Come and See Looking for Jesus in the Holy Land Today A Familiarisation Pilgrimage for Clergy through the Biblical Lands of Israel and Palestine 4th - 12th January 2018 - The official and preferred Pilgrimage partner for the Diocese of Jerusalem - Coopersale Hall Farm, Epping, CM16 7PE Tel: 01992 576 065 Email: info@lightline.org.uk Web:www.lightline.org.uk
A special invitation for the clergy Lightline Pilgrimages has a unique record in the UK for promoting pilgrimage to the Holy Land in a manner that aims to support the Christian communities of Palestine and Israel through the income generated by such a trip. Since the company was founded we have worked increasingly closely not just with a Christian business partner in Jerusalem but, also with Christian hotels, bus companies, restaurants, guides and support staff. We have been particularly supportive of the Diocese of Jerusalem, as a result of which, in November 2013 we were appointed The Official Pilgrimage Partner of the Anglican Diocese by Archbishop Suheil Dawani. We firmly believe that the first step for potential pilgrimage leaders is to see the Holy Land through the eyes of our friends and contacts who live and work there and we are delighted to offer this subsidised familiarisation pilgrimage to enable this to happen as cheaply as possible. Furthermore, the cost of this trip is fully refundable if you subsequently bring a group on pilgrimage through us. While this will be a voyage of discovery and fact-finding, it will also be a pilgrimage, led by two Anglican priests with whom we have worked for many years and we hope it will be a time of profound refreshment and relaxation, as well as being eligible for funds for continuing ministerial education in many dioceses. In short, we are convinced of the vital importance for sustaining a living faith, of going, seeing and then telling the world the stories of the Holy Land both past and present. We hope you will join us! The Holy Land is a place of welcome to Christians from around the entire world and the Anglican diocese always delights to welcome Anglican clergy from all provinces to meet us when they come to this region. For any pilgrimage to be complete, it is very important that pilgrims from the west have the chance to meet and to pray with their sister and brother Christians in the Holy Land, to hear their stories, and to see something of the reality of life in Palestine and Israel for these people. I commend this familiarization pilgrimage and the work of Lightline for the opportunities it offers in making such contacts and in the name of the Diocese of Jerusalem hope to welcome you personally to the Holy Land in the coming months. +Suheil Dawani, Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem
Day 1, Thursday 4th January Our journey to the Holy Land We gather at London Heathrow Airport for our morning flight to Tel Aviv. We will be met on arrival and transferred north to our pilgrim guest house on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for the first of three nights stay. Day 2, Friday 5th January Teaching and Feeding We begin our pilgrimage after breakfast by exploring the area that was the base for Jesus ministry by the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. We will visit sites associated with the call of the first disciples, the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount and the ancient fishing village of Capernaum. We will also sail on a modern-day version of the kind of boat used for fishing at the time of Jesus and we will end our day with a visit to the exciting excavations at Magdala, the home town of Jesus close friend and follower Mary Magdalene. It was a major first-century port and specialised in salted and smoked fish and exported its products all over the Mediterranean and southern Europe. The excavations unearthed to date have revealed sections of the port walls, a market, several homes, shops and most importantly a first century synagogue that was probably destroyed by the Romans around 67CE. We will celebrate the Eucharist here overlooking the lake before returning to our guest house in good time for dinner and overnight stay. Day 3, Saturday 6th January Revelation and Annunciation After breakfast we drive across the green and fertile plains of Jezreel (the biblical scene of Armageddon) to visit the basilica on the summit of Mount Tabor, claimed to be the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus before Peter, James and John. On descending Mount Tabor we continue to Nazareth, the town associated with the beginning of the gospel message and
Day 3 continued members of the local Christian community to attend Sunday Service at Christ Church. We then leave Galilee and head south driving down the Jordan Valley to Qasr al Yehud on the banks of the River Jordan, to visit the site believed to be close to where Jesus was baptized by John, where we will have an opportunity to renew our baptism vows. We then continue to the oasis city of Jericho for a brief view of the Mount of Temptation which clings precariously to the cliff face. We then drive up through the hills of the Judean wilderness towards break for lunch. In the afternoon we will see how the Good News is both remembered and lived out today. We will visit the site of the only spring in town, where Jesus mother will have drawn water, the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Synagogue Church. Leaving Nazareth we visit Cana, the site of Jesus first sign, before we return to our guest house. Dinner and overnight stay by the Sea of Galilee. Day 4, Sunday 7th January An ancient pilgrimage route After packing our bags we leave our guest house and return to Nazareth to join Bethlehem stopping en-route in the village of Bethany, the home of Jesus friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus, before finally making our way through the 9 metre high separation wall for the first of two nights stay in the city in which Christ was born. Dinner and overnight stay by Manger Square in Bethlehem. Day 5, Monday 8th January Incarnation and abundant life Today will be devoted to discovering more about Incarnation and the gift of life in all its abundance. We will visit the Shepherds Fields and the Church of the Nativity, as well as some remarkable institutions run by the Christian community of the little town, including a visit to St Vincent Creche/ Orphange. The only facility of its kind in the West Bank offering Christian love and compassion to over forty abandoned babies and small children, also the
