Wednesday 31 July 2013

MONDAY, 29TH JULY, 2013

MONDAY, 29TH JULY, 2013

Another early start in order to have breakfast with Maureena at 7 a.m. to talk about some last minute thoughts before leaving.  

Final packing of my stuff and then helping Marge and Kasia to take the Bat Kol stuff to the van which was to take them to Ein Kerem for the meetings which would take place during the week.

Our shuttle taxi was right on time at 11.45 a.m. and Vid and I were first to be picked up, then a trip around Jerusalem to collect another six or seven people.   When we reached the airport I was the only one for Terminal 1, so a quick farewell to Vid, and I was on my own with two very heavy pieces of luggage!   Found the trolleys and went for lunch before the long check-in process, following which we were taken by shuttle to Terminal 3 ready for departure.   One plane journey, two coach trips and I was back in Bristol about 1.15 a.m., very pleased to see Jeremy and to be delivered safely back home.  

What an adventure!   Watch this space for future notes from the course, and news of outcomes.  Meanwhile I would value your prayers that I will go forward from this experience according to God's plan.

SUNDAY, 28TH JULY, 2013

SUNDAY, 28TH JULY, 2013

This is it!   The last day, the Graduation Ceremony, celebratory dinner and then .......

I had planned to go with Harold to Holy Communion at the Cathedral at 8 a.m. but on reflection decided to stay at St Charles for Mass with the Sisters, and with Vid as Celebrant.   It was the first time I had been to the Chapel there and it was a beautiful place.   I still don't know how so few Sisters can sing so beautifully, each evening when they sing grace they do it superbly and the chapel seemed to enhance their voices even more.   The whole Mass was in German, and lasted an hour but I was glad to be there.

Afterwards there was clearing up to be done as Bat Kol prepared to move all their equipment out and leave St Charles as they had found it.  

One final session in the classroom to reflect on what we would be taking away from our studies and what plans we had, what difference this would make to us - we couldn't fail to be changed by our time together.   I shall share my plans as I write more and do presentations.

So we came to the time for the Graduation Ceremony, and I felt now was the second occasion during my time here when it was necessary to put on clerical blouse and collar (the other time was for the Renewal of Baptismal vows).   We had a minibus to take us to the Old City where the Ceremony was to be held in Ecce Homo, a beautiful convent on the Via Dolorosa, where one of the Stations of the Cross is inside the building. Some of the first photos on this blog were taken at Ecce Homo on my first day in the Old City.   We were made very welcome and Sister Rita took us on a guided tour of the whole building, including the cavernous spaces and cisterns beneath.

The Graduation Ceremony was held in the Basilica, such an amazing place, present were several members of the Board of Bat Kol, some of whom were from Canada and who would also be attending Bat Kol Board meetings later in the week,  and some of  the Sisters of Sion joined us also.    There was a short rehearsal before, and then such a lovely service, a spine tingling 'sending out' address from Maureena, and as we each received our Certificates from her, we were asked to respond  'We will hear and we will do'   A huge commitment not to be taken lightly!    Much to think about.

Then dinner, followed by desert and coffee in another room so that we could watch a Bat Kol Powerpoint to celebrate the 30th Anniversary.   All too soon it was the end .......  or the beginning?  

SATURDAY, 27TH JULY, 2013

SATURDAY, 27TH JULY, 2013

Our last but one day, and it was a free day so destination Bethlehem.  Most of us seemed to be going there in two groups, the 8 o'clock and the 9 o'clock.   Now so used to early starts, I joined the 8 a.m. group, so Vid, Bino, Harold and I moved off to the bus stop shortly after 8.   We had an extraordinary day of sightseeing and just joy at being in Bethlehem and the other places we visited.   When we first arrived in Bethlehem we left the bus at the last stop which was quite a way from Manger Square.  We were approached by a taxi drive, Josef, and asked him to take us to our destination.   The day turned out really well as Josef remained with us as guide and driver until 4 p.m., taking us to Hebron to the Mosque and Souik, then to Herodian, the Shepherds' Field, a Glass and Ceramic Works, Manger Square, and an Olive Wood Factory.   A wonderful day - see photos (taken by Bino to relieve me of the task! - what a blessing my companions were this day, and throughout the whole programme.)

Returning to St Charles, there was time to rest and relax before supper.

