Illuminating Paths

A Pilgrimage to the Heart

An encounter with the story, creativity, and sacredness
of ourselves and the peoples and places of Israel and Palestine

 May 23 - June 3, 2012

Tending to our own spiritual journeys and the sacred stories of the peoples of Israel and Palestine, this Pilgrimage to the Heart will be an opportunity to encounter the divine and change the world.

We will discover, grow, and be transformed by the sacred history and current culture of Israel and Palestine. Together we will contribute spiritual gifts of peace to Israel and Palestine with our prayers and presence.

Using the tools of art, music, movement, storytelling, and silence, we will give expression to that which we encounter, and share our insights and experiences with companions on the journey.

Our daily rhythm includes group spiritual practices from diverse religious traditions, walking tours of sacred sites, teachings, and time for reflection and sharing. Some time every day will be unstructured, allowing time for exploration, rest, and processing. Our schedule will be flexible and subject to change in order to accommodate our needs as we journey together in outer and inner realms of the sacred. We will not only grow in awareness of the ancient heritage of spiritual companionship, but also become spiritual companions for each other as fellow pilgrims during each day.

Schedule

Wednesday, 23 May      Depart USA
Thursday, 24 May   Arrive Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv, where we’ll be met and taken to the Holy Land Hotel* in East Jerusalem. We’ll meet our guide, Canon Iyad Qumri, at Holy Land Hotel, and walk to the Damascus Gate of the Old City to get a feel for the distance and surroundings. Overnight at Holy Land Hotel, which will be our base whenever we’re in Jerusalem.
*Please note this is a change from the original hotel due to renovations to St. George's Guest House.
Friday, 25 May
   Morning exploration of the Old City and lunch there. Afternoon visit to Mount Scopus, one of the seven hills surrounding Jerusalem, for a panoramic view of the city and the Judean desert. Then to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, where some of the olive trees date from the time of Jesus.
Saturday, 26 May   Depart for Bethlehem in the Palestinian Territories where we will visit the Church of the Nativity and the Mosque of Omar. Lunch nearby and an opportunity for shopping. Then a visit to Deheisheh Refugee Camp and Ibdaa Cultural Center where the focus is on helping Palestinian youth through the arts, and later the Wi’am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center adjacent to the Separation Wall. Return to Jerusalem
Sunday, 27 May   Depart for Caesarea, site of Herod the Great’s Summer palace, where we will visit the Roman ruins. Then on to Nazareth and the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. Time to explore Nazareth on your own. Overnight at Sisters of Nazareth Convent.
Monday, 28 May   Morning in Tsfat (Safed), a center of Jewish mysticism and thriving artist colony. Afternoon at the Sea of Galilee with lunch along the shore and then to the Mt of Beatitudes and Capernaum. Overnight at the Convent.
Tuesday, 29 May   Return to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley, with a brief stop in Jericho, one of the oldest continuously occupied cities on earth. Lunch in Qumran and visit to the site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, then to the Dead Sea for an optional swim/float. Overnight at Holy Land Hotel.
Wednesday, 30 May   Visit the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Western Wall in the company of artist, author and anthropologist, Dr. Ali Qleibo. Optional visits to St. Anne’s Church and the Pools of Bethesda or the Garden Tomb, claimed by some to be the actual site of Jesus’s tomb.
Thursday, 31 May   Depart for the Palestinian town of Nablus where we will visit the Old City, where we’ll find many shops and stalls, pastry stands, spice sacks, as well as numerous mosques including Al Kebir (Great Mosque), and visit a Greek Orthodox Monastery built over the site of Jacob’s Well
Friday, 1 June   After a visit to Yad Vashem, history museum and memorial to the six million Jews including 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust, the afternoon is free for you to explore Jerusalem on your own. Closing ritual in the evening.
Saturday, 2 June   An optional early morning walk on the Way of the Cross. Visit to Church of St. Peter of Gallicantu, built over the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas and the traditional site of the denial of Jesus by Peter. Depart Holy Land Hotel for Ben Gurion afternoon or evening flights.
Sunday, 3 June    Arrive in USA

Leadership

This pilgrimage to Israel & Palestine is an initiative of Illuminating Paths, LLC, a practice of accompanying individuals, groups, and communities on their spiritual journeys. The program will be led by Christopher Copeland, Brian Dixon, Ginny Going, Tom Henderson, and Canon Iyad Qumri.
 

