Bruce Barkhauer's pictures from Tabgha (Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes)

These are pictures from Tabgha--the rock that is traditionally thought to have been the place where Jesus divided the loaves and fishes. These and the pictures below were taken by Bruce today.

Pilgrim in a Hot Holy Land - Christy Ramsey

We have been visiting, walking, talking and praying together. We visited traditional sites of the feeding of the 5,000 and Peters Home. We also went up on the cliffs to see the Sea of Galliee. Keep sending prayers and cool thoughts my way I need both. My group you see around me (I am in the back on the left of screen, right of the people) are pastors and their good humor, understanding, and insights make this trip more valuable than a tour.

We had St. Peter~s fish for lunch. It is very good, but Im not used to my food looking back at me. The land is a mixed of pilgrims. Visiting the church of the feeding of the 5,000, the same story was told by guides and leaders, parents and pilgrims in many varations and languages.

I prayed for Goodyear Heights Presbyterian church at the churches bringing them to mind with the mindfulness of the place of the Holy Land. I was struck by the churches being built again and again on the same site. Over the century, they were destroyed, but then rebuilt on the ruins. What a witness and an encouragement to churches facing challenges. I could see the various foundations, a moving symbol of the resurrection;

Internet is expensive and rare, but prayer is free, keep me in prayers as I travel. I return home June 12th

Pastor Janet Peterman--Capernaum

Late this morning, we stood in Capernaum, in restored ruins of an old 4th Century synagogue, built on the foundation of an older synagogue; the one Jesus would have visited, as we hear in the gospels: “Again Jesus entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand…. ‘Stretch out your hand,’ Jesus said. He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” (Mark 3:1, 5)

It was also in Capernaum, a village of about 100, maybe 15 families, in Jesus’ time, where Jesus healed a paralytic man after his friends lowered him down through the roof; and Simon Peter’s home town. John chapter 6 tells us it was in Capernaum where Jesus spoke these words, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry.” It’s an odd sensation to have read these words for so many years and now to be standing where Jesus was when he spoke them! They are coming anew as we read the stories here.

As our bodies adapt to traveling across time zones, I feel other long held assumptions shifting, too. The Sea of Galilee is much larger than I had imagined from reading the gospels; the geographical area where Jesus taught, preached and healed for most of his ministry is so much smaller. It’s an honor to be able to visit this holy land and to be given this time for reflection and renewal.
Pastor Janet S. Peterman

Cindy--Woo Hoo Again!

Golly, Miss Molly, where to start? We landed in Tel Aviv yesterday, and rode our bus to Tiberias. One of the things that instantly struck me is how much Israel looks like Morocco! Who knew? We are staying in a hotel that looks out over the Sea of Galilee, which is VERY big, and blue, and pretty. No wonder Jesus and his buds spent so much time there! I sat there last night in a porch swing, and smelled the flowers wafting up from the garden and looked into the darkness across the Sea of Galilee to the far shore, and said every one of your names as my way of bringing you along with me. I thought of you again, though not individually, I admit, when I stuck my toes in the Sea of Galilee down by the town of Capernaum. It’s all ruins, now, but it was so cool to walk around and see where Jesus was,
Simon Peter’s mother-in-law’s house, the house of the paralytic, the ancient olive press, one of the milestones that he would have passed by coming and going. Of course, all of those specific sites are speculative, but the city itself isn’t, and I am pretty darn sure that I was at least one place where he would have been. I’m not sure what to do with that in my head, but as I write this, I am about to cry.

We also went to the place where the supposed rock that Jesus used to serve the five loaves and two fishes is. They’ve built a church around it, and as I was trying to take pictures, this whole group of pilgrims from India kept climbing under the “Do Not Climb Under Here” rope, and kissing the rock. So that in and of itself was pretty cool. Then this Romanian group came in and sang and sang and sang. Really catchy. I hummed along, and lit a candle for your sweet Dad, Sue, and all of your family. I am hoping that all that good holy energy has come your way, and given some strength to you and your loved ones today.

Then we ate what they call “St. Peter’s Fish,” and I’m not positive, but I’m PRETTY SURE that the actual fish that I ate was a descendant of the one that Jesus grilled on the seashore on that Eastery morning when Peter jumped out of the boat, “It is the Lord,” he hollered, stripping down to his scivies. How do you spell scivies?
Let’s see, then we came back to the hotel, and I went swimming in this pool that overlooks, what else? THE SEA OF GALILEE! I am carrying you with me in my heart, and am just so overwhelmed to think that I am here in this place. I think that if I started crying, I would never stop, so am just trying to act nonchalant. Tomorrow is the Mount of the Beatitudes (wish you were here, Roger, to quote the Sermon on the Mount) and some other great stuff.
Love, love, love,
Cindy Weber

We're Here!

Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

My First Day in the Holy Land

This is a shout out to my Plymouth family and dear mother. I am having the most spiritually enlightening experience of my life. Today we began the day with morning worship, ate breakfast and then went to Capernum to visit the home of St. Peter, the synagogue where Jesus taught and the Church of Multiplication of the fishes and loaves (Tabgha) where Jesus fed the five thousand people. We are staying at the Scots Hotel, a beautiful hotel in Tiberius overlooking the Sea of Galilee. This is a journey that all believers should take. Although this is only the first day, I already I know I will never be the same. Stay tuned for more exciting news from the Holy Land.
Rev. Hawkins

new York

well, Fran and I have been sitting in JFK for hours  the group is all here and all we are waiting for is to get on the plane.  We are all excited and filled with promise for the days in front of us.  

Well, the Time is Nigh!

Urla Eversley, the one who was once temporarily lame, but now can walk. Hallelujah! Many thanks to all my colleagues who pushed me around in my steel chariot at the retreat. Thanks David and Trisha for the dooor-to-door service.

Oh yes, Urla is the pastor of the Germantown Community Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA. If another person asks me about the itinerary or if i'm quite excited yet, i will scream. No i'm not excited yet, don't know why. But i'm ready to walk in Jerusalem, just like John. Of course, i had to pack the church directory because everyone wants their name put in the 'Wailing Wall."

Will someone please show me how to use my brand new digital camera? i don't have a clue, but at least the battery is currently charging.

See y'all in the evening at JFK!

Agape
Urla

Woo Hoo!

Cindy Weber here!  But not for long--I'm headed off to Israel tomorrow, which just sounds better every time I say it.  I'm from Louisville, and pastor the sweetest little church that you could ever imagine.  I'm just saying that because several of my church members have told me that they are going to read this.  But it's true, actually.  Sweet, and tough, too.  Wise as serpents and innocent as doves both.  Okay, I'm rambling.  But I'll tell you that they did this blessing of me on Sunday, and they asked the children to gather around and touch me, and then the adults touched a child, and it was just the best thing ever, all those holy little hands reaching out to bless me.  Earnest little eyes looking up at me.  It was just after we did a blessing of our new deacons, and then they served communion to the church, and then to each other, and it was so fun watching those salt of the earth people standing there in the middle of our circle, grinning and tearing up, too, as they broke the bread and passed the juice.  I will miss you guys, and as I said, light a candle everyday if I can find some matches.  (After being fined $500 by the FAA for carrying flammable camping gear last year--long story--I'm sure not going to pack any!)  I will also say your names to myself as I stand by the Sea of Galilee, wind whipping in my face, Jesus-water on my toes.  By the way, did you know that there's this whole syndrome that people get when they get to Israel, and they are just so overcome that they don't even know who they are? They will think that they are John the Baptist or someone, and they will eventually end up in the emergency room, and the doctor will say, "Oh, that's the whatever it's called syndrome," and then they will call home and have the person talk to their mother or their son or whatever, and it will bring them to their senses.  So I talked to Beth Hedges today about this, and we were trying to figure out who I would be if I get that syndrome, and she suggested Jesus (I mean, you might as well go the whole nine yards, right?), but I was thinking the Queen of Sheba.  So if you get a collect call from the Queen of Sheba, answer it by all means, and tell me who the heck I am.  I will appreciate it, and so will all my traveling companions.  

Love,

Cindy

 

Getting Ready

Peace. I'm Fran Lane-Lawrence and I've been trying for days to get onto the blog and write a few words. So much to do to get ready but I know it's going to worth the effort. I serve as Executive Director/CEO of Laughlin Community Chapel in Wheeling, WV. The Chapel is 130 yr old ministry that began at First Presbyterian Wheeling. I have been there a whole 2 months now. Prior to this call I served as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Charleroi in southwestern PA for 7 year. I just hired 2 new staff members who began working last Monday. We're getting ready for our summer programming which starts full force in 3 weeks. Not the perfect time be leaving but everyone is very supportive so it's all good. I love the people at the Chapel. The staff, volunteers and students are wonderful and it is great to be in a place where I feel a sense of peace about where God has called me in my life.

I'm married to the perfect man, David - perfect for me that is. I tell him all the time that I think God made him just for me. I am really excited to be going on this adventure to the holy land with my partner in life. How much more can a person be blessed?! We have 5 children. Phillip-24, Jonathan-20, Donna-18, Sallie-17 and Ross-7. I am a little anxious because I've never been so far away from the children before but I'm sure everything will be fine.

I've wondered all my life what it might be like to be in the same place where Jesus was when he on earth. I am ready to drink in the sights, to pray in places that were close to where Jesus prayed, to seek a closer relationship with God in places near to where Jesus sought closeness with his father. I am excited to be sharing this experience with my closest spiritual partner and best friend. I am looking forward to a time of peace and renewal. I'm looking forward to having fun and seeing new sights. I'm looking forward to places in the Scriptures coming alive and having new meaning. I'm looking forward. . . you get the picture!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and beginning this great faith adventure.

Filled with Anticipation

And Jesus went about all Galilee...

All these years I have been studying scripture, my eyes glazed over when I came to many of the place names -- Capernaum, the Kidron Valley, Galilee, the land of the Gerasenes. I haven't been able to hold onto them, nor understand the relationship of these places to each other. I am thrilled to have been chosen to make this pilgrimage, to walk where Jesus walked, to be given the time for prayer, study, reflection and renewal in this holy land. And I look forward to being able to discover real places for these biblical place names, and so find greater depth for the re-telling of these biblical stories.

