One of today’s major highlights included, attending the pilgrim’s mass in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. At the beginning of the pilgrims' mass, the church read out a list of the number of pilgrims received in the pilgrims' office in the last 24 hours—where they traveled from and where they began their pilgrimage. Pictures cannot completely capture the stunning beauty of the altar. At the end of the mass we received an amazing surprise which was to see the famous Botafumeiro —the giant swinging incense burner weighing 53 kg that only swings during certain masses. Today it was privately sponsored by a group of pilgrims from Colorado. The experience was emotional and deeply moving for all of us.

Last day of walking the Camino. We are all happy and ready to arrive in Santiago and, after a short and peaceful stage, we finally made it. We arrived at Plaza do Obradoiro, where the incredible Cathedral of Santiago stands. As the group guide, and with this being the first of the eight times I will walk the Camino this summer, this has been a wonderful experience for me. Being able to get to know each member of the group during these ten days, share my culture with them, show them the place where I was born, and introduce them to the gastronomy of Galicia is something I will never forget. Every participant gave their all to complete the Camino, even those who faced greater difficulties or pain, and as a guide, that makes me very proud. Even though we have only known each other for ten days, the wonderful conversations, laughter, and moments we shared have made each and every one of them earn a special place in my heart. I hope that, if they ever return to Spain, we will meet again. Lastly, I would like to highlight three people: Linda Lee, Ann, and Jon, as they are the ones who organized the trip, and without them none of this would have been possible. Thank you for making my experience as a guide such a wonderful one. – Laura González, G roup Guide

In Genesis 16, we hear the story of Hagar, the slave of Sarah (wife of Abraham), after Hagar is made pregnant by Abraham. Hagar, distraught and bearing the child who will become Ishmael, flees into the desert where God comes to her and speaks to her in her distress. God tells Hagar that She will “greatly multiply [Hagar’s] offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.” In another moment of crisis when she has been cast out into the desert (Gen 21), God and Hagar again speak and God tells Hagar Ismael will live and will be the father of a “great nation.” As few in the Bible are recorded to have done, Hagar sees and speaks directly with God. No burning bush, no pillar of cloud. Just a woman and her God. Amazed that she has seen and spoken with God Herself, Hagar calls God by Her name, El-Roi, “the one who sees me.”

Today’s walk, day eight, led us from Arzua to Pedrouzo-Rua. It was supposed to be 12 miles, the longest walk thus far — but I clocked 15 miles after a few unintended detours. I wasn’t the only one, so I was in good company. Our sites today were again spectacular! Quaint, villages, farm animals, (including cows that joined us on the Camino), the emergence of newly planted crops, and shady areas to rest our feet. Prior to our Spain departure, we discussed bringing gifts that we distribute to fellow pilgrims on the Camino. I brought seashells from Bethany Beach — which seemed appropriate as the scallop shell is the sign of the Camino. The gifts that we have all received are priceless and will live in our hearts and souls forever. One very special group we met were about 10 disabled young adults from Spain. They had several pilgrims who were blind, and one in a wheelchair. Most of the Camino is packed gravel or dirt, but there are some sections that are gutted and rocky, which would be challenging for a wheelchair. But this group had so much faith, love, and joy to share. My Spanish is nonexistent and they didn’t speak English, but we communicated just fine! I offered my seashells from Bethany Beach. I also carried bracelets that my five-year-old grandson had made, and I distributed those to my new friends as well. The bracelets contained positive affirmations — love, kindness, laugh. Both gifts were a big hit, and the pilgrims were excited to receive something from the United States. These beautiful pilgrims gave me the gift of song, warm greetings, beautiful smiles, and a 2026 photo calendar of their group. A second gift we received was from a group of approximately 50 sixteen year-olds from Madrid. We met them at a chilly creek where a few of us were dipping our sore feet into the water. These teens were so vivacious — swimming in the muddy creek and leading us in songs — “Sweet Caroline” and “American Pie.” We also met a delightful group from an Anglican church in London, who gave pilgrims the gift of a hug. They are volunteers stationed at a visitor center for one week on the Camino and they offer food to the pilgrims who stay in their hostel, and hugs to those who walk by. The mother nature and God gifts have been spectacular! So far it has only rained in the evenings, the mountain view‘s are breathtaking and reminiscent of our Blue Ridge Mountains. There are cows, sheep, goats, chickens, cats, dogs, horses, and many unique birds native to Spain. Lastly the gift of pilgrimage with our fellow Holy Comforter members has led us to great conversations, support, laughter, and lifelong friendships. The gifts keep flowing — within our group and the community of pilgrims we meet. – Karen Dawn

Day 7 of Camino’s supportive weather on a long and winding road through northern Spain. Our suitcases open and close daily in a sequence of rooms linked by an ancestral devotional path. This morning, once in motion of on Camino, I spot a young couple in their twenties. Perhaps their lives are more stable than what I remember at their age. Probably not. Being newly independent I’m sure they’re quite busy and making progress but I recall an ever-present uncertainty as my core identity. Ungainly philosophic questions held me captive. I found comfort in Elton John’s song "Grey Seal" lyrics ‘Tell me Grey Seal, how does it feel to see through eyes that only see what’s real.’ Fifty years of an engaged life addressed those intangibles. In preparation for our Camino our group watched two fictional films on pilgrimage transformation and I wondered—will a powerful insight be provided me this month? More appropriately, did I arrive here with the necessary makeup permitting transformation? No. In its place, however, I’ve noted repeated, unscheduled series of God’s winking upon us, brief moments marking shared assistance. Perhaps you can recall someone who periodically sent you a silent, split-second wink above a broad smile. You sense appreciation and are elevated to acquire more. Winking as a notion first appeared to me on the Camino when we passed through forested areas. Cresent-shaped leaves will appear in a random profusion, here and there. As a wink is offered, a single leaf departs a branch above and marks the spot two pilgrims exchanged God’s Love. – Peter Feibelman

The Pilgrims from Holy Comforter are halfway to the finish!! We started our day with a church service in Palas de Rei led by Jon and Ann and walked 10 miles to Melide which is a town of 7,000. Some of us got to experience octopus for the first time. Quite an adventure for us all. We are scheduled to arrive in Santiago on Thursday afternoon. We are grateful for your prayers and warm wishes. Thank you all very much. Buen Camino! – Brian Malone

Today was another opportunity for the HoCo pilgrims to experience many of God’s wondrous creations! This morning on the Camino started with a gradual uphill climb leaving Ventas de Narón that was especially peaceful and reflective, especially during a cool, early morning mist. This section of the Camino is perfect to experience both the rhythm of walking and, also, for considering the importance of our spiritual journey. It is, I think, the quieter stages of the Camino that will benefit and stay with me the longest.

