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Dear St. Martins Family and Friends,

Peace, shalom, salaam,

Greetings from Jerusalem. This morning we left St. George's College at 6:30 with our Deacon, Nael, to walk the Way of the Cross or the Via Delorosa, while taking turns carrying a 4 foot high wooden cross. We walked through the streets of East Jerusalem (a mostly Muslim area) through Herod's Gate (inside the Old City) to the beginning of the Via Delorosa (which starts in the Muslim Quarter). At each station we took turns reading scripture, listening to reflection, and saying group prayers. We walked through the narrow, winding streets, while singing and praying. All around us people were getting ready for their day, opening their shops and going to work and school, while we were doing our devotionals. The Via Delorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchure (or as the local Palestinian Christian community calls it the Church of the Resurrection). There are 9 stations in the streets of the Old City, the last 6 Stations of the Cross are located inside the church (yes, that's 15 stations - we'll explain later). Our devotions took us to the empty tomb. The size of the sepulchure or burial vault is beyond imagining, it sits at the back of the church under a large dome. We ended by celebrating Jesus' Resurrection.

George, our guide, met us outside the church and we sang "I Am the Resurrection" on our way to breakfast. After breakfast we went to the Temple Mount (the Haram es-Sharif) to see the Al Aksa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Next we were off to the Dormition Abbey (devoted to Mary). The church was beautiful, with amazing mosaics and many altars from many different countries honoring (wait 'till you see the pictures). From there we went to the Upper Room - where Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Last Supper and Pentecost. Then we walked below to "King David's Tomb". Afterwards we walked back to the Holy Sepulchure for a tour with George. Our last stop was the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, where we climbed the 168 steep steps to the top of the Bell Tower. From the top we could look out all four sides to get a complete view of the Old City from the center of town. Then back down 168 steps and off to lunch for the best beef shawarma in Jerusalem.

We spent the afternoon shopping in the Old City on our own. Then back to the Damascus Gate, the College, and evening prayer. We had a pizza dinner with several Palestinian Christian Families that worship at St. Georges. Four of the young people had participated in the College's Kids 4 Peace program and had spent time in the USA. It was a nice opportunity to meet and talk with each other.

Tomorrow we are off to the Galilee on an overnight, so look for out next update on Friday.

Peace be with you,

The Group of 4: Allie, Jared, Jordan, and Olivia
and Dan, Elizabeth, and Father Earle

Tonights message brought to you by Dan the Man & Mama Liz

Our group of seven, joined by Nael our Chaplain, walk the Way of the Cross in the early morning.  The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is in the background.

The Dome of the Rock is the third most holy site for Muslims.  In addition to the seven of us, our guide George is on the left.

The Cenacle is the traditional site of the Upper Room, location of the Last Supper and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  Allie is reading Acts 2, the Pentecost story.

During the afternoon, we spend about three hours shopping along the narrow streets of the Old City.

We had a pizza supper with a number of the Palestinian Christians and their families.  This is the group photo.