Dr Stephen Woods Appointed College Dean

The Revd Stephen Woods of Fresh Ministries, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, has been appointed Dean of St George's College, Jerusalem by the Rt Revd Riah Abu El - Assal, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. A special committee of the College's Consultative Council presented their unanimous recommendation to the Bishop at a recent meeting in London. Dr Woods succeeds Bishop Bob Jones who is retiring in early 2000.

Dr Woods, 55, a priest of the Episcopal Church (USA) will serve as an appointed missionary of the American Church during his time as Dean. He has had first-hand experience of St George's in recent months as he served as guest lecturer during several courses. He officially begins his duties in March 2000. Dr Woods attended Nashotah House Seminary and has worked in the healthcare field and served ten years in the Department of sociology and Political Science at the University of North Florida. He has served parishes in Gloucester and Falmouth, MA, USA.

St George's College is a popular setting for learning, spiritual renewal and pilgrimage in the Holy Land. A ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, the college welcomes international and ecumenical students and pilgrims to its courses. Support for the ongoing work of the college comes from around the Anglican Communion especially the USA, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

Speaking of his role at St George's, Fr Woods said, "I am committed to life-enhancing, creative programmes of education. Pilgrimage, at its best, (through St George's) is about rekindling the human soul."