Christopher Copeland serves as the spiritual and creative director of Illuminating Paths and has led retreats and pilgrimages to sacred sites all around the world. As an ordained minister, Chris’s experience and expression of spirituality is grounded in the Christian tradition and is deeply influenced by the beliefs and practices of people of many faith traditions. Having studied biblical history, narrative, and theology, Chris was transformed by the culture, people, and spirituality of the land during his first visit to Israel and Palestine and has a deep call to share that with others.
 
Brian Dixon is an ordained pastor but more importantly he is an organized pastor. With a degree in theology from Emory University, 20 years of managing offices and buildings, and years organizing trips for groups who ranged in ages from 12 to 80, he is ready to make sure those who want to explore sacred spaces are able to do so with comfort and ease. His greatest gifts are that of host and administrator and he’ll make sure you feel welcomed and taken care of on this exciting and life changing adventure.
 
Ginny Going is an experienced retreat leader, inviting people to explore embodied spiritual practices through movement, story, music and stillness. She is a master InterPlay leader, ordained minister and performance artist. She has led InterPlay -- an art form, a spiritual practice and a way of building community through creativity and play – across the United States and abroad. From an interfaith pilgrimage to Israel/Palestine has come a strong desire to explore peace making through the intersection of spirituality, embodiment and the arts.
 
Tom Henderson is a master InterPlay leader who has taught nationally and internationally, and has a special interest in men’s work. He is co-founder and artistic director of Off the Deep End Ensemble, an InterPlay performance troupe. An experienced retreat leader and facilitator of spiritual and secular groups, he was for many years a member of the NC Episcopal Consultants Network.Trained in conflict management, he holds a deep respect for the complexity of the conflict in Israel/Palestine and a desire to make whatever small contribution possible to the cause of peace.
 
Canon Iyad Qumri, an Arab, Palestinian, and Christian, is licensed as a Guide by the State of Israel's Ministry of Tourism. He is fluent in Arabic, English, and Hebrew; and has become one of the most knowledgeable guides in the area.

Costs & Registration

Registration for the pilgrimage is limited to 28 pilgrims. The cost, based on double occupancy, is $2700 per
 person if registered by December 15, 2011 and $2900 after December 15. The total cost includes local transportation, accommodation, three daily meals, tips, and site entry fees. Single supplement is available for an additional $400.00. Costs do not include international travel, passports, visas, travel insurance (required), extras beyond standard menu, excess baggage, telephone calls, laundry, etc.

To register complete the Pilgrimage registration form and submit a non-refundable registration fee of $500. Final payment and all required forms must be submitted by March 1, 2012.  Please contact us to discuss further payment options.



FAQ

Do I have to be of a particular faith or any faith at all to be a part of the pilgrimage? You simply need to be willing and open to encounter the sacred in whatever form it may come.
 
Does this pilgrimage have a political agenda or orientation? We will spend time with Palestinians, Israelis, and others to better understand the complex social, religious, political, and historical context of the land and peoples.
 
Do I book my own travel? You need to book your own travel so that you arrive in Tel Aviv no later than the afternoon of May 24 and leave Tel Aviv no earlier than the afternoon of June 2.
 
Can I arrive before the pilgrimage or stay longer after the pilgrimage? You are welcome to arrive early or depart late, but we will only provide transportation to and from Ben Gurion airport on the days mentioned above.
 
Can I participate if I have trouble walking? Though we will travel by bus throughout Israel and Palestine, we will do a substantial amount of walking and are unable to accommodate those with limited mobility.