Day 5 continued International Centre of Bethlehem created by Revd Dr Mitri Raheb, the Lutheran pastor of Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight stay by Manger Square Day 6, Tuesday 9th January Tears and Prayers This morning we will combine the depth of religious history of the Holy Land with a clear indication of the modern day political problems by visiting Hebron to see the Tomb of the Patriarchs and see how the Old City centre has been divided and impoverished by the results of the occupation. We will have the chance to enter both the mosque and the synagogue, as well as walking in the souk. Late morning we continue to the Holy City of Jerusalem and break for lunch. In the afternoon we drive to the summit of the Mount of Olives, to trace Jesus Palm Sunday journey from Bethphage stopping at two churches on the way before reaching the Garden of Gethsemane and the profoundly moving Church of the Agony. Finally we continue to the Israel Museum to visit the Shrine of the Book and the model of Jerusalem based around the time of Jesus. Return to Jerusalem and check-in to our hotel situated within the Old walled city in good time for dinner. Overnight stay in Jerusalem. Day 7, Wednesday 10th January I do not know the man Our day begins with a visit to Mount Zion to visit sites associated with the Last Supper, the Day of Pentecost and the falling asleep of Mary, before finishing our day at the church of St Peter in Gallicantu and recalling Peter s betrayal of Jesus. We will also view the recently excavated steps that lead to the Old City which is possibly the very steps that Jesus climbed. We then proceed to west Jerusalem to visit the
Day 7 continued Haddasah Hospital synagogue where we can view the famous Marc Chagall windows that depict the Twelve Tribes of Israel. After a break for lunch we visit the Yad Vashem holocaust memorial museum and park to pay our respects to the millions that were murdered by the Nazis. Return to our hotel in good time to relax and freshen up before dinner. Overnight stay in Jerusalem. the Pools of Bethesda and begin our walk the Way of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa through the narrow streets of the Old City of Jerusalem culminating in the extraordinary Church of the Holy Sepulchure, believed to be built over the site of Jesus crucifixion, burial and resurrection. The afternoon will be free to allow time to revisit favourite sites of the Old City or join an optional visit to the Dead Sea basin. We travel down to Qumran to view the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a Bedouin shepherd and to view the excavated monastery of the Essene community which produced the famous scrolls. There will then be an opportunity to bathe in the unique mineral -laden waters of the Dead Sea before returning to Jerusalem for a farewell dinner and our final nights stay. Day 8, Thursday 11th January Taking up the cross This morning we make our way to the Dung Gate to view the Western Wall, Judaism s holiest site and if permitted we will ascend the Temple Mount to view the Dome of the Mosque. We will then make our way to the beautiful Crusader Church of St Anne s by Day 9, Friday 12th January Telling what had happened on the road After packing our bags, we will head west towards the Mediterranean, stopping at the town of Abu Ghosh, one of the possible sites of Emmaus, to celebrate a final Eucharist together and break for lunch. In the afternoon we continue to Tel Aviv airport for our journey home to tell all those whom we meet about what has happened to us on the road Please note this touring programme may be subject to minor local amendments
INCLUSIVE SUBSIDISED TOUR COST - 495 The above tour cost is fully refundable against your own group. Scheduled flights on British Airways from London Heathrow Airport London Heathrow / Tel Aviv BA164 08:15/14:45 Tel Aviv / London Heathrow BA165 16:45/ 20:35 Please note the above flights and time are approximate and subject to change All airport departure & passenger taxes (UK & Israel) Accommodation at the following selected guest houses & hotels: All rooms have ensuite facilities and are fully air-conditioned. Galilee - Pilgerhaus (Benedictine guest house by the Sea of Galilee) Bethlehem - Orient Palace Hotel (by Manger Square in Bethlehem) Jerusalem - Gloria Hotel (within the walls of the Old City, Jaffa Gate) Full board basis throughout (breakfast, lunch & dinner) All entrance fees and local government taxes Qualified English speaking guide throughout the tour All touring in modern air-conditioned tourist coaches The only items not included in the price are: Single room (limited availability) 375, Travel insurance, Gratuities 95 and any items of a personal nature (laundry & drinks etc). SPOUSE/PARTNER RATES It is possible to bring your Spouse/Partner along with you at the special subsidised rate of 1295 (please call 01992 576065 for further details). TRAVELLING ON YOUR OWN A large proportion of our passengers travel alone and object to expensive "single room" supplements. Please indicate this on your booking form (share twin-bedded room) and we will accommodate you with a person of the same sex also travelling alone and would also like to share a room. If we are unable to accommodate you in a shared twin, we will place you in single room at only half the cost (50%) of the usual single supplement. If you require Single accommodation (if available) you should request this when booking and the appropriate supplement will apply. PASSPORTS, VISAS & HEALTH A full valid 10 year passport is necessary for all our tours. Please check NOW that it is valid for the duration of your tour and validity runs for a further 6 months after your return to the UK. British passport holders will be issued a visa free of charge on arrival in the Holy Land. Holders of other passports please contact Lightline Pilgrimages on 01992 576065 for advice. No inoculations are required, however we advise you to consult your doctor regarding your own personal requirements. TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR Please read the booking conditions and complete the enclosed booking form and send it, with a deposit of 200 and insurance premium (if required) per person to: Lightline Pilgrimages Ltd Coopersale Hall Farm, Epping, CM16 7PE
- The official & preferred Pilgrimage partner for the Diocese of Jerusalem - Coopersale Hall Farm Epping CM16 7PE Tel: 01992 576 065 Email:info@lightline.org.uk Web: www.lightline.org.uk FOR YOUR PROTECTION AND PEACE OF MIND Lightline Pilgrimages Limited holds an Air Travel Organiser s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority - ATOL 9693. The flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure is financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate.
