It is the night before Israel and all through the house
not a creature is stirring not even my three cats
They all three have chosen to sleep on my suitcase and
tomorrow I will be removing cat hair galore.
My husband is excited for me, my daughter not so much
The washer is going, the dryer as well
As I prepare to pack that suitcase and get ready to go
I thank the Holy One for the opportunity to see
locations I have studied in HCE.
I will miss everyone including all those at Portland Avenue
where I know they are praying for me
I am so filled with anticipation of how my spirit will be filled
when I sit near the Sea of Galilee and meditate.
That's enough bad poetry. I hope I can sleep tonight!!!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Introduction
Dear Friends:
What great days we've already had - and we haven't even gotten on the plane yet. Many of us have been able to attend the pre-trip seminar and have gotten immersed in geography, history, religion, theological thinking, and personal stories of people who have lived in Jerusalem and Nablus. Everything we've learned has just made us want to learn more !
When I was in seminary, this trip just didn't fit into my schedule. However, since I am in a transition time in my life right now, this trip fit perfectly into that time. I have visited other countries in the region but had never visited Israel so I'm glad I'm able to go at this time.
I just graduated from LPTS in May and am not actively seeking a church call at this time. My call right now is to spend some time with my mother who lives in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Fortunately my sisters and brothers-in-law live close to her and are checking on her while I am gone. I am thankful for all of them!!
Before I came to seminary, I served in the Army for 22 1/2 years as a JAG officer (lawyer). I had lots of great jobs while I was in the Army. I was in charge of two legal offices, one in California and one in New Jersey, and was a prosecutor, defense counsel, ethics attorney, and an appellate judge during different times in my career. It was a wonderful first career for me.
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel. Please keep all the people in this region in your prayers also. May the Holy One bring peace not only to this region but throughout the world.
Diana Moore
What great days we've already had - and we haven't even gotten on the plane yet. Many of us have been able to attend the pre-trip seminar and have gotten immersed in geography, history, religion, theological thinking, and personal stories of people who have lived in Jerusalem and Nablus. Everything we've learned has just made us want to learn more !
When I was in seminary, this trip just didn't fit into my schedule. However, since I am in a transition time in my life right now, this trip fit perfectly into that time. I have visited other countries in the region but had never visited Israel so I'm glad I'm able to go at this time.
I just graduated from LPTS in May and am not actively seeking a church call at this time. My call right now is to spend some time with my mother who lives in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Fortunately my sisters and brothers-in-law live close to her and are checking on her while I am gone. I am thankful for all of them!!
Before I came to seminary, I served in the Army for 22 1/2 years as a JAG officer (lawyer). I had lots of great jobs while I was in the Army. I was in charge of two legal offices, one in California and one in New Jersey, and was a prosecutor, defense counsel, ethics attorney, and an appellate judge during different times in my career. It was a wonderful first career for me.
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel. Please keep all the people in this region in your prayers also. May the Holy One bring peace not only to this region but throughout the world.
Diana Moore
TWO MORE DAYS
Friends,
My name is Eugene Ansah a second year seminarian at LPTS. I am very excited to be going on this trip. Most of you are aware our journey's focus is threefold; 1. studies, 2. pilgrimage, and 3. mission work. I wish for no opportune time to go than this memorable time where we get to experience just a little taste of what our fellow human beings go through in their daily lives. We can therefore come back with a mouth story to share with those who might have just a little understanding of how others live.
We can also share with them how they should not in any small way take their freedom and lives for granted. We will keep the pictures flowing. I hope we will enjoy the time we have together on this trip.
Eugene
Two days away!
Hello, friends,
I wanted to give a quick introduction before writing about the trip. My name is Cory. I am a Spanish and theology teacher at Trinity High School. Before I go on, I need to express my deepest gratitude to the administration at Trinity for allowing me to miss 11 days of school to make this journey. If you are a student or a teacher, you know 11 days is a lot of school to miss and I have gotten nothing but support from people at Trinity. Besides my teaching, I am a student in the Masters in Spirituality program, a joint program between Bellarmine University and the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. After this class, I will have one more class to go before graduating in May. Outside of teaching and studying, I love to sing, dance, read, garden, run, and, well, many other things. That's enough of an introduction.
It is hard to believe we are leaving in two days. Many people have asked me if I'm worried about going. My worries this week have been making sure I have enough food for my cats (and someone to feed them) and lesson plans for my sub, so I haven't had time to worry about our safety. Really, though, I feel like 1) I have been to many places that some might consider dangerous (the latest being Colombia last summer) and have always come back fine and 2) I have such an amazing support system of people who will be thinking and praying for me and for our group that I can do nothing but trust that we will be safe.