We set out this morning along ancient cobblestone streets, past residents and shopkeepers beginning their day, the ancient church and town square, down the hill and back across the river. A few blisters and hot spots have appeared, but we are adapting to the rhythm of the camino. We walk. Together. Alone. With strangers. But, always, forward. The beauty of God’s creation is all around us. But, we can find ourselves looking down, moving forward with pace. The path is uneven. We must watch where we step and, surely, that next hill will be the last today. But, those hills have forced us to slow down — allowing us to take our eyes off the few feet in front of us, lift our head, breathe deeply and feel God with us. Much of today’s path followed along a busy road — not the most scenic route! But a timely reminder that our journey of faith, our personal camino, is always there — running parallel to our everyday journey of life. We can step into it anytime. Buen Camino! – Dawn McGruder

Another glorious day of brilliant blue skies and worn, ancient paths on the Camino. It’s impossible to walk these roads and not be struck by a deep sense of awe and wonder … both of the majestic beauty of the natural world around us and of the thousands of pilgrims who came before us. This ground has been sacred to Christians and non-Christians alike for centuries because of the deep spirituality one feels here. Today our 6.2 mile walk took us from Morgade past ancient stone houses, grazing cows, an occasional horse, granaries and vineyards … and finally across the Mino River to the town of Portomarin. The river crossing was so beautiful it left me speechless. We met many fellow pilgrims on our way and the camaraderie and common purpose leaves us all with a strong sense of our shared humanity. Portomarin is a charming, lively place, and has been an important city since Roman times. When a reservoir flooded the town in the 1960s, locals moved their beloved church, stone by stone, to higher ground where it remains today, a marvelous example of Romanesque architecture. The busyness of everyday life settles down here, and one sees life more clearly. God’s hand is everywhere. The journey draws us forward and calls us to a heightened awareness and deeper contemplation. We look forward to the adventures of each new day. Buen Camino! – Jane O’Connell

Day 2 of the Camino is done! Our journey today started in Sarria where the weather was beautiful. We are walking the French way which means we travel from Sarria to Santiago de Compostelo. The Galician countryside is beautiful and our walk was enhanced by pastures, mountains, and of course, some of God’s amazing creatures as seen in the photos. For me it was not an easy walk. We did 7.5 miles today which was mostly uphill. But there is a tremendous sense of accomplishment and the promise that tomorrow will be mostly downhill!!! God had created a splendid world and I feel blessed to be here among these amazing pilgrims, sharing this sacred experience.  Buen Camino! – Sherryl Dorch

Our group of 25 pilgrims met this afternoon in Madrid, Spain and took a train to Sarria, the starting point for our Camino pilgrimage. We arrived with excitement, a touch of nervousness, and a deep sense of anticipation. Over the next nine days, we will trek the last 100 km of the Camino St. Francis Route from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. There is a quiet awareness that something meaningful is unfolding—not only a walk across Spain, but a shared journey of friendship, reflection, and discovery. I am humbled thinking of the millions who have walked this path for more than 1,000 years before us. We will follow in their footsteps and leave our own for those who come after. May God guide our steps, keep us safe, and surround us with love, peace, and kindness. We pray for strength when the road is hard, joy in the simple moments, and companionship with those we meet along the way. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105 May our path be steady, our spirits open, and our steps guided as we begin.  Buen Camino! – Anne-Stuart Kirkhorn

“De Virginia a Puerto Rico: Una Misión de Fe y Comunidad” “From Virginia to Puerto Rico: A Mission of Faith and Community”  June 16–22, a group of 19 Holy Comforter youth and adults traveled to Puerto Rico, seeking to serve and work in the way that Christ taught us; to be connected to the Body of Christ in new places, and to find out what that means. Check out this video produced by the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico! If you don’t speak the language, we hope the sentiment is clear.

Hi there! To conclude our final hours in Puerto Rico, the group attended a lovely church service at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Cathedral in San Juan. We were quickly welcomed by an enthusiastic and hospitable group, who graciously set out a delicious arrangement of food after the service. The spread included homemade brownies, lemon pound cake, sugar pastries, watermelon, and an assortment of beverages, most notably a fresh pitcher of ginger juice! After coffee hour, the youth embarked on individual excursions throughout Old San Juan. Groups had fun shopping, exploring the city, and tasting local cuisine until we headed for the airport around 3:00. This year’s mission trip to Puerto Rico was packed full of adventures, mission work, and excitement, and we are very grateful for all of the kindhearted people we’ve met. Thanks for following us throughout this journey! —Bella

Hi!! Saturday was so much fun! After zip lining, We all got ready and, I got to straighten my hair (yay)! I got to hangout with my friends while getting ready and it was so much fun! Then Carlos, the leader of my group, and we got to walk around old San Juan, taking pictures. Then after we went out to dinner at this SUPER nice restaurant; the food was amazing! I got the chicken parm with rice and it was so much fun! Ps: thank you so much to Holy Comforter for paying! I had an amazing time on Saturday and I can’t wait for next year’s youth mission trip! —Julia Here’s a video of zip lining  https://drive.google.com/file/d/19LEWe6m2HPldS1_5w0EdcakYOes4Fvgk/view?usp=drivesdk

Hey all! This is Levi. Although we didn’t have a service day today, our connection with the community here in Puerto Rico was increased by a similar amount. However, the first thing we had to do was say goodbye to our home for the past week, and move to our new housing closer in San Juan. After our goodbyes, breakfast, and morning prayers, we headed off to Father Carlos’ church- he’s assisted us through the week helping organize the houses that we help paint. There, we were welcomed by the parish there and were able to play soccer with some of the youth there. Despite our large age gap, with us being much older than them, the kids there were able to beat us by many goals. (I was able to score one for Team Holy Comforter) After lunch and some socializing with the kids, we were off once more to our next home, where we are currently staying. It’s a residence with a monk there, who is very nice, and he welcomed us with open arms. However, we didn’t have much time to explore the area, because soon we were off to the beaches in San Juan, which were quite clear and a quite nice temperature. After the beach, we went over to a pizza place nearby and I enjoyed the meal quite a bit. Next, we went over to Ben & Jerry’s and another beach area (just to take some pictures) and then drove back to our residence. Thanks, Levi Here’s a video with game highlights— https://drive.google.com/file/d/104xaHmRxHRbfc3hoPvCI38FS2Sn6dCZj/view?usp=drivesdk

Hi this is Lilly, one of the youth on the Puerto Rico Mission Trip! Today we started our morning early with breakfast and morning prayer. In morning prayer we meditated on the 3rd verse of Psalm 23, “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” After our morning prayer we split into two groups. The group I was in went to one house nearby Senora Abigail home where we were the day prior. We began the first half of our work scraping and painting the front of the fence. We then went back to Senora Abigail’s to sit and eat our lunch. After lunch we went back to the house we were working on and finished the back of the fence and the front walls of the house.  Following our work day we took a pit stop at the pharmacy to pick up a few things we had ran out of. We then got back after what felt like the longest work day and relaxed by the pool. We then got all cleaned up and ate dinner. Instead of ending our night with compline we had a campfire in the woods. By the campfire we each picked a song and explained what it meant to us. After we each had said our songs, Jana and Cesar went into the town and picked us up s’more stuff!!

