November 2, 2009

Bob’s Sabbatical

November 2, 2009

 

            Reflecting
on yesterday, when we drove from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on a road that belongs
to Israel, but both either side is land controlled by the Palestinians: there
is some irony in the fact that the news over the weekend was the anniversary of
the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, and as we drove, we were between parts of
the wall Israel is building between itself and Palestine.

            After
breakfast, we walked down to the Old City of Jerusalem – the wall is only about
three blocks from St. George’s college, and our program does not start until
this evening.  We got a little lost,
started over, bought a map and wandered the crowded little streets, with shops
selling everything from junk to jewelry. 
We wonder how so many merchants can survive selling the same items –
rugs, t-shirts, shoes, clothing, olive-wood “carvings,” icons, etc.?

            At 5:00
pm it starts to rain.  We have to go
across the way to St. George’s Cathedral for the opening Eucharist.  We used the All Saints’ Day Propers, and even
had music (due to travel, we missed All Saints’ Day).  Also photo if All Saints’ Chapel, where they
have the daily Eucharists, which I attended when I was here in 2000, staying
with a group in a nearby hotel.

            After
dinner, we had our first meeting. 
Basically introductions.  I think
there are 44 people in our group.  There
is one group of 18 people from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington
Delaware.  There is one Roman Catholic
monk, and the rest of us are Anglicans (USA, Canada, England, Australia), at
least 8 of us ordained.

            This
program is starting out much more formally then the St. Paul course I took in
Turkey in September.  The Program
Director and the Dean wore clericals, the Chaplain is a SSJE monk (Society of
St. John the Evangelist – Episcopal), who wore black robes (putting
Presbyterians on notice?).  It looks like
it will be a good group.

Peace,

    Bob