Come, stand in the location where women encountered Jesus and experience biblical stories coming to life. Visit holy sites to worship and pray together, engage in local ministry, break bread with local families, and share communion as a community of women on the journey of faith.
Starting at $4,098* US from New York pp sharing. Land rates only are also available.
Your tour price includes:
Your tour price does not include:
Accommodation:
Price is per person based on double occupancy. When available, single room are often smaller than doubles. While we will try to match roommates, we cannot guarantee a roommate will be available. Roommates may be assigned as late as thirty days prior to departure, and if one is not available or you request a single room, a supplement of $700US for the basic tour will apply.
Rev. Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles
Professor of New Testament and Director of the Baptist House of Studies, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Jaime Clark-Soles is Professor of New Testament and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. She earned her Ph.D. in New Testament from Yale University. Among her areas of expertise are Women in the Bible and Immersion trips to Israel and Palestine. She is the author of numerous books including Women in the Bible (WJK, 2020). Jaime served as the New Testament editor of the CEB Women’s Bible.
Ginger Gaines-Cirelli
Senior Pastor, Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, DC
Ginger E. Gaines-Cirelli is Senior Pastor of historic Foundry UMC in Washington, DC, the first woman to hold this leadership position. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, she contributed to and served as a general editor for The CEB Women’s Bible and authored Sacred Resistance: A Practical Guide to Christian Witness and Dissent. Ginger is a sought-after preacher, teacher, and facilitator at local, regional, and international events.
Susan Salley
Associate Publisher, Abingdon Press/The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, TN
Susan Salley is an Associate Publisher at Abingdon Press, the publishing arm of The United Methodist Publishing House. Her team works on inspirational books, and media-based Bible studies. She received her MBA at The Owen Graduate School of Management. Her first career was in the tour industry, creating a lifelong love of travel.
Michelle Funk
Program Director of Women’s Ministry, Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, KS
Michelle Funk serves as the Women’s Ministry Program Director at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. She provides direction and support for all discipleship opportunities specific to women, including a ministry for moms, bible study offerings, denominational ministry, women’s small groups and special events.
January 3 – Depart Canada / the USA
Your pilgrimage begins as you depart Canada/USA on an overnight flight.
January 4 – Arrive Tel Aviv
Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to Bethlehem for a welcome meeting, dinner, and overnight.
January 5 – Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace and see the Church of the Nativity constructed over the site (Matthew 1: 18-25, Luke 2: 1-7). Gaze out over Shepherds’ Field, where angels first proclaimed the Good News. This afternoon, visit an olive woodworking shop. Visit the Bethlehem Bible College and learn about their local Women’s Ministry. Tonight, enjoy dinner with a local Palestinian family.
January 6 – Samaria and Nazareth
Travel to Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist and where Mary visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:26-40). In modern day Nablus (ancient Shechem), see where the Samaritan woman encountered Christ (John 4) at Jacob’s Well. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a Samarian restaurant. Visit the Franciscan Wedding Chapel in Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle. Visit Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home. Continue to the Church of the Annunciation, which stands over the cave that tradition holds to be the home of the Virgin Mary. This evening, enjoy Shabbat dinner with a local Jewish family.
January 7 – Sea of Galilee
Enjoy a lecture at Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene. View a recently discovered first-century synagogue there. Take time to meditate in the hall dedicated to women of the Bible. Visit Kibbutz Nof Ginosar and learn about the ancient boat, a rare and excellent example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Enjoy the views of the Galilee from Mount Arbel and pass through the Valley of the Doves, a major pathway in the time of Christ. He and his disciples passed through this valley as they walked the Galilee.
January 8 – Sea of Galilee
Participate in a morning worship service at the hotel. Afterward, sail across the Sea of Galilee. Enjoy beautiful Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry, where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:30-31), and visit the synagogue located on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23; John 6). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5-7). Visit the Church of the Loaves and Fish in Tabgha, the traditional location of the feeding of the multitudes (Luke 9:10-17; Matthew 14:13-21). Walk down to the shore of the Sea of Galilee at the Primacy of Peter Chapel.
January 9 – Jerusalem
You will visit Bethany, the village of Lazarus and Martha, and view the Tomb of Lazarus. Be inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Jerusalem (“the Golden City”) as you stand on the Mount of Olives, the place from which Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:9-12). Walk to the Garden of Gethsemane and pray beneath the ancient olive trees (Matthew 26:36-44). Visit both the Church of All Nations and the private garden area across the road for a time of contemplation. Today will also include a session with a representative from The Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue.
January 10 – Jerusalem
This morning, partake in a lecture session, then the remainder of the day is yours to explore Jerusalem on your own or choose an optional tour below.
Optional trips:
Suggestions for exploring on your own include the Israel Museum, Rockefeller Museum, Citadel Museum, Ramparts Walk or Yad Vashem.
There will be an afternoon mixer for guests, with a Q&A session with the speakers, light food and beverages. Time TBD.
January 11 – Jerusalem
Stop to visit the Pool of Siloam Excavation Site. Explore the Davidson Center and the Southern Wall Excavations, including a lecture at the Teaching Steps. You will have time to pray at the Western Wall. Share communion together at the Garden Tomb in celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.
January 12 – Jerusalem
View the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle (John 5: 1-31). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne, renowned for its beautiful acoustics. Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross.” Wrap up the week with a final lecture.
January 13 – Return to Canada / USA