Wet Pilgrims in the Old City

Here I sit trying to drip-dry for the rainstorm that caught us about 2 hours ago in the Christian quarter. Truly, we were more fortunate than the forecast was predicting and the day was mostly overcast, windy and cold.

How do I describe Old Jerusalem? Layers upon layers of history, art, religion and culture all smooshed together. Historically, the city was divided in the 19th century into four unequal quarters: Muslim, Christian, Armenian and Jewish. According to the Biblical record, the site was conquered by King David from the Jebusites in the 11th century BCE. From there, it has been occupied by Persians, Byzantines, Muslims, Crusaders... you get the picture.

Me, S & J at Damascus Gate

The college sits about a half mile from the Damascus Gate, one of eight current openings that provide access and it's an easy walk to get there. Once inside we walked through the Muslim quarter on our way to the entrance for the Al Aqsa Mosque. As Christians, we are not allowed inside the actual mosque building, but Father Kamal took us around and showed us the different parts of the plaza which can hold up to six million Muslims during Ramadan. Jerusalem is a lesser pilgrimage site for them, each Muslim man and woman is expected to make a Hajj to Mecca once in their lifetime. Many come to Jerusalem if they are not able to make the longer trip to Saudi Arabia.

The Knights Templars began their work in the middle ages on the site which is now a Mosque. Clark knows a lot more about their history than I do, and I wish he was here with me to experience this fascinating history. In Jesus' time part of the plaza was used as a marketplace, where pilgrims could change their money or purchase a lamb for the temple offering. Remember the story about Jesus turning over the tables?

Women's section, Western Wall

Then it was on to the Western (Wailing) Wall which is believed to be the last standing piece of the Second Temple. It is a sacred place where Jews (and others) go to slip tiny prayers into the wall in hopes that God will hear them. I was happy to take with me about twenty prayers of members of my congregation and place them in the wall. The area is partitioned into sections, one for the men and a (much) smaller one for the women. My friend Robbie says that's because men have so much more to be penitent for. I have to admit that praying alongside so many women was a tender moment for me.

Needle's Eye Gate

After a lovely lunch at the Lutheran Hostel, we were escorted into a Russian Orthodox church. When we entered, Sheryl and I had to put on wrap-around skirts (because women have no right to wear pants!) Here we saw two gates. One that was very large, that had been closed for a number of years. When it was open, it was the right size for a fully laden camel to pass through easily. Next to it was a little opening about 2 feet wide and four feet tall. In Jesus' day the camel gate would be closed at 5pm. People were allowed to come in, but they had to use the smaller opening next to it. Maybe you've picked it up by now... It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom. Wow.

We ended the day at the Church of the Resurrection. The high point of my day was when we prayed the Lord's prayer in our own languages as a group. Such a wonderful moment to be in that place with my brothers and sister, standing in the place where tradition holds Mary Magdalene first saw the Risen Christ. I did not get in line to see the tomb area or the Calvary site because I'd rather save that for tomorrow as the culmination of our stations of the cross. Besides, Jesus isn't there anyway.

Visitation & Nativity, aka Mother's Day

Pregnant Cousins Meet

Elizabeth felt that something was missing. Being childless in that period of time in the culture of 1st century Palestine held with it a kind of shame. When she learned that she would give birth at such an advanced age, she was filled with joy and laughter. Mary, her young cousin, made the trip from Nazareth to Ein Kerem (which means Spring of the Vine) to serve her at the time of the birth as was her cultural obligation. It was customary, when a cherished visitor arrived at your home, to sing a song of welcome. And if the visitor was very clever, she would sing a song of thanksgiving in response.

This is the moment in which we began our day. Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:39-56), cherished by those in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, was just such a song of arrival. And it is full of symbolic meaning. But I'll leave that for a future sermon, and just say that I have a new appreciation for the depth of this ancient song.

The Church of the Visitation is built on top of a location where Zechariah and Elizabeth would stay in the fields when the summer's heat drove them out of the lower country. Down in the village is the John the Baptist Church which is built over their family home, and the place where the faithful believe he was born. There is also a large stone there which it is said shielded Elizabeth and John during the slaughter of the innocents. The church is one of only two Byzantine era churches that remains standing. It has particularly beautiful floor mosaics of Christian symbols, and I hope that I collected photos of all of them for our Sunday school children who are learning about them in an upcoming unit!