After  supper we met in the classroom  as Kristen led a liturgy which was close to a Eucharist.   There had been some pain over the Mass;  I knew before going what the situation would be and am used to this in other Roman Catholic communities. The main time I felt real pain was when the Mass was by the Sea of Galilee and that seemed the very place where it should be totally inclusive.   Other than that, for me it had been  a delight when I celebrated for our own Patronal Festival to be able to consecrate the Reserve Sacrament to take with me to Jerusalem.   However, there were two others in the group who were unable to receive the sacrament, and did not wish to go down the Reserve Sacrament route either, and for one person there was a feeling of not being a good enough Christian.   I had declined to celebrate an Anglican Eucharist there as I believed this could have caused greater  problems particularly for Bat Kol and might  have been more divisive than healing.  However, most of those who attended the liturgy received the bread and wine, as I did also ....  One really good song included 'Ancient Words', I'll need to check it out again.

A bit more social time, and another day ended.

FRIDAY, 26TH JULY, 2013

FRIDAY,  26TH JULY,  2013

Today could be as challenging as the Desert because it is the day  is when we go to celebrate Shabbat with an unknown family, this includes accompanying them to their Synagogue and then sharing the Shabbat meal in their home. We are split into pairs (although there is one group of three because of numbers).  I am going with Sr Jackie to Miriam and Michael Bendcowsky whose daughter Hana has been one of our lecturers on the present day situtation in Israel and Palestine.   But that's all for later.

First, the day starts with  Siddur with Maureena.

You grace humans with knowledge
and teach mortals understanding.
Graciously share with us your wisdom,
insight and knowledge.
Blessed are you, Adonai, 
who graces us with knowledge.
Page 84,Mishkan T'filah, A Reform Siddur

The thinking today was that when we pray for wisdom, insight and knowledge, we must be prepared for change, to move from thesis (content of faith)  to antithsis (new knowledge) to synthesis (the new thesis) and so on - each movement perhaps bringing a falling apart, a confusion, a desert experience - knowledge may be dangerous, but stagnant faith is also (final comment my own). 

The first lecture was our final one from Mordecai Silverstein, a great lecturer and storyteller, whose subject today was Haftarah for Behukotai, Jeremiah 16:19-17:14, 'Face the consequences'.   Full notes to follow. 

At 10.30 our second lecture was from Maureena, whose title was Emor, Lev. 21:1-22:33).   This session was the big one on Maureena's booklet 'Sabbath Rest and Sunday Worship - We are entitled to both.'
Once again full notes will follow so begin thinking about how to use your Saturdays if they become the Sabbath for you - it's in the Commandments and it's not Sunday which is the day we celebrate Christ's Resurrection.  

One more session at 4.00 when Sr Cecilia Martin (Ces) from New Zealand, ministering in New York, guided us on how to prepare a Parashat.   Each week Bat Kol publish on their website a commentary on the reading for the week, this is called the Parashat, and Bat Kol Alumni are invited to volunteer to write these and submit them for approval.    We were asked to sign up to take a turn at this and I will do so in due course but somehow the list went missing so that's still in abeyance for most of us. 

Then the big time came to prepare for Shabbat!  Jackie and I joined Kasia in a taxi to avoid another gruelling walk.  Miriam and Michael gave us a very warm welcome, and Miriam lit the Shabbat candles (14 in total one for each member of the family).   Then we went to the Synagogue which was Orthodox so quite different from the one we had attended before.   The liturgy took place in a school, but the congregation are having a new Synagogue built which will be complete in about three years.  The hall in which we met was divided down the middle by a net curtain;  women were on the left and men on the right.   The liturgy was very fast, the Siddur was entirely in Hebrew, the tunes were ones we did not know.   A nice lady, whose name sounded like Susannah, kindly sat with me to help me through the service, but it didn't really work for me because of the speed.   However, the Rabbi did pull the curtain aside before the end and welcome us as visitors which was really nice of him. 

Supper was delightful, both food, conversation and friendship.   Miriam and Michael spoke English very well so there was no problem in that connection. We had to remember during the evening that the light had to remain on in the bathroom and that there was no light on the stairs since Orthodox Jews observe very specific rules for Sabbath, no switching on of lights, no computers, no television,  no driving and so on.  They shared with us how the Shoah had affected their family and how delighted they have been only recently to find in America a handwritten record in Yiddish from one of Miriam's ancestors, which Michael is in the process of translating and hopes it may go to the Holocaust Museum if Miriam and family are willing.  This will fill in some of their missing ancestory on Miriam's side of the family. How many, many people who have survived have got this huge gap, this nothingness, this unknowing about the lives of those who have no closure, no knowledge of the outcome of whole groups of family members.  It's horrendous and heartbreaking ....  

