As is the tradition on Shrove Tuesday, we prepared for the start of the Lenten season by hosting a pancake dinner at church. We are immensely grateful to those who shared the meal with us (28 in all, including the Lohr Sapps), and to our colleagues Olivia and Nik for all their help with prep and cleanup.

Cookin’.

One broken burner didn’t stop the crew from churning out the goodies.

Toppings included strawberries, bananas, shredded halva, various nut modalities, whipped cream, and chocolate chips.

‘Um…where’s my plate?’

‘Well, friend. Sadie left her plate unguarded. Just sayin’…’

All were served.

Community, carbs, and conversation.

Christy and I are always on the lookout for religious artwork. It can be more traditional in approach, such as the painting we bought of St. Paul’s Reformed Church in Newton. But it can also be things that bring joy in their own quirky way, like this little gem that we found at a gift shop near the Mount of Temptation.

There’s plenty going on. The font choice and design wouldn’t be out of place on a 1960s San Francisco concert poster, while “The Liberator” gives hints at a 1970s action flick. Jesus seems to be sporting a 1980s mullet, though I don’t think there’s enough on top to qualify. And if he shaved, he’d up his rizz quotient with that jawline.

Timeless, friends. Timeless.

Because the kids get Friday off from school but do have it on Saturday, we left after school on Thursday and did an overnight trip to Jericho. Jericho calls itself “The Oldest City in the World”–an argument it can take up with Damascus, Syria at its leisure.

In Jericho one can visit the Mount of Temptation, where tradition has it that Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days while the Devil sat next him, one finger millimeters from Jesus’s face, saying ‘I’m not tempting you. I’m not tempting you. I’m not tempting you.’

Just down the road from Jericho is the Dead Sea, or “The Lowest Point On Earth”. Since we didn’t pack any swimwear, we didn’t try out the sea’s famed floatation possibilities, or its mineral-based therapeutic properties. Next time…

We stayed at the Auberg Inn (“The House of the Eggplants”) in Jericho. We’d say it was more hostel than inn…but, so it goes.

The backyard garden at Auberg Inn. No eggplants in sight, sadly.

Some artwork in the common room.

So…it’s a…cabinet AND a hiding spot?

If you zoom in you can see the sparkle stick the woman is holding in honor of her birthday.

Build into the cliffside at the Mount of Temptation is a Greek Orthodox monastery. The current monestary was built in 1895. Tradition has it that it is built on the spot where Jesus Christ was tempted by the Devil.

Closer view of the monastery.

It us.

View of the cable cars that take you to and from the Mount of Temptation. We rode them back, having walked up earlier.

This is Sam the Camel.

Sam had difficulty saying goodbye.

At the entrance to Kalia Beach at the Dead Sea.

Said Dead Sea, with Jordan in the distance.

Things slowed down a bit after the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Which allowed Christy’s colleague Marc (originally from Aberdeen, Scotland) to host a belated Robbert Burns Night. He had an array of Scottish Gin and Scotch Whiskeys, as well as some helpful literature on their regional roots. He also had several Burns poems in Scots, Swedish, German and Arabic.

The following morning, Christy’s church was graced by a contingent of Norwegian students (and their chaperones) who are traveling through Jordan and the Holy Land as part of their school’s mission to be better global citizens.

“Freedom and whisky gang thegither” – Robert Burns

“Gie me ae spark o’ nature’s fire / That’s a’ the learning I desire.” – Robert Burns

Sadie getting pronunciation pointers from Marc as she reads Burns’ “To a Mouse”, from which the phrase “the best laid schemes o’ Mice and Men” came into the cultural parlance.

Christy preaching to the congregation and Norwegian guests.

The students singing a hymn at the end of the worship service.

A popular Norwegian proverb is Ut på tur, aldri sur!, which translates as “Out on a trip, never sulky!” This is generally understood to relate to a cultural love of the outdoors, but it was also applicable to the groups openness to travel and being in new cultural contexts.

Tonight we all attended the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service at Kidane Mehret, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church outside the Old City. Tomorrow night we wrap up at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin (Greek Catholic), inside the Old City.

Outside the church, which first opened in 1893.

The church interior, as worship was happening.

The church’s female leadership.

Prayer leaning sticks are available at the door.

The Sanctuary (or Altar/Holy Altar) at the center of the church.

