March 28, 2008

Dear Friends and Supporters,

My contract with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is coming to an end, and I will return to the United States on March 31. As I look back over the past two years, I see what has become an unusually successful and promising music ministry. Together, we created the Bethlehem Star Music program—including a community choir, children’s choir, band, handbell ensemble and chamber ensemble—with over 40 volunteers from ten countries. Additionally, the music program of Dar Al-Kalima College was accredited by the Palestinian Authority and will begin offering courses in just a few months.

In the next few weeks we will welcome a new staff member to direct three of the ensembles and create new ones. Upon returning to Bethlehem in May, I will retain direction of the community choir and chamber ensemble, while chairing the music department of the college.

Rehearsal of the Bethlehem Star Chorus and Chamber Ensemble at the Lutheran Christmas Church of Bethlehem.

Due to its accreditation, talented staff and resources, the music program of the college has the potential to become the leading music center of Palestine. We are the first college in Palestine to offer a degree in music performance, currently an associate’s degree, and in two years will become the first college or university in Palestine to offer a Bachelor of Music degree.

With great potential also comes great responsibility. Due to financial designations, the music program is currently the least funded of college areas. We aim to change that. By April 2009, we require $1.5 million for facilities, instruments, etc. The facilities will be excellent. The instruments will be the best available. The faculty already includes some of the West Bank’s most talented teachers, guest professors from the United States and Europe, and we will recruit more and better. The students will have at their disposal the best music education available in Palestine.

This is our ministry to the youth of Palestine, who are sorely in need of better and brighter options for the future.

Thank you for your continuing support of this exciting ministry.

Matt Middleton

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 328