Father Gary Lawler of Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church in Morrison, IL, will present “The Stops of Jesus” on Thursday evening, January 29, 2015, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event will be in the Program Room at Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL. Offered by the Odell Public Library Friends, the evening is the first of the “Life-Long Learning Series.”
Father Lawler traveled and studied on his sabbatical in and around Jerusalem in the fall of 2012. Classes were held at St. George’s College, located on the West Bank in Palestine. This past fall, Father Lawler returned to conclude his studies with a class entitled “The Palestine of Jesus,” seen in the photo.
With his program and slides, Father Lawler will illustrate the historical and archeological aspect of Jerusalem and the surrounding area.
“The Stops of Jesus are more important than the steps of Jesus, because it is not where he went, but what he did, there,” he stated.
In my interview, I asked Father Lawler what his top three impressions were of Jerusalem, Palestine, and Israel. After thoughtful consideration, he answered with descriptions of his chosen sites.
- The first included the head of the Jordan River, where Jesus took his disciples to get away from the crowds. This is a green woodland with running streams which contrasts with the rocky land around it.
- His second was the Ruins of Bethsaida, which was home to the disciples Peter, Andrew, and Phillip.
- Lastly, he was impressed by the Roman influence found throughout the area. Archeologists are digging and finding more artifacts around, and in, the Temple Mount.
With his depth of experience and the slides and pictures he took, Father Lawler will share “The Stops of Jesus.” This is an absolutely wonderful opportunity to hear about and see more of a land and area that has influenced the world for thousands of years. Within the 50-minute slide presentation, Father Lawler is willing to answer questions.
Odell Public Library Friends invite the Community to share in the experience of the Holy Land and its history. Keep learning. There is no charge for the program.