Mosaic of Peace 2018 Witnessing for Peace and Wholeness in a Land called 'Holy' A Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference in Israel/Palestine April 29 - May 12, 2018 Sample Conference Schedule The following general schedule is provided to give those interested an idea of the conference content. All items are subject to change. Currently the conference includes 4 nights in Jerusalem, 4 nights in Bethlehem and 3 nights in Nazareth (Galilee) Sunday, April 29: DEPART FROM U.S. Participants will travel from their respective airports on overnight flights to arrive in Tel Aviv (TLV) on Monday, April 30. Monday, April 30: ARRIVAL Jerusalem Participants arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv (TLV); shuttles transport participants to the Gloria Hotel for settling in. Free time for strolling around Old Jerusalem and rest. Dinner is the first meal of the conference. Orientation begins after dinner. Tuesday, May 1: ORIENTATION Jerusalem Orientation continues at the hotel. Sites this day will include some of the sites of Jerusalem including the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. Wednesday, May 2: ISRAEL AND PALESTINE AS A MOSAIC Jerusalem We’ll depart early for a morning visit to the Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque). We’ll visit YAD Vashem, The World Holocaust Memorial. We’ll meet with representatives of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities that share this holy city. Thursday, May 3: THE CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT OF JERUSALEM Jerusalem Today we’ll take a tour of the city to get a sense of its present day realities. We’ll also meet with representatives of organizations like Sabeel, Kairos Palestine and B’Tselem to learn about their work. Friday, May 4: FROM JERUSALEM TO BETHLEHEM Bethlehem An early morning option is to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as it is opened before daybreak and to stroll through Jerusalem before merchants have opened their shops. We’ll leave Jerusalem for Bethlehem, stopping for lunch at Tantur Ecumenical Institute situated on a vista overlooking the city and its nearby settlements. We’ll check in to the Manger Square Hotel in Bethlehem and have a welcome dinner and program at the International Center of Bethlehem (ICB) and the Diyar Consortium. Saturday, May 5 : EXPLORING THE FACTS ON THE GROUND Bethlehem Today we’ll visit the Tent of Nations and have a chance to work on the land. We’ll also visit a nearby Israeli settlement to learn from the perspective of Israeli settlers. Sunday, May 6: WORSHIP AND PALESTINIAN CULTURE Bethlehem We’ll have free time around Bethlehem and worship at Christmas Lutheran Church, the congregation in Bethlehem affiliated with our partner denomination the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). In the afternoon, we’ll have optional afternoon Options will include wine and olive oil sampling at Cremsian Monastery and Winery and a cooking class at Aida Refugee Camp. Monday, May 7: ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLITICAL REALITIES Bethlehem We’ll visit the nearby city of Hebron with its Israeli settlement in the heart of the city. We’ll see the Ibrahimi Mosque and the old town market. Be prepared to buy street food, spices and handcrafts from the local merchants. We may also stop at the Hebron Glass Blowing Factory. Speakers today will help us understand the economic, environmental and political realities of those who live in the region. Tuesday, May 8: FROM BETHLEHEM TO GALILEE Nazareth We depart Bethlehem with stops at the Aqbet Jaber Refugee Camp Kindergarten in Jericho, the Mount of Temptation and baptismal site on the Jordan River. We’ll arrive to the Legacy Hotel in downtown Nazareth in time for dinner. Wednesday, May 9: EXPLORING THE LAND OF JESUS’ MINISTRY Nazareth Today we’ll have a day-long tour that includes some of the well-travelled and less-travelled landmarks of Jesus’ life and ministry in Galilee. We’ll get a historical perspective that few who visit the region experience. Those who wish may take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. All will enjoy a typical fish meal. Thursday, May 10: SIGNS OF HOPE IN GALILEE Nazareth We’ll continue to see some of the sites today. We’ll also spend time hearing from those who are working creatively for peace and justice in the Galilee region. We’ll visit a few of the agricultural enterprises and cooperatives, including Sindyanna of Galilee, that are bringing people together in remarkable ways to work for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine. In the evening we’ll have some free time in downtown Nazareth. Friday, May 11: GALILEE TO TEL AVIV In the morning we will pack and depart Nazareth. We’ll stop in Ibillin to have our commissioning service at the Church of the Beatitudes and to hopefully hear from Father Elias Chacour. We’ll visit the Mar Elias Educational Institute and learn about its efforts to foster peace and justice through education. On our way to the Tel Aviv we’ll stop in Caesarea, Haifa and Jaffa before our evening flight departures. Those who are extending their stays can be dropped off in Jaffa or taken back to Jerusalem. Saturday, May 12: HOME AGAIN, BUT CHANGED Arrival in the United States Facebook.com/PresbyterianPeacemakingProgram Twitter: @presbypeaceprog #mosaicofpeace .