From Catacombs to Empire: An Italian Journey
May 7 – 21, 2009
Pilgrimage to Rome, Ravenna, Assisi and Siena led by Gerald Hobbs and Lynne McNaughton

• Rome: We will meet at the Domus Sessoriana, Church of the Holy Cross, our lodging during our stay in Rome.
• Experience the magnificent splendor of the Basilica of St Peter, Vatican City
• Enter the world of the ancient Roman Empire, exploring the Pantheon and the Forum.
• Walk in the footsteps of the first Christians of Rome, at the Colosseum and the underground Catacombs of San Callisto.
• Pray in San Clemente, 12th Century Christian Basilica, then descend to the 4th century church beneath, alongside a pre-Christian temple of Mithras.
• Ravenna: wander the streets of this small city, capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 6th century, with lodging in an 18th c. palace.
• Marvel at the glory of Byzantine mosaic in San Appolinare in Classe, in San Vitale, the Arian Baptistry, and other churches.
• Siena: small medieval city- state, home of St. Catherine, Church Reformer, mystic and missionary to the poor.
• Assisi: perfectly preserved 13th C. walled city perched on the slopes of Mount Subasio. Immerse yourself in the environment of Saints Francis and Clare. Meditate
on their spiritual pathways of poverty-abundance and oneness with creation through the frescoes of Giotto.

Re-Forming the Church:Summer School in Strasbourg
July 25 – August 9, 2009
To mark the 500th Anniversary of Calvin’s birth, study and explore Calvin’s second city.

Two courses in Strasbourg :
“Recovering the Psalms: Prayer, Praise, and Proclamation” (McNaughton, Hobbs)
“Re-birthing the Church: A 16th C. Reformation Intensive” (Jones, Hobbs)

• In the charming Rhineland city of Strasbourg, lodge in the canal-side 18th C. Protestant Seminary, and explore the cobbled streets of the Old City.
• Worship daily in the Gothic majesty of St. Thomas Church.
• Daily classes in the Reformed Church of the Bouclier, John Calvin’s first parish.
• Study, sing, dance, meditate the Psalms, worship book of the Church of all ages.
• Marvel at the recently discovered frescoes of Psalm I in a 16th C. dwelling.
• Sing Evening Prayer in the Choir of Strasbourg’s magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame.
• Re-enact central moments of the reform of the 16th C. church in Strasbourg, in the buildings and sites where the original events took place.
• Savour the regional food and wines as we visit picturesque villages along the fabled wine road of the
foothills of the mountains of Alsace.