the Israeli government has drastically reduced the number of Palestinians living there. Palestinians want to have East Jerusalem as their 'centre of government'; the Israelis already have theirs in West Jerusalem. For Christians and Muslins alike, Jerusalem is the centre of their religious life.

1. The right to return of refugees. In 1948 thousands of Palestinians were forced out of their country at gunpoint. Others fled after the massacre of hundreds of villagers in Deir Yassin on 9th April 1948. Some young people were out of the country, studying in Europe or in the USA, and were refused permission to return. These thousands have increased to millions in the last half century. They are scattered all over the world, from Sweden to Sydney and into South America - this is the Palestinian 'diaspora'. Their homeland has become home to millions of Jews from all over the world, encouraged to become immigrants by the Israeli government. Most Palestinians have no desire to return to Palestine after all these years. Their parents and grandparents are long dead, their homes have become Jewish homes, and their family's land has disappeared under Israeli settlements and new roads. Nevertheless the 'right to return' is a major issue, particularly for the families forced into Lebanon from the 400 'disappeared' villages in Galilee to live in refugee camps as 'stateless' people since 1948.
   
2. The Jerusalem ID Card. Palestinians born in Jerusalem are entitled to a Jerusalem ID card much valued for certain benefits is carries such as the right to move around the country and to use the Israeli international airport at Tel Aviv. Since 1967 about six thousand ID cards have been confiscated, forcing 25000 Palestinian Jerusalemites out into the West Bank. Once outside Jerusalem, they no longer have the right to return but must seek a permit (usually refused) to enter the city to visit relatives, hospitals, places of worship, schools, universities or just to work. Since the Wall has divided Jerusalem from the West Bank, many married couples are unable to live together, unless the partner with the Jerusalem ID is prepared to forfeit it with all the consequences I have mentioned. This is affecting Bethany particularly. Bethany was once part of Jerusalem and is now within the West Bank
   

Kath Harwood

evening worship.
Over the intervening years, Sunday School has become Junior Church taking place alongside morning worship, many churches have only one service, and many people who still consider themselves to be closely involved in the life of the church might not attend worship every Sunday.
For the very large proportion of the population of this country Sunday is merely a day when the do not work and do not have to go to school. Though for an increasing number of people Sunday can be just another working day. In shops, call centres, garages, restaurants, cinemas, sports grounds, and so forth there are people working so that others can shop, drive the car, dine out, or enjoy themselves in a variety of ways.
Society's attitude to religious holidays have changed. We no longer have a Whitsuntide holiday at Pentecost, soon the school holidays will change so that Easter no longer determines the break between the Spring and Summer terms, and many schools recognise the right of children to be absent from school for religious festivals of Hinduism, Judaism and Islam.
What are we going to do?
The church has always adapted to social change and even today the church continues to adapt. Sometimes the changes are obvious, as with the Roman Catholics who go to mass on a Saturday evening so keeping the whole of Sunday free. Sometimes the changes are less obvious. Many attend worship (at a particular church) less than once a week, possibly because they are away from home, or have conflicting commitments, or because they do not always

Hospital was recognised with a certificate, a citation and a warm handshake from our Regional Minister (political) who was invited to the formal opening ceremony. I was also given a cash prize of ¢100,000 [equivalent to about £7.50]. For me it was a crowning moment as I looked back five years to when I assumed office and saw the terrible state of the hospital. There is still some work to be done on our Outpatients Department which leaks profusely, the female block which has not seen repairs sin the 1970s, and the staff quarters. Through it all I remain steadfast that the Great Provider will make a way in his own time.
Greetings to you all, and God richly bless you
Love, Bernard C Botwe
Please remember, in prayer, the continuing work done in hospitals world-wide to reach people in great need.
On Sunday, 17th July 2005, we celebrate World Mission in our morning service and there will be a lunch at Oxford Place to follow. Book this date. I hope that some of our international friends in Leeds will be with us.

Mavis Freeman, World Church Coordinator.

Staff changes ...
In the Winter Life and Work I explained that we had been through the process of inviting a new superintendent minister, that the Revd Adrian Burdon had accepted our invitation and that we had only just begun to look for a replacement for Liz who, as many of you will now know will, in September, take up an appointment as a probationer Deacon in the Gateshead and Jarrow circuit.
The Mission Council had agreed that if it were possible we should replace Liz with a Deacon, but that this would only be financially possible if we did not have to provide accommodation. We are pleased that the Diaconal Order has agreed to station Sister Ruth Hinch at Oxford Place (Leeds Mission Circuit). Ruth is married to the Revd Ray Hinch who will become, in September, the superintendent minister in the Richmond Hill, Circuit.

Ken Tait, Circuit Steward

The annual General Church Meeting will follow the 3.00pm service on 17th April