The Rev. Canon Robert D. Edmunds has been named the Middle East Partnership Officer for the Episcopal Church. The announcement of the new, quarter-time position was made today by Episcopal Church Mission Center Co-Directors Antoinette Daniels and the Rev. Margaret Rose.

As Middle East Partnership Officer, Edmunds will serve as the liaison and communications/resource link for the Episcopal Church with the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Additionally, Edmunds will work closely with the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations on advocacy issues and will collaborate with staff on various initiatives including the annual Good Friday Offering.

Edmunds most recently served as the Chaplain to the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem and Canon Pastor for the Cathedral of St. George, also in Jerusalem. Prior to those Middle East postings, he served congregations in the Dioceses of Massachusetts and Western New York. In addition to his extensive community experience and involvement, he holds an M.Div from Yale Divinity School in New Haven, CT, and a bachelors from the University of Massachusetts.

Edmunds will begin his new position on September 1.

The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

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