AN INVITATION TO THE LAND CALLED HOLY

AN INVITATION TO THE LAND CALLED HOLY FEBRUARY 17-MARCH 6, 2011 LECTURER AND GUIDE DR. JAMES FLEMING TRAVEL COORDINATOR MARY HULST TRIP HOST BRIAN HENDERSON

DEAR HOLY LAND TRAVELER, To travel to the land called Holy is to take part in a unique opportunity to see, touch, and briefly inhabit the scenes of Jewish antiquity, episodes recounted in the Bible, and early Christianity. It is likewise an opportunity to gain a glimpse of the culture of the area and understand more fully the political issues, dynamics and tensions of Israeli-Palestinian life that so impact global concerns. We will experience the present, while we reflect upon the biblical heroes and heroines and imagine them in the setting in which they actually lived; to walk in their footsteps, contemplate the same landscapes, experience as they did, the heat of the day and the cool of the night, breathe the same scents and come as close as is humanly possible to the places and objects that were theirs, in the hope of acquiring, like an echo from the past, some tiny part of the holiness of this land. I invite you to join in this journey that will deepen your faith. LECTURER and GUIDE - DR. JAMES FLEMING Dr. James Fleming is the director of Biblical Resources and the CEO of Explorations in Antiquity Center; a museum of daily life in the time of the Bible, formerly in Jerusalem, located now in LaGrange, GA. He has lived and worked as an archaeologist and educator in Israel since l974 and has taught classes in the School for Overseas Students at Hebrew University and the Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem. He has developed courses in historical geography and biblical history, uniquely tying the studies with the biblical text, with an emphasis on the theological implications. He is on the advisory board of The Biblical Archaeology Review. He is the author of several dozen notebooks and teaching materials that are an excellent help in understanding the land of the Bible. Dr. Fleming is well versed in both political and interfaith issues and will bring new understanding to both the Bible and the daily news. He is a sought after lecturer and study tour leader in Israel, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Greece and Italy.

ITINERARY Thursday, Feb. 17-18 Departure from home and arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel, a city name that means old and new. Israel is both. Bus transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to our hotel in Jerusalem. Following time to get settled, hearty souls wishing to make a brief trip into the old city will spend some moments at the Western Wall. A good rest will prepare us to cross the border to Jordan and head to Mt. Nebo to set the stage for our journey in the land called Holy. It was on Mt. Nebo that Moses viewed the Promised Land. Saturday, Feb. 19 Early departure to cross the border into Jordan. We will begin at Mount Nebo and then travel south along the 5,000-year-old King s Highway one of the most memorable journeys in the Holy Land, passing through a string of ancient sites. It will be a joy to have Hanna Massad, Palestinian Pastor and one time Missionary in Residence at Calvary Baptist, meet us and greet us at Mt. Nebo. Our days in Jordan will give Old Testament foundation to our Holy Land travels. The first city we will come upon is Madaba, The City of Mosaics. Madaba s chief attraction is a wonderfully vivid, 6 th century Byzantine mosaic map showing the entire region from Jordan and Palestine in the north, to Egypt in the south. The map includes a fascinating plan of Jerusalem. Lunch will be a stop along the King s Highway with arrival in Petra late afternoon. Sunday, Feb. 20 Full day visit to Petra, the ancient Nabataean city, including the Siq, the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Byzantine church. The rock carved city of Petra is full of mysterious charm. It is a treasure of the ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains that make it one of the most majestic and imposing ancient cities still standing. It has been said, perhaps there is nothing in the world that resembles it. It was designed to strike wonder into all who entered.