All too soon it was midnight and we left accompanied by Miriam to search for a taxi which we quickly found and then Miriam returned home.    So ended a wonderful evening with a lovely couple.



THURSDAY, 25TH JULY, 2013

THURSDAY, 25TH JULY, 2013

The day started early, breakfast at 6.30 a.m. so we could be on the coach to the Old City by 7 a.m for a morning visit to the Temple Mount with Dan Bahat.   Another most amazing time - Dan has spent years and years studying this particular area,  He is  former Chief Archeologist of Jerusalem, is adjunct Professor St Michael's College, University of Toronto, and lectures in universities around the world.  Dan has authored many books, including 'The Illustrated Atlas of Jerusalem'.   Need I say more, we could not have asked for anyone better, it was a truly amazing morning, thankfully pretty much on the flat and Dan moved us from one shady spot to the next.   More in my further notes.

After lunch there was free time until 4 p.m. so I used this to do my preparation for the Cultural Evening which started at 7 p.m.

Our only lecture today was from Rabbi Mordecai Silverstein.  The topic was Haftarah Tazriah 2 Kings 4:42-5:19, the healing of Naaman.  

Then supper and on to the Cultural Evening.  We had a great, funfilled evening, which included a Canadian Trivia Quiz (I still believe Edison INVENTED the light bulb and didn't just buy the rights from a Canadian), an Australian song from Mark, a country dance from Kristen, a nose rubbing ceremony from Ces, a Brazilian samba from Vid and Carolena, dance video from India, a song from Russia,  Fulgida read an Italian aria with English translation, and I told the legend of Joseph of Arimathea coming to Glastonbury and read a poem which I only had only been given  to me by Alison on the Sunday before I left for Jerusalem:

Not merely in the words you say
Not only in your deeds confessed,
But in the most unconscious way
Is Christ expressed. 
Is it a calm and peaceful smile?
A holy light upon your brow?
Oh no!  I felt his presence while
You laughed just now.
For me 'twas not the truth you taught,
To you so clear, to me so dim,
But when you came to me you brought
A sense of Him. 
And from your eyes he beckons me,
And from your heart his love is shed,
Till I lose sight of you, and see
The Christ instead. 
Source Unknown; from Discipleship by David Watson.

Tired but refreshed, entertained and so to bed. 




WEDNESDAY, 24TH JULY, 2013

WEDNESDAY, 24TH JULY

Safely back in St Charles Hospice, really does feel like home, and the Sisters look after us so well. Meals are varied and delicious, room are all allocated singly and are ensuite, the garden is beautiful and so peaceful - coming back to regular daily life in WSM is going to be a big change of pace .......

Today started as usual at 8 a.m. with Siddur with Maureena.   As usual the session starts with silence, followed by singing together The Shema:  'Sh'ma Yisrael,  Adonai Eloheinu,  Adonai Echad!.' - Hear, O Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is One!

The theme for this morning was the holiness of God - Isaiah 6:3 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.'   Kadosh is the Hebrew for Holy, set aside.  The Holy One is singular, awe-inspiring, even terrible or dreadful (Neh. 1:5, Pa 68:35).  Kavod is Glory - the whole earth is full of His GLORY, something which can be seen, which is near.   We had discussion on two schools of thought:

Rabbi Ishmael who claimed that direct encounter with God is not possible and that, because God is a 'consuming fire' (Ex. 24:17)whose throne is 'fiery flames' the distance, between God and human can only be bridged indirectly through sacred places and sacred times, sacred liturgy and sacred ritual, sacred writings and sacred individuals (priest, lawgiver, prophet and sage).

Rabbi Akiva who claimed that direct encounter with God is possible. The created world is invested with divinity; the earth is heaven and earth together.  A continuous permeablte flow passes continually between the two.   Hence, direct encounter with God is possible - 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might' (Dt 6:5)

Do we need a mediator, or do we have mediation through God's presence in the world and our love for Him which is our response to His love for us.  These words helped me, I hope they help you also:
Days pass and the years vanish,
and we walk sightless among miracles.
God, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing;
let there be moments when Your presence, like lightening,
illumines the darkness in which we walk.
Help us to see, wherever we gaze, 
that the bush burns unconsumed.
And we, clay touched by God,
will reach out for holiness and exclaim in wonder:
'How filled with awe is this place, and we did not know it!
Blessed is the Eternal One, the Holy God!'
(Page 81 Mishkan T'fillah - A Reform Siddur)

Then the silence - what a great start to the day - I'm with R. Akiva - where are you?  