We were invited again to go beyond the place and to the Spirit. Are we ready to leave everything behind and follow him? As a student of the scriptures I know that my growing edge is worrying perhaps too much, about historical authenticity and having a systematic theology. Perhaps that is a function of being in the postmodern West, or being trained at a seminary that was very concerned with such matters. The more time I spend here the more I feel a deeper truth and connection.

Jesus Born Here? Inquiring minds wanna know.

By way of example, we visited a site which was called "Shepherd's Field" that is run by the YMCA. Their claim is that this cave was the cave in which the shepherds in Luke's gospel camped out. The Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox church each have their own field with the same claim. Does it matter if I stood today in THE cave? Or, is it more important to reflect upon what it means that there were shepherds mentioned in the story? Again, another sermon topic for another day.

On the way to Bethlehem we stopped at a Palestinian Christian's woodworker shop, located in the basement of his family home. He showed us how he ages the wood, marks it, then works it into souvenirs for the gift shops. I purchased a number of items because they were lovely, and it was a chance to support someone who is struggling. It is a custom in this land to offer your guests tea or coffee. As we sipped from the tiny cups, one of the people in my party said to him: I'll pray for you. "Please, no - I do not need your prayers. Pray for peace for all the people - Muslim, Jew and Christian. Pray for peace. And when you go home, tell the story and ask your friends to pray for peace also."

Or here?

With that blessing, we were on to the church of the nativity. Underneath the church is the grotto where pilgrims believe Jesus was born. It was marked with a star, and was worn smooth and shiny. As I placed my hand on the spot, I thought of all of those who have gone before me and will go after me and felt deeply moved.

Tomorrow we are off to the Western Wall, and I have carried some of the prayers of my church with me to place amongst it's stones. Pray for peace.

Jesus the Pilgrim

I've come to the point, now that I have been here a week, that the days are beginning to run together. I am trying desperately to hang on to every place and memory, between my journal - blog - photos and voice recorder I am beginning to feel a little saturated.

The view from the top of Mt Tabor

We began our day taking a death-defying minibus ride up the side of Mount Tabor, which is believed to be the place of the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-35). It was a hazy day, so we sadly couldn't see much of the plain below.

Then it was over to Nabot's fields (1 Kings 21:1-16) where we were asked to consider power and authority. We left the Galilee region and hopped over to Jericho for lunch and shopping at a glass shop. Our final site was the church of Mary and Martha in Bethany, where Jesus is said to have visited. We read John 11:1-54 and reflected on those we love who have passed from our lives too quickly. 

Back to the college, and a good night's sleep. Blessings, Peace, Salaam and Shalom.

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Banias Springs

The Banias Spring is one of the three springs that feeds the River Jordan, and it is a site of ancient worship of Pan, the Greek God of parties. What is interesting about this place is that it overlooks Ceasaria Philipi, the place of Peter's confession of faith (Matthew 16:13-28). While we were there, a Korean Charismatic church group arrived to perform what looked to us like an exorcism. As our instructor said "never mind them, they are on the way."

We visited a Druze market, and I purchased some goat cheese that I'll never get through customs. Then it was back on the bus to the northernmost tip of the country and it's border with Syria. There are fields with land mines here in the Golan Heights. It's cold too, because it is the highest elevation in the country. Interestingly, taxes are 30% lower here because it is so dangerous to live in the border country.

Mensa Christi

The most sacred moment of my day was celebrating the Eucharist with Bishop Richard at the Mensa Christi, which is a small chapel built upon the rock believed to be the site of the post-resurrection "breakfast on the beach" (John 21).

What do I take with me from what I learned of Jesus'ministry in the Galilee?

- Feed people before you talk to them, hospitality is a crucial part of ministry

- To be a disciple is to accept that the road ahead of you calls for sacrifice, and yet God will provide

- Healing of the body, soul and mind should be freely given to everyone

Galilee

wildflowers everywhere

It's easy to understand why Jesus spent so much of his short ministry in Galilee. At this time of year, the wildflowers are blooming. Gentle green rolling slopes meet blue skies. We couldn't have asked for better weather today to explore the topography of this special place.

Class members in the synagogue

Our first stop was at Jesus' University, otherwise known as the Mount of the Beatitudes (read Matthew chapters 5-7). There is a beautiful small RC chapel there, built upon the ruins of a Byzantine church that dates back to the 4th century. We reflected upon what it means to be blessed if you are poor in spirit. Next it was on to Tabgha, aka Jesus' Cafeteria, to the Church of the Multiplication. We were reminded that it is important to feed a person before teaching them (or sharing the gospel, for that matter).

