Pilgrimage to the Holy Land February 10-20, 2014

Transcription

1 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land February 10-20, 2014 Join Pastor Roger McKinney of Hiram Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Pastor Paul Lintern of Southside Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Oakland Lutheran Church in Mansfield, Ohio for an unparalleled opportunity to explore the people, places and events not only of the scriptures but of the contemporary land of Israel and the Palestinian territories. Many regard the Holy Land as the 5th Gospel, a place where the scriptures come to life in places that still have the same feel as they did 2000 years ago. Our program has been carefully designed to afford a window into both the history of the Jewish people and the life and ministry of Jesus and his first disciples. We will walk along the shores of the Sea of Galilee as well as along the path Christ took toward his death and resurrection. At various sites we will include prayer and scripture study. These places are very evocative and help us gain a tangible experience of Bible stories. We have made arrangements to meet groups involved in interfaith and intercultural dialogue. We look forward to learning from visionary men and women who continue to work for peace and justice in this region. We hope you will join us for this inspiring journey. We are all members of a global community that is increasingly interdependent. The future of our world depends on our cultivating a spirit of hospitality, respect, understanding and compassion for one another. Enlightenment comes in many forms, but we believe that there are few life experiences more moving than exploring other cultures, meeting people of diverse backgrounds, and becoming a citizen of the world leading and inspiring respectful and compassionate ways of life.

2 Our Program Monday, February 10 We depart Cleveland on an overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flights. Tuesday, February 11 We arrive in Tel Aviv and meet our tour manager at the airport. We will transfer via private motorcoach to Neve Shalom-Wahat al-salam. This is an intentional village of Arabs and Jews who live together and build understanding. They sponsor a school and hold seminars/workshops for groups all over Israel/Palestine. We will have a brief orientation upon our arrival followed by a welcome dinner. Overnight at Neve Shalom. Wednesday, February 12 Breakfast. We will spend the morning hours learning about the work of the village and getting an overview to the debates between Jews and Arabs about the socio-political situation on the ground. There will be a worship service for peace and justice followed by lunch. Afterwards we will travel to Nazareth, stopping in Caesarea Maritima the ancient Roman port en route. In Nazareth we will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth. Nazareth is Jesus home town. The city was a modest size village during the time of Jesus and suffered during the Jewish revolt against the Romans in the 1st century. Today it is inhabited by Christians, Jews and Muslims and includes a medieval architectural center as well as a covered souk. The main attraction here is the Basilica of the Annunciation a modern church built over the ruins of a Byzantine church built over a cave where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary announcing that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah. There are also ruins nearby of a site believed to be the home and workshop of Joseph. Caesarea Maritima was built by King Herod and later became the seat of government of the Roman governors including Pontius Pilate who sat in judgment on Jesus Christ and sentenced him to be crucified. We shall visit the extensive excavations of the site including the harbor, the Crusader City, the theatre, the hippodrome and the Roman aqueduct. Thursday, February 13 After breakfast we will visit a few additional sites in Nazareth. Then we make our way to Sepphoris (ancient Roman archaeological site that was contemporaneous with the time of Jesus). We will also visit Mt. Carmel, Megiddo and if time permits, Mt. Tabor. We return to Nazareth for dinner and overnight. Sepphoris was once the capital of Galilee. This is now one of the most important archaeological parks in the region. The hilltop includes a Roman theatre that seated 5000, the remains of a Crusader citadel and sections of the ancient water supply. Joseph of Tiberias, a Jewish convert, built the first Christian church around in Sepphoris. The Crusader Church is dedicated to Mary's parents, Anne and Joachim. The Carmelite order was founded on Mt. Carmel. It is the home of the Wadi-ain-es-Siah Carmelite Monastery which was inhabited by hermits as a place of worship. "Elijah's cave" is found below the current "Stella Maris" monastery. Elijah defeated the pagan prophets of Baal: both Elijah and the prophets of Baal set up sacrifices, but only Elijah's burst into flames (1 Kings 18: 17-40). The Old Testament prophets were significantly impacted by Mt. Carmel and they used it as a symbol for strength, beauty (Song of Songs 7:5) and fertility. Megiddo is the battlefield which inspired the image of Armageddon in the book of Revelation. Megiddo was one of the chariot cities of King Solomon and guarded one of the most important caravan routes of the ancient world, the Via Maris. It is a fascinating site that includes many levels of settlement and an underground water shaft that brought water into the city during sieges. The site allows one to imagine men and women of faith looking out over the hills telling stories of their heritage. Mt. Tabor is the site associated with Jesus Transfiguration. It is a beautiful and serene location where a basilica built in the ruins of a 12th century fortress commemorates the event.

