Up & Coming Weekly

16 UCW DEC. 30, 2009 - JAN. 5, 2010 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JERUSALEM, DECEMBER 2009. In this season that celebrates the birth of the Prince of Peace, can there ever be real peace in land of his birth? I asked myself this question over and over as I traveled the last few days through the lands where Jesus grew up, preached, healed, confronted the established authorities and ultimately was crucified. My travels inspired and enlightened me. But they gave no answer to the question about the possibility of peace in the Holy Land. As to a possible solution to the Arab-Israeli confrontation, Davidson College history professor Jonathan Berkey, who ac- companied our group, summed it up discouragingly as follows: "There are presently no grounds for a solution that is peaceful and fair." Someday, he explained, the situation will resolve itself. But it is not likely to be soon, nor will it likely be peaceful and fair. A few days ago in Jerusalem, I found myself in the middle of a large protest dem- onstration, with TV cameras, chanting and lots of "handmade" looking placards held high. "What is this all about?" I asked someone. "We are protesting the suspension of construction in the settlements." I remembered that the "suspension" was the action of Israel's conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Many Americans had criticized his action because it al- lowed much settlement construction to continue. "So, this is about settlements in the West Bank?" I asked. "As you say," he answered. "But, it is not the West Bank; it is Israel." As long as so many in Israel insist that the occupied areas of Palestine are part of Israel, it is going to be hard to find a peaceful common ground. Conflict is not limited to the Palestinian-Israeli impasse. In the holy city of Jerusalem, Jews and Christians argue among themselves in a manner out of character with the holy books that are their guides. Secular and non-orthodox Jews resent the powers and privileges of the ultra- orthodox. Their political parties, though small, have gained political advantage by join- ing the governing coalitions in Israel's parliament. While other Israeli young people have mandatory military service, the ultra orthodox are exempt. Their religious studies are subsidized. So, according to their critics, they study, rather than work, their entire lives. Their critics accuse them of ruining good neighborhoods by crowding their large families into houses designed for fami- lies with one or two children, neglecting their gardens, and en- forcing severe Sabbath restrictions throughout the area. The resentments and conflicts bubble over. So do the arguments of the Christians about control of their holy sites. Within the Church of the Holy Sepulture are, according to tradition, the sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. The shrines that mark these spots and other parts of the build- ing are under the control of different Christian sects. Maintenance of the overall building, its roof and exteriors, is an extra problem. Since nobody is in overall charge, nobody ac- cepts responsibility. As to who controls access to the building, the matter is settled by longstanding arrangements in which Muslim families control the entry door and the keys. From time to time there are misunderstandings that lead to confrontations among the Christians. Ironically, these Christian conflicts have to be broken up by the Israeli police. On the site of the Temple, where Jesus confronted the money changers, Muslims long ago constructed the beautiful Dome of the Rock. Even though the State of Israel controls all of Jerusalem, it allows Muslim clerics to control that site. In turn, the clerics limit access to the interior of the building to other Muslims, even though it is an impor- tant site for many Christians and Jews. The peace that shepherds and wise men hoped for more than 2000 years ago is still "hoped for" today. Hope for Peace Is Only a Hope in Today's Holy Land by D.G. MARTIN D.G. MARTIN, Columnist COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com The wall of the West Bank With New Year's Eve just around the corner, here is a peek at some of the local festivities for ushering in 2010 in style. The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival's Party in the Park will feature live entertainment and a chili and wings cook off. Hot Sauce and Nantucket will be the entertainment as folks are mingling and kids are taking advantage of the craft corner and bouncy houses. There will be food vendors, as well as party favors, available. Look for an early fireworks show at about 8:45 p.m. so that the little ones can enjoy the fun of celebrating the new year. A dogwood blossom will drop at midnight as a live feed from Times Square is broadcast on the Festival Park stage screen. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. Holiday Inn Bordeaux is offering a room package that includes overnight accommodations with a late check out (1 p.m.), brunch in Cafe Bordeaux and hourly shuttle service to and from the Party in the Park. Cost per couple is $109. Call 323-0111 and book yourself and someone special an evening of fun. Temple Theater in Sanford is celebrating with some down home bluegrass tunes this New Year's Eve featuring mandolin player Mike Aldridge, Stan Brown on the banjo, Tommy Edwards strumming his guitar, bass player Thomas "Snuffy" Smith and Keith Thomas on the fiddle. Tickets are $13, and the show starts at 8 p.m. Get more info at www.templeshows.com or by calling (919) 774-4155 and be a part of a true Bluegrass experience. LocksCreek is offering a special menu selection, $24.95 per person or $47.95 for two. Choose from prime rib with au jus, horseradish cream and jumbo grilled shrimp served with garlic whipped potatoes and perfectly seasoned broccoli or lump crab stuffed salmon with a lemon butter sauce served with rice pilaf and shoestring green beans with wild mushrooms. The Mash House is serving a special New Year's Eve menu featuring Oyster Shooters, She Crab Soup, Pear and Goat Cheese Salad, Hickory Tenderloin Roulade, Chicken Florentine, Absolut Citron Salmon and Red Velvet Cake. Choose four courses for $50 (also available a la carte). Regular menu items will be offered through out the evening as well, with entertainment lasting until 2 a.m. Some of Fayetteville's standard party venues are throwing down with great gusto on Dec. 31. IT'Z Entertainment City is featuring live music by David "The Piano Man" Parker. Fractured Fairy Tales, Bound n Gagged, Loudwater Fury and Lost Cause will be on stage at The Rock Shop. The Dog House's annual New Year's Eve party is showcasing local favorite The Fifth. Paddy and Bill will be sharing the stage with Autumn Nicholas at Paddy's Irish Public House as 2010 comes rolling in. At Jesters Pub partiers will find New Machine, The Omega Cell, Salvation and Joey and Adrian entertaining the crowds. Name: ______________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________________________________ MU Alumni Class (if applicable): ___________________________________________ Business Name: _______________________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________ State: ___ Zip: ____________ Amount: $ ______________ Signature: _____________________________________ Please make checks payable to Methodist University. Mail to: Methodist University Development Offi ce 5400 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311-1498 For credit cards, please call the MU Development and Alumni Affairs Offi ce at 910.630.7169. lwike@methodist.edu www.methodist.edu YES! I want to contribute to scholarships at MU. Secure online giving www.methodist.edu A Rockin' News Year Eve by STEPHANIE CRIDER

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