Today was our second day of work. We painted a house for a wonderful lady. As we were working we saw many cats wandering around and we also met the lady’s granddaughter. Day 3 was a very fun day full of mission work and meeting new people. Even saw an iguana…. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C-ioI4Vg7h3SLV8I8I65PcvtxC8v6jqa/view?usp=drivesdk —Brooke Click below to see our Video— https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UGki5OTNAUS4WnVucP6UGeliwIj3Adu0/view?usp=drivesdk

Hi, this is Moira from the 2025 High School youth group! Today we took off from DCA and landed in San Juan’s airport, SJU. This was my sister and I’s first flight (personally) and throughout the day, youth explored the airport terminals before landing in the city. We ate at a local restaurant outside San Juan before heading up the winding, and seemingly endless mountain roads. Several bonus factors of our Resort were the salt-water pool and various wildlife! We feel asleep to the sounds of the coqui frogs every night… https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftZty25HsGwsfnVUqF2VZqTHL9prcZpJ/view?usp=drivesdk

Hola!  We have officially finished our first day of work in Puerto Rico! For our first day we woke up bright and early at 730 to get ready for breakfast at 8. Although some of us woke up at 7 to do some strength training by the pool with our very own Jon Strand. For breakfast we had oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and some meat! We headed over to do some morning worship and we meditated over the phrase “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” after worship we put on plenty of sunscreen and bug spray and hit the road to our first 2 houses. While some of our adults left to Home Depot to grab supplies, all youth played some fun indoor games for a while before eating our lunch that we prepared before breakfast. We split up into 2 groups and worked on two separate houses, one house needed a little bit of scraping and a lot of paint, and our second house needed more scraping some different colors of paint! We worked until around 4 pm and cleaned up. We realized that some of the youth forgot some items from home so we stopped at cvs where we grabbed snacks, drinks, and other needed items. After Walgreens we headed back to our current home, Cristo de Redentor, and we all took a much needed break before dinner. For dinner we had pasta, bread with olive oil, and salad, and some pineapple for dessert. We went to the pool after dinner to explore the outdoors a little and we found and cracked open a coconut! Some of us drank some coconut water and tried the meat. After our first great day, some of the youth played a fun round of uno before calling it a night and heading to bed. We are so grateful to be blessed with the opportunity to help those in need and we can’t wait to continue our worship here In Puerto Rico! We’ll see you tomorrow. ¡Adios! – Gilly

At the airport ready for our adventure. Looking forward to working with the Episcopal parishes in Puerto Rico to serve the local communities. Thank you to our Holy Comforter family for your blessing and commissioning yesterday.  —Jana

¡Bienvenidos a nuestro blog! Welcome to our blog!

We departed Bishops House at 8:30 this morning for a short walk to the ferry. So hard for us to say goodbye to the gracious staff, the gorgeous island, the settling peace, and the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The ferry departed at 8:50 am on crisp clear seas for a short trek to the Isle of Mull. There, we caught a bus to Craignure. But before departing we had a visitor. An adorable “hairy coo” came walking down the path next to the bus. If you aren’t familiar, it’s a small Scottish cow with long fur. It’s was as if he was bidding us goodbye. This was the first one I had seen live on the trip although there were likenesses everywhere from dish towels to stationary! The bus ride to Craignure was one hour. We boarded a much larger ferry there bound for Oban. There, we stored our luggage and broke into small groups for lunch. Great to have another short stay in this charming town. Right after lunch we boarded a train for Glasgow. Three hours later we arrived at the Queen Street Station where we went our separate ways after a week of harmonious bonding. Most are heading home on Saturday, but Amy B. is venturing off to Helensburgh for adventurous hiking, and Laurie to Edinburgh for a day of sightseeing. It’s been a long journey but despite the planes, trains, and boats, we would all do it again. I guess that’s what it takes to visit holy ground on a stunning island with 170 people. If it were easy, everyone would be there. Thanks to Ann, Amy B., Amy HD, Winnifred, Gini, and Candace, for making this all possible. And thank God for blessing me with this wonderful experience. –Sherryl Dorch 

“Connection and compassion” Today we had a small group of pilgrims explore our theme by spending time exploring the Abbey. Eleven other pilgrims explored our theme by taking an all-day hike to Columba Bay with a beloved Iona local, Jana. Columba Bay is known as a place of new beginnings. While on the beach at Columba Bay, it is recommended to find a stone that speaks to you and throw it behind your back into the ocean to give the burden or regret away that is preventing you from living your life fully. The journey was sprinkled with song and prayer. We invite you to watch This four minute video for a sample of our experience. The journey was sprinkled with song and prayer. We invite you to watch This four minute video for a sample of our experience.

“From Darkness into Light” Today has been our day of “Living Water: Outer and Inner Landscapes” as we steeped ourselves in the natural world created and inhabited by God. Before sunrise this morning, an intrepid group of pilgrims made a two-hour round trip trek to Dun I (“hill of Iona”). Marked by a cairn of stones at the top, Dun I is the highest point on Iona, standing 333 feet above sea level. It was an uneven and rocky climb and descent in places, but the group was rewarded with a glorious sunrise and spectacular views of St. Columba’s Bay and Jura to the South and the Treshnish Isles, Rhum, and Skye to the North. Another reward was splashing faces in the Well of Eternal Youth, a natural pool in a cleft of rocks just below the cairn. The pool is associated with the 6th Century St. Brigid of Ireland, who appears in Celtic myths as having blessed it while visiting Iona on the Summer Solstice to bring physical and emotional healing and renewal to all. Bottles of this blessed healing water were carried back to Bishop’s House for non-trekkers to bathe faces. After lunch we walked and communed with the nature of Iona. The Rev. Joyce Watson, an Episcopal priest who lives on Iona, took us on a walk to learn about the flora and fauna of Iona. She noted that milder winters here are a sign of climate change. Joyce+ celebrated the Holy Eucharist with us in St. Columba’s Chapel which is part of Bishop’s House where we are staying. –Lolly Mixter 

pilgrimage (noun): a journey of intentional encounter with God that renders the pilgrim transformed. Today we’re focused on healing and transformation, the core of our shared experience as pilgrims. For hundreds of years, people have traveled to Iona seeking spiritual healing and closeness to God. For some, the seeking includes a search for the feminine divine through nature, or an opening of the heart, or the study of Mary Magdalene, or a transformation within. Maybe even all these things and more! The blessing of this pilgrimage has been the opportunity to explore, discuss, question, and learn from each other about the richness of these aspects of our faith…a true journey of intentional encounter with God. Today, after morning Eucharist and group discussion, we enjoyed a free afternoon to explore the sacred spaces of Iona. My own walk brought me past a bagpiper who was welcoming spring on a hill above the sea. We explored the beaches on the north end, including the White Strand of the Monks—one of the sites where dozens of Benedictine monks were killed by invading Vikings around 800 A.D. The last of the monks fled the island twenty years later, and the original abbey was burned to the ground by the Vikings. The day closed at the current Abbey, built 400 years later. At a healing service in “The Quiet Corner,” several of our pilgrim band offered prayers for family and friends near and far, as well as healing for our country. Moving into the final days of our time together, I am filled with gratitude for this experience. Thanks to all those at home who are supporting our pilgrimage with prayer and in many other ways. –Gini Barazia “…a thin place where only tissue paper separates the material from the spiritual.” –George MacLeod, founder of the Iona Community, describing the island

