St. George's College, Jerusalem
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JERUSALEM A Center for Pilgrimage COURSE CATALOG | 2019-2020 Greetings from Jerusalem! As Dean of St. George’s College I invite you to join us on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. St. George’s is the Anglican and Episcopal center for pilgrimage in the Holy Land, with a long history of welcoming pilgrims from across the English-speaking world and from many Christian traditions. Our programs provide opportunities to meet others and to learn from one another – encounter is at the heart of all we do. All of the staff of St. George’s are dedicated to enabling you to have a transformative spiritual experience that will help you to follow Christ more faithfully when you return home. St. George’s is ideally placed and professionally staffed to offer the best experiences that combine historical, archaeological and biblical teaching within a framework of a transforming spiritual journey. The outstanding facilities of the College are situated within the beautiful and peaceful Cathedral Close, just a short distance from the Old City in Jerusalem. I invite you to peruse this catalog and find a program that suits your interests and schedule. We have new offerings for 2020, as we celebrate our centenary, including courses designed for returning pilgrims. There is always so much to discover and even regular visitors find something new to learn. We look forward to welcoming you to this sacred land. The Very Rev’d Canon Richard Sewell, Dean St. George’s College, Jerusalem Course Catalog 2019 – 2020 ABOUT ST. GEORGE’S COLLEGE FEATURED COURSES 4 Celebrating 100 Years 12 New in 2020 6 Why Choose St. George’s 18 Palestine of Jesus 10 Who Comes to St. George’s 20 Footsteps of Jesus 34 Frequently Asked Questions 22 Introduction to the Bible Lands 24 Holy Land and the Arts 26 Women of the Bible COURSE SCHEDULE 28 Jordan Mini-Pilgrimage 16 2019 30 Jerusalem Ministry 17 2020 Formation Program 32 Sharing Perspective: An Interfaith Journey All photos in this catalog are courtesy of Andrew Rutledge, unless otherwise specified. ABOUT THE COVER This catalog is published by the Petra, Jordan Mini- North American Committee for Pilgrimage. St. George’s College Inset: Pilgrims P. O. Box 163 overlooking 3737 Seminary Road Old City of Jerusalem Alexandria, VA 22304 COURSE CATALOG | saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com 3 In 2020, St. George’s College, Jerusalem In the 1990s under the Deanship will celebrate its centennial anniversary. of Canon John Peterson, the current St. George’s College was founded in College building was constructed in the 1920, originally as a theological school Cathedral Close. Just ten minutes walk for Palestinian seminarians. Political and from Damascus Gate in the heart of other complexities in the Middle East in the holy city of Jerusalem, St. George’s the 1960s both challenged that original College is a wonderful, well-appointed vision and opened the opportunity to location for short-term pilgrimages, study, the development of a new, broader interfaith conversations and reconciliation vision. In 1962, St. George’s College was programs. transformed into a center for education, As you read through this catalog, hospitality, pilgrimage, and reconciliation, you will find some terminology catering to lay persons as well as clergy that dates back to our early days as from the worldwide Anglican Communion a seminary. We are still called St. and the ecumenical Church. St. George’s George’s College, even though we are has been offering pilgrims from all over no longer a formal academic institution. the world a unique experience of the Yet our programming still meets the biblical lands ever since. 4 saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com | COURSE CATALOG Photo Credit: James Bimbi highest academic rigor. sites all over the Holy St. George’s College You will find that we Lands, daily worship in has often been called interchangeably use the the Cathedral and in local a gem of the Anglican words course and study churches, and reflective Communion. We are pilgrimage to describe conversations during pleased to invite you to our programs. But you community meals. We experience this for yourself. will never hear us call offer study pilgrimages Your faith will be deepened them tours. We might that engage the historical, and your life enriched by even occasionally call our geographical, political, and the experiences you will pilgrims students. Don’t architectural context of the enjoy in and through St. let this terminology confuse Holy Lands to bring new George's College. you. All of this is just part light and understanding We hope you will of St. George’s rich history to scripture. People from join us as we celebrate our and part of what makes St. all over the world join our centenary and look for George’s unique. programs as they seek ward to the next one to encounter Christ on Our programs weave hundred years! together visits to sacred their pilgrimage. COURSE CATALOG | saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com 5 Why Choose St. George’s? These days there are many commercial companies offering Holy Land pilgrimage