July 8, 2001

Today we worshipped with both the Anglican and Orthodox churches. The St. Matthew's Anglican service begins early, since the priest has to leave for Nablus and his other community for a later morning service. He asked Marthame to read the epistle and to serve the eucharist wine. Zababdeh's clearly in summer attendance mode, but it was good to be back in worship with our brothers and sisters in Zababdeh.

We then headed to St. George's Orthodox Church, where we were about thirty minutes late. There's no problem with that, though, because the very nature of the Orthodox liturgy is kind of a controlled chaos as far as the congregation's role, with people wandering in and out throughout the two hour service. The music is hauntingly beautiful, sung by the priest and one or two helpers, while the congregation comes and goes in and out of the church. The service was long today, because they were celebrating six months since one of their parishioners died (this is done after six and twelve months).

Fr. To’mie with the plaque acknowledging a gift from the PC(USA).

Abuna To'mie showed us the sign (which we had not noticed before) marking a gift his church received from the Presbyterian Church (USA) on a visit from some denominational representatives seven years ago. He was very excited to show it to us and to get a book from First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta (the word "Presbyterian" has never been better known in this village).