3rd March 2026

Clergy from a conservative grouping of the Anglican Church are meeting this week in Nigeria's capital Abuja to choose a rival to the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) a conservative Anglican movement that claims to represent the majority of Anglicans worldwide, particularly in the Global South, is moving toward a formal reordering of global Anglican leadership following its October renunciation of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s authority. The group has voiced growing concern about what it sees as the mainstream Communion’s departure from biblical teaching, citing recent controversies including the appointment of the Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, a practicing lesbian, as Archbishop of Wales. The Most Revd Dr. Laurent Mbanda, chairman of the Gafcon Primates Council said, “Now that the future has arrived, we must come together to discern the path ahead.” 

Loving God, we pray for our brothers and sisters across the globe. Forgive all that causes division and tears us apart. Give us the courage to overcome our fears and to seek that unity which is your gift and your will.  You bring us together in all our diversity, as family and church.  Renew our strength and unify us for the sake of your Kingdom and the glory of your name.  Guide the bishops in Abuja that they will discern your will, putting aside their own desire and prejudices. Build your church, and make us one body in Christ Jesus our Lord.  In his name we pray.  Amen. 

Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are working cooperatively and collaboratively together, responding across the Middle East as humanitarian needs expand. 

• In Iran, 200 Iranian Red Crescent Society response teams have been deployed, providing search and rescue operations, emergency medical assistance, casualty evacuation and immediate relief support to affected communities. Teams were deployed to Hormozgan province following an attack on a school, and are providing emergency medical care, search and rescue, and relief support. 

• In Israel, Magen David Adom paramedics and volunteers have been working across the region to evacuate injured people. They have deployed ambulances, mobile intensive care units (MICUs), emergency medicycles, and rapid response vehicles. 

• In Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross has been working in Beirut since 2am local time on 2 March 2026, with ambulances deployed and response planning ongoing.  

• In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Palestine Red Crescent Society is on high alert and prepared to respond to any escalation of humanitarian need in the West Bank and Gaza.  

• Across the wider region, teams in Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria are on immediate standby to respond where needed, with planning also taking place to assist neighbouring countries.   

If you would like to support the work of the Red Cross click here. 

My soul praises you, the Lord my God.

All that is in me praises your Holy name.

My spirit rejoices in you  my God and Saviour. 

All glory and honour and majesty be to you O God.

Your wisdom is beyond all knowledge,

your love beyond all telling,

and your might beyond measure.

You created the universe and everything in it

and because of your love for the world

you sent your Son to redeem it. 

I join all the hosts of heaven,

and all your people on earth, to praise you.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might

heaven and earth are full of your glory,

hosanna in the highest.  Amen.