I cannot imagine this trip being anything but utterly amazing. I look forward to sharing the journey (the parts that can be put into words) with you.
I wanted to give a quick introduction before writing about the trip. My name is Cory. I am a Spanish and theology teacher at Trinity High School. Before I go on, I need to express my deepest gratitude to the administration at Trinity for allowing me to miss 11 days of school to make this journey. If you are a student or a teacher, you know 11 days is a lot of school to miss and I have gotten nothing but support from people at Trinity. Besides my teaching, I am a student in the Masters in Spirituality program, a joint program between Bellarmine University and the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. After this class, I will have one more class to go before graduating in May. Outside of teaching and studying, I love to sing, dance, read, garden, run, and, well, many other things. That's enough of an introduction.
It is hard to believe we are leaving in two days. Many people have asked me if I'm worried about going. My worries this week have been making sure I have enough food for my cats (and someone to feed them) and lesson plans for my sub, so I haven't had time to worry about our safety. Really, though, I feel like 1) I have been to many places that some might consider dangerous (the latest being Colombia last summer) and have always come back fine and 2) I have such an amazing support system of people who will be thinking and praying for me and for our group that I can do nothing but trust that we will be safe.
I cannot imagine this trip being anything but utterly amazing. I look forward to sharing the journey (the parts that can be put into words) with you.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Leaving on Saturday
Dear friends and family,
Most of the 28-member group of travelers from Louisville Seminary has been meeting in class this week in preparation for our journey to Israel and Palestine. We have learned some songs to sing along the way, we have read several books on the history of Jerusalem and on the experiences and perspectives of Jews and Arabs living in the land. We have begun to practice theological reflection on our own and within the group, we have conversed with guest speakers who are from Palestine and Israel. And we are almost ready to go.
The group includes seminary students, pastors, and lay people of several denominations and all ages. Some of us are a little nervous about going to a country that is suddenly at war, but we also believe that these will be most interesting times to be present in Israel and Palestine. We pray that peace will come quickly--a cessation of bombing and fighting now, and a lasting peace soon, with God's help.
Most of the 28-member group of travelers from Louisville Seminary has been meeting in class this week in preparation for our journey to Israel and Palestine. We have learned some songs to sing along the way, we have read several books on the history of Jerusalem and on the experiences and perspectives of Jews and Arabs living in the land. We have begun to practice theological reflection on our own and within the group, we have conversed with guest speakers who are from Palestine and Israel. And we are almost ready to go.
The group includes seminary students, pastors, and lay people of several denominations and all ages. Some of us are a little nervous about going to a country that is suddenly at war, but we also believe that these will be most interesting times to be present in Israel and Palestine. We pray that peace will come quickly--a cessation of bombing and fighting now, and a lasting peace soon, with God's help.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Getting Close....
Hello, everyone!
I meant to do this sooner, but time has slipped away and the trip is getting so much closer! My name is Katrina and I am a second year student at LPTS, studying for my M.Div.
I am thrilled to be going on this trip! One of my loves is Hebrew, as well as world religions, so I look forward to being immersed in Jewish and Muslim culture. This should be a fabulous experience!
Just a few more days! :)
I meant to do this sooner, but time has slipped away and the trip is getting so much closer! My name is Katrina and I am a second year student at LPTS, studying for my M.Div.
I am thrilled to be going on this trip! One of my loves is Hebrew, as well as world religions, so I look forward to being immersed in Jewish and Muslim culture. This should be a fabulous experience!
Just a few more days! :)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Glad to meet you
Hello everyone! I am Deborah Prince and I am thrilled to be joining you on this adventure to Israel. This will be my first time traveling to the Middle East. My husband and I have been to Italy several times (Rome, Florence, and Sorrento), but until now that has been my only overseas destination.
I live in southwest Michigan with my husband and two sons (ages 3 & 9). I am Director of Christian Education at Fairplain Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor, MI and an adjunct faculty member at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. I am a graduate of LPTS (M.Div. '94) and I received a Ph.D. in New Testament from Notre Dame ('05). Considering my background and my current occupation, it is unacceptable that I have not been to Israel. I am so glad to be filling this gap in my professional, personal, and spiritual life.
Not surprisingly, what I love to do most is read - and I spend most of my days doing just that. Most of my reading is work related, but I also love mysteries, 19th century English novels, anything set in Italy, and whatever book is my 3 year-old's current favorite (right now, anything Disney!). I enjoy visiting art museums, the theater and the ballet, singing, sports (especially baseball) and playing games of all kinds with my family.
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