HCC is presenting a series of free seminars the first part of the year. There will be 2 seminars in January: one on Friday the 13th and the other on Friday the 20th. They will start at 6pm.

“Culture-shock, clash or disappointment?The perplexing challenges facing expatriates living in Egypt”

January 13th, Friday, at 6pm

When Ramez & Rebecca moved to Heliopolis from Canada 36 years ago, they soon learned that many things they took for granted did not work here.
 + For example, when they invited Egyptians they wanted to befriend to their home, they were surprised to hear them say “we’ll be there if God wills”. Often they never showed up!
 + Those who did come would arrive an hour later than invited and not act apologetic.
Come and hear how they learned to adapt to this rich and complex culture and share your questions and personal experiences.
Ramez and Rebecca Atallah

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“The Cultural Iceberg: How to avoid being the Titanic and Navigating Cultural Waters”
January 20th, Friday, at 6pm

In the multi-cultural city of Cairo we are able to observe visible cultural differences. But under the surface are deeper cultural influences that are more difficult to observe. In this seminar, we will discuss some of the elements of culture that are harder to navigate. If we can become more aware of what lies beneath the surface, we can avoid a Titanic shipwreck!
Kristin Mathias
Professor of Cross-Cultural Communication and Theater

Our annual International Evening is a favorite event for HCC when we are able to celebrate the diversity of the nationalities and cultures represented in the congregation. Knowing that we are unified in our belief in the LORD Jesus Christ, we enjoy the differences of how to express worship, share our national food specialties, and cultural traditions. It is encouraging to get to know each other better in this way and to recognize our varied backgrounds. All are welcome. And bring your friends.

It’s this Friday – February 13th! Our annual International Evening – a favorite event for HCC when we are able to celebrate the diversity of the nationalities and cultures represented in the congregation. Knowing that we are unified in our belief in the LORD Jesus Christ, we enjoy the differences of how to express worship, share our national food specialties, and cultural traditions. It is encouraging to get to know each other better in this way and to recognize our varied backgrounds. All are welcome. And bring your friends.

Our Easter services this year are planned according to the Western Christian calendar when Easter is remembered on March 31st. Here in Egypt, the majority of the Christians follow the Coptic Christian calendar in which Easter falls on May 5th.

So our Palm Friday (as we meet on Fridays here, not on Sunday, for our weekly worship services) is March 22. We plan for the children to open the service by carrying their palm branches and singing a celebration song.

On Good Friday, (Holy Friday) the youth group will present a human video – a drama related to the Easter message. Pastor John will also be preaching on this theme.

Easter Sunrise Service is planned for early Sunday morning on March 31. All are welcome. Please see the bulletin for more details.

On December 21 we light the 4th candle on the Advent Wreath. This is a long time tradition for HCC to remember the month leading up to Christmas by reading appropriate scriptures and prayers for the week’s theme and lighting the candles in the wreath. Jesus is the light of the world, and as we get closer to the day marked to remember his birth, more candles are light each week. At HCC, since we meet on Friday’s for our weekly worship service, we observe the Advent weeks from Friday to Friday. This week, we will focus on the theme of LOVE!

The Christmas Cantata will be presented by the Cleopatra Episcopal Church choir in English on January 4. As you may know, the Western Christian tradition is to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, on December 25. But the Eastern Christian tradition is to celebrate on January 7. So it is most appropriate that the Christmas Cantata is sung on January 4.

This year, the theme of the cantata is, “Joy to the World.” The cantata has always proved to be an exceptional musical program which is highlighted by listening to the scriptural passages narrating Jesus’ birth and punctuated with choirs and songs and chorus. It is a wonderful evening. All are welcome! Please invite your friends as well.

What is Advent?

Advent is a season of preparation before Christmas. It is a time to lay aside all the business of the season – carol singing, bazaars, pageants, parties, shopping and school concerts – and remember the true meaning of Christmas. That is why we celebrate Advent for the four weeks before Christmas. Advent means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’ and refers to the coming of Jesus. In Advent we see a threefold coming of the Messiah:
1. A celebration of His first coming – born to Mary as her Son, Jesus.
2. Preparation for His second coming at the end of the world as judge.
3. Celebration of His coming into our hearts through rebirth.

Here at HCC we follow the tradition of lighting the advent wreath candles each week. This year the weekly themes observed will be:
First Advent Week: Hope
Second Advent Week: Joy
Third Advent Week: Peace
Fourth Advent Week: Love

The Advent wreath with lighted candles is a graphic reminder that Jesus is the light of the world. The evergreen symbolizes the eternal life which Christ offers and the circle represents Christ’s unending presence with us.