Then it was on to Jesus' Cathedral, a small cave which is situated near these other sites that looks out on the Sea of Galilee. We climbed the rocky cliff and made our way to the nook and surveyed the surrounding land, imagining what Jesus and the disciples might have seen. This particular place is off the beaten path and not an "official" holy site, but our instructor knew about it and wanted us to enter the imaginative moment. Capernaum, Jesus' Hospital, was our next stop. It is located in a part of Galilee that borders others countries, and it is believed that since the lepers, sick and blind folks were generally run out to live in the borderlands that is why Jesus is said to have accomplished so many healings here. To read the stories, go to Matthew 8-9, Luke 7 and John 6:55-59.

2,000 year old fishing boat

We stopped at a kibbutz in Ginosaur that has a great find - a first century fishing boat. Then, to end our day we took a walk together on the Wadi Haman, a valley route which it is believed Jesus and the disciples took on their way from Galilee to Jerusalem. We "considered the flowers of the fields"(Luke 12:22-34) and thought about what it means in our lives to have deep trust in God.

Our overnight for Saturday and Sunday evening were at the Pilgerhaus, a German Benedictine guest house. It was lovely there.

Some things I am learning on pilgrimage

1. It's very difficult to always be converting money (shekels to dollars or vice versa), time (military), distance (metric) and temperature (Celsius)

2. There are no atheists in the Holy Land. People may not regularly practice, but their religion is a deep part of their identity

3. There is very little interfaith dialogue on the topmost levels of religious professionals

4. 18 year old Israeli military members with machine guns and no supervision are kinda scary

5. Middle Eastern meals demand hummus, pita, tomato and cucumber at breakfast, a dozen different salads at lunch and dinner, olives and olive oil always. Dessert is one of the 75 varies of dates.

6. In Druze culture, women are not allowed to step inside a mosque, they are considered not to be trusted. When entering a synagogue, women are to go in the left door, men to the right. Women entering a mosque will be given a cape and hood to cover up, even if they are fully clothed. And there are no Christian female clergy serving a church in this part of the world - it's against middle eastern culture.

7. There's an energy to this place. It hums.

8. Monks who watch over holy sites are allowed to yell at visitors if they don't follow the rules

9. Snails live in the desert

10. When you understand that you don't understand, then you understand.
11. Sometimes when it rains in Jerusalem, it rains alot. This makes the streets very treacherous and the pilgrim's shoes very damp.

Caesar's Las Vegas & Nazareth

The Coliseum

We began our day at Caesarea Maritania, the "Las Vegas"of the Herodian Era. I call it this because it was a place of entertainment and culture, created so that young people with wealth have a place to spend their money. It served as a port city on the coast of the Mediterranean. Herod lived there much of the year, and his administration convinced people to have a good life here. And many did, of course, at the exclusion of those without money.

Like many sites here, it has undergone many seasons of occupation which has changed it drastically over the years. First, it was created by Herod, who was a major builder in his day. After the fall of Rome, the site was cared for by Christian Byzantines. Then the Ottomans came later and installed a Mosque over the site of the church. The Ottomans were defeated by Crusaders and the site passed again into Christian hands.

The Chapel on Mount Carmel

Next was Mount Carmel and the Prophet Elijah. You may remember the story from 1 Kings 18 when the prophet test the priests of Baal with sacrifice and fire. There is currently a Carmelite church on the spot of the altar which celebrates this event. We learned here again the importance of speaking the truth with courage. The view from the top is simply amazing.

A 1st century house

Next it was on to Nazareth, where we saw excavations by the Sisters of Nazareth. About a hundred years ago, a large hall with a big arch above it, catacombs, water pits, mosaics and an ancient church’s altar were found. One assumption is that this is a Jewish burial site from the Second Temple times, and that later those graves became water pits and perhaps even a house. Some claim that it is the house of Joseph, and there is some chance that it might be because the Byzantines built a church on top, then later the Crusaders added treatments that would be useful for pilgrims.

The Mother Superior shared with us that there is virtually no inter-religious dialogue in this town that is 60% Muslim and 40% Christian. Which led us to ask, if the religious leaders are not leading conversations for peace, who will?

