THE PARISH OF THE EPIPHANY Issue Three 8-20 January 10 October 2016 Dear Pilgrims, This is the third newsletter and it contains several updates, including: more about travel and travel insurance, updated pilgrim roster, information about the cost of a single supplement, a discussion about safety, suggested packing list, additional details about our accommodations, and several suggestions for reading. Our Group Leaders The Reverend Thomas J. Brown The Reverend Martin L. Smith The Reverend Thomas N. Mousin Travel Insurance Based upon our experience, Tom and I, along with Canon Qumri in Palestine/Israel recommend purchasing travel insurance. However, it is not a requirement, and there were several pilgrims in 2015 and in 2013 who chose not to purchase insurance. Here are some facts which might help you make a decision: Iyad Qumri Our Palestinian tour guide, Canon Iyad Qumri, will be the principal leader while we re traveling, but our worship, singing, and praying will be led by Martin, Tom and me. Iyad is an independent tour guide who will shepherd every part of our time in the Holy Land, from the moment we arrive at Ben Gurion Airport until our departure for home. Iyad grew up in Jerusalem, and with his wife, Simone, and their two sons, he has created a world-wide community of people of all faiths who rely on his expertise, his humor, and his love for the Holy Land to guide us. Qumri Pilgrimages For more information please visit www.iyadqumripilgrimages.com or email us at info@iyadqumripilgrimages.com The 1
Travel Insurance 01 What s currently covered through Lufthansa? (you already have this coverage): 04 What s the approximate cost? There are different kinds of coverage. The two most important are medical evacuation and cancel for any reason the latter is the most costly, but for a $5,000 investment consider that $400-$650 may be a bargain. Is travel insurance required? No. Travel Insurance Most aspects of our flight are insured. For example, flight cancellation, lost baggage, flight interruption are all subject for refund or rebooking. 05 It s still not clear to me if I should purchase insurance what now? Our tour leader, Iyad Qumri, will refund 100% of the land cost if he cancels the trip. He has never done this, but reserves the right to do so, especially if there is political unrest. Email Thomas Brown at tbrown@3crowns.org to make a phone appointment to discuss the pros and cons. 02 What s not covered? (purchasing a policy would provide you with this coverage): 06 Travel Upgrades 03 Medical evacuation What s known in the travel industry as cancel for any reason. How do I get insurance? If you choose to buy insurance we recommend Travel Guard www.travelguard.com 800.826.4919. Business Class There are a limited number of business class upgrades. For the roundtrip (all four flights) the upgrade charge is $2,500; making the total cost for airfare $3,500. Please contact Sarah Twiss at office@3crowns.org if you re interested in an upgrade to Lufthansa s Business Class. 07 Premium Economy To upgrade your travel from basic economy to premium economy the cost is $775; making the total cost for airfare $1,775. If you re interested in an upgrade to Lufthansa s Premium Economy please contact Sarah Twiss at office@3crowns.org The 2
Travel Documents Considering what to pack Considering what to pack? Passport It is essential that you have a current passport in hand six months beyond your time of arrival to Israel. Visas to Israel are not required for persons from Australia, Canada, the United States and Western Europe. If you are planning to travel from Israel to Jordan you must have an up-to-date Visa before you arrive in Israel. If you are coming from Jordan to Israel you can get a Visa in the Jordanian airport. Photography and Cameras Care should be taken not to photograph any military or police personnel or installations. Visitors should also be discreet about taking photographs in Jewish Orthodox areas and of Jewish Orthodox people. Most sacred sites will indicate whether photography is permitted. Bring extra memory cards and batteries from your home country, as these items are very expensive in Israel and Palestine. Meals All meals are included. Breakfasts and dinners will be served at St. George's Guesthouse or at the Sisters of Nazareth. Lunches are in local restaurants along the way. Your guide will pay for the lunches and tips. In addition there are several nights when you may want to enjoy the local restaurants on your own. When you do this, the hotel must be notified the day before. The cost of the missed meal cannot be reimbursed. When we meet in November we ll go over any dietary restrictions. Beverages during our evening meals are purchased separately from our waiter; it s wise to bring extra money to the dinner table. All varieties of soft drinks, mineral waters, beers, and wines are available. The 3
