Dear Friends,
We have returned to St. George's Guesthouse in East Jerusalem. Our time in the Galilee was filled with prayer and singing, lots of laughter (and also some tears), an increased connection to this land, to our sisters and brothers who live here, to one another, and of course to our Lord. We were particularly glad to have Simone Qumri with us for this part of our pilgrimage (her husband is our guide, Canon Iyad Qumri); she is grace personified.
We worshiped yesterday at Christ Church in Nazareth, literally a few steps away from where we stayed, the convent of the Sisters of Nazareth (a French order of RC nuns who were invited to start a school there in the mid-1800s). The Rector, Father Nael Abu, was extremely gracious to us, and welcomed both Tom Mousin and me to join him at the Altar for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Another group of pilgrims (Presbyterians) from Austin Theological Seminary were there for worship as well. After the worship service the Rector spoke to us about his experience, the ministry--clearly thriving--at Christ Church, and we listened carefully as he described what it's like to be an Arab-Palestinian-Christian-Israeli; try to get your head around all four!
We will post more throughout the week.
This evening, as we say Compline in the nave of this beautiful cathedral, we'll do so in solidarity with all who remember Martin Luther King, Jr., and all who work for a just peace. The adage "struggle is long, but hope is longer" seems apt for this national holiday, and also for what we're experiencing here. So too do these words from St. Paul: If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18).
Faithfully,
Thomas
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