One could spend all day reflecting, praying and reading around that session alone, but Rabbi Dr Dalia Marx was on the dot at 8.30 to give us another inspirational session on  Parashat Tatzria 'A window to Women's Religiosity in Antiquity'  Absolutely fascinating session which will be opened up in the forthcoming notes and presentations.

Onward then to a lecture by Ester Lapian on Parashat Kedoshim (Lev. 19:1-37) which starts with the words 'The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 'Speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them: You shall be holy. for I. your God, am holy,'  - a thought provoking time of discussing  personal behavior towards one another, particularly gossip, rebuke, etc.  - as pertinent today as when written.   Again I will  unpack this is detail later.

Friday 26 July 2013

MONDAY AND TUESDAY, 22ND AND 23RD JULY 2013

MONDAY, 22ND JULY

Well, this is the day - departure for the Desert Experience.   8 a.m and we're off, picking up our Guide,
David (Dudu) Cohen on the way.  What a journey and what knowledge and information Dudu shared with us (details will come in my later notes when I have more time), but the ruggedness, isolation, barrenness of the wilderness was overwhelming.

Lots of stops before we arrived at our destination for the night around 4 p.m.   Our encampment was Bedouin style, photos show more clearly what this means than my description in words.  After a cold welcome drink (very welcome),   next on the agenda was THE CAMEL RIDE!   I've never done it before, and on the basis I may never do it again - you've guessed, it had to be done, somehow!   Not an easy operation, I don't know who found it most difficult, the camel or me.   Emily was sitting in front, and I sort of got on and the camel thought I was sitting comfortably so decided to stand up;   Uhuh big mistake by the camel as I was not sitting comfortably or safely so he had to be persuaded to sit down again for me to wriggle around.   He was not impressed, neither was I as the going up and coming down was really uncomfortable.   However, we finally had a nice long peaceful ride for about half an hour, but I soon found that getting on was a lot easier than getting off! With several 'ouches' and a lot of help from Dudu and others, I was finally off - the camel was probably even more relieved than I was.  Another adventure over.

Then on to a large Bedouin tent for the welcome Tea and Coffee ritual and some facts about Bedouin life before we were shown to our accommodation - wow - see pictures here.

Supper was 'finger' food, a lovely selection of kebabs, chicken, various salads, rice, couscous, dips, fruit, pitta bread, and lots of cool fruit drinks.   I have to confess at this point to being less expert with fingers than with chopsticks - if you've ever eaten Chinese with me, you can imagine it got really messy, but when in the desert .....

The light was going to fade fast, so we went to a space on the edge of the encampment for a time of reflection and meditation led by Shelley, a Sister of Sion from Canada, and Mark.   It was  a  beautiful time when we could reflect on the location at the moment but also our own desert/wilderness times - gone or current.   The chosen scripture and the song written by Mark were very.... well, here's the song, read it and you'll know what I mean.

IN THE DESERT
To the desert I will take you.
Come with me and I will set you free,
n'shmah v'na'aseh. (Hear and do!)

In the desert, I will  lead you
safely through the struggles and the pain,
 n'shmah v'na'aseh. 

In the desert I will feed you.
You will see just what you mean to me,
n'shmah v'na'aseh. 

In the desert I have called you.
Trust in me and know that I am here,
n'shmah v'na'aseh.

In the desert, you may stumble.
Know that I am still with you through it all,
n'shmah v'na'aseh.

In the desert you will find me. 
You will know that mercy is my name,
n'shmah v'na'aseh.

Lots of personal desert reflection time, some alone time  ........  a bright full moon, and just the desert, except for the noise from the whole area of the encampment. 

It was too early to settle down to sleep so when Curtis said he had found a music event, coupled with us having lost track of a person, he and I set out to find the person but also visit the music event, found Harold on the way so we then  had a search and rescue team of three.   Couldn't find the missing person but reached the music event, video should be with the photos.   It transpired that it was a private BarMitvah party; a family from France had come to Masada for the event and this was the celebration!    Soon they discovered we were gatecrashers and politely explained the situation so we left, and returned to our tents which was home for the night.   I had made up my mind not to sleep - creepy crawlies, roaming donkeys and all that but the day got the better of me and soon it was 3.15 a.m. and I was awake, wandering and reflecting, ready for our early start at 5 a.m. to see the sunrise at Masada.  (Hadn't found the silence of the  desert  I had waited for - too many parties going on - nor the stars because of the full moon.) 

