The Wailing Wall, Via Dolorosa, Old City of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Petra, Jericho …
The names have a timeless quality that carry the smell and taste of limestone, sun-baked stone pillars and shaded cobbled alleyways. Somewhere in your mind you may see a golden dome glinting at dawn or a fissured wall holding prayers written on slips of paper.
How about the Mount of Olives, Temple Mount and the Sea of Galilee?
Pictures of a white-robed Jesus ministering or prophesying to people wearing tunics, cloaks and sandals could well appear before you, inspired perhaps by a movie or childhood book with brightly coloured drawings.
And what about the Dead Sea Scrolls?
The words seem imbued with the cool, dusty aroma of ancient parchment and papyrus. You can almost hear the crackle of manuscripts, as crisp and fragile as poppadoms.
For Christians everywhere the above names will have a particularly poignant resonance, conjuring up Biblical images that appear whole, dramatic and colourful, like episodes from a recurring dream.
Barrhead United Church is now providing an opportunity to overlay those images with a real life experience of the Holy Land.
It plans a pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel between Nov. 2 and 15 and is inviting people throughout the community to take part, including lower income families.
To the church’s minister, the Rev. Sharon Foster, the chance to walk in the footsteps of Jesus is a dream for Christians around the world, equating with Muslims’ desire to visit Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad.
“It really is an opportunity to deepen one’s faith,” said Foster.
She added Christians would be able to make connections with Biblical events and settings in a way to clarify their faith.
“To walk in the footsteps of our spiritual ancestor will be an amazing experience,” she said.
The pilgrimage will take in Amman, Petra, Jericho, the Old City of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Wailing Wall, Via Dolorosa, Mount of Olives and Temple Mount, among other places. A boat trip on the Sea of Galilee is also planned, as well as viewings of such historic artifacts as the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of 972 ancient manuscripts.
The pilgrims will probably stay in hotels and guest houses, although all the details have yet to be worked out. Christian guides are likely to be on hand to help with translation and tours.
The church is appealing for fundraising assistance. It is estimated it will cost about $5,000 per person, inclusive of airfare.
“We don’t want people to say they are not going to the Holy Land because they do not have the money,” said Foster.
“We are asking businesses and individuals to help us in raising funds,” said the church’s fundraising coordinator Edith McMann in a letter to The Leader.
The church has planned a series of fundraisers, including a dessert and silent auction evening Feb. 24, starting at 7 p.m. The event, called “Sweets &Innocent,” will also feature Ukrainian and Scottish Highland dancing by young members of the congregation.
McMann said there were several ways people could help the church, including: donating empties for the church’s ongoing bottle drive; attending the dessert and silent auction; and partially or fully sponsoring an individual or family that may need assistance by Aug. 1.
All financial contribution can be made payable to Barrhead United Church and a taxable receipt will be provided, added McMann.
“We would appreciate any assistance you could give us in our fundraising efforts,” she said in an appeal to the community.
“We also ask that if you choose to help our group with either a silent auction item or financially, that you provide us with a business card or in lieu of a business card your name, address and phone number, so we may properly acknowledge your contribution to our fundraising efforts.”
Edith McMann can be contacted at 780-674-8692 and the Rev. Sharon Foster at 780-674-2412.
