MTS TRAVEL, Middle East Traveling Seminar

Introduction

The Middle East Task Force (METF) of Chicago Presbytery has sponsored traveling seminars to the Middle East since 1981. The next traveling seminar is being planned for Fall 2009; it will include visits to Beirut, Lebanon, where we will learn of the impact of the Israeli bombing in July/August 2006 and visit with Lebanese Christians and Muslims, as well as see several archaeological sites of interest. From Lebanon, we will travel to Aleppo and Damascus, Syria, where we will visit with Armenian, Orthodox, and Evangelical Christians. We will travel to Palmyra, an ancient Roman castle east of Damascus. Then on to Israel/Palestine, via Jordan. Stops are planned in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Qumran at the Dead Sea, Hebron, Nazareth, and other points of interest. In the recent past, the Rev. Dr. Bob Worley, retired professor at McCormick Theological Seminary, led these traveling seminars, building on his knowledge and experience on the faculty of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut.

The leader of the 2009 seminar is Dr. Pauline Coffman, who studied in Beirut her junior year of college (at the Beirut College for Women, now Lebanese American University). She has returned several times, most recently in 2007 as leader of the latest traveling seminar. Pauline has served as Dean of Student Life at McCormick Seminary; Director of Student Services at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and as Director of the School of Adult Learning at North Park University. Upon retirement from NPU, Pauline became chair of the Advisory Board of the Center for Middle East Studies at NPU, where the Rev. Dr. Donald Wagner is Director. Pauline is active in the Israel/ Palestine Mission Network of the PC(USA).

Dr. Peg Griffiths, a lay leader at Fourth Presbyterian Church, will serve as co-leader of the 2009 seminar. Given her interest in Middle East issues, she has traveled extensively to the region. Currently she serves on the Steering Committee of the Middle East Task Force, and is a member of the interfaith work group—both of the Chicago Presbytery. She has been active in the national mission network for Israel/Palestine. In addition to serving on several boards of non-profit organizations, Peg has developed many educational programs over her career as assistant professor, and as a senior psychologist.

$4,295, based on double occupancy
Single Room Supplement: $775
Optional Travel Protection Insurance: $280

This tour price reflects special group rates. Deposits received after July 28, 2009, will likely incur additional charges due to supplier contract terms.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

Depart Chicago this evening on a transatlantic flight, changing planes in London.

Tuesday, November 3 Beirut, Lebanon

Arrive in Beirut late in the day and transfer to the Casa D’Or Hotel in Ras Beirut. Dinner and overnight at Casa D’Or Hotel.

Wednesday, November 4 Beirut

Walk to the American University of Beirut and/or Lebanese American University. Other visits today will include the Middle East Council of Churches’ work with refugees, displaced people and others. Stop at the Near East School of Theology, meet with Mary Mikhael, President of N.E.S.T., worship and lunch at N.E.S.T. Meet with the Arab Christian-Muslim Dialogue Group. Visit the sister congregation of the First United Church of Oak Park, IL, the National Presbyterian church. Dinner and overnight at Casa D’Or Hotel.

Thursday, November 5 Beirut / Tyre

Visit South Lebanon and the work of the Middle East Council of Churches among Christians and Muslims, the Presbyterian Church in Marjayoun, the Sidon School for Boys and Girls, and then the archaeological sites in Tyre with its magnificent ruins from the Phoenicians and the Solomonic period of the Old Testament. Dinner and overnight at Casa D’Or Hotel.

Friday, November 6 Beirut / Baalbeck / Beirut

Visit Central Lebanon with the ancient Greek and Roman ruins at Heliopolis (City of the Sun), now known as Baalbeck. On return trip, visit the Druze Museum in Lebanon and meet with Druze educator. Dinner at the Istambuli Restaurant in Beirut. Overnight once again at the Casa D’Or Hotel.

Saturday, November 7 Beirut / Byblos / Aleppo, Syria

Traveling North towards Syria we will visit with Christians in Tripoli or Byblos. A few miles into Syria, we will visit the magnificent ruins of the 11th-century Crusader Castle, Crac des Chevalier. We will arrive in Aleppo for dinner and overnight at the Mirage Palace.

Sunday, November 8 Aleppo

The group will visit Christian churches; Armenian Evangelical, Presbyterian, and the Syrian Orthodox Church in the morning. Meet for lunch in the Armenian Souk. A visit to the Aleppo Museum is optional for the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the Mirage Palace.