Monday, Feb. 21 Morning departure and drive south to Wadi Rum, a journey to another world. Wadi Rum is a vast, silent place, timeless and starkly beautiful. It is one of the most stunning desertscapes in the world. Uniquely shaped massive mountains rise vertically out of the pink desert sand. Wadi Rum is best known because of its connection with the enigmatic British officer T.E. Lawrence, who was based here in the Great Arab Revolt of 1917-18 and as the setting for the film that carried his name Lawrence of Arabia. We will enjoy the fun of a 4 wheel drive into the desert viewing the Seven Pillar Mount and the sand dunes. Lunch at Wadi Rum, then border crossing into Israel at Eilat from which we can also view Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Overnight in Eilat. Tuesday, Feb. 22 - Traveling north will include a stop at the Hai Bar desert animal nature preserve and Timna. While driving through Timna we will explore ancient Egyptian copper mining smelting camps from the time of the Israelite bondage and Exodus from Egypt. The most significant site at Timna is the Egyptian shrine to Hathor, the cow goddess and a Midianite tabernacle with a brazen serpent from the time of the Judges. The quiet of the preserve and the spare, clean air of the desert is sure to make a lasting impression as well as give new insight into the Exodus wilderness wanderings. Overnight 2 nights at a hotel/spa on the edge of the Dead Sea. Wednesday, Feb. 23 We begin the day with a visit to Arad. Tel Arad is a partially reconstructed 5,000 year old Canaanite town with a 3,000 year old Israelite fort. Tel Arad is one of Israel s richest biblical archeological sites and includes a shrine devoted to the God of Israel from 900 to 600 BCE. In the 10 th century BCE, Jewish and Canaanite tribes fought for control. The day will be capped off with a not to be missed camel ride and

experience of Bedouin hospitality. Imagine a large tent facing east. On the floor are straw mats and colorful pillows. The beat of a coffee grinder is heard and the scent of bread baking travels through the air. Thursday, Feb. 24 The day begins on Masada, King Herod s desert fortress that rises 1300 feet above the Dead Sea and is a profound symbol of Jewish freedom. We will take the easy way to the top via cable car rather than the snake path (the name of the zigzag path, not its inhabitants) The dramatic landscape provides ample tonic for tired eyes, and once the senses are warmed up, Masada s story cannot fail to impress. Lunch in Qumran as we travel north to Galilee. Qumran is the site of the Essene community near the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. There is a mythical quality to the story of finding the scrolls in 1947 by a young Bedouin shepherd looking for lost sheep. After lunch we travel north to Beit Shean, the remarkable Decapolis city of Scythopolis, mentioned as long ago as the 19 th century BCE. The excavations are among the most impressive in Israel. It was a beautiful Hellenistic city dedicated to the Greek god Dionysus. The Greek theater is the best preserved of the Holy Land. Our four night lodging in Galilee is at the Ein Gev Kibbutz nestled in a date palm orchard right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Friday, Feb. 25 A morning visit to Nazareth, boyhood home of Jesus. It is the largest Arab town in Israel. The Church of the Annunciation remembers Gabriel s announcement to Mary that she would bear a son. The church is decorated with images of the Madonna and Child from around the world. Returning to the Sea of Galilee, we will stop at Capernaum, Jesus headquarters for the Galilean ministry. The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy the beauty of the Sea of Galilee. Saturday, Feb. 26 The day is spent at New Testament sites around the Sea of Galilee: Chorazin, The Church of the Multiplication, The Church of the Beatitudes, The Primacy of Peter and a boat ride on the sea. The sea is full of

edible fish, more than 20 varieties, notably the unique St. Peter s fish, our lunch main dish. Fisherman can still be heard pounding the water after dark in an ancient, yet still used method of fishing. Sunday, Feb. 27 A brief time of quiet reflection and worship on the sea shore will begin the day, followed by a drive up to The Golan Heights stopping for a view of the Galilee Zealot command post at Gamla, a view to Syria at Quinetra, then to Banias, and Tel Dan. Banias is one of the principal sources of the Jordan River. The beautiful and legendary waterfall is worth the trip. Banias figures in the New Testament as the place where Jesus designated Peter as the rock on which the church would be built. Tel Dan was the northern limit of the Promised Land. The settlement at Tel Dan was a recently abandoned Canaanite city when Joshua led the conquering Israelites here more than 3,000 years ago. Monday, Feb. 28 Early departure for Jerusalem by way of Caesarea Maritima on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Caesarea by the Sea, is Herod s astonishing port city created between 37 and 4 BC. It is one of the great cities of the ancient world. It is a dramatic archaeological site in a stunningly beautiful sea setting. Through taxes and trade the town became a source of wealth for Herod and for Rome. It became a Christian community in 135 CE. En Route to Jerusalem we will stop in Ramle at Open House, an interfaith ministry with a fascinating story. Overnight at Notre Dame in Jerusalem which will be our lodging for our Jerusalem stay. Notre Dame is a pilgrim guest house located in a beautifully restored landmark literally just steps from New Gate, an entrance to the Old City.

