We are grateful for the safe return of our pilgrims, and our prayers are with the people of the Holy Land.

March 3 Update: Our Pilgrims Return

“The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore.” — Psalm 121:8

We are grateful to have just landed safely in New York after our flight from Jordan.

We have felt deeply supported by all of your prayers for us. And we are grateful for your prayers for our siblings in the Holy Land, and for all living under the threat of violence and war right now.

We look forward to sharing with you about our pilgrimage in the weeks to come.

Please continue to pray for a swift, just, and peaceful end to this conflict, and for all peoples of the Holy Land who remain in harm’s way.

May the peace that passes all understanding be upon them, from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

With our love and prayers,

Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello and the Rev. Ryan C. Fleenor

Pilgrimage Leaders

March 2nd Update

Today we woke in the relative safety of Amman Jordan. We are still hopeful we will return to the U.S. in the next day or so. Our hearts, though, remain with our siblings in Christ back in Jerusalem, and all those who are living under the constant threat of strikes and falling debris. We are most grateful for the careful and loving guidance and care extended to us by our guides, Iyad and Rami Qumri and their family. We are here in Jordan only because of their care and concern. As we got in our van to enter the safety of Jordan, they had to get in theirs to return to the danger and uncertainty of life in their homeland. Please continue to pray for peace across this region, and for the innocent people of all faiths and countries who desire only to live in peace.

March 1st Update

After a day of sheltering in place at St. George’s in Jerusalem, our ECCT pilgrims were able to cross over into Jordan at the famous Allenby Bridge border crossing. The airport in Amman is still open and we are waiting for the first available flight. We hope to be able to return home this week. We are deeply grateful for all of the prayers offered for our safety and speedy return. And we ask you to continue to pray with us for peace, and for those innocent people across the region who cannot escape the violence of war so easily. May God protect them and bring peace to the land of the Holy One. With our love and prayers, Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello and the Rev. Ryan C. Fleenor, Pilgrimage Leaders

February 28th Update from Jerusalem

28 February 2026; 3:30 a.m. EST

Dear Beloved in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut,

As you may have already seen, Israel and the United States launched a preemptive strike on Iran several hours ago. Our group of pilgrims was in Bethlehem when the alarm sounded, and we have returned to St. George’s in Jerusalem where we are safe and secure, sheltering in place. Israeli airspace is currently closed and we are exploring our options to return home as quickly as possible.

One of goals of this pilgrimage was to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the Holy Land who regularly live with the threats of violence and insecurity. In this tense moment, we are proud to do just that— praying together as followers of the Prince of Peace for the peace of Jerusalem, and from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Please join us in those prayers for peace, and for our safe return.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

With our love and prayers,

Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello and the Rev. Ryan C. Fleenor, Pilgrimage Leaders

A pre-departure note about the pilgrimage from the Rev. Ryan

Tomorrow, I leave for a 12-day pilgrimage in the Holy Land with Bishop Jeff and a small group of Episcopalians from across Connecticut. Like countless pilgrims before us, we will visit the sites made holy by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We will drink from Mary’s well in Nazareth and kneel in the grotto at Bethlehem. We will renew our baptismal vows at the Jordan, break bread at sunrise in the Judean desert, and venture out in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. We’ll stand on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and walk the Way of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We’ll sing, and pray, and reflect on Scripture together. I’m so excited to be going back, especially in these first days of Lent, and I hope that you too can make a pilgrimage like this one at some point. It really is a life-changing experience.

But as important as the holy sites are, that’s not our only—or even primary—reason for visiting at this volatile time. This won’t be a pilgrimage like the ones I’ve taken in years past. It will be our first visit since the horrific October 7th attacks and the devastating war in Gaza. It will be our first visit since Saint Luke’s named the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem as our newest Outreach partner. And with talk of further annexation of the West Bank, and tensions with Iran running high, we know that our sisters and brothers in Christ are living with a great deal of uncertainty and fear.

This is precisely why it is important to go. The sites are important, but so are those “living stones” who call the Holy Land home. We are going to express our solidarity with, and support for them. We are going to visit the schools and hospitals and clinics that continue to do incredible work, embodying the hope of the Gospel. We are going to remind them that they aren’t alone, they haven’t been forgotten.

I look forward to sharing what we see and what we learn. Please pray for us as we travel, and for our siblings in Christ who will welcome us. And as the Psalmist sang so many centuries ago, please continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may there be peace within her walls (Psalm 122:6, 7).

With my love and prayers,

Ryan