3 Friday, February 14 Breakfast. Today we travel to Galilee. We will visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Tabgha, Bethsaida (sites associated with Jesus ministry in Galilee) and Banias (Caesarea Philippi). Depending on time and interest, we may visit Zefat (town where the mystical form of Judaism was first developed the Kabbalah) or perhaps visit a kibbutzim instead (to learn about the kibbutz and their historical role in settling northern Israel). We return to Nazareth for dinner and overnight. Capernaum is one of the most important sites along the shores of Galilee. There is an extensive archaeological park here with ruins from the 1st century. This was the city where many of Jesus first disciples lived. A church is built over the ruins believed to be the house of Simon Peter where Jesus cured his mother-in-law. The ruins of a 4th century synagogue underscore the long-term importance of this city for Jewish life in the region. Near Capernaum is Tabkha. It is here that Jesus did much of his preaching. The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes commemorates the miracle of the feeding of those gathered to hear Jesus. The Mount of Beatitudes is the place where Jesus gave his sermon on the mount. This is a particularly beautiful site. For interfaith groups, it is an important opportunity to compare and contrast Jewish and Christian spirituality as Matthew s Gospel attempts to present Jesus as a Moses figure and the Beatitudes as a way of understanding the spirit of the Torah. The Church of the Primacy of Peter, on the shore, commemorates Jesus commissioning Peter to lead his disciples. Banias is the location of Caesarea Philippi where the Apostle Peter made his great confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ. This is the place in the Bible where Jesus said to Peter "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build by church." (Matthew 16) BC. According to tradition, Mt. Moriah was the place where Abraham went to sacrifice his son, Isaac (according the Muslim tradition, it was Ishmael who Abraham was asked to sacrifice). God provided a ram instead. Solomon built the first Jewish temple on Mt. Moriah which is now the Haram esh-sharif (the Noble Sanctuary or Temple Mount). The Babylonians captured the city in the 6th century BC. A new temple was built later and enlarged by Herod the Great. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. The city remained under Roman and Byzantine rule until the conquest by Arabs in 638. Shortly thereafter, the Dome of the Rock was built over the site where Abraham had gone to sacrifice his son and where Muhammad ascended during a mystical journey. The original Arab rulers allowed safe passage to Jews and Christians visiting Jerusalem. However, when the Seljuk Turks conquered the city, they excluded Jews and Christians which precipitated several Crusades on the part of European Christians. Much of the current city walls and architecture stem from the period of time when Suleyman the Magnificent sought to restore the city to its former prominence as a religious center in the 16th century. Jerusalem is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the world a city considered sacred by Jews, Christians and Muslims. For members of each of these traditions, Jerusalem is where important history has shaped their heritage, beliefs, practices and traditions. The Old City is a living museum. Around every corner there are important historical sites, buildings, monuments and shrines. The rich fabric of languages, peoples and faiths makes the city both exotic and oddly familiar as one realizes he/she is a citizen of the world and belongs in this sacred place. Those who live in the Old City of Jerusalem strive to make it a place of welcome and strive to model compassion and respect so that the city lives up to its name. Walking through its gates is like stepping into another world. This is a journey that is as much outward as inward, one that forever changes perspectives and nurtures faith. Saturday, February 15 Breakfast. This morning we depart for Jerusalem. En route we will visit Ramallah - with an opportunity to visit with Jean Zaru of the local Friends Meeting Group. We continue to Jerusalem with a view of the Old City from the Mt. of Olives. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. King David made Jerusalem his capital in about 1000 BC. Canaanite settlements had existed here from at least as early as

4 Sunday, February 16 Breakfast and Morning worship at St. George's Episcopal Church (near the Damascus Gate). We continue on with a visit to Haram Es-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary/temple mount), the Western Wall, the Jerusalem Archaeological Complex and Davidson Center. In the afternoon we will take a walking tour of the Old City underscoring the historic neighborhoods and learning about the relationship between Christians, Jews and Muslims in the Old City. Dinner/overnight in Jerusalem. Haram Esh-Sharif is the large platform rebuilt by the Muslims in the 8th century. It was originally the site of the Jewish temple and traditionally believed to be the place where Abraham went up to sacrifice his son (and was given a goat instead). The Dome of the Rock sits here. It is a magnificent shrine built by the Muslims to commemorate the site and to mark Muhammad s mystical ascent. The Western Wailing Wall is one of the most important pilgrimage site for Jews. The Wall is part of the retaining wall for the Temple Mount built by Herod the Great. Over the centuries it has become a place of Jewish pilgrimage where Jews lament the destruction of the temple and pray (placing small written prayers in the cracks of the large stones). The Jerusalem Archaeological Complex and the Davidson Center is a large archaeological park adjacent to the Western Wall devoted to exposing the various foundations and monuments built on this site. There is an important and illuminating exhibit of the development of Jerusalem over the millenia. Monday, February 17 After breakfast this morning we will make our way to Bethlehem. Upon arrival, visit the Basilica of the Nativity. We continue on to meet with the leadership at the Christmas Lutheran Church and Mitia Raheb (they are a UCC/DOC partner). The meeting will include an opportunity to learn what it is like to be Palestinian Christians and their hopes, challenges and faith. Lunch will be included at the meeting. Afterwards we visit a Palestinian refugee settlement/camp. Return to Jerusalem with some free time. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Bethlehem is the traditional birth place of Jesus. The town is not far from Jerusalem and attempts have been made to preserve some of the pastoral feel it must have had in the 1st century. In the 4th century, Constantine built a church over the site of Jesus birth. The church has been enlarged and rebuilt several times. A star marks the place of Jesus birth in the Grotto of the Nativity. The Field of Shepherds commemorates the place where the shepherds learned of Jesus birth and came to pay him homage. Tuesday, February 18 Breakfast. Today we embark on an excursion to the Dead Sea visiting Qumran, the Ein Gedi spa and Masada. Afterwards we will visit Qasr al-yahud (Baptism site on the Jordan River). Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Qumran is the site where the Essenes an ascetical Jewish community of the 1st century lived and prepared for the coming of the Messiah. Their writings were lost until a Bedouin shepherd found a cave full of jars containing their scrolls in The socalled Dead Sea Scrolls were instrumental in helping scholars better understand the various movements that were active in 1st century Palestine and their relationship to the life and teachings of Jesus. The scrolls are now preserved in the Israeli Museum in Jerusalem. Masada was a breathtakingly beautiful desert plateau overlooking the Dead Sea and used by Herod the Great to build a retreat and palace. During the final revolt agains the Romans, a group of Jewish resisters hid there and held out against the Romans. Ultimately the Romans breached their defenses and entered the fortress only to find that the Jews had committed mass suicide. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth 1348 ft below sea level. The water, rich with minerals, creates an unusual degree of buoyancy for those who go into it. There are a number of spas in the area where people spread therapeutic mud on themselves. Wednesday, February 19 Breakfast. This morning we will visit the Garden of Gethsemane, and then begin walking along the Via Dolorosa. We will end at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. If time and interest permits we may visit the Garden Tomb. We will have some free time in the Old City this afternoon, before meeting with a Sabeel group. Then we make our way to Jaffa for our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Depending on time of return flight to USA we will travel to the airport from dinner or spend a night at hotel in Tel Aviv.

