For the past three years, Sarah and Werner have participated in separate cohorts. Rev. Ramirez reflects on time spent with his Ministry Collaborative group, saying, “As a pastor, I’m always thinking about how to engage other people’s spirituality, and I’m thankful that there is a group like Ministry Collaborative who is looking out for clergy’s spiritual life with experiences and cohorts that help feed our souls.”

In addition to this nourishing fellowship, the Ministry Collaborative also offers life-changing immersion experiences in a variety of locations across the globe. On Werner and Sarah’s respective trips to the Holy Land, they will have the opportunity to visit a number of destinations including Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Old Jerusalem. Their itineraries involve a hike on the Mount of Olives, boating on the Sea of Galilee, and a visit to the traditional location of the crucifixion—all taking place alongside their cohorts. Werner shares: “This is a trip I’ve always dreamed about doing, but I never thought I would actually get a chance to do it.”

The opportunity to reflect and learn in sites of biblical significance also energizes Sarah. She says, “The thing I am most looking forward to about my trip to Israel is the way I anticipate it impacting my reading of scripture. It’s one thing to read about the ocean. It’s an entirely different thing to stand in the sand, to smell the salt, to feel the wind in your hair, and to see nothing but blue for miles. I know the same will be true in Israel. I have read of fig and olive trees. I have imagined different places such as the city wall and Golgotha. However, to stand in those streets, to eat the food that Jesus might have eaten—that will be a different experience. I know it will bring scripture to life in a new way, which feels like the greatest gift.”

When they return, Werner and Sarah will continue to enrich the Fifth Avenue community with their gifts of care, creativity and newfound experiences from their first-hand encounters of the Holy Land. In particular, Sarah hopes that she will be able to integrate her experience in Israel with her current interfaith work. For the past few months, she has partnered with Rabbi Sara Sapadin at Temple Emanu-El to lead a lunchtime interfaith small group. Rev. Speed remembers: “When I shared with Rabbi Sara that I was going to Israel later this spring, her joy was ecstatic. She could not stop talking about all the ways my faith would grow and change, simply by being in that Holy Land. I imagine that she is right. I know that this trip will change my faith, but I also believe it will change my ability to lead and serve this congregation for the better. I imagine that going to Israel will allow me to be a better student of scripture, to teach with more honesty, and to lead with more conviction. I imagine it will strengthen my connection with our Jewish brothers and sisters, as they may feel more fully seen by me, which will allow me to better lead the interfaith initiatives we have here at Fifth Avenue.”

While both pastors look forward to deepening their personal faith in Israel, their learning will undoubtedly inform their leadership at Fifth Avenue. The church community will have the opportunity to learn more about their travels in a fall Sunday School conversation, where they will share highlights from each of their trips. As Pastor Sarah and Pastor Werner prepare their hearts and minds for travel and reflection, Fifth Avenue wishes them a safe and transformative experience in Israel.