The Queen of Heaven, US

A quick walk across Nazareth led us to the Church of the Annunciation, which was built on the site where the Angel is said to have visited Mary to tell her that she was with child. It was touching to see the many Roman Catholic visitors and how they worshiped in many languages. We read Deuteronomy 22:13-21 to get an understanding of the risk that must have been involved for Mary, and reflected that there is no faith without risk.

Another walk through Nazareth led us to a spice house which smelled amazing and has been run by the same Palestinian family for over 100 years. I bought some of the spice mix that we have been using with olive oil at breakfast. We came to a place known as Mary's Well, where Muslims believe she was first visited. We looked at the distance between the well and the annunciation (about a mile) and thought about how hard it must have been for her to carry water every day.

Our overnight was at St Margaret's Guest House, which has a beautiful view of the town.

A Room with a View!

After lunch we drove up the Roman road (a road went down from Jerusalem to Jericho... read Luke 10:25-37) to see the mountain where Jesus was tempted, as traditionally understood. It's in a location known as the Wadi Kelt (wadi means valley in Arabic). The top of the mountain looks down on St. George's Monastery, a desert place which once held 2 thousand monks and today has five. This number includes the monk who has been living in a cave above the monastery in isolation for many years. Apparently, his brothers have a pulley system to get him a little bread, water and some herbs each day.

If you stand on the top of the mountain and look to the left you will see the top of Mount Zion Jerusalem out in the distance. I sat on the top of the mountain for some time thinking about the distance and terrain and what that journey would have been like some 2,000 years ago for Jesus. I thought about the temptations in my life that I have faced, and others. And I am at a loss for words about that moment... it was a truly thin place.

Oh yea, and this is where Jay and I rode a camel. Here we are with the camel and the Bedouin who offered us a ride.

As I went down to the river to pray...

Today I was in the lowest place on earth, geologically speaking. The Dead Sea is beautiful, with turquoise blue water and white sand (from all the salt and minerals). Sadly, the Dead Sea has been losing about 2 meters of water a year. Scientists speculate that it may be likely that in my children's lifetime the Dead Sea will be completely dry.

The Jordan River runs into the Dead Sea, and we took the opportunity to visit along the way. When we got down to the water, there were two larger crowds of pilgrims. So we sat on the banks and read Matthew 3 and said a prayer remembering our own baptisms. When the crowd subsided we went down to the river and Graham, our dean, renewed our baptisms with the water. I wandered in my bare feet, feeling the cool dampness and listening to the reeds sway in the wind.

Then it was on to Qumran to learn about the Essene community that lived there before their destruction by the Romans in 67 CE. We have the Essenes to thank for their work as scribes, meticulously copying the books of the Hebrew Bible and sending them out to the community. They were a monastic sect with three important teachings: they saw themselves as the sons of light and expected a messiah to come from their group, they saw the system (especially the priesthood) as corrupt, and the kingdom of God was at hand. It was because of this immediacy that they did not marry, and women did not live among them. And I've got to think that the immense gift shop that is there, featuring every possible manner of cheap souvenir, would have made them extremely upset!

The Negev Desert

Time moves slowly in the desert, and our home for the night was at a Bedouin retreat house called Zaman Midbar (which means Desert Time). We were greeted by Affi, the owner, who had hot cups of tea and Arabian coffee - how refreshing. He spoke to us about the Bedouin culture, saying ïn the desert, there are no doors" which means on the one hand that the structures in which they live are literally made out of beams, blankets and rugs. But symbolically, this saying also means that hospitality is the ultimate thing to offer to a guest. In the desert, if you are a wandering traveler and people turn their back on you, you will die.

Following a service of ashes in the worship tent, we were treated by our hosts to a delicious feast of pita, hummus, olives, cheese and other delicacies. After, we gathered around the first at the center of the tent and told stories and shared our impressions of the trip so far. In the morning, I walked around in the desert praying and thinking of my family and friends back home. After a delicious breakfast and hot tea we were on our way to the Jordan River.

Hebron: Here Lies the Patriarchs & Matriarchs

You may of heard of Hebron, a site of occasional Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It's a ghetto town mostly, a Zone A area where about 160,000 Muslim Palestinians have been settled. If you live in a Zone A area, you are not able to move about the country freely (especially if you are a male under age 35). On the main street I saw many boarded up businesses, and it has become a ghetto town because so many of the men there have no access to employment.

