November 9, 2022
Posts Categorized: Mosaic of Peace
November 8, 2022
A Reflection from the Jordan Extension to the Mosaic of Peace Conference
May 15, 2018
Walking the Jesus Trail: Nazareth to Capernaum
Journal and Photo Reel, May 12-15 Day 1: Nazareth to the Cana Guest House We started off the day in high spirits, which was good because the first thing we had to do was climb our way out of the city of Nazareth, ancient hometown of Jesus! Nazareth today is a far cry from the 5,000-person… Read more »
May 10, 2018
Putting the Pieces Together in a Mosaic of Peace
Mosaic of Peace, Day 10 Last night, multiple members of our group woke to the sound of fighter jets. The IDF was coordinating a strike on Iranian-affiliated military bases in Syria, responding to a (as of initial reports, casualty-free) strike on the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights attack itself was anticipated by the IDF, and… Read more »
May 9, 2018
Go to Galilee, there you will find me.
Mosaic of Peace, Day 9 Today we took a break from the presentations and classroom time to walk where Jesus walked, around the Sea of Galilee. But even so, we were never far from the issues to which we have been exposed all week. We toured all of the usual spots: the Church of the… Read more »
May 8, 2018
From Ramallah to the River: Intractable Conflict; Impossible Grace
Mosaic of Peace, Day 8 We started out this day mired in discussions of the “intractable conflict” in Israel-Palestine, and ended the day with grace, on the River Jordan. Our meeting in Ramallah with Sam Bahour, a Palestinian businessman (and U.S. Citizen) had elements of hope woven throughout. He pointed out that, in one sense,… Read more »
May 7, 2018
Microcosm of Conflict; Moment of Peacebuilding
Day 7, Part 1: A Microcosm of the Conflict As we boarded the bus from the Manger Square Hotel, the ingredients appeared to be coming together for rain. A slight wind blew over the hills as clouds gathered overhead. After a third day in Bethlehem, we had heard and seen how the ingredients came together… Read more »
May 6, 2018
Irreconcilable “Facts”
Mosaic of Peace, Day 6 Today we were confronted with incompatible narratives. After worshipping at Christmas Lutheran Church in the morning, we visited the Tent of Nations—a small olive tree-covered mountain owned by the Nassar family, which consists of Palestinian Christian farmers. The Nassars are a rare case—they have ownership papers going back to the… Read more »
May 5, 2018
“Gerrymandering” Jerusalem
Mosaic of Peace, Day 5 After three and a half days staying in and exploring the Old City area of Jerusalem, yesterday we took a bus tour of East Jerusalem with an Israeli guide named Yaniv Mazor—a former tank commander in the IDF who, after serving three years of mandatory service, cut short his time… Read more »
May 4, 2018
Listening for the Still, Small Voice
Mosaic of Peace, Day 4 When I was quite young, (exactly how many years ago, I prefer not to share), my grandmother toured the Holy Land. I remember caressing the olive wood trinkets, looking through the pictures with her, and deciding that one day, I too would go to this holy place and walk where… Read more »