How’d you like to travel to the Holy Land? by Pr. Steve Quill
How’d you like to travel to the Holy Land?
How’d you like to see the ancient relics?
BUT – How’d you also like to meet some “Living Stones” – people on the ground who live and struggle in this ancient and modern world?
November 2009 is the time to go to the Holy Land and be engaged in a trip of a lifetime. We will visit Jerusalem, the Old City of Jerusalem, Galilee, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and all the places we’ve read about, pictured in our prayers, and that give our faith such deep meaning.
BUT, we will also be engaged in conversations with people from every culture and religion who are working toward peace and reconciliation in the most diverse and multi-religious part of the world.
The Holy Land is like no other place on earth. It is the home of the three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is a place of constant tension and incessant joy. It is a place where true peace will take place and a place where true peace continues to be a vision of hope. The Holy Land lives between “the already and the not yet”.
Here are some things that can whet your appetite for the journey of a lifetime:
1. Meet people engaged in peace initiatives:
a. Elias Chacour, the Melkite Bishop (Eastern Catholic) of the Holy Land, perhaps the single most interesting and powerful person of religion I’ve ever met. He lives in Ibillin, a community near Nazareth and yet he knows James and Susan Baker, Israeli prime ministers, presidents and world leaders; and he runs a school for Muslim, Jewish and Christian children. He’s worth the trip all by himself.
b. Israeli citizens who are members of a group called “Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions”. These are Jewish Israelis who work to stop the demolition of Palestinian homes.
c. The Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, the pastor of Evangelical Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem who lives just four blocks from the Church of the Nativity and who is a lifelong member of the congregation he now serves. He knows “everyone” in Bethlehem. We’ll worship and have fellowship with his congregation. He will engage us in conversations with a wide variety of people from every corner of Jerusalem/Bethlehem.
d. Palestinian and Israeli parents who have lost children to suicide bombers and terrorists of all kinds. We will have a chance to hear their stories and engage in conversation.2. See the sights:
a. Jerusalem and in particular, the Old City.
b. Bethlehem
c. Visit our Lutheran congregations (six in the Holy Land)
d. Sail on the Sea of Galilee
e. Visit Nazareth
f. Megiddo (Armageddon).
g. Caesarea on the coast.
h. The ruins at Sepphoris.3. Build relationships with fellow travelers and friends that will allow incredible conversations that will challenge and shape your religious and world views.
4. Bring scripture, faith, discipleship, community and reality into an ongoing dialogue that will deepen your faith life.
When: Nov. 3 – 12, 2009 tentative dates including travel time. Eight days on the ground.
Optional Extension: At the end of the tour, there will be an opportunity to visit the wonderful and intriguing land of Egypt. Cost is extra.
Cost: Right now it appears to be in the neighborhood of $4000 per person, double occupancy including airfare. If you have frequent flyer miles, that will reduce the cost
Please join Pr. Steve Quill on this Journey of a Lifetime! Stephen D. Quill is a retired Lutheran pastor who serves in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod as a interim pastor and supply preacher. Pastor Quill served New Hope Lutheran Church in Missouri City for many years before retiring.
For more information, contact Beverly Davis