Church of the Holy Sepulchre in JerusalemBishop Gayle E. Harris invites members of the diocese to join her in a mission pilgrimage to the Holy Land this June, an opportunity, she says, "to connect in spirit, prayer, knowledge and presence" with brother and sister Episcopalians in the Diocese of Jerusalem.

The pilgrimage is part of this diocese's continued efforts to build relationships and support ministry in the Diocese of Jerusalem, which comprises Palestine, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Jordon.

"We'll have the experience of walking where Jesus walked and learn about how Jesus walks with us today as we witness and learn about some of the ministry taking place in the Diocese of Jerusalem.  The Christian community there amidst such strife holds such promise for building peace, and this experience will enrich and broaden and deepen our understanding of the church," Harris said. 

There is a Feb. 1, 2012, sign-up deadline to join the June 2-12 trip, and space for 30 travelers.  Estimated cost is $3,700 per person; trip participants commit to attending four preparatory sessions.  The Rev. Beth Grundy of Christ Church in Swansea will co-lead the trip with Harris.

While the group will be visiting many holy sites in Israel and Palestine, it is not a vacation trip, Harris explained.  "It is a spiritual pilgrimage and a call to bulding partnerships and exploring mission engagement," she said.  The group will make site visits to diocesan institutions and churches to learn about their ministries and "strengthen our response to God's call in our daily lives," she said.

"Church life is grounded, enriched and grows when we are in community.  Jesus himself had community around him and did miracles in the midst of groups.  Our traveling group and by extension or whole diocesan community will be reaching out to another diocese and seeking to do Jesus' work together," Harris said.  "So even those who won't be part of the traveling group, I invite them to join us through their prayer and also by asking all of us to become more aware of the issues facing Arab Christians in the Holy Land that put them on the edges of society.  Our pilgrimage is one way to connect in spirit, prayer, knowledge and presence."

Information about the pilgrimage is available by contacting Diane Pound at dianep [at] diomass [dot] org or 617-482-4826, ext. 349.