Journey of Faith Fall 2009

picture from Ibillin last week

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Hope for the future.
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The Last Supper

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Co-leaders Tom and Todd are grateful for the expressions of gratitude.
Tom was given a beautiful icon of Jesus and the disciples; Todd was
given an impressive Jerusalem cross. Thanks everyone!

Melvin and Dave - ready to go home

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Closing worship and communion

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Our final time of worship together on the pilgrimage was held in the
old stone chapel of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old
City. We sang, heard Ephesians 3 and Acts 1 in a new way, all shared a
symbol of what we were taking home with us from Jerusalem, broke the
bread and shared the cup, and then closed with joyful embraces as we
passed the peace of Christ one to another.

In the middle of the day....

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All five senses come alive along these lanes

Locals come hear to prepare their savory dishes

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The narrow, colorful, exciting lanes of the Old City

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At any given intersection, one can hear over a half dozen languages,
view the dress of nearly continent, and dodge the local children
playing in the streets

The last day...

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Time to rest, renew, journal, talk with new friends, and walk in and
around the old city

Badar Rabadi

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Our beloved guide Badar Rabadi with his beautiful family- Lena, Hiya,
Celine, and Kristen

Masada

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The pilgrims were reminded that all history telling is biased and that
the story that gets passes on to future generations often depends upon
whom is in power

A seemingly impenetrable fortress

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The story of what happened here between the Zealots and the Romans is
at once both tragic and fascinating. The Romans were patient in their
siege and persevered for as much as 3 years until finally the Zealots
chose death over slavery.

The Masada ruins high on the bluff

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Herod's impressive palace at Masada

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Good laughs with Badar

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Badar likes to use plastic bottles as visual aids when talking about
local geography. This habit was not unnoticed by the group.

The Essenes

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Bader explains how the Essene community copied ancient scripture onto
the scrolls. The community life of this breakaway sect in this
desolate land is worth further exploration. It is possible that John
the Baptist participated in this sect for a time.

Qumran cave #4

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A Bedouin shepherd teenager looking for his lost sheep discovered here
certain leather scrolls in clay jars that would become one of the 20th
century's most important antiquity discoveries

Qumran and the Rift Valley worship

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Jim leads worship with Philippians 2 at Qumran, speaking about the
love of God in the midst of every "rift" valley of our lives. God's
unconditional love was revealed to Jim in an epileptic Kenyan boy
named Gnuvu; Jim shared that love with us in the form of the gift of
crosses made and prayed over by Kenyan Aids patients

The Dead Sea

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Alas, no pictures for the blog (yet) from the Dead Sea. The Pilgrim
blogger gave his camera to another to take pictures, who then decided
to join the fun. Suffice it to say that nearly all of the group put on
their bathing suits, covered themselves with Dead Sea black mud, and
then proceeded to float around as if we were sitting on rafts - a
picture worthy occasion for sure! What an amazing place this is and a
fun day this has been for the group. Warning - Pictures from the event
will emerge soon.

Sent from my iPhone

If only you had faith as large as a mustard seed...

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Jim holds a mustard seed just in front of the fingernail.

Larry leads a time of prayer and reflection

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Standing along the road mentioned in the Good Samaritan story

Pilgrims share how they have been helped along this journey

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The desolate road to Jericho

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A day in Jesus' birthplace

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One of the highlights of today was talking with pilgrims from all over
the world - Philippines, Russia, India, Spain, Buffalo, NY, London,
and more. The distinct low point of the day was experiencing the stark
reality of the wall.

Sent from my iPhone

David Kwon leads worship

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David shares spiritual insights about the shepherds, both 1st and 21st
century, becoming bearers of the good news of God's grace

Worship at the Shepherd's Field

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While we were remembering the announcement of Christ's birth, a
shepherd with his sheep made his way across the opposite hillside

Entering the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

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Dave ducks into the opening, made small to encourage humble, kneeling
devotion and to discourage the entry of cavalry, which happened in the
past

Divine light pouring into the chancel area

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The nave of The Church of the Nativity

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Entering the nativity chamber

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Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world wait for their turn to
touch the stone where tradition claims that Christ was born

Pilgrims exiting the nativity chamber

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Leaving Berhlehem through the checkpoint

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Many have to endure long lines (or worse) here every day

Henry Carse

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Tonight, Sunday, we met with Henry Carse, exec director of Kids4Peace. A Vermont native, Henry has studied and lived in Jerusalem and Galilee for many years. His PhD dissertation was related to the creative ambiguity of modern pilgrim narratives. Today, he works to bring together Israeli and Palestinian youngsters in interfaith education for peace. For Carse, Kids4peace is practiced spirituality, for pilgrimage always has an ethical edge. The recognition of and response to this ethical dimension is critical for the pilgrimage to come full circle.

Carse utilized the poem below to begin our conversation about pilgrimage:
"I give you the end of a golden string
Only wind it into a ball.
It will lead you in at heaven's gate
Built in Jerusalem's wall"
(William Blake)

Why are you here? What was your motivation for pilgrimage?
Primary answers to this question from across the ages:
I heard from someone else
I have deep spiritual need
To understand the Bible more fully

Consider the maze and the labyrinth - one is meant to baffle and the other is meant to lead. Given the labyrinth as a model for pilgrimage, where are you now on the pilgrimage?Where did you start? Where are you heading?