After the day of rest yesterday, today was divided between times of contemplation and discussion at Bishop’s House and a tour of the island of Iona—originally scheduled for Saturday but postponed because of the weather. The tour was led by local guide Jana, who shared her vast knowledge of the history of the island, going back to its geological foundations, the arrival of St. Columba in the 6th century and the establishment of both the Abbey and a Nunnery as the island became a place of pilgrimage. Our first visit was to the ruins of the Nunnery. We were encouraged to imagine the lives of the relatively small group of women who lived, worked, and worshipped together. One sensed their presence. From there, we walked to the Abbey. Along the way, we passed a sign about the Rev. George McDonald, founder of the Iona Society; parishioner Zara Harris is a direct descendant. A Holy Comforter connection on Iona! The Benedictine Abbey is on the site of where St. Columba first set up a place of worship on the island. In the centuries since then, it has undergone numerous changes, growing in size over the years. We felt at one with the many pilgrims who have made pilgrimages here over the years. We will be attending a service there later in the week. Another wonderful day on this fascinating island! –Norma Williamson

As we crawled into bed last night, we were comforted by the unceasing howl of the wind and the crashing waves; for they had been our constant companions since we arrived on Iona. Sunday morning fulfilled its promise and we are happy to feel the warmth of the sun! Today is a day of peace and rest. After Eucharist we discussed Contemplative Prayer, which is the opening of mind and heart—our whole being—to God. One method to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer is centering prayer. It is based on the wisdom saying of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” We did our first centering prayer session in silence and continued to be silent in prayer through our communal lunch. You can imagine the challenge and peaceful reward of this prayer practice. Guess what we did for rest! The weather was fantastic and, after a few days of stormy weather, we were ready to explore the island. It is beautiful. We hiked cross island to the western shore, laughed at baby lambs hopping in the fields, scrambled up hills, and poked around in the sand for special rocks. It was wonderful to enjoy the island’s habitat. Enjoying the beauty of nature is an example of creative rest. The other 6 types of rest are: physical, mental, sensory, emotional, social, and spiritual. This poem by Kenneth Steven was on my mind today. HONESTLY I have searched for God in the dry echos of tall stone buildings where the laws are written dark upon the walls. I have found God in the broken bread of light across the moorland, as it silvers from the miracle of the earth. –Kathy DeSanti-Paulini

The Divine Flow and the Tears of Iona St. Columba, the head of the original monastic community and founder of the abbey on Iona, had a rule for his monks’ prayer practice. He told them to “pray until the tears come.” The tears of Iona or St. Columba’s tears, are small, green, translucent marbles found on Iona’s beaches. The influx of pilgrims has caused the stones to be in short supply. Iona Abbey Much about Iona inspires tears of joy, tears of release, and tears of awe—in fact, some pilgrims burst into tears when they first step on the island. Iona with its ever-shifting sky and water—a blend of blues, greens, brown, and gray. As Scottish novelist Nan Shepherd writes, “Gray is the universal solvent, melting all colors into itself.” To start our first full day on Iona, Ann led a yoga class in the community center, a recently-built, snug stone structure with beautiful hardwood floors. The calm interior was a stark contrast to the fierce wind and driving rain outside. Because the weather was so frightful, we postponed our island tour and instead journaled and created beautiful bracelets with Amy Brown’s expert help. Our lives on the island are settling into a routine of activities, shared meals, and liturgy. Our compline this evening will focus on the divine flow – an understanding in Celtic Christianity that the Divine flows in all created things. In the next several days we will also settle our souls down by immersing ourselves in nature and rest in the presence of the Holy One. –Julie Nutter

Last evening ended with a wonderful dinner in Oban, population 8,000, the seafood capital of Scotland. The seafood is so fresh that when the restaurant ran out of sea bass, they asked if we could wait 40 minutes for a fishing boat to return with the latest catch.  Unfortunately, we could not wait. After dinner we returned to the Hotel Kelvin for a good night’s sleep. This morning began with breakfast at a traditional Scottish restaurant, Roxy’s. Many of us enjoyed the sublime smoked salmon and cappuccinos with swirls of foam in the shape of a peacock. After a brief walk or, for a few of us, a tour of the Oban Whiskey Distillery (complete with tasting), we boarded a ferry for the 1.25-hour journey to the Isle of Mull. A motor coach transported us across the island (1.25 hours), where we boarded another ferry for the 15-minute trip to Iona. While we experienced rain, hail and fierce winds while traveling, the sun was brightly shining when we arrived on Iona, population 750, certainly a good omen for the week ahead. The group is now settled in Bishop’s House and looking forward to “Discovering Our Divine Feminine.” Stay tuned for more tomorrow… –Laurie Pedry

Thursday is considered a day of rest for cathedral choirs, we’ve learned. Today a large group of us took a day-long excursion to York where we participated in guided tours, enjoyed individual exploration, and then gathered for evening prayer at York Minster . York is a walled cathedral city in northeast England founded by the ancient Romans. Other Holy Comforter Pilgrims remained in Lincoln to take advantage of our granted day of rest and explore more of our adopted community. There is, indeed, a sense of community that becomes more pervasive as our pilgrimage continues. Many of us encounter Lincoln locals who have become friendly acquaintances. One evening several of us walked to a nearby pub for dinner after an evensong service. A Lincoln Cathedral volunteer, Christine, walked by with her husband and stopped to chat for quite a while! They shared that it was their wedding anniversary and of course we sang a rendition of “Happy Anniversary” to them, in four-part harmony. Before the couple left us, Christine said that she was glad to learn that we Americans were not “buttoned-up” as she first anticipated. Another night after singing a service, a husband/wife verger team Kate and Jim, walked by where we were dining outdoors. They stopped immediately to talk with us. Each was very happy to share more information about their neighborhood that we claim as our home for the week. The pilgrimage has demonstrated how our collective gift fits into the sacred cathedral community. We are a community of singers who have come to set the tone of worship among those who choose to attend services in this beautiful cathedral. Years of rehearsal have now brought about a heightened sense of responsibility. Responsibility to not only worshippers, tourists passing through for a listen during rehearsal, clergy, cathedral staff and volunteers, but also to one another. –Melissa Graham

Ten days ago, 24 pilgrims began a journey knowing their mission to raise their voices to God in prayerful song, but not knowing how it would touch them in return. Yesterday, on our final day at Lincoln Cathedral, the magnitude of our collective and individual experiences came to its culmination through a Choral Eucharist and our final Evensong. We were elated, emotional, and yes, exhausted – the good exhaustion you feel when you have accomplished something you are proud of. We have all been impacted in different ways by the experience—strengthened as musicians, spiritually deepened, touched by the warmth of strangers, and awed by the magnitude of what we just accomplished in such an amazing and historical place. We have walked the same soil as Romans, Normans, Danes, and Saxons have before us. We have touched the same stone walls and walked on the same stone floors that the peasants of the Middle Ages did. We’ve sat in the seats of the nobility, and in some case royalty. We have worshipped in a space where countless millions have worshipped before us, quite literally a place of martyrs and saints. We have raised our voices in praise to God, echoing with those of others that came before us these past centuries. Now we have left our mark like all those pilgrims before us. This realization has had a deep impact on us all. I asked my fellow pilgrims how this journey has impacted them. Here are some of those thoughts: I was overwhelmed by the connection to history, left with wonder and awe to offer praise in a manner and precise location where others have for centuries. Through this experience I have learned to accept what God has placed in your path with grace. Listening to the choir sing while I could not, brought heaven to earth—a precious gift. The great cloud of witness has for centuries sacrificed, paved. and preserved the way for us to sing freely in praise to God. We have now joined that cloud by virtue of our song, prayers, and a few tears. A deepened realization of connection from the kindness we were shown, the welcoming acceptance we received, the wit of locals, and the banding together in times of need we experienced. Despite our human frailties and quirks of personality, I witnessed something divine—the respect and love we all shared in this beautiful endeavor. To hear the choir sing every day that “there is none other that fighteth for us, than you, O God” and to be in a place that has been prayed in daily for over 1,000 years is quite a marvel. The cathedral, its history, the words of the liturgy and prayer have reoriented me and my heart upwards. I saw myself at the beginning of the week as a dry and rather brittle plant that had suffered from drought. That surprised me, but I have consciously invited the Holy Spirit to soak into me through the daily Evensong. I see myself now as renewed—rehydrated—and deeply blessed by the music and prayer. We have all been blessed by this trip in one way or another. We are thankful for the opportunity and all of you that supported us to make this pilgrimage possible. –Andrew Eastman

