Light in the Darkness

Saying Amen to the Glory of God

A pilgrimage into the darkest and the
brightest places in the Holy Land

Led by

The Revd Dominic Barrington & The Revd Dr John Conrad

June 5 - 15, 2012

signboard2 Many Christians have visited the Holy Land in recent years, and have walked in many of the places where Jesus walked, heard again the principal stories of Jesus’ life, and met some of today’s Christians living out their lives as a member of a tiny but yet influential minority whether in Jerusalem, the West Bank or Israel. But, in a typical pilgrimage, most Christians who have made such a journey have returned home with their hearts on fire, but wanting to encounter and to learn more than is truly possible in a typical ‘first visit’ experience.

This pilgrimage presents the opportunity for a more exposed encounter to some of the realities of the Holy Land, both to glimpse more fully the realities of life in occupied or divided communities, but also to see more clearly how it is that light shines in the darkness, and is not overcome.

What this is not is a fact-finding tour of Palestine and Israel; nor is it intended to be a ‘first-time’ pilgrimage that seeks to visit all the sites and shrines associated with Jesus’ life. What this is a pilgrimage, that will include celebrations of the Eucharist and other worship as we journey together, along with the chance for theological reflection.

In his final letter to the Christian community at Corinth, Paul talked of intense suffering, but also of a God who consoles us in our affliction and enables Christians to say Amen to the Glory of God, and not to be outwitted by Satan. Set against the backdrop of 2 Corinthians, this pilgrimage is a unique opportunity to learn more community from the inspiring Christian communities of the Holy Land just what it means to be afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.

Saint Paul reminded the Corinthians that God said “Let light shine out of darkness” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We invite you to journey with us and learn more of that light.Saint Paul reminded the Corinthians that God said “Let light shine out of darkness” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We invite you to journey with us and learn more of that light.

Dominic Barrington John Conrad

Itinerary

Day 1, Tuesday 5th June

We gather at Heathrow Airport for our flight to Tel Aviv Airport. On arrival, we will be met by our guide and coach, and drive past Jerusalem towards Bethlehem. Passing through the 9 metre high Separation Wall, we enter the ‘little town’, and check in at the Casa Nova pilgrim hotel, which will be our home for three nights.

Day 2, Wednesday 6th June

day 2 The focus of today will be on the place symbolizing the earliest history of the great monotheistic faiths - Hebron, the burial place of Abraham, Sarah and their family. Holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians, the Tomb of the Patriarchs is a daunting building that has been the silent witness to much unholy behaviour stemming from the racial and religious tensions of the region. We will have the opportunity to visit both the Muslim and Jewish parts of this divided site, and to witness with our own eyes the impact made by the 500 Jewish settlers who live in the heart of this major Muslim city. During our visit we aim to learn about the work of the Christian Peacekeepers, and have a simple lunch in the Old City as well as learning more about the realities on the ground in this exceptionally divided city. Dinner and overnight stay in Bethlehem.

Day 3, Thursday 7th June

day 3 Today will be devoted to experiencing a taste of life in Bethlehem, and seeing the context in which the Christian minority seek to bring the fruits of the gospel to the life of their city. We will learn something of the work of Christian institutions in the fields of medicine and culture that provide support and wholeness in the city of the Nativity, including the work of Bethlehem University and the Dar Al-Kalima College, as well as meeting leading figures of the Christian community in this part of the West Bank. We will celebrate the first Eucharist of the pilgrimage in this holy city. Dinner and overnight stay in Bethlehem.

Day 4, Friday 8th June

day 4 Leaving Bethlehem for Jerusalem, we will devote the morning to obtaining insight into the mindset of settler communities, visiting a settlement in the Gush Etzion block south of Jerusalem. Here we will listen to, and have the opportunity to ask questions of a prominent member of this particular community. After lunch we will arrive in Jerusalem, and take the opportunity to orientate ourselves, learning something of the realities of life in this uniquely holy city. Dinner and overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Day 5, Saturday 9th June