Our first stop was a ruin of a Byzantium era church that was built

by Helena at the site which was thought to be the Oak of Mamre where Sarah laughed (read Gen. 18:1-15). The site is amazing in that only the bottom-most structure remains. You can see where the nave of the ancient church was, and see the baptismal pool. Above the ancient site is one of the UN schools for boys. They were at recess, playing soccer. We talked about the anger these young men feel because of the situation of apartheid that seems so inescapable.

Next we went on to the site of the tombs of the patriarchs. We began on the Muslim side, which is called the Ibrahimi Mosque. The women were asked to don full robes (with hoods). It was hot, and although I was trying very hard to be culturally aware and respectful, I began to feel, for want of another word, oppressed. At that moment, I turned a corner and saw a large group of schoolchildren, boys and girls together, with a teacher and that anger left my heart. The space was so beautiful, the people so considerate. I felt at peace in my heart.

And then, our instructors pointed out to us the bullet holes that a Jewish terrorist left when he opened fire in 1994 when the people were at prayer. 29 Palestinians were killed WHILE AT PRAYER that day, and hundreds more in the riots that followed. If you have never heard of this vile act, you can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_the_Patriarchs_massacre

After we looked in Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca's tomb, we left the mosque to go to the synagogue on the other side. You see, the building itself is split into a Jewish half and a Muslim half because both people share the same patriarchs and matriarchs. As our instructor Kamal pointed out, "that which separates us brings us together". Although, on the Jewish side we needed to go through security twice, and I counted a dozen armed guards at the entrance. The hospitality was far better, and the welcome more sincere, at the mosque.

It is interesting that both the groups have a good relationship with Christians. In general, Christians in Palestine are able to move between both groups. What does that mean for those who identify as Christian? Do we have a responsibility here to support non-violent peacemaking, reparations, and justice?

3 mountains, 3 peoples, 3 stories

Today we began learning scripture in a geographic way. After breakfast we got into a van and made our way around the old city. We oriented ourselves at our first stop by finding the three mountains that make up Jerusalem.

The Mount of Olives was the place that King David came to weep in fear as his son Absalom descended upon him and his troops, but it is also the place where Jesus wept and prayed before he was arrested. Mount Moriah is better known as Temple Mount, which is the site where Abraham went to sacrifice his son and later where Solomon built the Temple. After the destruction of the second Temple by the Romans, the Muslim community built the Dome of the Rock, which is a place of lesser pilgrimage to this day. The third, farther off in the distance, is Mount Zion which was conquered by David and became the location for his palace. You may remember Zion from the diaspora writers who longed to go home (read Psalm 137).

The thing that impressed me about this day around the city, looking at many different sites, was that so much of what we believe happened in Jesus' day was built upon something else that was important that is part of Jewish scripture. And then there is a Muslim community layered on top of it that shares so many of the Judeo-Christian prophets and sees itself standing in a long line of monotheistic believers they call "People of the Book"

We also turned West to see the massive 30-feet high concrete walls with barbed wire on the top that separates the Palestinians settlements from the rest of Jerusalem. Not unlike Berlin, there are families that have been separated because of this wall. There are people living in these slums in desperate conditions who have waiting 30 years for reparations that were promised but have not come. Later, our professor, who himself is a Palestinian Christian, recounted to us stories about the time of occupation and what it was like for him and many others to lose their homes.

Can any people, so broken, achieve reconciliation, peace and justice?

Peace

Here I sit in the college's library trying to type on an Arabic/Hebrew keyboard, after sleeping on and off in my lovely room. We began with Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral at 7am. For breakfast we had olives from the trees in the garden, flavored by lemons (also from the garden!), fresh olive oil, a spice mixture and pita bread. The morning light as it breaks forth over the old city is amazing. Today is a catch-up day, with lectures and a walking tour of our surroundings.

I will post later today my journal entry for yesterday. Such amazing energy in this place. Salaam, Shalom and Peace...

Arrival!

It's late at night and I have awoken in the middle of the night feeling like I should be up. Guess my body has other plans. I'm having a hard time believing that I am here. The five people who are taking the course are very easy to be with. There's Richard, an Anglican Bishop from South London; Robbie, a Scottish Presbyterian Minister from just outside Glascow; Sheryl, a nurse from Connecticut; Jay, a UCC intentional interim who is serving the church where I was raised (North Madison Congregational.... could there be a smaller world?). How wonderful it has been to make new friends so quickly!