It’s the 9th day of this pilgrimage. I’ve just finished breakfast and now I am heading across the street to the cathedral to begin my morning practice session. This has been my routine every day this week, as the cathedral is a busy place with various worship services and many tourists pouring through, personal practice time is limited for the organist. I’m able to practice “loudly” from 8:30 am til 10:00, after that it must be very quiet as to not disturb the docents from giving their tours. For many of the choristers on this pilgrimage, it’s been a dream to be able to sing in an English cathedral. The same is true for me, I’ve always wanted to play the organ in an English cathedral. The week has been rich in making beautiful music with a good choir, a great guest conductor, and a wonderful space. I’m honored and humbled to be able to perform on a historical instrument that many famous organists have performed on since its installation in 1898. A surprise after one of my practice sessions was a rare tour of the inner workings of the organ by one of the vergers. It was a rather intimidating journey from the ground floor to the high triforium where the swell and pedal divisions are located. This also allowed me some birdseye views of the cathedral that many don’t have the opportunity to see. This week has been truly an enriching and life changing experience for me, I’m extremely grateful to David Kelley for the invitation back in 2018. The choir has been great to work with, and have been great to hang out with when not in performance mode. Soli Deo Gloria! –Dr. Christopher Reynolds

It is Friday evening—with Evensong sung, dinner et (yes, that’s British), compline shared and more rain showers on the way. The day started with “wake-up” coffee and a quick “first breakfast” before joining Lolly and Louisa for morning prayer at the cathedral—a really nice, peaceful opportunity to share a God-centered moment with a small handful of other local worshipers. Then came second breakfast. The hotel puts out quite a spread—don’t think anyone has blog-noted the food yet, but more on that later. Our daytime rehearsals have been nomadic—various times and spaces at the cathedral, a neighboring parish sanctuary, and the hotel. This morning it was in a hotel meeting room—it worked, but we’ll probably be rehearsing elsewhere on Saturday. After rehearsal, with no scheduled group activities, most headed out on local adventures—like hop-on-hop-off bus tours, museum “crawled,” shopped, or attended to personal needs—and, yes, my laundry day was yesterday, self-washed and folded thank-you. So I spent some time at the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace adjacent to the cathedral. The archeological and preservation effort were incredible. The engineer in me marveled at the dense crumbling construct. It was easy to imagine the spaces filled with the palace staff bustling about. The Friday Evensong was in anticipation of Saturday being a feast day for Mary Magdalene. So, as an “eve” service, we rose to the challenge of some last minute service and hymn music changes – all warmly sung and well received by the clergy and listeners. I’d like to make a musical note (pun unintended) pointing out David’s thoughtful programing, Christopher’s organ virtuosity, and Jack’s conducting leadership—all superb musicians par excellence. Together we filled the cavernous spaces with our heartfelt praises to God. Now, to some quick reflections on my Brit food experience thus far. The hotel buffet breakfasts have been superb, as long as you bring your own coffee. I didn’t know that baked beans could be a breakfast staple. Pretty much wherever had, the fish and chips were spot on. Only fine china and silverware should be used for afternoon tea and not paper or plastic. Barbecue sauce is not a topping for macaroni and cheese—seriously. And, speaking of BBQ, one of my foodie pleasure centers, I thought I’d give it a shot… my advice: don’t. –Doug Yon

Today was our first outing that took us outside of Lincoln. We boarded a coach at 9:15 and drove 1-½ hours to Burghley House, which is near Stamford UK. It rained heavily on us during the coach ride down and on the coach ride back, but not at all during our 3+ hours walking around there. Doug stayed back in Lincoln and did laundry at a laundromat. Burghley House is the largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan age. This glorious house was built between 1555 and 1587 by William Cecil, the First Lord Burghley (1520–1598), Lord High Treasurer and Chief Minister to Queen Elizabeth I. The house and gardens were and continue to be inherited by his descendants across these 425 years. With impressive collections of art, furniture, porcelain, and ceramics, Burghley offers a unique glimpse of the way great houses have been lived in from the time of Queen Elizabeth I to the present day. Jon didn’t get enough coffee at breakfast so he went straight to the café for more coffee before starting the self-guided tour. Burghley has a massive kitchen with fireplaces, copper implements, and copper pots and pans. The house has 19 other state rooms, halls and antechambers furnished and open for display. Together, these rooms contain over 300 great works of art including one of the greatest single collections of 17th century Italian painting. The rooms also contain fine antique furniture and a superb porcelain collection. Louisa says that in one bedroom there are steps leading up to a high bed. Embedded in the third step is a chamber pot. Most of us ate lunch at the Orangery Restaurant before exploring the extensive gardens. There were several different gardens with different themes. It appeared everyone was satisfied that they had seen what they wanted to see by the time we boarded the coach for our 2:00 ride back to the hotel. Melissa passed around a signup sheet for Saturday’s entrees. Despite a very few missteps, probably not noticeable to the congregation, we had many great moments in our Wednesday Choral Evensong. Afterwards, Jack told me that he thought the Nunc Dimittis was particularly glorious.  After Evensong, Frank’s shirt was still wet from walking to the Cathedral in the rain. –Henry Griffis

Early in the day, we divide into two groups to enjoy another cool but dry day being guided around the city of Lincoln. My group’s tour guide, a delightful Englishman, Simon, shares the Roman origins and history of Lincoln all the while keeping us entertained with wry British humour and more recommendations for local watering holes. Little did we know that the building work continues at the cathedral: Simon points out intricate recent additions like the golden crown created to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. After lunch we switch rehearsal rooms and are delighted to be welcomed to rehearse in a nearby church ‘St. Mary Magdalene’ a mere three minutes’ walk from the cathedral. Being welcomed warmly and wholeheartedly is now a very familiar feeling that I have experienced on this pilgrimage in Lincoln. Whether by the vergers in the cathedral or while browsing unique small shops on Steep Hill. It never grows old and seems to build upon itself. As I hear snippets of conversations as my choir mates share conversations about inviting new friends to Evensong, it inspires me to do the same. We return to the Cathedral to robe up and rehearse further. Each and every time I walk through the nave my heart soars as high as the arches above me. We are truly blessed to be part of worship for seven days in this glorious place. We’re delighted to hear that our very own Andrew Eastman will be leading us as Verger as we process into the Quire Stalls Finally it is time: we debut David’s ‘Preces and Responses in G’ internationally. We fervently hope that we were able to give his composition the rendition it so richly deserves. Melissa’s exquisite solo in ‘There is a Balm in Gilead ‘ moves us and the congregation to tears. We retreat for dinner and a celebration of Steve’s birthday to a different local pub. Hopefully our four part harmonisation of ‘Happy Birthday’ will attract even more participants to Evensong tomorrow! –Harriet Church

