The “pilgrimage” agenda for GAFCON in Jerusalem has been scheduled for the Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel from Saturday, June 21 through Sunday, June 29. Organizers say that over 1000 people, including 280 Bishops, plus exhibitors will attend.
The conference includes daily Bible study, worship, and plenary sessions in the hotel conference facilities, with guided tours to selected sites by day, a chance for participants to see sites on their own and a one day bus tour to Galilee.
It appears that conferees are staying away from Anglican sites in Jerusalem, Israel and Palestine, and it also appears that there will be no planned or official interaction with Palestinian Christians.
The Conference brochure says that “An initial Consultation in Jordan will include the pilgrimage leadership, theological resource group, those bishops serving in majority Islamic settings and other key leaders.”
From the GAFCON press release:
Tentative Program for GAFCON in Jerusalem
(Please note that conference activities will take place at the Renaissance Hotel, unless otherwise specified.)
Saturday, June 21
4:00pm – 6:00pm GAFCON Registration Desk Open
Sunday, June 22
11:00am – 5:00pm GAFCON Registration Desk Open
3:00pm – 5:30pm Optional Tour at participants’ personal expense:
Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls)
7:00pm Welcome Dinner
8:00pm Welcome Session
Monday, June 23
7:00am – 12 noon Pilgrimage to the Mount of Olives / Gethsemane
1:00pm Lunch
2:00pm Opening Service of Holy Communion
5:00pm Focus Topic The Gospel and Secularism
7:30pm Dinner
9:30pm End of day of Prayers
Tuesday, June 24
8:30am Worship and Exposition – Genesis 12: The Promise of God
9:45am Discussion and Prayer
11:00am Workshops
1:00pm Lunch
2:00pm – 4:00pm Optional Seminar: Addressing HIV/Aids
Optional tours at participants’ personal expense.
5:00pm Focus Topic: The Anglican Communion
7:30pm Dinner
9.30pm End of day of Prayers
Wednesday, June 25
8:30am Worship and Exposition – Exodus 24: The Presence of God
9:45am Discussion and Prayer
11:00am Workshops
1:00pm Lunch
2:00pm Pilgrimage to Old City, Tower of David, Jewish Quarter, and homes of the Sadducees
4:00pm Pilgrimage gathers at Ophel Gardens
7:00pm Dinner
8:00pm Focus Topic The Gospel and Religion
Thursday, June 26
8:30am Worship and Exposition – 2 Samuel 1 – 17: The King of God
9:45am Discussion and Prayer
11:00am Workshops
1:00pm Lunch
2:00pm – 4:00pm Optional Tours at participants’ personal expense:
5:00pm Focus Topic Enterprise Solutions to Poverty
7:30pm Dinner
9:30pm End of day of Prayers
Friday, June 27
8:30am Worship and Exposition – Luke 24: The Son of God
9:45am Discussion and Prayer
11:00am Workshops
1:00pm Lunch
2:00pm – 4:00pm Plenary Session
5:00pm Pilgrimage to Church of the Holy Sepulchre OR
Tour of modern and biblical Jerusalem by coach
7:30pm Dinner
9:30pm End of day of Prayers
Saturday, June 28
7:30am All day pilgrimage to Bethlehem and Galilee
Sunday, June 29
8:30am Worship and Exposition – Revelation 21 The Throne of God
11:00am Closing Service of Holy Communion
1:00pm Closing Lunch