Tuesday, March 1 Morning visit to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square. It is known to the world as the birthplace of Jesus and praised in carols, and poetry. Bethlehem first appeared in the scriptures, nearly 2000 years before Jesus. Following a time to shop for Olive Wood, we will return to Jerusalem stopping for lunch at Ramat Rachel, then to Mount Zion for the traditional upper room of the Last Supper and a walk to the Southern Teaching Steps of the Temple and The Western Wall. Wednesday, March 2 Free Day. There are lots of options for this day, a day at leisure to explore. Within the walls, Jerusalem assails the mind with a dizzying blend of sounds and historic sites. Along busy lanes, shops hawk anything from souvenirs to spices, sandals to silver. East and West mingle freely. The Temple Mount is holy ground to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The Western Wall is revered because it is the last remnant of the most sacred place in the world to the Jews: the Temple. Visits to these sights will provide insight into both biblical and modern issues. Two suggested sites to visit today are: The Wohl Museum, the ancient tunnels in the Jewish Quarter. Tickets can be purchased on line prior to leaving home, for the tunnel tour. Thursday, March 3 We begin on The Mount of Olives, starting at Bethpage Church. As we begin our walking descent into the Kidron Valley we view the Old City and the Temple Mount. We will stop at Dominus Flevit Church,( Our Lord Wept ) and the Garden of Gethsemane. Lunch atop the Sisters of Zion Convent gives both respite and a sweeping view of the Old City. A walk on the Via Dolorosa ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher honors and remembers the crucifixion of Christ. Friday, March 4 We will visit the model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus, and The Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will also visit Yad VaShem, the Jerusalem Holocaust memorial. Afternoon speaker will deal with

Israel/Palestinian issues. A closing dinner together in Jerusalem will be filled with laughter from the adventure, memories and new learnings from the journey. People hold strong views about Israel. It is hard to grasp that a place only the size of Massachusetts can be so crucial to world politics and world religion. The country is alive with debate, a kaleidoscope of opinions, ideas, choice and diversity. A visit to The Holy Land changes forever the way that one reads both the daily news and the Bible. Saturday, March 5 Late morning check out afternoon stop in Joppa, departure port for the prophet Jonah and then on to dinner in Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean and departure for home from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport. INFORMATION DATES FEBRUARY 17-MARCH 6, 2011 - COST- $3550 PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY without air fare $800 ADDITIONAL PER PERSON SINGLE OCCUPANCY This journey is a blend of study and pilgrimage experience. Throughout our travels Dr. Fleming will offer additional optional lectures. It is critical that travelers be in good health and able walkers. A deposit of $500 is due by October 31 and fully refundable until January 1, 2011 Rates are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect in 2010. Rates and itinerary are subject to change. Cancellation with full land refund minus $100 will be given until 30 days prior to departure. AIR ARRANGEMENTS International and US Domestic airfare is not included in the program cost. There is already a change of air arrangements from the first brochure that was printed. Lufthansa connections no longer work. We will fly into and out of Tel

Aviv on US Airways. Until ticketed, I cannot guarantee airfare, currently at $1250. Taxes and surcharges can change. INCLUDED IN PROGRAM COST Lecturer, Scholar, Archaeologist and Guide: Dr. James Fleming 15 nights in superior lodging with modern comforts. (A resort kibbutz and pilgrim guest house are included in order to add to the Holy Land/Middle East travel experience. Additional hotel names and emergency contact numbers will be sent when confirmed) All breakfasts and dinners (except for final dinner in Tel Aviv) Comfortable local bus with selected driver for all visits in the itinerary All entrance fees to sites on itinerary with exception of free day visits or tours All tips to drivers and guides NOT INCLUDED IN PROGRAM COST Airfare, lunches, beverages with dinners, travel insurance, dinner in Tel Aviv, tours or entrance fees on free day in Jerusalem REGISTRATION FORM (Detach and return one form per person to Mary Hulst- 6561 S. Pontiac Ct. Centennial, CO 80111 Name (as on passport) Date of Birth Passport number Passport Expiration Date Address(street/city) zip Home Phone Cell Phone E-mail Enclosed is my $500 deposit. Checks should be made out to Mary Hulst I will send deposits for air and land as a group. Final Payments for air and land can be charged to a credit card. That information and process will be sent to you upon registration confirmation.