Sunday 21 July 2013

SUNDAY, 21ST JULY 2013

SUNDAY, 21ST JULY 2013

Our day started at 8.30 a.m. with a lecture from Rabbi Levi on Jewish Worship.   We knew him from the visits we have made to the synagogue so it was really good to have him with us and to learn more about worship which has been followed since the time Jesus used to pray these same prayers.    Much more to follow when my notes are written up.

At 11.00 a.m. we left to go to Yad Veshem, the Holocaust Museum.   The visit was in two parts, first the outside areas which took about two hours to complete, followed by the museum which is built through a hill. The whole complex is amazing and very evocative - so much death and abuse of all kinds - but then so much heroism and faith both by those who suffered and atrocities and those Righteous Gentiles who saved thousands of Jews, putting their own lives at risk to do so.    To say it was a gruelling visit is an understatement.   The area which touched me most deeply was the Memorial of the Children.  But all the thoughts of what so many suffered and the  lives lost  in such horrific circumstances ........

Our next destination was Ein Kerem, a Community of the Sisters of Sion.   A absolutely beautiful location with lovely gardens where we could take time to meditate and reflect, and then share some thoughts on the day at a plenary session before going to Mass.   Again, I attended but administered the Reserve Sacrament to myself, no other non-RCs were there.  

The Sisters provided a lovely supper, and then it was in the minibuses to return 'home' and to start our preparation for TOMORROW when we depart at 8 a.m. for the Desert for a camel ride, a part-night in a tent, at 4 a.m. start on Tuesday to watch the sunrise, and at sometime a dip in the Dead Sea.  I think we are back here in time for supper Tuesday so hope to catch up on the blog then.


Saturday 20 July 2013

Thursday, 18th July - Saturday, 20th July

THURSDAY, 18TH JULY

Jeremy's birthday today, so managed to catch him on the phone before we got too far into the morning.  On a mission now to find him a birthday present, what an opportunity to get a Holy Land item!

The Siddur was based on 'For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe.'   'The great, the powerful and the awesome God'  Deut. 10:17

Spurred on by those encouraging thoughts, we had our busiest day so far.   Two Leviticus lectures in the morning, then in the afternoon we got down to the real present day stuff.  Hana Bendcowsky, an Israeli woman who is on the Board of Bat Kol, gave us great insight with her talk on 'Relations in Israel'.   For the second session Hana was joined by a Palestinian, and together they shared with us their own personal stance on their situation, how their lives are afftected and what are their hopes for the future.   An evocative afternoon.

The day finished on an inspirational, spiritual high with a session on Jewish prayer led by Yair Harel who sang and taught us prayers, some of which have existed for up to 2,000 years.   For more of this fabulous way of worshipping, visit piyut.org.il

And so to bed!

Tuesday, 16th July and Wednesday, 17th July

TUESDAY, 16TH JULY 

Today is Tisha B'Av a day of fasting for the Jewish people when they remember now only the destruction of  the Temple but also  all the deaths and tragedies throughout their history.   Today's Siddur meditation from Maureena was on God's great love.  'How deeply you have loved us' depicts an intimate approach to God as the Giver of the Torah.  A quote from Zeev Yaavetz 'This blessing, preceding the Shema of the morning service, bears the name 'Ahavah' Love.  Meditating on it influences holiness and purity in one's heart since it is in essence an expression of absolute love.'  Study of Torah is considered a manifestation of love.   Words from the Siddur prayer 'O merciful One have mercy on us by making us able to understand and discern, to heed, learn, and teach, and, lovingly to observe, perform, and fulfill all that is in your Torah.'  So our study of the Torah commenced.

What a morning with Marcie Lenk who brought us wisdom and knowledge coupled with enthusiasm, humour and fire, on Lamentations & Tisha B'Av followed by Parashet Behar.

The afternoon brought two hours of Hebrew with Sarah Israeli.


Wednesday 17 July 2013

SATURDAY,  SUNDAY & MONDAY, 13TH - 15TH JULY

SATURDAY:  What can I say?   These three days were the most amazing trip, carefully planned, accurately timed, filled by our lovely Guide, Gila, with huge amounts of information.   Gila not only knew everything about the sites - including the blessed shady spots! - but filled her talks not only with Bible references but so much extra from Talmud, midrash, the sages - we could not have had a more professional or better informed Guide.

