Bishop Yohanna Ibrahim of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo and Bishop Boulos Yazaji of the Greek Orthodox of Aleppo have both been released.

The two bishops were kidnapped on their way back to Aleppo, Syria, from the Turkish borders. An armed group (Chichan) stopped the car and kidnapped the two bishops while the driver was killed. The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) called on all members of the WCRC family to pray for the safe return of the bishops and we have recently learned that they have been released and have arrived safely in the city of Aleppo.

The situation in Syria continues to be extremely dangerous and continued prayers are asked for the people caught in this deadly violence.

TRC Follow up

In keeping with the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) meetings in Halifax in October 2011, Calvin Presbyterian Church Mission and Outreach Team and St. David’s Presbyterian Church Mission Committee has been endeavoring to get to know our indigenous neighbours. Professor Patti Doyle-Bedwell has agreed to do a workshop on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted in 2007 by the UN General Assembly. Professor Doyle-Bedwell is Mi’kmaw  and director/associate professor of the transition year program at Dalhousie University. We are opening the workshop to all those interested in this discussion. The workshop will be held June 8th from 9:30 am-2:30pm at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 3311 Ashburn Avenue, Halifax .  There is no charge for this event and morning coffee break and a light lunch will be offered. For planning purposes, we do ask you to let us know if  you are coming . Please leave us a message by phone at 902-455-7435 or by e-mail at calvinhalifax@bellaliant.com. We look forward to seeing you!