The Pilgrim compass - East south west north - or stages of pilgrimage:

Encounter
Struggle - with whom do you struggle?
Wound (or waking) - any wounding or awakening
Naming - what can I do about this? Or how am I different because of this? So what?

Finally, Carse spoke about his work with the kids. He lis convinced that this Political conflict only has a spiritual solution or response; the Middle East needs spiritual leaders, like the Civil Rights movement or Ghandi or South Africa...Kids4Peace seeks to nurture spiritual leaders.

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Father McGarry of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute

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Father Michael Mcgarry

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Last night, Saturday, we met with Father Michael McGarry. Executive director of Tantur Ecumenical Institute. A Paulist Priest, Father McGarry has spent much of his career on Jewish-Christian relations. For the last ten years he has lived and worked in Jerusalem.

Some of Father McGarry's encouragements to us are as follows:

-Listen to many voices and narratives and expect to be confused about the political situation here. If someone thinks they have it all figured out, they are misinformed.

-Some Palestinians are extreme and violent; the vast majority just want to feed their families.

-Israel political situation is intractable. Do not look too quickly for solutions. Listen and learn.

-Many are now thinking that dialogue only cloaks peace - normalizes an abnormal situation. People feel better because they are talking, but the systems are not changing. One of the most active wars is the war of propagandas.
-Optimism is based on evidence. It is hard to be optimistic here. But hope is a gift from God. We are called to live as if the situation is not hopeless. Christians are not called to be "successful", only faithful.

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Golgotha, the "place of the skull"

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The Garden Tomb

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He is not here; He is risen!!

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Bread and wine at the Garden Tomb

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A scriptural liturgy combined with singing "Were You There When They
Crucified My Lord?" moved us to tears

Footwashing by servant Tom

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I give a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you

The Church of St Peter Gallincantu

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Beautiful basilica at sight where Peter denied Jesus three times
before the cock crowed. A cock crowed in the midst of our worship,
crossing the centuries for us in an instant

The "Pit" where first century prisoners were beaten and held

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Read Psalm 88

Worship on the first century steps leading up to Caiaphas' house

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Jesus would have been marched up these steps by the soldiers. Tom and
Margie led two beautiful, effective, inspiring services of worship
today, utilizing the Scripture and special liturgies with music to
deepen our experiences of the day

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Another feast - this time at the Naverna Restaurant in the Christian
Quarter

Larry journaling in the Golden Walls lobby at the of a spiritually moving Sunday

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Triumphal entry route

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An entrepreneur along the way...

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Palm sunday walk

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Bonnie and Margie lead the procession

Olive trees that could be 2000 years old

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Obviously not a Protestant congregation

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The sanctuary at the Garden of Gethsamane

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"...Not my will, but thy will be done..."

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David, Margie, Suzan, and Peter lead the singing in the Garden

Garden of Gethsamane

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Worship and reflection time in the garden

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Entering the gates of the city

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St Anne's by the pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralytic on the Sabbath

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St Anne's Church

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Chinese Christians from Europe singing "Amazing Grace", just after we
had been singing and enjoying the amazing acoustics

Helpful info

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For those unfamiliar with the stations of the cross

Bronze markers along the Via Delarosa

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The second station of the cross along the Via Delarosa (way of suffering)

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Holy Sepulcher

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In the midst of the stations of the cross, pilgrims prepare to enter
the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built over the traditional site of
Golgotha- place of crucifixion (which in the first century was beyond
the city walls) and the tomb. What is inspiring about this place is
the devotion of centiuries of pilgrims to come and touch the rock of
Golgotha and rub cloths on the unction stone (or stone of preparation
for burial). What is disturbing about this place is the lack of unity
between the six sects of Christianity who share the care and
maintenance of this place. The sometimes violent divisions were
somewhat quelled by the Turks five hundred years ago when they
assigned a Muslim family to be the keeper of the keys. W
Even today, this Muslim family opens the huge doors to this holy site
at 4:30 every morning.

We need peace

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Graffiti outside of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - if there can be
peace in the tense, diverse Jerusalem ("land of peace"), there can be
peace anywhere

Every meal is an occasion for good conversation, laughter (if you're sitting with Jim and Lance), and reflection

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In the heart of the old city

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In the center of the photo is Papa Andrea's restaurant, owned and run
by Arab Christians, where we enjoyed lunch and a time of worship after
an exciting and full morning

Mt of Olives

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A view from the bell tower of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer over
the old city, the gold Muslim Dome of the Rock, and to the Mount of
Olives

From Jerusalem, the four gospels to the four corners of the earth

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Refreshing pomegranate - a local favorite after a long day

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The day begins with worship...