By some amazing, angelic gift I have been given a double room all to myself, complete with newly renovated bathroom and a stone balcony that looks out to the biblical garden. It is so nice and completely unexpected to have the space to myself to reflect and pray in solitude.

A new thing for me is that St. George's College is an Anglican institution, and our leaders use (what is for me) a high church liturgy. A daily Eucharist, with wafers and common cup, is shared at 7am every morning in the large cathedral's chapel. At 6, we gather for evening worship. Tonight we were asked by the Bishop to read the Psalms of Ascension (116-132) and chose one that speaks to us right now.

I have chosen 130 because it is a psalm that is all about waiting for the promises of God. Maybe that is the condition of my heart right in this moment because it has felt like there has been so much that we have been waiting for with faithful hearts. There have been things I've been waiting for, and I know there have been things you are waiting for. God is with us when we wait, even when we feel the most alone.

Nervous Anticipation

At this time tomorrow we will be loading the car to take me to Newark airport so that I can catch the flight to Tel Aviv. Just about everything on my to-do list has been completed. I've read up on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and peace process, written down the time change on the family whiteboard, and found a electrical converter so that I can recharge my camera (thanks to Frank!).

I'm so ready.

For me, this trip is about breaking up stale patterns. Travelling alone overseas by myself (let alone for 17 days) is just not something I am used to. When I travel to another country, I'm more accustomed to running at breakneck speed through the Mexico City airport with about a dozen members of my church (those of you who have been to Oaxaca know what I'm talking about!). There's strength in numbers, right?

But it's also about deepening my faith by travelling to place Jesus walked, the land from which the early Christian church was born. Israel-Palestine is a place that holds ancient customs tight to the chest. A land where a person's identity is bound to their sense of religion and tribe. Where monks fight with brooms over who gets to clean a particular holy place, and peace activists work towards a fair and equitable distribution of precious resources. And although we have been provided a list of where we will be and what we will be talking about on each day, I can't help but wonder about the adventure.

As my 18 yo daughter's econ teacher said: "Gee, I hope war doesn't break out when your mom is there!" Yea, me too. Not because I will be there, but because like millions of others I pray for peace and hope for an end to these ancient conflicts. I will do my best to post my impressions here, so that you may see and hear a bit of what I encounter. And I deeply appreciate the prayers of my community members at the Monroe Congregational Church who have supported me on this journey. Shalom, Salaam & Peace!

Jerusalem Itinerary: Pilgrimage & Spirituality, February, Monday 20 ~ Monday, March 5, 2012

Mon 20 Welcome to St. George's College
18:00 Opening Eucharist at the College Chapel
18:45 Reception, First Floor
19:00 Dinner at the College
20:00 Welcome Meeting, College Lecture Room

Tue 21 Jerusalem, a shared city, Psalms of Ascent (116-131)
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Meeting with clergy course members
09:00 Introductions to course members and course Staff, Lecture Room
10:00 Introductions to staff, office and library. Gift shop open
10:30 Horizons of Jerusalem, journey outside the walled city
13:00 Lunch at the College
15:00 Pilgrimage: “Jewish concept and experience”
17:00 Pilgrimage: “Muslim concept and experience”
18:00 Jerusalem throughout the Ages
19:00 Dinner at the College

Wed 22 Abraham the Pilgrim, Gen. 12:1-9. 14:17-24
07:00 Breakfast, Dining Room
07:50 Course Photo: College front door
08:00 Depart for Hebron
09:00 Mamre: Visit the archaeological site (Field reflection) Gen.18:1-15
11:00 Visit the Tombs of the Patriarchs, (Makhpelah), Hebron Gen.23:1-9 , 49:29-33
11:30 Brief tour in the old city of Hebron
12:30 Lunch in Hebron
13.30 Depart for Beer-Shepa
14:30 Beer-Shepa, Tel-Shepa “Hebrew Christian Community”
15:30 Depart for overnight desert stop at Zaman Midbar
19:00 Dinner

Thu 23 Desert Voices
07:00 Breakfast
07:45 Depart for the Baptismal Site, Jordan River (Reflection - John the Baptist, Matthew 3:10) ”Renewal of our Baptismal vows” Romans 6:1-6
11:30 Visit Qumran (Essenes’ Community)
12:30 Lunch in Qumran
14:00 Overview St.George´s Monastery Wadi Kelt
15:30 Back to College
19:00 Dinner at the College
20:00 Reflections and prayers

