The Land of Jesus: Then & Now
A pilgrimage in Israel &
Palestine
Wisconsin Annual Conference
led by Bishop Linda Lee & the Rev. Forrest Wells
11 Days, 2-12 January 2012
$3,296 from Chicago
$400 scholarship for 1st time clergy travelers
3 Day Elective
The Wonders of Jordan & Petra
$898 returning on 15 January 2012
This pilgrimage will acquaint participants with the geographical and cultural settings of the Bible in Israel and Palestine (the West Bank). It will explore points of contact between Christianity, Islam and Judaism and build appreciation for the traditions and heritage of the three Abrahamic faiths. The pilgrimage will introduce participants to the nature of Christianity in the Holy Land today. There will be daily field trips to archaeological sites and historical shrines. Person to person learning experiences with indigenous Christians, Musims and Jews will supplement the field trips. The pilgrimage will include morning and evening forums on historical and contemporary themes, visits with church workers and mission sites.
Registration
Form
follow this link to open and print registration material and program conditions
Daily
Itinerary:
click on this link to view the full syllabus including the daily itinerary
(for the offical version of the itinerary, including any updates, please contact
our office)
send us an email or call us (781.641.4453) for more information
Day 1 Your journey begins with your departure from Chicago.
Day 2 Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, you will be met and asissted through arrival procedures and baggage claim and then escorted to your hotel.
Day 3 Following breakfast, your first full day of touring will introduce you to the cultural and historical contexts of Jesus's birth and have a walk through the Old city of Bethlehem. We will visit the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in Christendom. Then we will visit the Herodian, the Shepherds' Fields and also introduce you to Christian missions in the Holy land.
Day 4 Today's excursion brings us to the coastal Plain of Israel before heading to Galilee. We will visit Caesarea Maritima, which, in addition to its stunning location on the Mediterranean Sea, has biblical and early Christian significance. In Galilee, we will visit a Kibbutz and meet with members. We will also visit Megiddo, one of Israel's most significant archaeological sites and infamous as the setting of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16). We will also visit Christian missions.
Day 5 Today we familiarize ourselves with the social, political and cultural settings of Jesus' upbringing. We visit Sepphoris and Nazareth with lenty of time for a full exploration of both places. You'll see examples of ancient residences, ancient tombs, including one like the one Jesus was buried in, and commemorative shrines celebrating key people and places in Jesus' ministry.
Day 6 Today we spend the whole day around the Sea of Galilee. You will literally walk where jesus walked. We will visit Wadi Hammam, a nature area that was the foot path between Nazareth and Capernaum. We will also visit Capernaum, Tabgha, with its ancient shrines commemorating events in Jesus' ministry, and the Mount of the Beatitudes. Before heading through the Jordan Valley, we will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
Day 7 Our journey today brings us to the Northern part of the West Bank, biblical Samaria, where we visit Taybeh and Nablus. Visits will include Mt. Gerazim, where modern day Samaritans still observe their ancient rituals, and Jacob's well,
Day 8 Today we become acquainted with Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. Visits include the Mount of Olives, the Rockefeller Museum, the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book and the 2nd Temple Model.
Day 9 During our field trip today, we explore the Old City of Jerusalem on foot. You will visit the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, walk the Via Dolorosa, visit the Lithostratos and conclude with moments of reflection at the Church of the Resurrection
Day 10 Our day begins with an overview of the Wadi Qelt and St. George's Monastery. We will also visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and Masada. At the end of the day, if you are on the 11 day program, you will return to your hotel for your last overnight. If you have enrolled in the elective, you will cross the Jordan River via the Allenby Bridge continue on your journey.
Day 11 Those on the 11 day program return to the USA.
View the next column for information about the elective...
The Land of Jesus: Then & Now, cont'd.
3 Day elective: The Wonders
of Petra
$898 based on 10 people
send us an email or
call us (781.641.4453) for more information
Day 11 If you have joined the elective to Jordan and Petra, you will have a full day to explore Petra. Petra is known as the Rose Red City. It is an archaeological and natural wonder. You will be awed by the impressive Nabatean architecture and the stunning canyons and mountains of this impressive desert environment.
Day 12 Before journeying along the ancient King's Highway, we visit Al Beidha a Neolithic farming settlement dating to 7,000 B.C. We also visit Siq al Barid (Little Petra), enjoy the Shoback Castle overview, Kerak Castle overview and the awesome Wadi Mujib.
Day 13 Today is a full day exploration of Jerash, the best preserved Hellenistic city in the Eastern mediterranean region.
Day 14 return to the USA.