Books You will not want to bring many books. However, pack a journal and perhaps a map, a guidebook to read at night, a Bible or prayer book if it is small. Sometimes a kindle, ipad, or cell phone is a great place to store your books. Excellent books are also for sale at St. George s College and the nearby Educational Bookshop. Considering what to pack? Electricity and Electronics The electrical current in Israel is 220AC. Electrical plugs are shaped differently in Israel. Most U.S. phone and camera chargers only need a simple plug adaptor (see internet or local travel store). If you bring a hair dryer you will need a transformer and an adapter plug. However, inexpensive dual voltage hair dryers are available in the U.S. and in travel stores. Dual voltage items must be switched over to our 220AC and can then be used with only an adapter plug. Coffee Yes, it is true; many hotels and restaurants in my country serve the instant coffee, Nescafe. If you are not a fan of Nescafe than you now have several options. We recommend Starbucks brand, VIA. Weather Winter weather can fluctuate. Some winters are mild and sunny, some cooler and overcast. There can be occasional heavy rain and, in January and February, even snow sometimes. It will probably be in the 50º s and 60º s in most places, but in the 40º s in Jerusalem and the hills of Galilee, it will be cold at night. Language English is understood and spoken widely in most tourist areas. Arabic and Hebrew are official languages. The 4
Free Time There will be planned free time within our itinerary, usually two half days or one full day. I will be happy to suggest a variety of activities for you to choose from, including particular shopping areas and additional places of special interest. Considering what to pack? Walking Plan to be able to walk comfortably for 20 minutes at a time. Bear in mind that the terrain is sometimes rough and dusty. In most areas there are places to sit and rest while waiting for the group. Comfortable walking shoes are essential! What to Wear Please dress conservatively for Holy Land sites. It s respectful for women to cover their heads with a scarf while visiting actual holy sites; both Jewish and Muslim sensibilities enforce this norm, and Iyad will tell us when it s imperative. You will want to be able to dress up slightly for church on Sunday and for a few special nights. Sweaters and jackets are essential because it will be cool in Jerusalem, but warm during the day. Hats, Sunglasses and Sunscreen - You will definitely need a hat and sunglasses, also sneakers and/or walking shoes that can handle cobblestones. Remember the sunscreen. Jewelry - A watch is helpful but a lot of jewelry is unnecessary. Many people enjoy finding a silver or gold cross - or some special earrings while on the pilgrimage. Laundry - Many pilgrims hand wash a few items in their bathrooms; they will dry overnight. There is also a laundry service available at St. George's Guesthouse for an extra charge. The 5
Accomodation & Meals Accommodation and Meals Cancellation and Invitation If you are not able to travel in January 2017, please notify us as soon as possible. The only loss for withdrawal is the $100 deposit. If you know of others who might be interested please pass along the information. We can accommodate another 6-8 people. We stay in two places, the St. George s Pilgrim Guest House on the cathedral close in East Jerusalem, and the Sisters of Nazareth Guesthouse in Nazareth. Both are traditional, clean, modest, and extremely comfortable. The St. George's Pilgrim Guest House, please visit www.j-diocese.org, provides the perfect retreat for pilgrims. The rooms are climate-controlled, have TV, and good bathroom and showers. The staff is top-notch and noted for good customer service. The food is super and they have a modest rooftop deck for early morning or evening gazing over the Old City. You will feel so much a part of the local culture while still feeling comfortable and secure. There are some rooms with a balcony and a lovely view of the Old City. At the Sisters of Nazareth Guesthouse, the rooms are a bit smaller than at St. George's Guesthouse, but have been fully updated, have climate control, and are noted for their very clean upkeep. There is a lovely courtyard for pilgrims to gather in the evenings. Breakfasts are simple, usually consisting of delicious bread (home made), jams, cheese, fruit, hardboiled eggs, juices, and coffee. Double and single occupancy The cost of the trip is based upon double room occupancy; a single room is an additional $490.00 The 6