No question, the highlight of today was our choir’s debut at the Lincoln Cathedral. You can see the Evensong service HERE . The choir did an outstanding job with the expert leadership of Jack Burnam and the beautiful organ accompaniment of Chris Reynolds. Even though David Kelley was not physically there, his presence was felt. Below is a recap of our busy day here in Lincoln: The punchy feeling of jet lag has been replaced with the excitement and anticipation of performing at the Cathedral. After breakfast, the group went on a guided tour of the Cathedral. Words and pictures do not do the Cathedral justice. We are so lucky to enjoy this majestic structure for a week. In the afternoon, the choir had their first full dress rehearsal. It was funny to see the differences between how the women and men carried their robes to the Cathedral. The women carried their robes on hangers, where the guys had their robes in bags or rolled up. But, you could feel their excitement. After the Evensong, folks went to local pubs to search for the perfect IPA, and have some dinner, and to share some laughs. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Evensong, where the choir will sing David Kelley’s “Preces and Responses.” –Barb Bowling

Our first full day in Lincoln began with the dulcet tones of the Cathedral’s Winchester chimes announcing the hour of 7 o’clock of the morning. Having slept soundly following our severe jet lag, we were eager to get moving. (And at the 9 o’clock chimes I did just that! Still a bit laggy….) Lincoln Cathedral hosts a popular Jazz Festival, so we enjoyed “Jazz Mass” on this Sunday morning, chock-full of American music! It seemed almost as if they were welcoming us in particular. The sermon, given by The Revd Canon David Dadswell, Prebendary of Norton Episcopi and Residentiary Canon, had as its theme a wonderful concept: joyful generosity. The notion of being joyfully generous is about the spirit with which many musicians gladly give of themselves, feeling a need to share their gifts with others. He was primarily referring to the jazz musicians in town for the festival, but it felt as if he was speaking directly to us and about a main purpose of our pilgrimage, which is to share our version of God’s praise through music. Perhaps it’s more than a coincidence that Lincoln Cathedral is hosting a festival for an American music style while also bringing in an American choir to lead their worship? And much of our repertoire is, of course, also American. Our American + British theme continued later in the afternoon, whilst enjoying a locally-produced libation at the Magna Carta Pub (after lunch at the Wig & Mitre). There we encountered a young Englishman who, as he explained, went to an Episcopal monastery in upstate New York — as an atheist — and left there having perceived a call to become a priest. But the experience so rattled him that he couldn’t bring himself to attend any church services from then until now, some years on. Today, he came to Evensong and felt its ineluctable beauty and power. When we explained who we were, he became even more excited and promised to come to our Evensong services this week. We can’t know whether our musical endeavors will clarify his liminal conundrum but we’ll do our best. But this place is certainly an excellent setting for potential epiphanies. Construction here began in 1068, just two years after the Battle of Hastings, during the Norman Conquest. People have been worshipping in this sanctuary for nearly a thousand years! Each time we walk into the Nave from the western door our breath catches, our eyes drift upward, the beautiful strains of the (current) choir echo down from the vaults and reach our appreciative ears, and again we give thanks and praise for our opportunity (finally!) to be here, to participate in this truly ancient tradition of choral services, and offer our gifts joyously and as generously as we may. We officially begin tomorrow! We have a guided tour of the Cathedral in the morning, then after lunch we’ll have our first rehearsal and first Evensong, so please tune in at 12:30 Eastern on the Lincoln Cathedral Facebook page link provided below. –Kerry Gilpin

Arrival We’ve arrived in Lincoln, tired but elated. Dramatic weather accompanied us. Our flight out of Dulles was delayed by a storm so severe that the wind pushed the parked plane sideways on the tarmac (fortunately we were not yet on board.) After an overnight flight, we had a successful rendezvous at Heathrow with Jack, Jon, and others arriving by different flights. We set off for the journey north under intermittent downpours, then banner blue skies edged by towering clouds, over a flat countryside dotted with giant white windmills. As we approached Lincoln, someone spotted the towers of the Cathedral Church of St Mary of Lincoln on a ridge across the fields. The awe and excitement only increased as the coach let us off right across from the Cathedral at our hotel. With temperatures in the 60s and winds gusting up to 50 mph (per weather apps), it’s an invigorating change from the sauna of Northern Virginia. On little to no sleep, some went to Evensong this evening, and some just strolled around the Cathedral quarter. Walking into the Cathedral Choir for the first time, some of us choked up. It’s not just “we made it at last!” but something much more. We have a week to contemplate that beautiful, ancient space, that river of worship over centuries that we will enter into. Thanks be to God for this journey. –Kate Beddall

So we began our last day walking the way of the cross. Early in the morning in a light rain, we gather in the courtyard of the College and process in silence into the Old City to the first station on the Via Dolorosa—the way of sorrows. One of us carries the cross, one of us reads the lesson, all of us take in the timeless words of Jesus’ last day, walking in his footsteps as we have from Day 1. Sunday is the first day of the week for Muslims, so the shops are just beginning to open. Kids are headed to school, fresh sesame breads are for sale, the ubiquitous garbage trollies motor their way through the narrow streets as we pause to recognize Jesus’ falling three times and all the people he encounters on his last painful journey through the Holy City. Other pilgrim bands walk the stations before and after us. Inside one church, we see a statue of Jesus in pieces—it was attacked by an Orthodox Jew a few months ago. The guards of the church were able to wrestle him to the ground before he could do more damage, but the evidence of the tensions in the Holy City is everywhere. We end our walk, reading the words of the resurrection from Mark, inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, near where the empty tomb sits. There is a Greek Orthodox mass going on so we can’t get inside it, but we stand in the majesty and mystery of it all. Have we finished our journey? Almost. Are we ready to come home? Yes. Have we been challenged and changed and nourished and surprised and found ourselves in a deeper, truer home? Absolutely. –Ann Gillespie+ “…let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new…” –From the Good Friday prayer written by Thomas Aquinas

It’s hard to describe the opening of our hearts, as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We see the sites and hear about the scrolls and archeology that document the locations of the events at each site. The veil is thin here, between our earthly place and Jesus. Israel has helped me gain clarity on our gospels and the Bible. In some places, the air gets cool, peaceful and quiet. You feel different, you feel yourself transforming. Everything recedes and you can almost see the shadow of Jesus, as he turns a corner. Jesus is here. You see the gospels in front of you, as we read them aloud at each site. The Dome of the Rock was like this for me. We didn’t read the gospel there but I was transformed. We had a tour inside, which was a great gift. It’s the third holiest site for Muslims. Mohammed, their prophet, ascended to heaven there. I was loaned a full skirt to enter the mosque. The women covered their heads and necks. It is an extremely contested site between the Arab Muslims and the Israeli Jews. I believe in one God. I believe we all worship the same God. It’s not surprising I found him in a mosque. Our guide was a Muslim Arab. He patiently explained the mosque. He explained that the 32 acres of the Dome of the Rock was holy. God was everywhere on the site, not just in the mosque. That’s what Israel has given me, the knowledge of God being everywhere. I feel it now. At home, I say the words and desperately want them to be true. Here, I watch the gospels unfold as we say the words and I know it all happened. The enlightenment I wanted, is mine. –Christa van der Veer