Monday, November 9 Aleppo

Visit the famous Byzantine Monastery, Qala’t Salaam, a few miles outside Aleppo. In the afternoon, explore the Old City of Aleppo, including the Citadel and the wonderful old markets. Dinner and overnight in Aleppo.

Tuesday, November 10 Aleppo – Palmyra

While traveling to Palmyra, we will have lunch and a visit with Christians in Homs. Dinner and overnight in Palmyra.

Wednesday, November 11 Palmyra – Damascus

We spend the day with an orientation bus tour of Palmyra and a walking tour to sites of historical significance. After lunch, we board the bus for Damascus for dinner and overnight at the Damascus International Hotel.

Thursday, November 12 Damascus

Learn about the Middle East Council of Churches’ work in Damascus. Visit the Church of Ananias, the Christian section of the “Street called Straight,” the Damascus Museum and the Old Market. Dinner and overnight at the Damascus International Hotel.

Friday, November 13 Damascus – Amman

Depart Damascus this morning, stopping at the Roman Provincial Capital at Bosra. Cross the border into Jordan and continue to Amman for a city tour including the Amphitheatre and Museum. Visit with the PCUSA liaison to Jordan and Israel/Palestine and representatives from the MECC Office in Amman at our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Amman at the Golden Tulip Grand Palace Hotel.

Saturday, November 14 Amman – Bethlehem

After breakfast, travel to the King Hussein Bridge and cross into Palestine. Visit the ancient site of Jericho. Continue on to Qumran and view the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a young shepherd boy. This afternoon, drive into Bethlehem and visit Al Aida Refugee Camp; meet Abdelfattah Abusroar, Director of Al Rowwad Cultureal & Theatre Training Center. Then check into the International Center in Bethlehem for dinner and overnight accommodations. A special presentation by the Rev. Alex Awad, Dean of Students, on Israel/Palestine is planned for this evening at the Bethlehem Bible College.

Sunday, November 15 Bethlehem – Hebron – Bethlehem

After breakfast, tour the Church of the Nativity followed by worship at the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. At lunch, meet with Mitri Raheb (if available). Drive to nearby Hebron to tour the market area, see Abraham’s Mosque, and visit the glassblowing factory. Return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight at the International Center.

Monday, November 16 Bethlehem – Sea of Galilee Area

After breakfast, bus ride to Ramallah where we will visit the Palestinian Authority Headquarters and Arafat’s grave. Stop at Jifna, where we will visit the Seraj Children’s Library en route to Galilee area for dinner and overnight at the Pilgerhaus Tabgha.

Tuesday, November 17 Sea of Galilee – Jerusalem

Following breakfast, travel to the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee and an early Christian church. Tour Nazareth. Continue to Jerusalem viewing the city from its hills, visit the Mount of Olives, walk along the Palm Sunday route and see the Garden of Gethsemane. Check into our hotel, located in the Old City. Dinner and overnight at the Gloria Hotel, located inside the Old City.

Wednesday, November 18 Jerusalem

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then begin a tour of the Old City. First stop is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The tour will include a visit to the Dome of the Rock area. Today lunch is included with a presentation by ICAHD. This afternoon, visit Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Museum) and meet with Rabbis for Human Rights. Dinner and overnight at the Gloria Hotel.

Thursday, November 19 Jerusalem – Tel Aviv

Following breakfast at the hotel, meet with BT’selem, OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Territories) and ARIJ (Applied Research Institute— Jerusalem). The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own. Dinner at the Seven Arches Hotel on the Mt. of Olives. Return to hotel to pack and rest. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Friday, November 20 Tel Aviv - Chicago

Board flight early this morning for return to Chicago, with stopover in London. Arrive in Chicago shortly after noon.

Click Here for a Tour Reservation Form

For further information, contact:
Dr. Pauline Coffman
623 South Euclid Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60304
Tel: (708) 524-5444
Email: p.coffman@sbcglobal.net

Dr. Peg Griffiths
1047 W. Belden
Chicago, IL 60614
Home Tel: (773) 327-3713
Email: mgriffithsphd@comcast.net

Travel Arrangements by:

124 E. Main St., 4th Fl.
Ephrata, PA 17522
Tel: (800) 418-2929, ext. 81307
Fax: (717) 733-1009
E-mail:lindyw@mtstravel.com