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The northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee from Arbel

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Magdala, Tabgha, Mount of Beatutudes, Capernaum, and Bethsaida are all
in the background

From Arbel, we can view the locations of the vast majority of Jesus' ministry

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Megiddo overlook

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Whomever controlled the Tel of Megiddo controlled the verdant Jezreel
Valley below, through which ran the all important Via Maris trade
route which connected the continents in commerce

The tremendous granary on top of the Tel

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Protecting the vital suplies

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Ahab's impressive tunnel to the spring from inside of Megiddo. The
most recent National Geographic magazine revealed similar tunnels in
use today along the borders of the Gaza strip, providing life-giving
supplies to those behind tightly controlled borders.

Big Dave on the beach

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The Mediterranean

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A little reverie splashing in the waves of the Mediterranean is good
for the soul

Old Roman aqueduct

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Melvin reflects on the day's events sitting under the arches of the
ancient Roman aqueduct that brought water to Caesarea from the base of
Mt Carmel nine miles away

Inside the old Crusader gate into the city

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Historical explanations are always appreciated

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Leslie stands with the ruins of the great palce before her and the hippodrome behind her

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Badar, our guide

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Badar reminds us of all the New Testament connections to this
magnificent port city built by Herod the Great. Paul was imprisoned
here for two years. Peter's great story about not withholding the
waters of baptism from the new Gentile convert Cornelius, the Roman
centurion, happened here. Paul was urged by local Christians not to go
up to Jerusalem as they feared fir his safety.

Tom on his 65th in the Caesarea theater

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Tom's birthday

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A significant day ended with a celebration of Tom Lewis's birthday.
Tom is the spiritual leader for the pilgrimage, setting the tone for
us and encouraging our individual and corporate spiritual renewal.

Our last day at the Scots Hotel

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We've turned our heads towards Jerusalem now and it is time to go, but
we will miss this beautiful place...

A "bird of paradise" in God's country

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The bright and beautiful often resides just next to the sharp and thorny

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Galilee is more beautiful than visitors often expect

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The ever present olive tree

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This tree's wood, shade, fruit, and oil are part of the basic fabric
of this society

The ever present Jerusalem cross

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The small crosses represent the four gospels to the four corners of
the world

The Sea of Galilee

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12 miles long and 6 miles wide - absolutely beautiful on a day like
today. Finally, the sun is shining!

A day of Sabbath rest in Galilee

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The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall never put it out

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Abuna's church community sails as a ship through troubled, yet hopeful
waters

A new place of worship rooted in the traditions of old but not bound to the old divisions

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The sanctuary at Ibillin

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Worship

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During our worship, our a Capella voices echoed through the beautiful
sacred space

A day that will be remembered

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Abuna's reminded us of many things today, not the least of which were
these words: "The more Christian you are, the more you are open to
others. It is not Christian to close ourselves off from those who are
different from us." He also urged us, "Do not waste time trying to
destroy walls between people; spend your efforts on building bridges
over the walls."

Michael Chacour kindly gave us a tour of the facility

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Happy children greeted us in the school lobby, clamoring to be included in our pictures

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Mar Elias Educational Institute

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A view from the top of a school building showing part of the
educational complex with the church and Abuna's home in the background

Our visit concluded in a classroom of 6th graders

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Today was extraordinary

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The day began with wind, more rain, and a cancelled visit to Mt.
Arbel, but quickly our circumstances improved. We journeyed an hour or
so in time, but a world away from where most of us live each day. In
the small Arab city of Ibillin, not long ago just a village unknown to
the world, our visit began in a beautiful church dedicated just a few
years ago to the glory of God and in service to the children and
families of the Ibillin community. When Elias Chacour began his
ministry here in 1965, there was only a small, run down, one room
church and a parish house so small that he slept for much of his first
year on the backseat of a VW beetle that had been donated to him by a
kind German couple. Today, a magnificent sanctuary stands tall on the
hillside before a whole complex of buildings dedicated to the
education of the area's children and the pursuit of peace between
Muslim, Jews, Christians, and Druze.

Our great fortune was to spend an hour and a half with the man whose
faithfulness to Jesus Christ and dogged persistence on behalf of Arab
people in need has resulted in a true phenomenon of God's grace in the
midst of a complex country where race, tribe, and religion have long
divided and at times torn apart the people's homes and hearts. If you
have not read Chacour's book, Blood Brothers, our group of pastors
highly recommends that you do. The story gives insight to the
travails of modern Israel and the longings of the people for a lasting
peace. We were blessed today, after visiting many holy sites and
appreciating what happened upon the stones of those places, to dwell
for a couple of hours among the living stones of Palestine, where
God's work through Jesus Christ continues through "another man from
Galilee".
Today, over 4000 students from dozens of local villages and a
diversity of faith backgrounds are educated here in a loving Christian
environment, where the message of the Beatitudes, a message at the
core of Chacour's own spiritual journey, is ever present. This
ministry is supported in a significant way by persons all over the
world who have heard Chacour's testimony to the difficult, but
necessary way of peace, for they realize that the seeds of justice and
integrity being sown here among the children will undoubtedly bear
meaningful fruit for generations to come.
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The waterfall at Banias

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If you had been walking for two hot days with a group of disciples,
what better place could you go for a refreshing swlm? (though the
water was really muddy today due to all the rain)