Harvest Appeal 2025: Friends of the Holy Land
As Chair of the Diocesan Overseas Committee, Bishop Ruth is encouraging every parish and school in the diocese to have a collection at their Harvest Festival service and donate the funds through our Harvest Appeal page.
Bishop Ruth writes:
In the harvest season we recognise the beauty of God’s creation, and His goodness as the provider and sustainer of life. As we give thanks for the blessings we so easily take for granted, we are called to respond by giving generously and sacrificially to those in need.
This year our Harvest Appeal is for Friends of the Holy Land. The reason for this charitable focus will be plain to all of us who have been following the news since the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza and beyond. At our most recent Diocesan Synod, the Eastbourne Deanery prompted a discussion seeking ways to support suffering Christian communities in the Holy Land. We are united in great concern and prayer for the region and the humanitarian needs of all.
Friends of the Holy Land is a UK-based, non-political, ecumenical Christian charity with a deep commitment to sustaining a hopeful future for Palestinian Christians. Rooted in the mission of supporting the Christian presence in the land of Christ’s birth, the charity also works with compassion across religious lines, providing humanitarian help to people of all faiths.
The funds raised through this year’s appeal will go directly to support families facing severe deprivation. Access to food, healthcare, housing, and education is increasingly limited, as Palestinian communities suffer from the ongoing impact of war, political instability and economic breakdown. Friends of the Holy Land partners with trusted local churches and organisations to provide emergency aid, food, medical care, schooling, and job opportunities. Their work is not only a lifeline to individuals and families; it is a powerful witness to Christ’s love in action—bridging divides, building peace, and sustaining hope.
In Gaza City and the surrounding areas, where conditions have become desperate, £25 can provide a hygiene kit for a displaced family, and £50 can deliver food to last a week. This emergency care is being given in addition to the long-term work of providing education, supporting employment, and advocating for the region’s Christian community.
As Chair of the Diocesan Overseas Committee, may I encourage every parish and school in the diocese to have a collection at your Harvest Festival service and donate the funds through our Harvest Appeal link page below. Our target is to raise £10,000 in September and October. Would you please be part of this effort?
More details about the work of Friends of the Holy Land can be found on their website, and our fundraising link is here
May our giving be a response to God’s compassion and generosity. From our abundance may we share with those in great need.
You can share this QR code which people can download and it takes you straight to the Appeal page.
