Millennial celebrations planned in Middle East

(ACNS)?The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Canon John L Peterson, is planning to spend Christmas and New Year’s in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. He will also be present at the launch of millennium celebrations, a few weeks earlier on Dec. 4. There will be a large gathering in Manger Square in Bethlehem with the Secretaries of the World Communions present. Canon Peterson is the current chairman.

Presence, the newsletter of the Episcopal Church in the Middle East, reports that it is hoped this initial ceremony will be televised around the world. All the church leaders in Jerusalem, President Yasser Arafat, the mayor of Bethlehem and thousands of local Christians are expected to take part.

There will be a ceremony of light with the special involvement of children where the light from the grotto in the Church of the Nativity will be shared by everyone. There will also be Gospel readings in many languages and prayers offered for peace throughout the world.

The Anglican Communion Christmas Crib project is part of a larger Bethlehem 2000 project. Cribs from around the globe are now ready to be housed at the new Peace Centre at Manger Square opening early 2000.