Rana Khoury, Author at Saint George's College Jerusalem

January 2025 brought the best news for which we had been praying and yearning, for many months – a ceasefire in Gaza which brought the first nights of respite for the battered residents of the Strip for over a year. Prisoner exchanges by both sides brought joy and relief but also grief, and in some cases, anger. But at least it felt as if some positive progress was being made. But relief was all too short and the ceasefire failed to progress to stage two. To our deep distress the bombing and killing started again and the prisoner exchange halted.

Lent started with relief but ended in grief. Thus, we enter into the season of Easter in a state of fear and agony with the peace and the hope of justice still a distant prospect. While the peoples of Israel and Palestine continue in a state of war, the day-to-day situation in Jerusalem and in the Galilee is far less dangerous than it has been through most of the time since October 2023. As a result, some pilgrim groups are tentatively returning to the Holy Land. Pilgrimages cannot yet operate as they did before the war began but in the College we feel able to say that it is now a good time to begin to plan a pilgrimage with us for later in the year and for next year because the travel restrictions put in place by many countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand have been lifted.

The peoples of these lands desperately need the return of pilgrims. Those dependent on the pilgrim/tourist business have endured the deprivations of COVID, followed by the severe financial impact of eighteen months of war. Planning a pilgrimage now will give grounds for a little optimism for the beleaguered peoples of Israel/Palestine. A pilgrimage with St George’s College gives a chance to demonstrate Christian solidarity with Palestinian Christians and spending time with our communities throughout the land will be an important part of any pilgrimage in these days. At certain quiet periods while numbers are still low, a personally planned pilgrimage for a small group may be possible. Please contact me directly about this, if desired.

We have great hopes that our friends around the world who have supported us with prayers and funding through these days of suffering will now be able to show support by planning a return to pilgrimage with us. We can promise an experience which will be spiritually uplifting and informative about the current realities.

We have reissued the College courses schedules which have some alterations. Please see the list below. All booking can be made via the College website: www.saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com.

With continuing thanks for our worldwide community of support, we send you Easter greetings of resurrection joy.

The Very Revd Canon Richard Sewell

Dean

January 2025 brought the best news for which we had been praying and yearning, for many months – a ceasefire in Gaza which brought the first nights of respite for the battered residents of the Strip for over a year. Prisoner exchanges by both sides brought joy and relief but also grief, and in some cases, anger. But at least it felt as if some positive progress was being made. But relief was all too short and the ceasefire failed to progress to stage two. To our deep distress the bombing and killing started again and the prisoner exchange halted.

Lent started with relief but ended in grief. Thus, we enter into the season of Easter in a state of fear and agony with the peace and the hope of justice still a distant prospect. While the peoples of Israel and Palestine continue in a state of war, the day-to-day situation in Jerusalem and in the Galilee is far less dangerous than it has been through most of the time since October 2023. As a result, some pilgrim groups are tentatively returning to the Holy Land. Pilgrimages cannot yet operate as they did before the war began but in the College we feel able to say that it is now a good time to begin to plan a pilgrimage with us for later in the year and for next year because the travel restrictions put in place by many countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand have been lifted.

The peoples of these lands desperately need the return of pilgrims. Those dependent on the pilgrim/tourist business have endured the deprivations of COVID, followed by the severe financial impact of eighteen months of war. Planning a pilgrimage now will give grounds for a little optimism for the beleaguered peoples of Israel/Palestine. A pilgrimage with St George’s College gives a chance to demonstrate Christian solidarity with Palestinian Christians and spending time with our communities throughout the land will be an important part of any pilgrimage in these days. At certain quiet periods while numbers are still low, a personally planned pilgrimage for a small group may be possible. Please contact me directly about this, if desired.

We have great hopes that our friends around the world who have supported us with prayers and funding through these days of suffering will now be able to show support by planning a return to pilgrimage with us. We can promise an experience which will be spiritually uplifting and informative about the current realities.

