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.
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. 😉
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.
A stretch of windy, rainy weather kept us at home most of last week. Sunnier weather on New Year’s Day was reason enough to get out of the apartment and do the Ramparts Tour in the Old City. After fortifying ourselves with some falafel sandwiches, we took to the ramparts and got in about 12,000 steps when all was said and done.
Zoom in to see the pigeons roosting out of the window.
The Umayyad Caliphate only ruled in Jerusalem from 660-750, but apparently they brought donuts.
DONUTS!
Getting down to rizz-ness.
Post-Christmas decoration carnage.
Was this undulating rooftop the world’s first skate park?
We (well, Christy and Sadie) participated in Christmas Eve worship at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Lots of tasty treats afterwards. Then, a stroll down to Manger Square to hear a local band sing, among other tunes, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
Today, a joint worship service at Church of the Redeemer, and then back home to open present and graze our way through all the holiday crunchies.
For all who celebrate, Merry Christmas from the Holy Land. May your day be filled with good cheer and great company. We hope that the rest of the season, and the coming New Year, bring you the blessings you deserve, and the peace the world needs.
I still owe y’all photos of our new apartment, though Christy has posted some already on her Facebook page.
With Christmas only two days away, there are plenty of festivities for us to attend near home and in the area. Among the events we attended included two concerts at Beit Ibrahim, one of which was followed by a rousing game of Bingo.
We also attended a concert at Dar Al Majus Cultural Center (near Manger Square in Bethlehem), where they unveiled a new Nativity scene painting by a local university student artist. There was also a post-concert dinner featuring Italian (the center is affiliated with the Sisters of Mercy) and Palestinian dishes that helped raise money for one of their special needs programs.
Then last night we attended a staff party that featured lots of great food, some serious style statements, and more Bingo. Christy and I were both one number away from winning a Santa doll that was about as big as the kids…but it was not meant to be. Womp womp.
