Upcoming Events

For more information about other events at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, click on the tabs across the top of this web site. For more information about events at Center on the Hill, visit the Center's web page.

Christmas Eve Services

December 24, 2011

4:30 p.m. Family Service of Lessons  and Carols with Nativity

9:30 p.m. Flute and Harp Prelude

10:00 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols

Music: hymns and carols of the Nativity, and including anthem settings of Lullay, lullay; In the bleak midwinter; Shepherds, what is this lovely fragrance?; The Sky can still remember; and How far is it to Bethlehem?

Interfaith Study Tour to Israel

May 7-16, 2012

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church in Germantown and the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill are joining with Mainline Synagogue in Bryn Mawr for an exciting adventure to the Middle East.  This will be unlike any other tour you might take because at the heart of the tour is dialogue: dialogue among Christians and Jews on the bus together; dialogue with Christians, Muslims and Jews in Israel; dialogue with Palestinian Christians and Muslims in the West Bank; dialogue with one another as we see with our eyes the words we have read in Scripture from the beginning. Care will be taken to listen to the complexity of modern day life in Israel/Palestine as we open our own minds to the things that will make for peace.

With the help of Rabbi David Strauss, we have secured the leadership of a seasoned interfaith tour guide who will meet with us three times before we even board the plane. He has suggested organizing questions for each day and at the day’s close, we will gather for a theologically rich happy hour discussion of what we have seen and heard. We will be five nights in Jerusalem, with day trips to Bethlehem, the Dead Sea as well as time in the Old City of Jerusalem walking the Via Dolorosa. There will be free time for shopping J.  Next we will stay two nights in a fabulous kibbutz in the Galilee (I have been there and it is a lovely hotel, I promise!) and spend a day around the Sea of Galilee on the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum and the traditional site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. We also will stand on the Golan Heights overlooking three nations surrounding the plot of land, no bigger than New Jersey, known today as the State of Israel. Finally we will travel to Tel Aviv where we will end our tour with the Dialogue Project led by a rabbi and Muslim psychologist. They will walk us through their town and offer very different narratives about the history of and life in the land.

Now that I have your attention, I know you are wondering about the cost.  First of all, you may use frequent flyer miles if you have them.  We will be flying El Al from Newark and will be transported by El Al from Philadelphia for free.  If you are already over there or would like to extend the trip, our travel agent can help you with arrangements.  The cost of land and air is $3695 based on double occupancy, including air, fuel charge, tip and tax of $600 to enter the country.  During the ten days and nine nights, five dinners and all breakfasts are included, with lunch on our own. If you are using frequent flier miles, back $1350 out of that figure. Also you are encouraged to buy trip insurance, though any deposit is fully refundable up to 90 days before the trip. 

I know this is short notice, but there will be a meeting of interested pilgrims on Monday, November 14, 7:30 p.m. at Mainline Synagogue on Montgomery Avenue in Bryn Mawr.  I will be going and am glad to drive or lead a few cars over there.  Since we are late getting this together, we will need an initial deposit of $500 before Thanksgiving if possible.  I am glad to talk with any of you who think you might be interested.  Also, other family members, friends and neighbors are welcome to join us. The only requirement is that you understand the nature of this experience: it is dialogue which means open minds and hearts toward one another are a must!  

--Cindy Jarvis