On the first part of our coach journey which started at 8 a.m., Celia, a Sister of Sion,  led us in worship, giving us a selection of scriptures on which to reflect and then to share our thoughts with an havruta partner. This was accompanied by some singing, and as this was the start of another stage of our journey together I gave everyone a copy of 'For the Traveller' a poetic blessing:
For the Traveller

Every time you leave home,
another road takes you
into a world you were never in.


New strangers on other paths await.
new places that have never seen you
will startle a little at your entry.
Old places that know you well
will pretend nothing
changed since your last visit.


When you travel, you find yourself
alone in a different way,
more attentive now
to the self you bring along,
your more subtle eye watching
you abroad; and how what meets you
touches that part of the heart
that lies low at home:


How you unexpectedly attune
to the timbre in some voice,
opening in conversation
you want to take in
to where your longing
has pressed hard enough
inward, on some unsaid dark,
to create a crystal of insight
you could not have known
you needed
to illuminate
your way.

  
When you travel,
a new silence
goes with you,
and if you listen,
you will hear
what your heart would
love to say.


A journey can become a sacred thing:
make sure, before you go,
to take the time
to bless your going forth,
to free your heart of ballast
so that the compass of your soul
might direct you toward
the territories of spirit
where you will discover
more of your hidden life,
and the urgencies
that deserve to claim you.


May you travel in an awakened way,
gathered wisely into your inner ground;
that you may not waste the invitations
which wait along the way to transform you.


May you travel safely, arrive refreshed,
and live your time away to its fullest;
return home more enriched, and free
to balance the gift of days which call you.

John O’Donohue (To Bless the Space between Us) 

I was given this by Heather, my Prayer Guide, for the Week of Guided Prayer at St Peter's just the day before I left for Israel so it was good to be able to share it as we moved on that day.

For the final part of our day's journey, we travelled by boat across the Sea of Galilee.   It was late in the afternoon when the sea regularly gets a bit rough.  What a joy when the boat stopped mid-journey for Mark to lead us in worship.  The song we sang was appropriately 'Galilee Song'.  I didn't know it before but what a song for that time.  St Peter's will definitely be learning it very soon. 

Deep within my heart, I feel voices whispering to me.
Words that I can’t understand; Meanings I can’t clearly hear!
Calling me to follow close, lest I leave myself behind!
Calling me to walking into evening shadows one more time!

So I leave my boats behind!
Leave them on familiar shores!
Set my heart upon the deep!
Follow you again, my Lord!


In my memories, I know how you send familiar rains
falling gently on my days, dancing patterns on my pain!
And I need to learn once more in the fortress of my mind,
to believe in falling rain as I travel deserts dry!

So I leave my boats behind!
Leave them on familiar shores!
Set my heart upon the deep!
Follow you again, my Lord!


As I gaze into the night down the future of my years,
I’m not sure I want to walk past horizons that I know!
But I feel my spirit called like a stirring deep within,
restless, ’til I live again beyond the fears that close me in!

So I leave my boats behind!
Leave them on familiar shores!
Set my heart upon the deep!
Follow you again, my Lord!




You can stop to say a big 'Wow' at this point if you like!

We arrived at the Ein Karem Holiday Village just in time for supper.  The location was superb, as close to the Sea of Galilee as it was possible to be with the Golan Heights immediately behind.   We can definitely recommend the local wine from the Golan Heights, it had a superb pepperiness very similar to a good Australian or Chilean.

SUNDAY started  with a Eucharist at 6.30 a.m. outside overlooking the sea.  This was led by  Videlson, a Roman Catholic Priest from Brazil and Vladimir, a Russian Orthodox Priest,  from Moscow.  I only add the denominations to indicate what an ecumenical group we are, and how we are finding ways to worship together.  I was the only non-Catholic in the gathering, but had  with me  the Reserve Sacrament which I consecrated when I celebrated for our Patronal Festival (the 10th Anniversary of my first celebration) so I adminsitered to myself, and would have shared with the few others had any attended.