St. George and the Dragon?  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Week of Christy Unity has kept Christy busy, including the worship service at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer on Monday, and service at the Armenian Patriarchate on Tuesday. Tonight’s service will take place in the Upper Room at Mount Zion, where tradition has it is the sight of Jesus’ Last Supper. In addition to taking in that service, the family and I will be taking in the service at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Another recent highlight was fondue at the rooftop restaurant at Notre Dame. Sadly, Sadie is not a fan of Emmental cheese. More for the rest of us… Well, Christy and me.

Christy delivering her reflection on the Gospel text at the Christian Unity service at Church of the Redeemer.

Inside the church at the Armenian Patriarchate. That’s maybe half of the candles that were lit.

Old City Kitty warming itself on a pavement light.

Say cheese!

Inside view from the rooftop restaurant.

The Upper Room. The Last Supper was posh, y’all. 😉

Jerusalem sunset.

The view at dinner on Mount Scopus.

Inside the church at the Coptic Patriarchate.

Old City Cats: An Ongoing Series.

The kiddos are back in the school groove after winter/religious holiday break, plus some anxiety over teacher permits. They are also getting back into the groove of extracurriculars–Riley with soccer and Sadie with dance.

I saw my first theatre production–a collection of Checkov short stories woven together into a full narrative play. A stunning performance by the entire cast, who deftly balanced the tragedy with a comedic absurdity that delighted a surprisingly high number of kids in the audience.

I started teaching an introductory theatre class to a class of 8th Graders and a second class of 9th Graders. Looking forward to collaborating with the students on original pieces to be performed at the end of the semester.

Christy has a Week of Christian Unity coming up. Hope to have photos from the numerous worship services planned for the occasion.

Hoping that everyone who’s in the path of the Snowpocalypse stays safe.

On the walls of the Austrian Hospice. Household-Sized Bear or Giant Honey Badger? You decide.

At Nordic Café  in East Jerusalem. That’s Homer eating Ka’ak al-Quds, or Jerusalem sesame bread.

Also at Nordic Café . I felt seen.

No explanation required.

Working on themes and other ideas in my 9th Grade theatre class.

A “Handover Ceremony” for international volunteers at St. George’s Anglican Church.

Is that a bear guarding that scroll? A lion? You discuss.

Mmkay.

Bell Tower at the Jerusalem International YMCA.

Near the top of the tower.

View of Jersualem, New and Old, from the tower

A 600-seat auditorium that is part of the YMCA grounds. FYI: The grounds of this YMCA were designed by Arthur Loomis Harmon, who also helped design the Empire State Building.

This past week/end included the retirement of (now) former ELCJHL Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, and the consecration of new Bishop Imad Haddad. Numerous Lutheran delegations were in the Jerusalem area, represent the US, Canada, and Europe. This included trips to holy sites, as well as a lively procession from the Jaffa Gate to the Church of the Redeemer in preparation for the consecration ceremony.

Back at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

For those who have not been to the Church of the Nativity, there is an underground grotto where you will find (as tradition has it) the place of Jesus’ birth…

…and (as tradition has it) the site of the manger where Jesus was laid.

Star Study 1: Church of the Nativity grotto.

Star Study 2: Shepherds’ Field grotto.

The view from Shepherds’ Field.

Peace, y’all.

‘Hey! It’s…oh, wait.’

What does one call a grouping of cherubs? A “flight”? A “convocation”? A “crash”?

Former Bishop Azar speaking at his retirement ceremony.

Christy processing into the main chapel at Redeemer Church prior to the consecration ceremony. As you can glimpse, there were a bevy of drums and bagpipes.

We are working on connecting the kiddos with their avenues of interest. We connected with a local dance company in Beit Hanina, Douban Professional Dance (DPD), as well as the local Youth Center soccer league.

Last night DPD did a performance at a holiday market at the Al-Ma’mal Foundation in Jerusalem’s Old City, and we are hoping to tour the studio on Tuesday.

Tonight Riley has his first soccer practice, and learned that he’s going to have to up his own game to keep up with the other kids in the league.

And today…Christy was officially installed as Pastor to the English-speaking congregation at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.

Have a wonderful week.

View from the roof at Al-Ma’mal Foundation.

Also a view from the roof at Al-Ma’mal Foundation. If you “Computer, enhance” the image you will see one of the dancers getting ready in the lower level.

Near New Gate. That cat in the back knows how to find its light.

In the parking lot at Hotel/Mission Notre Dame, across the street from New Gate..

Christy’s Installation service at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.

Sunset as Riley and I walked to soccer practice.