Fri 24 “ He is going ahead of you to Galilee... ” Mark 16:7, Matthew 26-32
07:00 Breakfast
07:45 Depart for Galilee Via Caesarea
09:30 Caesarea Maritima
11:00 Mount Carmel and Prophet Elijah (Muhraka), 1 Kings 18-19
13:00 Lunch in Nazareth
14:00 Visit the Excavations by the Sisters of Nazareth, Reflection: Jesus and the Synagogue” Luke 4:16-34
15:00 The Church of Annunciation Deut. 22:13-21,1:26-38, Mary’s Well
16:30 St. Margaret’s Guest House ~ Nazareth
19:00 Dinner and Overnight
20:00 Reflections and Prayers

Sat 25 Discipleship
07:00 Breakfast
07:45 Depart for the Mount of Beatitudes, (Matthew 5-7), Walk down to Tabgha (depending on the weather) Matthew 13:25...
12:00 Capernaum Matthew 8-9, Luke 7:1...,John 6:55-59
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Visit Ancient Boat located at Ginosar
15:00 Wadi Hamam (Mt Arbel ) Luke 12:27...
16:00 Back to Pilgerhaus ~Tabgha, Free time
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Reflections and Prayers

Sun 26 Sun Of David, Almighty and Eternal
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Depart for Banias Springs of the River Jordan?! Matthew 16:13-28
11.00 Golan Heights Acts 1:25
13:00 Lunch
14:30 Holy Euchrist Mensa Christi
16:00 Back to the Pilgerhaus
19:00 Dinner at Pilgehaus
20:00 “What to take from Jesus Ministry in Galilee”

Mon 27 Jesus the Pilgrim
07:00 Breakfast
07:45 Depart for Mount Tabor (The Transfiguration) Luke 9:28-35
10:30 Nabot's Fields 1 Kings 21:1-16, Luke 9:51-62
13:00 Lunch in Jericho
14:00 Visit Jericho Luke 18-19
15:00 Brief stop and shop
16:00 Depart for Jerusalem via Bethany John 11:1-54
17:00 Back to the College
19:00 Dinner at the College

Tue 28 Visitation and Nativity
07:00 Breakfast
07:45 Lecture: ”Mary the Pilgrim” Luke 1:39-56
08:45 Depart for Ein Kerem Luke 1:57-67, Church of Visitation, John the Baptist Church
12:00 Depart for Bethlehem
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Shepherds' field Reflections: Caves and Shepherds Luke 2:8-20
15:00 Church of the Nativity
16:00 Brief stop and shop
17:00 Back to the College
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Lecture: An Introduction to Islam, Fr. Dr. Yazeed Said

Wed 29 Pilgrims Sacred Spaces
07:00 Breakfast
07:30 Visit Al Haram Ash-Shareef v.2: 105 “Ibrahim”
10:30 Western (Wailing) Wall
11:00 South Of the Temple
12:30 Lunch
14:00 St. Alexander’s Russian Excavations
14:30 Visit the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) John 19:25,20:11-18
16:00 Back to the College
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Brief about the Way of the Cross

Thu 01 Pilgrims´ Way of the Cross
06:00 Early Depart for the Way of the Cross John18-19
07:30 Breakfast in College
08:30 Depart for the Mount of Olives, Beitphage, Luke 19:28-39, Dominus Flevit Luke19:41-44, Walk down to the Gethsemane Garden Mark 14:32-52
12:30 Lunch in College
14:30 Depart for Mount Sion, St.Peter in Gallicantu Mark 14:53-72, Psalm 88, Acts 12:6-19
16:30 Back to the College
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Reflections and Prayers

Fri 02 True Worship in Spirit and Truth
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Depart for Nablus
09:30 Visit the Samaritans on Mount Guerizim, 2 Kings 17:27-31
10:30 Jacob’s Well (Meeting with a Samaritan woman) John 4
11:30 Visit an Episcopal Church Ministry
13:30 Lunch
15:00 Depart for the College
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Reflections and Prayers

Sat 03 Pilgrim,God and Neighbour Matthew 22:37-40
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Join a synagogue for Sabat prayers
10:30 Study time at College library
13:00 Lunch at the College
14:30 Walk the Kidron Valley down to Siloam pool John 9:1-41Gen.14:17-24
15:30 Southern Panorama, view Jerusalem Gen.22:1-18
16:30 Back to the College, Study time at College Library
19:00 Dinner

