We have some exciting programs lined up for early 2017.

We begin the year with the inaugural offering of the Jerusalem Ministry Formation program, but this will be followed by a series of rich opportunities for pilgrimage and study at St George’s College Jerusalem.

Sharing Perspectives

Our context in Palestine and Israel provides a challenge for the College to serve as an agent of justice, reconciliation and peace.  The sacred Scriptures of the three great religions with deep roots in this land provide resources for reconciliation as well as texts that have been appropriated to justify conflict and reinforce suspicion.  The College works with other local organizations to promote interfaith engagement to seek religious resources for justice and peace, and to promote reconciliation.

We are offering two different versions of this program in 2017:

For first time we have a Jewish/Christian interfaith program, Jews and Christians Together in the Holy Land (3–12 February). Jewish and Christian communities of Central Virginia will gather together at St. Georges College Jerusalem to engage in conversation that will bring together their voices on practical projects and deepen their existing friendships.

In the middle of March we host our fourth  Muslims and Together Christians in the Holy Land program (March 16–23). In this course, Christian and Muslim participants live together as an interfaith community, visit holy sites of the three Abrahamic faiths and engage in theological discussion. The course strengthens faith while encouraging new insights, perspectives and friendships. The aim is for participants to return home resourced to promote Christian-Muslim understanding in their respective communities

Palestine of Jesus (Spirituality of Lent, 28 February–March 13)

This 14-day program will be led by the Revd. Dr Andrew Mayes. This will be a special version of our signature program, the Palestine of Jesus, with a particular focus on the ways that the Gospel of Matthew shapes and renews our spirituality. The program will have more ofa retreat character than some of our courses, and will include a couple of days for reflection by the Sea of Galilee. Make your plans now to join us for this transformative experience.

Introduction to the Bible Lands (6–13 February and 27 March–April 3)

Introduction to the Bible Lands is the entry-level course offered by St George’s College. In this short course you will experience selected highlights from the so-called ‘Fifth Gospel’—the land of the Bible. It will change the way you read the Bible, and reshape the way you live your life. This course is ideally suited for both lay and clergy as an introduction to the Land of the Holy One.

Easter Fire! (8–17 April)

Experience Holy Week and Easter observances of the Eastern Christian communities in Jerusalem, including the Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic and Ethiopian traditions. Study the theological and liturgical traditions of Orthodox Christianity. Visit holy places in the Jerusalem area associated with Christian commemorations of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. We live together as a Christian community prayerfully reflecting upon the Christian themes of Holy Week.

Abraham and his Children (19–28 April)

This is an Old Testament course focusing upon the Abrahamic narratives of the Hebrew Bible, Genesis 11-25, and the traditions of Abraham as developed in the Talmud, New Testament, and Quran. Abraham and His Children is also an interfaith course. The course encounters numerous ‘Abrahams’ among and within the three monotheistic traditions and asks whether the figure of Abraham can, in fact, be a central, unifying force among the ‘Children of Abraham.’ Course themes include hospitality, pilgrimage, faith and failure, strangers and aliens, reconciliation, and the sacredness of relationships.