05/06/2014

Holy Land Study Tour Hosted by Middle East Task Force

SOS Middle East Task Force Study Tour Recommendation

If you are interested in touring the Holy Land of Israel and the Palestinian territory to experience the Holy Sites, and to learn more about the current conflict between Israel and the West Bank-Gaza Palestinians, the SOS Middle East Task Force recommends this November Board of Director’s Study Tour sponsored by Churches for Middle East Peace.

There are two distinct advantages to this trip. First, it is a Dual Narrative study tour. Utilizing the resources of MEDJI Tours, which has connections to George Mason University in Alexandra, VA, this tour is designed to introduce participants to the people and perspectives of Israelis and Palestinians. There will be many learning opportunities and encounters along the way that will illustrate the hopes and the aspirations of the two primary communities: Israeli – Palestinian<>Jewish-Muslim. Encounters with the indigenous Christian community, the historic church in the Holy Land, will also be included. Secondly, the tour leader, Ambassador Warren Clark, Rt. Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace will contribute a wealth of knowledge and experience in his leadership role. Warren is a retired US Foreign Service Officer, with extensive experience in the Middle East. Warren has graduate degrees from Harvard, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins, and upon retirement from the State Department, he completed a Masters in Theological Studies at the Episcopal Seminary in Alexandria. VA. Just prior to Churches for Middle East Peace, he was on staff at the Washington National Cathedral. He also speaks Arabic.

Churches for Middle East Peace--CMEP is the umbrella organization for denominations and affiliated church groups working for peace in the Holy Land. It is supported by the ELCA, which has representation on its Board of Directors.

Chair of the Middle East Task Force, Pr. Skip Cornett will be participating in this Study Tour. He will also have resources about the trip at Task Force table at the SOS Synod Assembly in June.

Pr. Skip Cornett
Chair, SOS Middle East Task Force
Ohio Coordinator, Churches for Middle East Peace

 

For more information, download the brochure below or contact Pr. Skip Cornett at wcornett@insight.rr.com OR visit the SOS Middle East Task Force table at the Vendor Fair at Assembly on June 7.

2014 Middle East Study Tour Brochure