Brotherhood of St. Andrew – Coral Springs

Today I was asked to serve as a Deacon to one of the Bishops in Tanzania. He was nervous about making a mistake. I told him if anything went wrong just say “You know that Deacon Todd!” It was at the beautiful Benedictine Monastery at Abu Gosh (Emmaus). “He took bread and broke it–then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” Luke 24 This is our last night here and what an adventure, what an experience. I am blessed. We have developed a community and agape abounds. I look forward to seeing you all. … Read entire article »

We left the college at 6 am to avoid the crowds while Jerusalem was awakening. I served as the Crucifer, lifting high the cross for about half a mile to the stations of the cross. I was wearing three layers of clothing as it was a cold but clear morning. We then alternated carrying the cross and reading scripture and prayers of the people at each station. We ended up at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Holiest of the Christian Churches. We were able to put our hand under an altar through a brass hole and touch the stone of Golgotha, assumed to be where Jesus was crucified. I also saw the back of what is believed to be Jesus’ tomb. It was very much like an early … Read entire article »

We had an nice Anglican/Episcopal Eucharist in the beautiful cathedral across the close from this college. We sang out of the English hymnal which not only didn’t have the music printed but the words were slightly different from our familiar, rote-learned hymns, just enough to startle you. During the sermon when everyone is quiet except for the Preacher we could hear the Muslim call to prayer. It was eerie yet spiritual in a sense. Then we rode the bus to Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Bethany is now a Palestinian town in the West Bank and according to the gospels is only two miles from Jerusalem. It took us thirty minutes to make the trip because of the security wall forces everyone to drive completely around the city … Read entire article »

Today we went to a Palestinian Refugee Camp and it is not at all what you would expect. There were no tents. People lived in multi-story homes that they built and own. They do not own the property, however. They are governed by the UN. They are not allowed to travel to Jerusalem which is only about 10 miles way. Our tour guide was about 30 and was in Jerusalem at age 12 and this Spring for one day. They receive medical insurance from the UN. There is a medical center run by the Japanese government. They don’t have a country but they are far better off than our migrant farm workers that toil just miles from our homes in Broward County. They feel victimized which is ironic because their oppressors … Read entire article »

I’m suffering through a concussion as I’ve hit my head twice on Roman stones over short doorways so this will be a shorter blog today. We drove to Mt. Olives and retraced possibly Jesus’ steps from Bethany. I have to say we’ve had an excellent trained tour guide up until today. She avoided absolutes. The Bible does tell us where Jesus walked but really any buildings were totally destroyed by the Romans if not earthquakes. It is not prudent to say absolutely this is where Jesus and the Disciples walked, stayed, arrested, imprisoned, etc. Although, we heard that today, by a “literalist” Episcopal Priest. We went down about fifteen feet to the “Upper Room” but there are two “Upper Rooms” in Jerusalem. An industry has been created by the absolutes. … Read entire article »