services, as well as advocacy visits sponsored by activists from various political and religious perspectives. In the next few pages we will identify a few things that set St. George’s apart from the rest. We believe that St. George’s College Jerusalem offers a comprehensive pilgrimage experience that is second to none. 6 saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com | COURSE CATALOG Long-term Relationship with Local Communities in the Holy Land In 2020, St. George’s College will celebrate 100 years since our establishment. From the beginning we have served the local Anglican communities in the Middle East, and especially in Jerusalem. St. George’s College, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, has a long-term commitment to the communities that make up this diverse country. On your pilgrimage you will be immersed in the local community where you will meet and worship alongside indigenous Christians, known as the “Living Stones”. The College is a Beautiful and Comfortable Environment Rather than staying in hotels, St. George’s has its own facilities, just ten minutes’ walk from the Old City of Jerusalem. It is a peaceful idyll in which to reflect and to rest. Rooms are comfortable with private bathrooms, the learning environment is outstanding and there are comfortable areas in which to socialize. Meals are provided in the Pilgrim Guest House, which is an attractive context for dining and fellowship together. Accommodation outside Jerusalem is chosen to provide similar levels of comfort. COURSE CATALOG | saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com 7 Why Choose St. George’s? Study Pilgrimages Led by Highly Qualified Clergy On our pilgrimages we do so much more than impart information. Our leaders are highly trained and well equipped to teach the history and archaeology of the land and the faith that has shaped it in the past and the present. Carefully thought through programs enable people to reflect and to learn, whatever their prior level of knowledge. As a long-term and trusted local institution with established relationships in the community, St. George’s College can offer privileged access to some places not accessible to individuals or commercial tour operators, creating a unique experience. 8 saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com | COURSE CATALOG Ancient Synagogue in Capernaum St. George’s College St. George’s College Pilgrimages Rooted in Prayer and Rich Liturgical Experiences Every day our courses are bound together in prayer so that they are so much more than just tours of fascinating places. The College enjoys the daily pattern of worship in the Cathedral, which is located on the same property. Our courses are transformative spiritual experiences, led by experienced clergy that inspire and equip people to deepen their faith. COURSE CATALOG | saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com 9 Who Comes to St. George’s? Parish Groups Clergy and Seminarians St. George’s provides the perfect A St. George’s study pilgrimage opportunity for parish groups to provides the perfect continuing education travel on pilgrimage together. We can or sabbatical experience for clergy. It also accommodate small groups, as well offers a deep formation experience for as larger groups up to 36 people. We seminarians. Some continuing education recommend that group registrations programs will also allow credits for be made at least one year in advance. programs completed at St. George’s. Groups booking a 2020 course by the end Please contact us if you would like to of August 2019 will receive every sixth explore how a program with us might fit space free. This can be applied to your with your current studies or continuing group leader or the savings can be divided education needs. among the group. Contact the College Registrar to arrange a group pilgrimage. 10 saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com | COURSE CATALOG 10 saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com | COURSE CATALOG Families and Friends Solo Travelers Pilgrimage offers an exciting St. George’s courses are made up opportunity to explore the inner and of groups, couples and solo travelers. external realities of our lives. Experience Solo travelers will feel comfortable and this with a group of family or friends and safe traveling as part of a St. George’s connect in a way you won’t soon forget. pilgrimage and will quickly make new Bond over shared experiences, enjoy the friends. The College offers accommodation time away from the stresses of everyday on a twin-share basis as our default level life, and create lasting memories and of service. Single room accommodations friendships. are available on a limited basis for an additional fee. If requested, we will try to match solo travelers with another Photo credits: page 10, bottom and solo traveler of the same gender to keep page 11, top right, bottom right – Mandy Ford lodging costs down. page 11, top left – DennisBrack.com Other photo credits listed on page 3 COURSE CATALOG | saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com 11 COURSE CATALOG | saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com 11 As we enter our 100th year in 2020, St.