day5 Today we will seek to get new perspectives on some of the issues in and around the Old City of Jerusalem by visiting the City of David tourist centre in the heart of Silwan, and seeing the tensions and complexities that have arisen between Palestinian and settler families and the development of archaeological tourism at the expense of long-established homes. After lunch, we will have the chance to pray together in the Abbey of the Dormition, whose outline marks out Mount Zion, and enjoy some free time to explore the city. In the evening we will be privileged to meet a former member of the IDF who will speak to us about the ‘true cost’ of the Occupation, and the way it is routinely enforced and policed by the Israeli military. Dinner and overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Day 6, Sunday 10th June

red dome We join the local Arab Anglican community for the morning Eucharist at St George’s Cathedral, after which we will have the chance to learn a little more about the work of the cathedral and diocese and its institutions. In the afternoon, we will visit the one entirely Christian village in the West Bank at Taybeh, and discover something of the pioneering work of its parish priest and local community.

Day 7, Monday 11th June

Today will be devoted to experiencing a taste of life in Bethlehem, and seeing the context in which the Christian minority seek to bring the fruits of the gospel to the life of their city. We will learn something of the work of Christian institutions in the fields of medicine and culture that provide support and wholeness in the city of the Nativity, including the work of Bethlehem University and the Dar Al-Kalima College, as well as meeting leading figures of the Christian community in this part of the West Bank. We will celebrate the first Eucharist of the pilgrimage in this holy city. Dinner and overnight stay in Bethlehem.

Day 8, Tuesday 12th June

day 7 Today will be devoted to experiencing a taste of life in Bethlehem, and seeing the context in which the Christian minority seek to bring the fruits of the gospel to the life of their city. We will learn something of the work of Christian institutions in the fields of medicine and culture that provide support and wholeness in the city of the Nativity, including the work of Bethlehem University and the Dar Al-Kalima College, as well as meeting leading figures of the Christian community in this part of the West Bank. We will celebrate the first Eucharist of the pilgrimage in this holy city. Dinner and overnight stay in Bethlehem.

Day 9, Wednesday 13th June

day9 Today will be devoted to experiencing a taste of life in Bethlehem, and seeing the context in which the Christian minority seek to bring the fruits of the gospel to the life of their city. We will learn something of the work of Christian institutions in the fields of medicine and culture that provide support and wholeness in the city of the Nativity, including the work of Bethlehem University and the Dar Al-Kalima College, as well as meeting leading figures of the Christian community in this part of the West Bank. We will celebrate the first Eucharist of the pilgrimage in this holy city. Dinner and overnight stay in Bethlehem.

Day 10, Thursday 14th June

Day 11, Friday 15th June

Brochure & Form

The Holy Land Brochure. Booking Form.

Tour Costs

Tour Cost

INCLUSIVE TOUR COST - £1830

Lightline tours are carefully calculated to include all items
necessary to complete your tour at the advertised price.

	Scheduled flights on British Airways from London Heathrow.
	London Heatrow - Tel Aviv BA165 08:35/15:35 (Boeing 777) Tel Aviv - London Heathrow BA164 16:50/20.30 (Boeing 777)
	Please note all the above times are local and subject to change.
	All airport departure & passenger taxes (UK & Israel)
	10 nights accomadation at the following 3/4 star Christian guest houses All rooms with a/c and ensuite
	Galilee - Tabgha Pilgrim House (situated on the northern shores of the lake).
	Bethlehem - Casa Nova Pilgrim House (situated in Manger Square).
	Jerusalem - The Gloria (a unique Christian guest house within the Old City).
	Full board throughout (breakfast, lunch & dinner daily).
	All entrance fees and local government taxes.
	State licensed English speaking guide throughout the tour.
	All touring in modern air-conditioned tourist coaches.

The only items NOT included in the price:-

Single Room supplement (very limited) £395, Travel Insurance - £39,
Gratuities (£approx £75), laundry, and any items of a personal nature (laundry and drinks etc.)

FOR YOUR PROTECTION & PEACE OF MIND

Lightline Pilgrimages Limited holds an Air Travel Organiser's Lience issued by the Civil Avaition Authority which requires a full financial bond for all customer's money held. The air holidaypackages in our brochures are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL numbet is ATOL 9693. Please see our booking conditions for more information.