Suggested Reading By no means is it necessary to read all of these, and there are hundreds more titles you could choose. This is a very short sampler of religious and political works which we have found helpful; which we still find helpful! Suggested Reading The Shadow of the Galilean by Gerd Thiessen First published in 1987, this 20th anniversary edition was and is a bestseller. Here, in narrative form, is an account of the activity of Jesus of Nazareth, scrupulously constructed so that it does not undercut the insights of New Testament scholarship. What makes it different from other such attempts is that Jesus never actually appears. What we find everywhere is his shadow, his effect. The Faith Club: A Muslin, A Christian, a Jew: Three Women Search for Understanding by Ranya Idilby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner When an American Muslim woman befriends two other mothers, one Jewish and one Christian, they decide to educate their children about their respective religions. None of them guessed their regular meetings would provide life-changing answers and form bonds that would forever alter their struggles and prejudice, fear, and anger. Personal, powerful, and compelling. The Faith Club forces readers to face the tough questions about their own religions. How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Evil and Suffering by D.A. Carson A research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, D.A. Carson gives us in this book a clear and accessible treatment of key biblical themes related to human suffering and evil. Carson brings together a close, careful exposition of several passages with helpful pastoral applications. Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour Elias Chacour (Shah-koor), a Melkite priest, is a graduate of the Seminaire du Saint Sulpice in Paris and the first Palestinian to earn a degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He has built schools, libraries, community centers, and youth clubs throughout Israel's Galilee region, where he lives, as a source of reconciliation between Palestinians and Jews. In "Blood Brothers," Chacour blends his riveting life story with historical research to reveal a little-known side of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the birth of modern Israel. He touches on controversial questions such as "What behind-the-scenes politics touched off the turmoil in the Middle East?", "What does Bible prophecy really have to say?", and "Can bitter enemies ever be reconciled?" Four Gospels, One Jesus by Richard Burridge "This is a lively, lucid exposition of the four evangelists' portraits of Jesus. The evangelists' distinctive emphases are set out with flair, imagination and theological sensitivity. Novices and old hands alike will read the Gospels with new eyes. Four Gospels, One Jesus is a considerable achievement: scholarly yet accessible" Graham Stanton, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity, Cambridge. Whose Promised Land? by Colin Chapman Two peoples, Jews and Palestinian Arabs, lay claim to the same piece of land. But who does it really belong to? Scripture, history, and contemporary politics add to the volatile conflict in the Middle East. Whose Promised Land?, now in a fully revised and updated fifth edition, provides an evenhanded approach. The 7
Pilgrim List 1 2 3 4 5 David Bloore Katherine Bloore Suzanne Bloore Linda Brown The Reverend Thomas Brown Is it Safe? The question, is it safe? inevitably uttered as we get closer to departure, is a reasonable question, given our news agencies. We can only say, with the utmost respect and assurance, yes, it s extremely safe. Our experience has been that very often loved ones who are not traveling are equally or even more concerned about safety. Pilgrim List 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Nick Candee Jackie Drapeau Afaf Georgis Brett Johnson The Reverend Deacon Elizabeth Jordan Dave Logozzo Jane Logozzo Dave McSweeney Canon Qumri places the highest priority on making sure his tours are safe. Iyad will not permit us to travel to his country, or to Israel, nor will either the US or Israeli governments, if there is threat of imminent danger. Nonetheless, it is a land over which there is obviously serious conflict. If the trip is canceled because of actual or threat of violence or lack of safety, 100% of the land cost will be refunded. 14 15 16 17 18 The Reverend Thomas Mousin Andy Otness Joseph Owayda Suzanne Owayda Solomn Owayda Group Meetings and Payments We will have two meetings before we depart on January 8th. The meetings are an important way for us to get acquainted and to prepare ourselves for the pilgrimage: 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Nancy Parnell Penny Shaw The Reverend Martin Smith Amy Wade Claudia Wade Jack Wallwork Joan Wallwork Sunday, 20 November 2016 (the Sunday before Thanksgiving) from 4:00 6:00pm at St. John s Church in Charlestown. Sunday, 11 December 2016 (the Third Sunday of Advent) from 2:00 4:00pm at the in Winchester. $2,487.50 is due by 20 November 2016. Checks should be payable to the Parish of the Epiphany with the words Holy Land 2017 in the memo line; $2,487.50 the second half is due by 11 December 2016. 70 Church Street Winchester, Ma. 01890 781.729.1922 Newsletter designed by Sami Qumri www.samiqumri.com info@samiqumri.com The 8