5 The Via Dolorosa is a route through the Old City of Jerusalem that traces the path of Jesus journey from his trial and flagellation to his crucifixion and burial. Christians stop at 14 stations to remember important moments of that journey and to pray. The Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was first built by Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena in the 4th century. In the 11th century it was rebuilt and has been enlarged and repaired over the centuries. It encloses two important sites Golgotha, the site of Jesus crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus, where he was laid to rest after his death and where he resurrected. Disputes over access to the most important pilgrimage site for Christians led to a resolution under the Ottoman Turks, dividing custody among Armenians, Greeks, Cops, Roman Catholics, Ethiopians and Syrians. Thursday, February 20 We arrive back to Cleveland.. Inclusive Features Roundtrip air transportation via regularly scheduled flights between Cleveland and Tel Aviv. Four star hotel accommodations in twin-bedded rooms with private baths as follows: o Neve Shalom ~ 1 night o Nazareth ~ 3 nights o Jerusalem ~ 4 nights Continental buffet breakfast served daily in the hotels. Dinners served daily in the hotels. One farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Jaffa. One lunch at Neve Shalom. One lunch in Bethlehem. Transportation via private deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach with English-speaking assistance. Services of a professional government licensed Englishspeaking tour manager/guide in Israel. Privately guided sightseeing as per the itinerary including entrance fees. Luggage, porterage, road and local taxes.. Program Prices $ per person based on double occupancy + $ additional estimate- airline taxes, airport fees, security fees, fuel surcharges (estimate as of December 17, 2012) $ supplement for single room occupancy Please note: Single rooms for single use are limited to 10% of the total number of rooms reserved. Thereafter, double rooms for single use will be secured at a supplemental cost of approximately 150%. Alternatively, if you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement. Land Only Program Prices: (excludes all air transportation and airport transfers) $ per person based on double occupancy $ supplement for single room occupancy All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card you will be charged the standard base price which is 5% higher. Travel Insurance Premiums: $ Deluxe Group Travel Insurance Plan $ Deluxe Plan with Cancel for Any Reason The Group Deluxe Insurance plan is optional. If you wish to purchase the plan, the premium must be paid with your initial deposit. The policy can be found on the Travel Resource Center for your program under the Group Deluxe Insurance Plan link. Illume recommends that you purchase travel insurance to cover the cost of the investment you will make. Travel insurance provides peace of mind and protection against the unexpected. Please read the illume Conditions and Clauses attached to the Program Registration Application to review the charges that will apply in the event that you cancel your program participation. Illume offers several options to travel insurance. To learn more click on the Travel Insurance link provided on the Travel Resource Center for your program:

6 The prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect December 17, 2012 and on 2012 land and air tariffs and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume s Conditions and Clauses. The program prices will be reviewed before the invoices for the final payment are mailed, and will reflect the prices current in Program Registration: Complete the Registration Application. Forward with your $ deposit per person (and insurance premium if applicable) no later than March 1, 2013 to: Rev. Roger McKinney Hiram Christian Church PO Box 937 Hiram, OH (330) Rmckinney@hiramcc.org Or Rev. Paul Lintern Oakland Lutheran Church 606 Barnard Ave., Mansfield, OH (419) LinternPau@aol.com Checks can be made payable to illume. A second nonrefundable deposit of $1800 will be do not later than: August 10, 2013 The final program payment will be due on November 12, Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that effect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly. Please contact Rev. McKinney with any questions. Program No