Sun 04 "Behold , I am making every thing new, I am the Alpha and the Omega", Rev. 21:5-6
06:00 Optional Early visit to the Church of the Resurrection
08-- 09 Breakfast
08:00 English Eucharist
09:30 Arabic speaking congregation Eucharist
11:00 English speaking Eucharist
13:00 Lunch at College
14:00 Full afternoon Retreat Mark 8:10
19:00 Dinner

Mon 05 "Their eyes were opened ”
07:00 Breakfast in College
07:45 Lecture room: "The Road to Emmaus", Luke 24
08:45 Depart for Emmaus (Abu Ghosh)
09:15 Visit Benedictine Monastery
11:00 Closing Eucharist - Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant, Psalm 132, 2 Cor.5:16-21
12:30 Lunch at the College
13:30- 15:00 Gift shop open, Free afternoon
17:30 Entertainment and Closing Reception
19:00 Farewell Meal at the College

Tue 06 Departures
08:00 Breakfast

First Things First

I've always been the type of person who lives by a to-do list. There is great satisfaction for me in checking items off - and yes, if I have completed something not on the list originally I do go back and add it in so that I can check it off! So, before I get on that plane to the Middle East on Sunday I needed to share with you my quick observations on my time spent at Christ Congregational Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. Look for a more detailed observation when I get back in April.

It's Wonderful When a Church Staff Comes Together: CCC has a pastoral staff that consists of a Senior Minister, a 5/8 time associate that handles pastoral care and senior ministries, a 1/2 time children's minister and a 35 hours/week minister of music. Plus, there are two office staff workers and four part time custodians who keep the nuts and bolts of the ship in place. And they are wonderful! They support each other and keep the mission of the church, "Transformation", always at the forefront.

A Good Calendar Is Important: CCC has about four times the physical space available, and programs tend to fill the space. Keeping it straight is a monumentally important task, and requires a weekly staff meeting to better ease communication.

Pay Attention to Youth Ministry: More about this in my report.

Nametags: In a church with 670 members, most people attend church with other members that they've never met. Nametags are strictly enforced here, and it really helps people get to know each other.

ONA Identity: As one of the first ONA churches, CCC is a vocal advocate for marriage equality in the state of Maryland. But they are also pastoral in their approach, ministering to those families with children who are at the heart of the debate. The rainbow flags at both entrances, and the rainbow candle that is lit during worship, are beacons of hope to same gender loving couples who are struggling at this time.

Once again, let me say that I am so thankful to the staff and members of Christ Congregational Church in welcoming me for the week. It was good to be in another region of the US, studying one example of a sister church in the United Church of Christ.

Love is from God - A Valentine

Love is from God. Everyone Who Loves is Born of God. (John 4:7)

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm here in chilly Silver Springs about to pack up my stuff for the week and head for home. Grateful to my friends Matt and Chris and their wonderful kids for hosting me for a week, and also really thankful for the conversations I've had with his church's staff and members. They've been open and honest with me about the joys and limitations of a larger church, and I've been happy to share with them some of my impressions as a visitor.

I realized something really important this week. As an Open & Affirming church, Christ Congregational Church has an active and thriving ministry around LGBTQ justice issues. Last night, about a dozen of us went to Annapolis to speak with state representatives in anticipation of a Marriage Equality vote that will happen sometime this week. I was inspired to hear Heather Miseur, one of the representatives at the heart of the debate, tell a roomful of her constituents about her journey as a devout Catholic and lesbian. I heard others talk about how difficult it was to be in the middle of this to have their families voted on. I also heard how they were loving the folks who were uncomfortable into a new reality and their hope that the tide was turning.

I also did a little self reflection. Because, in order to make this trip fit into what I've wanted to do on this sabbatical, I chose to be away from my husband on Valentine's day. Yes, it's a little bit of a Hallmark holiday. But Clark is a pretty romantic guy. There are so many couples in this country who do not have the basic rights and privileges of marriage that I enjoy, and here I am ditching him for my own personal and professional agenda. Not cool. So I'm leaving soon to come home a day early, on Valentine's Day, to surprise him. I think he will be happy to see me, because after 20 years together a person just knows.

Prayers today for all who love, for those who want to be loved, and those who are too scared to love. God bless.