Welcoming St Andrew’s Ramallah – October 2025

In October 2025, we are delighted to be welcoming friends from our link church, St Andrew’s Ramallah in the West Bank. This visit is a precious opportunity to pray together, get to know one another, and strengthen the bonds of friendship between our communities.

The theme of the visit is an invitation to “come and see, and go and tell” – to listen closely to the stories of daily life in Palestine, to share experiences of faith and hope, and to return ready to tell those stories more widely.

There will be a range of events and activities during the visit, offering chances to hear directly from our visitors, to worship alongside them, and to take part in shared activities that will deepen our understanding and solidarity.

We warmly encourage everyone to take part in this special moment in the life of our church as we open ourselves to friendship, learning, and God’s call to justice and peace.

Preparing for the Visit – A Whistle-Stop History with Michael Scott-Baumann

We’re delighted to welcome historian Michael Scott-Baumann. He is a graduate of Cambridge University and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. He is also a Trustee of the Britain Palestine Project (BPP).

Above all, he is author of The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine, praised as “a masterpiece of clarity, concision and balance.” With decades of teaching experience and first-hand work in the West Bank, Michael brings both scholarship and lived insight. He will give a whistle-stop history of the conflict up to the present day, followed by a Q&A exploring what role we in Britain could and should play in working for peace and a just resolution.

This is an essential session to prepare us for welcoming our Palestinian guests in October, giving the vital context for their visit.

Sundays with Fadi & Team

We’re especially excited for two Sundays with Fadi and his colleagues — a rare chance to hear directly from those living and working on the ground in the Middle East. On Sunday 5th October (10am, Pip & Jim’s) Fadi will be preaching at our morning service, followed by coffee and an informal time to meet the visitors.

Then at 6pm the same day, don’t miss the headline event of the week: an open Forum and Q&A with Fadi and the team — a chance to hear stories first-hand, ask your own questions, and be part of a vital conversation.

The following Sunday, 12th October (10am, Pip & Jim’s), Fadi and the team return to share in our morning worship before we round off their visit together with a celebratory Parish Lunch — all are warmly invited to stay.

Other Highlights of the Week

(more events will be confirmed soon!)

Friday 3rd – Arrival day (airport pick-up and welcomes).

Saturday 4th – A day spent with hosts in Cheltenham.

Monday 6th

  • Morning: Schools Q&A at Pip & Jim’s with the visiting team.

  • 5–6.15pm: Cake & Chat with Students (College Chapel).

  • 7pm: Talk for University Staff & Wider Community (College Chapel).

Tuesday 7th – Visit to Oxford University, addressing the University Church Team and visiting the Cathedral.

Wednesday 8th

  • 3.30–4.30pm: Addressing a panel of NGOs at the House of Lords, hosted by Bishop Rachel.

  • Sightseeing in London before/afterwards.

Saturday 11th

  • Daytime: Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival (Methodist Church venue).

  • Evening: Host a Visitor for Supper — chance for P&J members to welcome 1–2 guests into your home.