BOOKING FORM Please complete this form in BLOCK CAPITALS THE HOLY LAND - Looking for Jesus in the Holy Land Today A Familiarisation Pilgrimage for clergy through the Biblical Lands of Israel & Palestine 4-12 January 2018 PASSENGER DETAILS. Please insert Lead Passenger details in Blue Box Section. TOUR REF: FAMI8HLHR Title Given names as Surname Nationality Date of Birth Passport Number Expiry Date Mr/Mrs appears in passport dd/mm/yyyy dd/mm/yyyy LEAD PASSENGER DETAILS (All correspondence is sent to lead passenger) Address: Post Code: E-mail: Tel: (day) Tel: (eve) Tel: (Mobile) (Please tick box) I have read and agree to the booking conditions and Insurance conditions on behalf of all the travellers that are named above. And at the time of booking no circumstances and known which are likely to lead to cancellation or the curtailment of the pilgrimage by any person. I would like all correspondence to be sent to my address. Signature Date: ACCOMMODATION ( Please tick appropriate box ) Twin / Double Bed Room REMARKS / SPECIAL DIET / ETC. We will take every possible step to ensure that our hotels and restaurants are advised, but special diets of any kind (including vegetarian, vegan, coeliac etc ) can seldom be catered for adequately and we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet your requests. Shared Twin Room Single Room (Incurs a supplementary cost) TOUR PAYMENT Deposit (per person) @ 250 = Travel insurance (per person up to 75 years) @ 65 = Travel Insurance (per person over 75 years) @ 95 = Total Enclosed = Please send the completed booking form together with your cheque to: LIGHTLINE PILGRIMAGES LTD Unit 10, Coopersale Hall Farm, Epping, CM16 7PE Credit Card Payments Please note there is a 2.5% charge on all credit card payments. There is no charge for debit cards. Tel: 01992 576065 E-mail: info@lightline.org.uk
All bookings are subject to our full booking conditions which appear on our website at: www.lightline.org.uk A copy of these can be posted to you on request. By asking us to make your booking, please make sure you tick the appropriate box confirming you have read our booking conditions. The booking conditions provide for the payment of cancellation charges if you cancel or fail to make payment when due. They also include limitations and exclusions of our liability to you. For international travel by air, sea or rail, our liabilities are limited and excluded as if we were a carrier within the applicable international convention or EU regulation (for example, the Montreal Convention, the EC Regulation on Air Carrier Liability and the Athens Convention). A surcharge may be payable in limited circumstances where certain costs increase after booking. Your contract will be with Lightline Pilgrimages Limited. This contract comes into existence when we dispatch our confirmation invoice to the person who makes your booking. All Lightline flight and flight-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay, you will be supplied with an ATOL certificate. Please check and ensure that everything you booked is listed correctly. For more information about the ATOL certificate please visit: www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate Or see our full booking conditions. British citizens require a British passport in order to travel to the destinations we feature. This usually takes less than six weeks to obtain, unless you are over 16 and have not held a passport previously, in which case you need to allow a minimum of at least six weeks. Please ensure you have at least six months validity on your passport from the date of your return journey to the UK. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes regularly updated travel information on its website: https://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo which you are recommended to consult. In the event of any flight delay or cancellation at your UK or overseas point of departure, the airline is responsible for providing such assistance as is legally required by the Denied Boarding Regulations. The ferry, tunnel or rail operator is similarly responsible in relation to any delayed or cancelled sea crossing or international rail departure. Except where otherwise stated in our brochure or on our website, we regret we cannot provide any assistance in such circumstances other than information and advice to the extent we are in a position to do so. Data Protection Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect the personal booking information held by us. This information will be passed on to the principal and to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. If you travel outside the European Economic Area, controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We will only pass your information on to persons responsible for your tour travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as any disabilities, dietary or religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons). Cancellation Should you or any member of your party need to cancel their booking once it has been confirmed, the party leader must immediately advise us in writing. The notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our offices. As we incur costs from the time we confirm your booking, the cancellation charges as displayed in our full booking conditions will apply. Lightline Pilgrimages Limited, Coopersale Hall Farm, Epping. CM16 7PE