We began our second day in hilly Nazareth by visiting the church closest to our guesthouse, the Anglican Christ Church. The rector, Father Nael, described the 150 year-old church’s origins, including the role of England’s King Edward VII in sponsoring its early organization. Father Nael told us he often spoke to his congregation’s young people of his four ‘identities’, i.e., Arab ethnicity, Palestinian nationality, Christian faith, and Israeli citizenship. (His family lived in Nazareth before Israel’s creation but had no identity/travel documents, so thought it wise to obtain Israeli citizenship after 1948.) Father Nael poignantly expressed his wish for Palestinians in Israel to enjoy the same rights and treatment that of Jewish Israelis. We next visited the Roman Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation, one of the two churches in Nazareth commemorating when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary, a betrothed virgin, that she was to bear a son. (The Basilica places the Annunciation at Mary’s home.) Mary very practically questioned how this could happen, and when it was explained, she gave her assent with guileless trust. People from countries around the world have sent beautiful renderings of Mary in tile, wood, metal, and paint, which adorn the outside grounds and the inside of the Basilica. We had by now gotten used to multiple denominations competing for pilgrimage narratives in the Holy Land. Our next stop was the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, which places Mary’s call at a well from which she was drawing water. Of course, they built a church around the spring that fed the well! One of the highlights of the day was our tour of the Old City market of Nazareth. We were engulfed in the smells of cardamom-infused coffee, fresh herbs, and tasted treats like pita topped with olive oil and an oregano-based spice mix called zatar and sweet ‘bagels’ made with anise. Our guide Ghada, a Palestinian Christian, told us of a recent renaissance of the Old City market, but feared that if too much development took place the traditional character and identity of the market could be lost. In addition to being a tour guide, Ghada runs a handicrafts shop, in which she focuses on selling artisanal goods made mostly by women in Nablus and Hebron. She feels called to support these communities. After lunch, we headed for Mount Tabor, where the Transfiguration of Christ is commemorated. Up the mountain we went. Many hairpin turns later, we reached the top of the mountain, and perhaps experienced at least the same amazing, earthly views that the apostles and Jesus did that day. We pray for transformation through our participation in this pilgrimage. As part of transformation, we first need to say “yes.” We also pray that we, like Mary, can go beyond the “yes” and are able to see ourselves differently—to transcend our identities if needed—to follow the Lord’s calling for our lives. Amen. –Julie Nutter

In one of our first lectures, our course Director, The Reverend Rodney Aist, PhD, shared that a Pilgrimage includes the Fifth Gospel which is your experience to include a time of discernment—intentional decision making and finding meaning in actual experience. When we first arrived and we walked down the dorm hall I noticed that all of the rooms had names like “The Nazareth Room,” “The Baptism of Jesus Room,” etc., all of which made sense to me. Then we stopped at our room which was called “The Tabgha Room,” which didn’t have initial meaning for me. Day 6, I found myself in Tabgha, an area situated on the north western shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is traditionally accepted as the place of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and is home to the Church of the Multiplication, a Catholic church dating back to 4AD. It houses a beautiful mosaic of the fish and loaves. We took a boat ride on the Galilee and read Mark 4:35-41 and Amy Taylor, Porter Fellow/Course Assistant shared a beautiful reflection reminding us of God’s omnipresence and that he is with us in the boat, this journey we call life. We were encouraged to remember that God is always always with us even as we weather life’s storms. God is ever present and faithful and we need to be the same. This was a powerful message to receive and reflect upon while boating in the Galilee Sea. We returned to this area a second day and enjoyed a beautiful Eucharist service on the edge of the shore. The shoreline was a lush green, the water a sparkling sapphire, birds chirped naturally while a gentle breeze filled the air. Words and pictures don’t do justice to the calm and peace that I experienced here. My thoughts turned to my love of the beach and the ocean and how no matter what storm I may be experiencing in my life I am always calm and at peace when looking out over the sand and the waves and then it hit me. The feelings that I was experiencing at the Sea of Galilee are the ones that I’ve felt throughout my life at the beach—my happy place, my constant place of rejuvenation and now I understand that this is my place of prayer and connection with God and why I was placed in the Tabgha Room. It is and has been a place of great meaning for me. I hope and pray that I can bring home this feeling and peace and transfer it consistently to my everyday lif e. –Linda Lee M alone

Breathtaking Basilicas, magnificent Mosques, awe-inspiring art and spectacular sites representing the Abrahamic faiths. It can be overwhelming to the point that the majestic can almost seem the mundane. This is the spot thought to be where Mary received the Visitation, where Mary and Elizabeth, both laden with child, met, where Jesus was laid in a manger, where He was crucified and buried… The Cathedrals, Churches and sites of remembrance are as monumental and impressive as you would imagine. Then we went to Nazareth. After a day of visits to Banias/Caesarea Philippi, a stop at the site of the Beatitudes, a picnic lunch by the Sea of Galilee followed by a Eucharist right there on the shores (one I will never forget!), we returned weary from the day to the Sisters of Nazareth Guest House where we were staying. After dinner, we were to gather for one more archaeological visit below the Convent. We were in for a stunning surprise. For historical reference, in 1880 the Sisters purchased the site, and at the time were concerned that they were paying more than the land was worth. They were told it was expensive because it was where the “righteous man” was buried. Over the following years, the Sisters would excavate below the property. They eventually discovered Crusader and Byzantine ruins and artifacts, and discovered a spring, a cave and a house dating to the 1st century. They also found a tomb. What was unusual was that the tomb was cut in the stone next to and below the house. In Jewish tradition, the dead were considered unclean. The exceptions to burials so close to where people lived were typically for royalty, high religious figures and “righteous men.” A 7th century pilgrim account known as the De Locus Sanctis, written by Adomàn of Iona, described two large churches on this ground. One identifiable as the Church of the Annunciation, just across the street today from the Sister’s Convent. He described the second church as one built over vaults that contained two tombs and between these two tombs, the house that Jesus grew up in. Was this the tomb of Joseph? He was certainly a “righteous man.” And, was this the actual home of Jesus? Of course, it’s impossible to say, but during the Byzantine period, just a few hundred years after the time of Jesus, local tradition held this memory. As I (all of us) walked among these extraordinary excavations, I personally felt the presence of Jesus more so than anywhere else. Nazareth at that time was a small village. So small, that it would be very unlikely that all who lived there were not known to each other. Whether or not it was Jesus’ home may never be known, but certainly the child and young man played around and visited the homes in His village. So there were no paintings, mosaics, candles, vaulted structures or stained glass windows. Just a cave, a tomb, a humble home of stone and a reminder that before Jesus was Jesus, he was a boy growing into a man. I loved that. –Joe Paulini

