from Galilee

[lh...@stgtc.org]

Dear Friends,

For the past three days, I have seen a number of sites of Jesus' life and ministry around the Sea of Galilee, which is actually a very large lake. Nazareth is no longer the tiny little town in was in the first century. In fact, it is now home to the largest church in the Middle East, the Church of the Annunciation.

 I've seen where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, where he appeared to the disciples for breakfast after the resurrection, and where Peter's mother in law lived in Capernaum. This is where Jesus called the first disciples, and where he calmed a violent storm.

Today we went to Mount Tabor (site of the Transfiguration) and had an early morning Eucharist; then we went through the checkpoint into the West Bank to get to Jericho. I've also had a chance to experience the Judean wilderness. It is appropriately named.

We are back in Jerusalem now, and will be going to the pool at Bethesday and the Western Wall tomorrow. We were scheduled to go to the Al Aqsa Mosque, but it is still closed for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

I know you are making preparations for the Annual Bazaar on Saturday. I hope it is a grand event, and I know you can make it so! By the way, enjoy your ham - we don't have pork here in Jerusalem!

Grace and peace,

Lillian+