Newberg United Methodist Church

Join Rev. Catherine Davis for an enlightening program that traces the journey of St. Paul to Ephesus and Corinth. 

Ephesus and Corinth were two of the more significant cosmopolitan cities in the ancient world.  Paul’s success in forming early Christian communities here tell us a lot about why the new faith was so compelling compared to Roman and Greek religion.  We will meet the first generation of Christians and learn more about the context of the rise of Christianity.  Who were the first Christians?  Were they the poor, well-connected, Jews, or pagans?  What were the issues they struggled with and Paul addressed in his important letters to them?  What was life like for them?  Who were their neighbors?  What might one have seen if one walked with them down the main streets of Corinth or Ephesus?  Our itinerary includes visits to Athens, Corinth and Delphi (one of the great religious pilgrimage destinations of the ancient world).  We then embark on a 3-night Aegean cruise with stops in Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos (where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation), Crete (where Paul stopped once) and Santorini (one of the gems of the Greek isles).  Join us for a journey that will be educational, that will broaden our understanding of other lands and people, that will be faith building, and a lot of fun!

Human history is rich with tales of globe trekkers who have gained valuable insight about themselves and the world around them through the discovery and exploration of cultures outside their own. People who travel the globe begin a lifelong journey of worldly citizenship.

The experience of traveling together to places of great historical, religious and cultural significance is deeply transformative. Explore some of the experiences of our travelers through their words.

Program Itinerary

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Depart Portland, OR for Athens.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

We Journey With Paul to Greece - Arrival Athens.  Enjoy a bus tour of major monuments en route from the airport to the hotel.  Check into the hotel and visit the new Acropolis Museum.  Welcome dinner and overnight Athens.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Exploring The Corinthian Church - Breakfast. Full day excursion to Corinth and Cenchrae.  Visit Corinth and Acrocorinth, including time for a prayer or scripture service here.  Visit Cenchrae.  Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Friday, October 6, 2017

We Journey With Paul in the Aegean - Breakfast.  Transfer to the port to embark on our cruise.  First port-of-call this afternoon is Mykonos.  While on board, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.  Overnight cruise.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

The Great Cosmopolitan City of Ephesus - This morning we will go on a shore excursion to Ephesus to visit the main site and the terraced Roman villas.  This afternoon, the port-of-call will be Patmos, where we will go on a shore excursion to visit the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse.  Overnight cruise.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

We Celebrate Our Faith Heritage - This morning we will have a Sunday service on board the ship.  There are two port-of-calls today.  The first is Crete—one of Paul's stops—where the shore excursion is optional.  The second is Santorini—one of the gems of the Greek islands.  The shore excursions here are optional.  Overnight cruise.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Paul in Athens - We arrive early this morning back on the mainland.  This morning we will visit the Acropolis, the Agora and the Areopagus—places where Paul engaged the local Athenians.  This afternoon we will check into our hotel with the afternoon free to explore the charming Plaka district of Athens.  Dinner and overnight Athens.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Context of Early Christianity in the Greco-Roman World - Breakfast.  Today will include an excursion to the magnificent Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi.  We will learn about Greek religion and about the famous Oracle of Delphi.  We will return to Athens for a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant.  Overnight Athens.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

We Return Home as Pilgrims Renewed - Breakfast.  Transfer to airport for return flight to Portland.

Inclusive Features
 

Price estimate: $3950 based on double occupancy; $550 supplement for single occupancy
 

• Roundtrip air from Portland
   

• 4 nights accommodations in 4-star hotel in Athens, 3 nights Aegean cruise inside cabins

•  Breakfast and dinner daily (lunch also included while on cruise)
   

• Local transportation via deluxe private motorcoach
   

• Guided sightseeing and entrance fees with local experts (per the itinerary)
   

• Full-time tour manager to coordinate the program and provide assistance and information during free time

Additional program details and registration information will be posted in December 2016, with registration anticipated February 1, 2017.