We have reissued the College courses schedules which have some alterations. Please see the list below. All booking can be made via the College website: www.saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com.

With continuing thanks for our worldwide community of support, we send you Easter greetings of resurrection joy.

The Bible is full of references to plants and flowers, and to understand some biblical imagery it is helpful to have a knowledge of the flora of the Holy Land.

The idea of creating a biblical garden at St. George’s College was first conceived in 1985. It was hoped that the garden would be a place of meeting, prayer and reflection and also a unique educational resource.
After a major renovation project of the College building in the late 1980s, the grounds were in need of reconstruction. Plans were drawn up for a new biblical garden by Mr. F. Nigel Hepper, one of the leading botanists at Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens in London. Mr. Hepper had specialised in the plants of the Bible and written books on the subject, including Planting a Bible Garden (HMSO, 1987) and An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Bible Plants (IVP, 1992).

The College gave certain specifications. The new garden had to be easy to maintain, so the planting of shrubs and trees was given priority over labour-intensive herbaceous plants. As the College is used throughout the year, the garden needed to be colourful through the different seasons. Careful consideration was therefore given to the flowering season of a wide variety of plants and to foliage colour.

Work on the new garden began in late 1990. Adam Toft, a British horticulturist, worked with two Palestinian gardeners to realise Nigel Hepper’s designs. Today, years later, the garden still provides a microcosm of the botanical environment experienced by Jesus and the prophets and patriarchs before him.

Spacious paths wind through shady spots where there are tables and seats which allow visitors and students to reflect and pray. Here there are fragrant plants, including lavender, sage and mint. Fruit trees, fig, pomegranate, lemon and olive, lead to the College entrance. A Judas tree stands with cypresses; a young cedar of Lebanon gives shade as it did in King Solomon’s time. The planting scheme provides opportunities for reflection: “by planting a Christ-thorn near the date palm there is a contrast between the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with palm leaves (symbolising victory) with the crown of thorns on the Cross.” Next to every plant there is a plaque. Each is identified by its name in Arabic, English and Latin along with a relevant biblical reference.

The dedication of the garden in May 1993 by the Most Revd. Samir Kafity, together with the Dean of the College, The Very Rev. Dr. John L. Peterson, marked the completion of a major phase in the College’s enlargement and renovation.

The Biblical Garden at St George’s College has delighted pilgrims, friends and visitors for several decades. They find their minds, bodies and spirits refreshed in this veritable oasis of biblical flora.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Our college has been filled with pilgrims and special guests in May.

The students pictured above enjoyed time with our college Patron, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. It was a blessing to have his presence along with his wife, Caroline and the Archbishop’s staff.

In May, we celebrate that Archbishop Suheil Dawani is now President Bishop of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. We are proud of this honor and expect his leadership to bring peace to the region.

And finally, in May, we celebrate the announcement below of the new college interim Dean, the Rev. Dr. Richard LeSueur. Richard will arrive at the college October 1 and assume leadership along with his support staff, Course Director, the Rev. Dr. Hector Patmore and the Associate Dean the Rev. Dr. Susan Lukens. The official press release appears below.

We ask for your prayers and continue to keep you in ours,

Susan

Associate Dean

New Interim Dean: St George’s College, The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem

St George’s College Jerusalem is delighted to announce the appointment of Canon Dr Richard LeSueur as interim Dean from 1st October.

Canon Dr. Richard LeSueur has served for 38 years as a priest of the Anglican Church of Canada. He served at St. George’s College, Jerusalem for a period in the 1990’s as the Director of the Desert Program. Over the past 25 years he has facilitated or participated in more than 40 excursions for clergy and laity through the biblical lands. He serves as adjunct faculty with Trinity Divinity College, University of Toronto. He is currently the Middle East Liaison for the Anglican Church of Canada. He and his wife, Rhonde have two grown sons.