The first night of the course, our leader, Rodney Aist, in his introductory lecture on pilgrimage, cited the following quote by Mark Twain: “We do not think in the Holy place, we think in bed, afterwards.” In other words, we don’t know how we’ve changed until later. This quote spoke to me, as I had no expectations that I should be profoundly moved or not by any specific destination or site on the pilgrimage. Different stages along the journey will speak to each of us individually. For me, the historical/archeological sites and their relationship to theological text and aspects of Jesus’s time interests me, while the the iconography of the early Christians holds more relevance for others. On Tuesday, six days into the pilgrimage, after reaffirming our baptismal covenant at the Jordan River, we visited the shores of The Sea of Galilee, where Jesus healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and the paralytic man. This was later followed by a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. This was the point at which I was first moved during the week. Later that evening I found in myself with feelings of greater compassion. I felt more open to engaging with those I had previously overlooked—not because I had any animosity toward them, but rather because I had made little effort to reach out to them in the past. I was now experiencing an opening of my heart, and a willingness to listen to their troubles, better understand their pain, and intentionally pray with, and for them. This was the point in my pilgrimage where I changed. –Russ van der Veer 

The Temple Mount… one of the holiest sites for both Jews and Muslims. Within its 36-acres, the Jewish temples were erected and subsequently destroyed. But today I’m focusing on the Muslims who now administer this area. Muslims believe that it was here that Mohammed ascended to heaven and talked with God(Allah). We Holy Comforter pilgrims were privileged to enter the interiors of both the Dome of the Rock and the Al-AQSA Mosque, which is very rare for non-Muslims. Our Palestinian guide emphasized that those buildings are just that, buildings, and the entire land area is a holy mosque. Oh, but what magnificent buildings! The CHC women were modestly garbed from head to ankles in respect for our hosts’ sacred spaces. Notwithstanding this, a highlight of this trip has to be meeting with an Israeli Jew and a Palestinian Muslim who had never met each other before and candidly discussed the current tensions between their ethnic groups. They are both members of Musalaha whose aim is to promote/facilitate reconciliation. It was very powerful. We had to end at 9:00 p.m. because if the Palestinian didn’t cross back to the Bethlehem refugee camp where he lives by 10:00 p.m., his privilege to cross the walled border would be terminated… forever. Wow! Think about that. The restrictions imposed by the Israeli government are formidable, daunting, and even dehumanizing.

This extraordinary replica of the Walled City of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period is at the Museum of Israel. It is outdoors and one can walk around (but not in) it. It gives an extraordinary sense of what the city was like before the Romans destroyed it in 66CE (those Romans!). One can see the public spaces, the homes, even the waterway. A crow landed on the replica while I was walking around it, looking like an outsized bird giant. While there were no model people there, one could imagine them, living, working, playing, and worshiping. It also gave a sense of what it must have been like to come inside these massive walls, and then into the walled temple area. Walls within walls, defining spaces for different purposes. It also helps to place bits of modern Jerusalem, which is an archeological jumble of different eras from various conquerors. –Ruth Mary Ha ll

St. George’s College is situated in East Jerusalem, in the Palestinian section of Jerusalem. It is filled with the common activities of life: working and playing, shopping and praying. Our journey today presented sharp contrasts of life in a land divided. As we traveled from East Jerusalem to Ein Kerem in West Jerusalem, a distance of 5 miles, we transitioned from a poor, restricted Arab community to a modern, free Jewish community. We visited the beautiful Church of the Visitation which is located in the area where Mary and Elizabeth spent time together during their pregnancies. In Luke 1:46-55 we read Mary’s hymn of praise, the Magnificat, a great song of hope in God’s salvation. The second part of our journey is to share lunch at the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, Palestine. To get there we cross the border and slowly walk along the 20 foot high wall which is covered in graffiti that has messages of hope and protest. The Aida Refugee camp was created after the war in 1948 during which Palestinians were forcibly removed from their homes. Families have lived as refugees for three generations and still hold the keys to their homes with the hope to eventually return. We shared lunch with the NOOR Women’s Empowerment Group , which is led by a woman named Islam (means Peace). Islam is a mother of six children and one son, Mohammad, is severely disabled. She formed the Women’s Empowerment Group to help address the needs of her son and other disabled children. The group has grown from 3 to 35 women who support 350 disabled children. She credits her son for giving her the vision and motivation to build this community. It is an oasis of hope in a community confined in their homeland. –Kathy DeSanti-Paulini The St. George’s Cathedral Prayer: Gracious God, your love knows no limits. Fill our hearts with your compassion, open our eyes to your presence in the world, enlarge our minds to understand your will. Take our hands and minister through them, take our words and speak through them, and direct our feet in the paths of justice, peace, and reconciliation, that Christ may be revealed in us and the world may believe. Amen. 

In our small group of 30 we have Ryscilla, a Bishop from Canada; Mary Anne, a priest from Texas; Ann, our beloved priest,; and Amy, the theological fellow. These women, in addition to their vast biblical knowledge, carry the weight of their respective parishes in a loving and graceful manner. Our first stop of the day was Ein Kerem, a small village and home to the Church of the Visitation. In the courtyard is a statue of Mary and Elisabeth together and joyous of their growing wombs and impending births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Imagine Mary, at such a young age, being given such responsibility of birthing and protecting the Son of God. And Elisabeth protecting her son from the slaughter of the innocents. Our day progressed to the Israel—West Bank separation Wall where we met Islam in the Aida Refugee Camp. This camp was formed after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war which the Palestinians call al-nakba or “the catastrophe” referring to the massive displacement of Palestinians. Islam is a mother of 6 children, one with severe disabilities. As we arrived, Islam welcomed us with open arms and provided an incredible lunch. She then discussed her movement, Noor Women’s Empowerment Group (Noor WEG), a grassroots project created by and for refugee women in Aida Camp. Her group was initially created to help mother’s of children with disabilities to raise money for their enrichment and medical care. (There is no help from the government) She organized Palestinian cooking classes, home stays, as well as creating crafts and cookbooks for sale. Islam wanted to further her education and with the help of her children she finished high school and is now taking college classes. She credits her disabled son for her strength and courage. –Jennifer Schmitt

When I told my friends, family, and colleagues about this trip they typically commented that this would be a very memorable vacation. I corrected them that this was a pilgrimage but I honestly wasn’t sure what it meant. On Day 4, The Reverend Rodney Aist, our course director, shared some inspiring thoughts on pilgrimages during our morning lecture. “The Footsteps of Jesus” is not just imagining the landscape of Jesus but looking at how Jerusalem relates back to our life at home. It’s about rethinking what you’ve always imagined and worshipping where his feet stood. You relive Biblical stories in a more appropriate place, where they actually happened. Comparing vacations to pilgrimages, a pilgrim’s identity is self-determined where a tourist changes his environment regularly, but a pilgrim lets the environment change them. We take vacations to get away from life and work, where a pilgrimage confronts life’s most important questions. Today we travelled to Jericho to have lunch before visiting the Jordan River, only to find that the River of Life was closed! It was Shabatt and the park closed early so we will stop there on Tuesday on our way to Galilee. The day trip concluded in a serene and reflective way for me at the Judean Wilderness where Jesus was tempted by Satan (Wadi Qelt Overlook). The term wilderness doesn’t conjure positive images for me but as I sat alone in this vast expanse and prayed “A Pilgrim’s Prayer” silently, I felt an unforgettable sense of peace and security. I felt the presence of Jesus. –Sherryl Dorch From A Pilgrim’s Prayer:  … May our desire to be Pilgrims never wane until we reach the destination you have prepared for us and for all. The Pilgrim’s way is indeed the way of life…