the first-ever youth camp organized by the Chaplaincy, at St Luke’s, Ras Al Khaimah.

The two and a half day event, entitled “Xtreme Makeover”, focused on the theme of Discipleship, translated into 4 “phases” of a disciple’s life:-

1. KNOW: where the young people were encouraged to re-discover their image in God, by working their own relationships with God, as well as their foundations and value systems.
2. GROW: involved encouraging the youth to grow holistically i.e. Mental, Physical, Social and Spiritual, using Jesus as our role model (Luke 2:52)
3. SHOW: focused on making a conscious “Paradigm Shift” which meant a Change of Heart, a Change in Thinking and a Change in Lifestyle, all of which become obvious “testimonies” to being a true Disciple.
4. GO: finally, this phase focused on challenging the youth to a Change of Vocation, in other words, challenging them to view their preferred fields of study (and subsequent career choices) as their “mission”, not as a “job”- to strive to set high goals for themselves and work to achieve those goals by making God the center of their lives, since HE, is the fountainhead of all truth, justice and peace.

The themed talks were followed by fun group activities that challenged the participants to creatively demonstrate their learning, and think about how these teachings could be applied in their lives. Of course, the camp would not be complete without other supporting elements of upbeat Praise & Worship times, indoor and outdoor team games, a relaxing, informal but definitely thought provoking “Movie Under the Stars” and plenty of opportunity to develop new friendships, to name but a few.

The final evening began with a special liturgical service, written and lead by the Youth themselves, and included a sermon that summed up perfectly the theme of the sessions covered over 2 days, by our guest speaker, Aldrin Bogi, who brought with him over 25 years of experience in working with youth, worldwide (colour slide printed on the next page). The Xtreme Makeover of Self should lead to a Makeover of the Nations, for the church is called to have a marked presence by way of leadership, in every domain of society – Arts, Business, Technology, Media, Family, Education, Philosophy, and Government. In closing, as part of acknowledging the youth as young leaders in the church, Fr. Ruwan encouraged them to share their thoughts and hopes with those present, for the furtherance of the Chaplaincy’s ministry to the youth.

We extend our thanks to Fr Ruwan Palapathwala, Senior Chaplain, Revd Tim Heaney, Revd Steve Wright, Revd Ernest Victor, Revd Nelson Fernandez and members of the Chaplaincy Council, who provided the opportunity and platform to organize such an event. We believe that a seed has been sown and that in God’s time it will bear fruit.

John & Anjali Karunakar

]]> http://chaplaincy-dubai-sharjah-northern-emirates.org/news-events-blog/the-first-youth-camp-x-treme-makeover/feed/ 0 http://chaplaincy-dubai-sharjah-northern-emirates.org/news-events-blog/licensing-of-new-mission-to-seafarers-chaplains/ http://chaplaincy-dubai-sharjah-northern-emirates.org/news-events-blog/licensing-of-new-mission-to-seafarers-chaplains/#comments Thu, 25 Oct 2012 06:15:20 +0000 Admin http://chaplaincy-dubai-sharjah-northern-emirates.org/?p=1922 The licensing of two new chaplains to the Mission to Seafarers in the UAE was hosted by Holy Trinity Church in Dubai on 21 October 2012. The Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, the Right Reverend Michael Lewis, licensed: The Reverend Dr Paul Burt as Senior Chaplain, Mission to Seafarers, UAE Mr Geoffrey Moore as read on →]]>

The licensing of two new chaplains to the Mission to Seafarers in the UAE was hosted by Holy Trinity Church in Dubai on 21 October 2012.

The Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, the Right Reverend Michael Lewis, licensed:

The Reverend Dr Paul Burt as Senior Chaplain, Mission to Seafarers, UAE

Mr Geoffrey Moore as Reader and Lay Chaplain, Mission to Seafarers, UAE

The service was attended by representatives of the Chaplaincy as well as the Venerable Canon Bill Schwartz (Archdeacon in the Gulf) and the Reverend Canon Huw Mosford, Director of Chaplaincy for the Mission to Seafarers.