I am Janet Peterman, a Lutheran pastor in my 28th year of ministry. For most of those years I've served in urban congregations, first in Baltimore, then for many years in the Mt. Airy/Germantown neighborhoods of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2006 I began intentional interim work, serving a congregation in nearby New Jersey. My second interim begins July 1st.

Greetings from North Carolina

Hi. I am Kevin Matthews, the chaplain of St. Mary's House which is many things, but first is a campus ministry to the colleges and universities of Greensboro, NC. We operate out of an unusual model in that we have an ongoing congregation of students, faculty and community members that meets on Sunday morning in addition to our student group that meets in the evening for worship and a fellowship meal.

I am one of the few on the trip who have been to Israel before, having spent time there while in seminary, back in 1983. I look forward to seeing what has changed in the way people respond to the current political situation, but also to how my perspective has changed now that I have been an Episcopal priest for over 20 years.

Greetings from the Prairie!

Barbara Gaddis from Ames Iowa checking in.  I am the Associate Pastor of Collegiate Presbyterian Church, where I have been ministering for a wonderful five and a half years. I am graced by God to be in this call, and am delighted to be traveling to the Holy Land.   I am the mother of two college age daughters, Anne and Clara, and am happily married to my best friend Paul.  I'm still pinching myself at my great fortune in being afforded this opportunity.  I've been packed for the past two weeks in anticipation!

"Leavin' on a jet plane..."

I'm Linda Martin, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Broadalbin, NY. I'm also a wife, mom, grandma and farmer. I can't believe I have this wonderful opportunity to travel to the Holy Land!! What a gift! My congregation has been so supportive of this opportunity - my family, too. I just know God has amazing lessons to teach us as we experience this place and its people. I look forward to spending time praying and meditating on scripture while in the very land from which the stories come. May God grant us safe travel and open hearts.

A Different Bethlehem

I am David Lawrence and I am pastor of a Presbyterian church in Bethlehem....West Virginia. I have served this congregation for a little over seven years and I am really looking forward to this opportunity to visit the Holy Land.

Something that adds to the allure of this trip are my traveling companions. First, my wife (also a minister) is traveling with us. Secondly, we are a group of pastors and so have a different perspective things than the usual person in the pew. This trip is an chance to share with colleagues and view this land with an eye to its impact on our call both individually and collectively.

I am overwhelmed by this trip and very grateful to all the people who have worked to make it possible. I hope that whoever reads this blog will benefit from our impressions.

From California

I am Anne Lau Choy, one of the Methodists! I am married to Lance with 2 boys, Bryan and Thomas who can all cook and feed themselves. I have been at Asbury United Methodist in Livermore CA (east of Oakland and SF) for 2 years and in Oakland Chinatown prior to that.

My husband was able to go to the Holy Land last year for work and came back raving about what an amazing trip it was. This is my turn and we never imagined it would come so soon! I look forward to time retreating and with other pastors in the land of our Lord!

Bonnie Orth

I am Bonnie Orth, precious child of God, wife of Jay, mother of Bob, John Henry, Evan and Olivia as well as Molly, our English Springer Spaniel. I have also been blessed for the past six years to be the pastor of Mayfield Central Presbyterian Church, located on the Great Sacandaga Lake in Upstate New York.

I feel like my entire congregation will be making this journey with me. We have been having fun with Bible studies on the Middle East and I have shared my itinerary so that everyone will know where I am each day. My congregation has two candlesticks from Israel and will be lighting them and praying for me while I am gone.

Like so many of the other pastors going on this pilgrimage, I never expected to be making this journey, I tried to go twice before and both times the trip was cancelled due to unrest. God has decided that this is the time I should go.

I am feeling so blessed and I am very excited. I am open to what God would have me learn while I am there. I will be celebrating my birthday in Israel which will be the best present I could have received.

Christ with a "Y"

I'm John Christy Ramsey. "Christy" is a rare name for a male. I use my middle name Christy to remind me to be a "Christ bearer" (meaning of Christy) instead of "royalty" (origin of John) It is a family name which was also my grandfather's! first name, so it connects me to my father's father as well as my Lord. More than you want to know is on my web site at www.christyramsey.com. My writings are on my blog at www.extrachristy.com

I am the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2) and two children (Psalm 127:3) I married my trophy wife first, Bette Lynn. Our children are young adults. Rachel, 24, in California, and Robert, 19, at the University of Cincinnati.

For nearly three years, I have been the installed pastor of Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church in Akron, Ohio. It is less than one mile from my first home. So in 50 years I've traveled about a mile, and downhill at that! In between I've been a pastor in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, a student in Louisville, KY and Grove City, PA, a volunteer firefighter in Ohio, and a computer tech, teacher and salesperson in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

I have never been to the Holy Land and never thought I would be able to go. It is a blessing for me. I confess that I was pouting about not having a party for the 25th anniversary of my ordination, (June 12th) As it turns out. I will be returning from the trip on my ordination anniversary. What a great present! God is good. All the time.