A quick breakfast and we were off again for the day, but this time we returned to Ein Karem by 5.30 p.m. in time to get ready for our next ecumenical worship before supper.   This service was planned by Kristen, a Methodist pastor from Kansas and myself and it was a Service for the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.    The first part of the service took place on the grass outside our rooms, overlooking the sea.  When we reached the Renewal of Vows, we walked in silence to a small cove so that we could actually be in the sea, and there we made our promises again and made new a new commitment to our calling.   The service ended with the Our Father sung in Hebrew before I gave the blessing.  Everyone in the group attended and I think many were touched by the moment.  It was a privilege to be able to plan this with Kristen, and to share such a beautiful time which will remain a most amazing treasure to me.   Following supper some of us went to the beach with some of the excellent Golan Heights wine; Curtis and Mark played guitar an sang for us, and then the final three remaining (Ann, Curtis and me) saw the moon set before we turned in for the night ...... a moon setting over Galilee - I may never see that again, or perhaps I will, God knows.

MONDAY another early start - at 6.30 a.m. we had Morning Prayer outside, again led by Videlson and Vladimir - and then after breakfast we were on the coach again  with  so many sites to visit.   During the whole time there were only two walks which I didn't manage and that was an hour and a half on Sunday and an hour on Monday.   Each time I found a lovely shady spot and enjoyed the peace of the place.  On Sunday  I spent  time reflecting on the miracle of God's presence, cherishing that moment above all others, not looking back on the blessings which  have been, nor thinking ahead to blessings yet to come, but welcoming this I-Thou moment which will never be again and thanking Yah for it.   During Monday,  I was also able to draw up a plan for the ChA+ Retreat which I am leading in August. 


When we arrived back at St Charles we all felt we were back 'home' again - tired but filled with the most amazing memories.    To share these, the itinerary and photos will be added shortly.

Friday 12 July 2013

Thursday and Friday

WEDNESDAY,  10.07.13

Trip out from very early  thisue morning to Jerusalem visited lots of sites (Temple Mount, West Wall, Via Dolorosa, etc.) with an excellent  guide, Alan.  Thankfully we went to the Jaffa Gate in a minibus but there was still a lot of walking but with much help from friends it was successfully accomplished and then the minibus took us home again.  Pictures will have to follow as I am writing this downstairs and my
camera is upstairs.  Beautiful views and so much history!    Still can't believe I'm here.

Much study again later in the day.

THURSDAY, 11.07.13

Classroom day today. preceded by another of Maureena's worship sessions which so set me up for the day. We had a free period after lunch so I walked with Kristen, Ann and Shelley to the end of the road where it joins to the main shopping street.   Had a wander in the sun, and got very hot then back for Hebrew.

Plans are in place for a visit to the Synagogue tomorrow, a Shabbat supper, and then Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the Galilee.   A variety of worship is planned by the Liturgy Committee.  Kirsten and I are doing an ecumenical renew of Baptismal Vows on the short on Sunday evening at 6.30 - really looking forward to that.  Celia has planned worship on the bus for Saturday morning and I've arranged for everyone to have a copy of John O'Donoghue's poem For the Traveller which my Prayer Guide gave to me last week.

More soon.

FURTHER UPDATES

This is another 'bulk update' due to difficulties with wifi, timing of programme and overall 'busyness'

TUESDAY, 09.07.13

The day started at 8 a.m. with Siddur Prayer with Maureena, a beautiful start to the day.
The theme for the day was a special prayer to thank God for our souls and His protection of them
during sleep.   The question was where do our souls go when we sleep, and Maureena's lovely
thought is that God 'cleans and polishes them all up' and they are returned to us pure to start the new
day.  The session gave a good time for meditation.   What a blessed basis on which to place the day's
work.

For the remainder of the day we had two lectures on Leviticus in the morning, and a wonder two hour
Hebrew lesson in the afternoon.  

We have formed a Liturgy Committee - before you think it I've not joined because I've missed meetings but
because it is a fantastic opportunity to plan worship together with the other denominations who are here.
The usual situation exists regarding non-Roman Catholic being excluded from receiving the Sacrament but I was aware of this before and have come equipped with the Reserve Sacrament which I consecrated when I celebrated for the Patronal Festival  on my 10th Anniversary.  I will share this sacred provision with others who are excluded in this way and  wish to receive when we attend the Mass.   The next one will be at The Galilee on Sunday.

Bulk update has to finish here for the moment as time is pressing to get ready to attend the Synagogue and then Shabbat meal.   More later.   Shabbat Shalom.


Monday 8 July 2013

Wifi is now working!!!!!!

