Visiting the Home of the Good Samaritan

While we were up north, we visited the Samaritan community on Mount Gerizim.  There are two Samaritan communities now days, the other is near Tel Aviv.  There are only about 750 Samaritans in total.  The first picture is of the Dean of Saint George's College, the Very Rev. Graham Dean, greeting the Samaritan Priest who spoke to our group of pilgrims from VTS.  The second picture is of the priest introducing the Samaritan alphabet to us, explaining that it is different from the Hebrew alphabet because it has never changed--and is thus the true alphabet for the children of Abraham.

The Samaritans accept as scripture only the Torah.  They still practice animal sacrifice, but only at passover.  On that occasion the whole of the Samaritan people gather on Mt. Gerizim for the celebration on their liberation from bondage in Egypt.  To understand more about who the Samaritans are and how they came to be separate from the the Jews, Nehemiah 13 is helpful.

Mike

The course has just returned from Galilee--half done with our 14 days.  One of the highlights was renewing our baptismal vows at the Jordan River.  Notice my bare feet!

Settling in our Apartment at St. George's College

We are settling in our apartment (~286 sq ft)  at St. George's College.  Having fun exploring the surrounding area to obtain food and other necessities in various shops and markets.  The first pilgrims should arrive later today!

In Jerusalem!

Judy and I arrived in Jerusalem yesterday (January 7) after a little more than 48 hours of travel.  Considering the travel difficulties all over the US in the past several days, we feel fortunate.

We are getting settled into our apartment in Saint George's College, and today held meetings with the Course Director and Logistic Officer.

The first course of our time here begins next Wednesday--a group from my old alma mater, Virginia Theological Seminary.  How wonderful!