Visit the Holy Land
Have you ever desired to visit the Holy Land? Are you interested in the political situation in the Middle East? The CRC and RCA have teamed up to offer two unique, once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. Find trip overviews below, and download the pdfs to post in your church or share with friends.
Space is limited, so register now!
Trip 1: Christ in Context
Trip 2: Delegation to Palestine/Israel
Join RCA pastor Marlin and Sally Vis on a pilgrimage experience in the Holy Land, visiting holy sites and gaining a
better understanding of the current political situation in Israel/Palestine.
Enrich your understanding of the Bible by experiencing biblical and historical sites for yourself:
• Caesarea Maritime, a magnificent port built by King Herod, home of the first Gentile convert, and the location of Paul’s trial, beginning his final missionary journey to Rome.
• The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
• The Mount of Beatitudes, the Church of the
Multiplication, the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, Capernaum, and a hike up Rabbi Mountain near the Lake of Galilee.
• The Mount of Olives churches along with a walk through the Kidron Valley.
• The house of the high priest Caiaphas, site of Jesus’ Thursday night trial, and where Peter denied the Lord.
• The Church of the Resurrection, which was built on the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
• Gamla, a first century synagogue, soaring eagles, and a great story of tragedy and courage.
• And much, much more.
Enhance your understanding of the current political situation in Israel/Palestine.
We will visit:
• A Jewish settlement in the West Bank.
• A refugee camp in Bethlehem.
• The Temple Mount (Jewish) and Al Haram esh Sharef ("the noble sanctuary," Muslim): the site
where the Jewish temples once stood and now home to the Dome of the Rock.
• Yad Vashem, a Holocaust memorial.
On many evenings, we will hear from people representing various factions in the area: Palestinian Christians, Israeli Palestinian Christians, Orthodox Jews, Palestinian Muslims, and representatives from Musalaha ("reconciliation" in Arabic) and Bereaved Families (Jews and Palestinians who have lost loved ones in the conflict). These visits, which will be scheduled according to the availability of the speakers, will help you grasp Christ in context. You’ll be confronted with tension and contrast, and you’ll be the better for it.
You will also experience Nazareth, Jericho, Jerusalem, and the Pool of Siloam. We’ll visit Banias, the site of Caesarea Philippi. You will have the opportunity to soak in the Dead Sea and to walk a portion of the Emmaus Road,
where Jesus appeared to two disciples after his resurrection.
At the Israel Museum, we will see the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest surviving biblical documents, which date from
150 B.C. to 70 A.D. Together we will walk the Via Dolorosa, "the way of sorrows," as we retrace Jesus' steps as he carried the cross to his death.
Upcoming Pilgrimages
July 3-15, 2010
November 6-18, 2010
Registration Deadlines
July 3-15 Pilgrimage: April 2, 2010
November 6-18 Pilgrimage: August 4, 2010
Program Cost: $1,500
(Does not include airline ticket, drinks, lunches, and driver tip.)
Conflict in Palestine/Israel has taken center stage in recent months. Despite recent elections in Israel, involvement of the Quartet on the Middle East, and overtures from the Obama administration, the situation for many Palestinians living in the West Bank remains grave. Road closures, home invasions, checkpoints and the presence of militant Israeli settlers in Palestinian villages continue to threaten Palestinian human rights. Israel's separation barrier (much of it built on confiscated Palestinian land) not only separates Palestinian communities from each other, but also acts as a barrier between ordinary Israelis and Palestinians seeking to come together for peace. CPT delegation members will gain a perspective on how these issues affect daily life.
Delegates will meet with Palestinian and Israeli human rights representatives and peace workers in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. They will visit Palestinian families whose home and livelihoods are threatened by expanding Israeli settlements. They will travel to the city of Al Khalil (Hebron) and the village of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills and experience firsthand CPT's work alongside Israeli and Palestinian partners. They will challenge the structural violence of the Occupation through nonviolent public witness.
CPT has had a continuous presence in the West Bank since 1995.
We seek participants with some of the following interests, experiences and gifts:
•Interest/experience in international human rights work;
•Commitment to and/or experience in nonviolent action;
•Commitment to undoing racism;
•Willingness to engage in public witness, worship and vigils;
•Willingness to participate in daily periods of team worship and reflection.
Participants should be prepared to:
•Spend 12 days in Palestine/Israel;
•Prepare for the trip by becoming familiar with the current conditions in Palestine/Israel;
•Communicate their experiences to local congregations, groups and the media upon return;
•Raise $2750 US/ $3200 Canadian to cover costs of the trip froma designated point in North America (includes international airfare, all in-country travel, simple accommodations, two meals/day, honoraria and delegation fees).
For more information or to apply contact:
Rev. John Paarlberg, c/o First Church in Albany, 110 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY, 12207;
Phone: 518-463-4449; e-mail: johnpaarlberg@verizon.net
Or Christian Peacemaker Teams, Delegation Coordinator
Claire Evans, phone 773-277-0253; e-mail: delegations@cpt.org
Find out more about Christian Peacemaker Teams at www.cpt.org.