Please pray for Richard, Ronde, his wife, their family and all at the College as Richard and Ronde prepare to travel to Jerusalem and take up this important role. And please pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.

The Rev’d Canon David Longe

Chaplain to The Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, The Most Reverend Suheil Dawani

Our June Women of the Bible course started today, and we welcome pilgrims from the United States who will follow the footsteps of women whose narratives are written in Holy Scripture as well as have conversation with the living stones here in the holy land. Pictured above are the students at Mt. Scopus with Course Director Hector Patmore and Liaison and Logistics Officer Bishara Khoury giving a hands on description of the scenic view covering the Kidron Valley, the Golden gates of the Old City, and the sacred sites within her walls.

Please consider joining next year’s program June 5 – 14, 2018. Visit our website for details.

We know that St. George’s College depends on the good news shared by our alumni and friends. 2018 is around the corner and we want to remind you that our special offering is still available. If you are an alumni and bring 5 students with you for a pilgrimage, your course fee is $0.00!
We thank you for sharing with others your story about pilgrimage with St. George’s College!

People often ask us what distinguishes our pilgrimages from other widely known programs here in the Holy Land; one of the distinguishing aspects of St. George’s College is the attention we give to providing safety. Our college is within the gated community of St. George’s Cathedral Close. The entire close has 24 hour security at both the college and guest house entrance. We also give careful attention to travel outside the college by daily input from our liaison and logistics officer, Bishara Khoury, who monitors not only daily activities in and around Jerusalem but working along side the administrative team, can readily alter our travel plans at short notice to accommodate the best way to ensure safe travels. This attention to the well being of our pilgrims defines us as a community that cares for each other whilst living in this Holy Land. Please let us know if you have any questions.

photo of Andrew on pilgrimage wading in the Mediterranean Sea (photo courtesy of Andrew R.)

Tim and Brian, college roommates from the University of Virginia and now successful attorneys in Illinois and California, decided via a friendship with Gary Lawler, four time alumni of SGC, that Jerusalem would be their next reunion. We are grateful for our alumni like Gary who spread the message of our College. We are a community of friendships that lasts forever!

Tim and Brian reaffirming their baptismal vows at the Jordan River.
Gary Lawler, second person to the left, pictured with the other Easter Fire students at Abu Gosh.

Holy Week in Jerusalem has filled everyone at the college with the joyous celebration of the Easter message. Our course during Holy week brought together pilgrims from all walks of life and spanned from Canada to Australia. Upon reflection, a student wrote, “ Each day was a gift to savour for which I will be forever thankful. I came here very weary from the road less traveled. After this experience, I leave refreshed and hopeful again.”
The dark night of Maundy Thursday spent sitting in the old olive grove up the hill from the Garden of Gethsemane, looking over to the ancient city gates where Jesus would have entered, filled all of us with the divine Holy Spirit. Scott Gunn, executive director of Forward Movement, reflected about his time in this short video; https://vimeo.com/213885724?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=28749

Our standard courses, Palestine of Jesus and Footsteps of Jesus, are already starting to fill for 2018, and we added an additional Footsteps of Jesus Course for October 17-26, 2017.

As April closes and May begins, we look forward to a visit from The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, the Patron of St. George’s College. Along with 40 pilgrims arriving at our doorstep this week filling the Introduction to Bible Lands and Palestine of Jesus Course, we are poised to have a community filled with those who seek to experience in this land the Holy Spirit by following the path of Jesus. As the psalmist so perfectly describes;

Happy are the people whose strength is in you! whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

On behalf of all the college staff, my prayer is that you keep the joy of Easter in your heart to direct your everyday now and always.

Susan

Associate Dean
St. George’s College Jerusalem

Author: Rana Khoury

Easter Message from the Dean

Dean

Easter Message from the Dean

The College Celebrates

Looking Ahead

Safety and Security

A Community for Reunions

Holy Week in Jerusalem