As the wifi is working now, I'm updating for Saturday - Monday;

SATURDAY 06.07.13
Well settled in now, and ready to go.   Spent the morning in the garden studying
Hebrew, and then took taxi  with Carolina, Bella, Vid and Curtis to the Old City.
Amazing!  I’ve attached some photos.  In the evening we had a pre-Course
briefing.

SUNDAY 07.07.13
Back to the Old City again, but this time walked with Ann and Kristen.   I went to
Communion at Christ Church – a beautiful service, wonderful worship, terrific
Sermon by their Australian Deacon.   Prayer ministry afterwards – all excellent.
Then I joined the others to walk back – phew, only just made it back in time for
lunch.

First session in afternoon was Introductions, followed by our first lecture on
Jewish/Christian Relationship.

In the evening we had the official opening of the Course. This was held in the
garden and  a lovely time during which we received from Maureena Fritz and 
the team the books we shall be working with and we were able to meet some of the
Professors who will be lecturing over the next three weeks.

Friday 5 July 2013

Arrived!

Finally arrived in Jerusalem this afternoon.   We are staying at St Charles Hospice, Lloyd George Street, a lovely peaceful building which is home to a community of German Sisters.

Flying into Tel Aviv was phenomenal - seeing The Land for the first time as we descended, it felt like coming home even though I have never been here before.  Time to shed a tear of joy, and some regret to be doing it alone!

Hope to be able to  explore a bit tomorrow but must also find time for more Hebrew and reading for one of the Sunday sessions.

Catch you again soon.

Thursday 4 July 2013

Nearly there!

It has taken me longer today to travel to Luton than it should take tomorrow to reach Jerusalem!
However, I am writing this as planes, mainly Easyjet, take off past my window and my destination
is now tantalisingly close.   Next time I write it will be from Jerusalem.

Till then, I share with you a blessing which my Prayer Guide read for me yesterday when we met briefly:

For the Traveler by John O'Donohue

Every time you leave home, 
another road takes you 
into a world you were never in. 
New strangers on other paths await. 
New places that have never seen you 
will startle a little at your entry. 
Old places that know you well 
will pretend nothing 
changed since your last visit. 
When you travel, you find yourself 
alone in a different way, 
more attentive now 
to the self you bring along, 
your more subtle eye watching you abroad; 
and how what meets you 
touches that part of the heart 
that lies low at home: 
How you unexpectedly attune 
to the timbre in some voice, 
opening in conversation 
You want to take in 
to where your longing 
has pressed hard enough 
Inward, on some unsaid dark, 
To create a crystal of insight 
You could not have known you needed 
To illuminate your way. 

May this be a great blessing to you, wherever your journey is taking you. 

Catch you again soon.

Monday 1 July 2013

My calling to Jerusalem

But before I start the actual journey on 5th July, this posting will tell you why I am going.   If you've read it already then please come back again and join me as we share this adventure together.

THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM

It must be something like 20 years since I first hoped to visit the Holy Land;  Peter and I booked on three different occasions and each time the trips were cancelled – two through conflict there and the third because of my mobility at the time.  But the longing to visit stayed with me.

In 2010 a course was being held at Ammerdown, near Radstock.   The title somehow drew me – ‘The changing faces of Jesus – exploring the Jewishness of Jesus’.   The leader of the course was a Roman Catholic Sister of Sion, Professor Maureena Fritz who was visiting the UK from Jerusalem to lecture for one week at Ammerdown.   This whole combination drew me, and without realising it,  I was off again on the road to Jerusalem.   The course led me into a new style of study.  The next year  Maureena was back again for ‘’Life is the Living Scripture’ and then in 2012 for  ‘You are God’s word incarnate’.   So for three year’s I have followed this  strand of study, reading the New Testament in the light of our Jewish  roots, exploring the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, and finding new insights and revelation in doing so. 


The Bat Kol Institute (www.batkol.info) was founded by Maureena and Sr Anne Anderson  in 1983, first in Toronto and later, in 1992 it moved to Jerusalem.   Bat Kol,  meaning ‘Daughter of a Voice’ exists for  Christians to study the Bible within its Jewish roots, using Jewish sources.  The Institute was born out of the Second Vatican Council and  Nostra Aetate which states that God’s covenant with the Jewish people has never been revoked, Jesus was, and always remained, a Jew, and therefore Judaism and Christianity are ‘linked together at the very level of their identity’.

The Journey has nearly begun!


Four days and I'll be there.



First post

This is the very first sentence of what will probably be a very long blog!!!!!