Holy Trinity Church (Anglican) in Oud Metha, Dubai, seeks to employ a part-time music director to provide enthusiastic leadership in the development of the church’s choir and music ministry and to play the organ at worship services. The applicant must be experienced and conversant with traditional and contemporary church music, familiar with Anglican liturgy, and hold appropriate qualifications.

Email CV or portfolio to: exec.secretary@chaplaincyofdubai.org before 16 November.

We are excited to share with you that Mark Aldridge from New Wine will be speaking in services at St Andrew’s Abu Dhabi and providing some teaching opportunities for the wider community in October.

Mark Aldridge, overseer of New Wine International Networks, will be speaking at the regular services at St Andrew’s onn 19 and 21 October and also holding teaching workshops at St Andrews on Saturday 20 October:

• 10:30am – 12:00 noon – Learning to hear the voice of God
• 14.00 – 17.00pm – Developing the ministry of healing

Reverend Andy Thompson extends an invitation to you to come along to any of these events and challenge yourself to explore how your faith journey can be expanded.

New Wine Abu Dhabi Flyer About New Wine

Mark Aldridge has been the Overseer of New Wine International Networks since the beginning of 2010, having previously been part of international faith-sharing teams for about 14 years. He is also the Minister in Charge of Oak Tree Anglican Fellowship in West London.

The Chaplaincy of Dubai & Sharjah with the Northern Emirates introduces… for the FIRST TIME EVER…

Xtreme Makeover 2012

Join us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/groups/xtrememakeover/

Sharing this video made by the Archbishop of Canterbury on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Please prayerfully consider participating in the Global Day of Prayer event here in Dubai? It’s not only a city-wide event, but we are joining with brothers and sisters from all over the world to pray for this city and this country where the Lord has brought us to be a blessing. Please feel free to pass this invitation on to others you know who might like to worship and pray with the wider Church in our city.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

WHEN: Saturday 26th of May 2012 at 6:30 pm

WHERE: Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School Dubai.

Graham Kendrick and team will lead us in worship.

COME PRAY for the needs of the people and the nation. Entry to the event is FREE.

This Global Day of Prayer is initiated by Regional Transformation Network (Bur Dubai) and House of Prayer Ethne (DECC), coordinated by Voice Middle East. For further details call : 056 1057891 or 04 2384240

Global Day of Prayer Website

Hundreds of people of different nationalities arrived on buses from all over the country to attend the elaborate opening ceremony.

Bishop Michael Lewis, of the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, officially opened St Luke’s to worshippers. He gathered worshippers around the entrance before the service and said: “Let the doors be opened.” A hymn was sung after the procession moved into the church and the congregation took their seats. There was an offertory procession, breaking of the bread and communion.

Bishop Lewis described the church as “a real sign of hope for the Christian community – the church exceeded my expectations. It’s a beautiful building,” he said. “I am grateful to the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, for donating the land.” The church, which can accommodate 2,000 people and sits on a 5,600 square metre plot, is the seventh Anglican church in the UAE.

Read  the full article in “The National” here.

Read an associated article in “Gulf News” here.

The Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf, the Rt Revd Michael Lewis, announces that that the Revd Catherine Dawkins, currently licensed non-stipendiary priest in the Chaplaincy of Dubai with Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, is to resign in order to move to the UK to become Clerk to Marshall’s Charity, which makes grants for parsonages and churches in the Church of England and is also an educational foundation. She will begin her work in March.

Her husband, the Revd Nigel Dawkins, at present Chaplain, Mission to Seafarers in Dubai, will leave his post in April to work in the UK on ideas in the field of web-based theological education. The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf wishes them well in their future life and ministry.

The Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf, the Rt Revd Michael Lewis, is pleased to announce the appointment of the Revd Harrison Chinnakumar as Anglican Chaplain of St Paul Kuwait.

Fr Harrison was ordained in the Diocese of Nagpur in India and has extensive experience as missionary and pastoral parish priest. His present post is in the area of human rights as director of community relations with the International Justice Mission, Bangalore. His principal languages are Tamil, Hindi, and English.

Harrison Chinnakumar is married to Selvarani, a teacher of mathematics and economics. Their children are Gracia, 13, and Ephrald, 10.

The licensing and institution will take place soon after Easter. Please pray for Harrison and his family, for the chaplaincy of St Paul’s, and for all who live and work in Kuwait.