Christmas in the Middle East
The Episcopal Diocese of Philadelphia warmly welcomes
the Venerable Canon Bill Schwartz, Archdeacon of the Gulf
December 15-19, 2016
DioPa is honored to welcome the Venerable Canon Bill Schwartz, OBE, the Archdeacon of the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, during the Season of Advent 2016.
Archdeacon Schwartz will be discussing Christianity in the Middle East, past, present, and future, at various venues throughout the Diocese. He will provide firsthand testimony and perspective on the crucial and life-giving work our Anglican Communion is doing throughout the Middle East, and answer your questions.
Perhaps most importantly, Archdeacon Bill can offer thoughts and ideas about how we in DioPA might form closer bonds of friendship with DioCyp & Gulf, and walk with our sisters and brothers in that region as they experience extraordinary challenges, changes, and a sense of hope.
Meet Archdeacon Bill on:
Thur. 12/15, 6:30PM-8:00PM
St. John’s, Concord PA, The Rev. Dr. John Sorenson, (610) 459-2994
Dinner, Presentation and Q&A
Sat. 12/17, 10:00AM-12:00PM
St. David’s Church, Wayne PA, The Rev. Frank Allen, (610) 688-7947
Brunch, Presentation and Q&A
Sat. 12/17, 7:00PM-8:30PM
St. Paul’s, Chestnut Hill, PA. The Rev. Cliff Cutler, (215) 242-2055
Refreshments, Presentation and Q&A
Sun. 12/18, 10AM-12:00PM
St. Martin’s Church, Radnor PA, The Rev. Chris Bishop, (610) 688-4830
Archdeacon preaches at 10:00AM Service, Q&A to follow
Sun. 12/18, 2:00PM-4:00PM
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, The Very Rev. Judith Sullivan, (215) 386-0234
Refreshments, Presentation and Q&A
A Brief Bio:
- 1952: Archdeacon Bill was born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- 1970-1975: Bachelor of Arts degrees in English Literature and Philosophy from Tarkio College, Tarkio, Missouri
- 1973-1977: Director of the overseas study program of Tarkio College in Alexandria, Egypt
- 1977-1981: Administrator and Assistant Director, Institute of Middle East Studies, Skouriotissa, Cyprus
- 1981-1989: Director of Research (Middle East) for ‘Open Doors,’ Limassol, Cyprus
- 1986-1999: Limassol: Chairman of the House of Laity of the Diocesan Synod, Assistant Treasurer of the Diocese, lay member of the Provincial Synod, lay member of the Diocesan Standing Committee of the Diocese. Nicosia: Diocesan Secretary/Treasurer
- 1993: Ordained deacon in Larnaca, Cyprus
- 1993 (August): Ordained priest at All Hallows by the Tower
- 1999-2007: Rector, Canterbury Group (Saudi Arabia)
- 2006 (February 6): Made Canon of St Christopher’s Cathedral, Bahrain
- 2007-2014: Senior Chaplain, Qatar
- 2007-present: Provincial Treasurer
- 2009: Appointed as Archdeacon in the Gulf
- 2013: Awarded DMin at Nashotah House Seminary, USA
Archdeacon Bill is married to Edith and they have four children: Ann, Tobias, Luke, and Katherine.
The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf comprises a huge geographical area, including Cyprus, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq and Yemen. Churches throughout the region under the care of Bishop Michael Lewis and Archdeacon Bill Schwartz include:
- Awali Church, Bahrain
- Christ Church, Aden
- Christ Church, Jebel Ali & Academic City, Dubai *
- Church of the Epiphany, Doha
- Holy Trinity, Dubai *
- St Andrew, Abu Dhabi
- St Christopher’s Cathedral, Bahrain
- St George, Baghdad
- St Luke, Ras Al Khaimah *
- St Martin, Sharjah *
- St Nicholas, Fujairah *
- St Paul, Kuwait
- St Thomas, Al Ain
- The Protestant Church in Oman
Please plan to attend a stimulating evening with Archdeacon Bill to discuss the Christian Church in the Middle East– both the birthplace of Christianity, and where Christians today are facing some of the most serious challenges confronting the Church anywhere in the world.
For more information, or if your parish would like to host Archdeacon Bill, please contact The Rev. Christopher Bishop, St. Martin’s Church, Radnor, (610) 688-4830 or email standiwthiraqichristians@gmail.com.