Marthame shares a reflection written during Holy Week of 2005, as we - then - looked back on our recent departure from Palestine and what the rhythms of the liturgical calendar can teach us about despair and hope.

Marthame continues his reflection on the current American context and the important difference between looking inwardly and looking insularly.

Marthame reflects on the current American context of a chaotic presidential campaign and our tendency to become insulated at such moments; and how it parallels with his experiences in Palestine in the early 2000s. Read the two reflections here: Prayers from Palestine Two Paths

Marthame recently co-preached again with the Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel at Park Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta, looking at the text of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-28). You can watch the live stream of worship here.

The Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac (⁠Christmas Lutheran Church⁠; ⁠Bethlehem Bible College⁠) recently stopped in Atlanta on a short speaking tour of the US. In part two, we share the Q&A portion of the event.

The Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac (Christmas Lutheran Church; Bethlehem Bible College) recently stopped in Atlanta on a short speaking tour of the US.

Marthame continues his recollections of his friend Fahed Abu-Akel by reflecting back to his first visit to Palestine back in 1993 - a trip that planted important seeds.

As Marthame prepares to co-preach again with his friend Fahed Abu-Akel, he recalls a visit the two of them took to Gaza as part of a Presbyterian delegation back in 2002. Read the reflection here.

As we move into summertime, Marthame reflects on the summer of 2003 and the disparity of access to freedom of movement. Read the reflection here.

Marthame reflects on this week’s marking of Israeli Independence Day and the Palestinian Nakbe (Catastrophe), remembering a visit to the former Arab town of Ein Kerem. Read the reflection here.

Marthame reflects on the current hunger crisis in Gaza and the meaning of fasting with a reflection from late 2001. Read the reflection here.

With the celebration of Orthodox Easter this year, Marthame recalls a particularly memorable story of the ritual of Holy Saturday in 2003. Read the reflection here.

Marthame shares a reflection written after our time in Palestine, getting a window on the situation there through internet chats.

With Iran now drawn into the international spotlight, Marthame revisits a reflection written there in 2007 while visiting the beautiful city of Isfahan. Read the reflection here.

Marthame revisits a reflection on the eve of the American invasion of Iraq, and how it parallels with the world we live in now. Read the reflection here. Visit some of our blog from 2000-2003 (and a little from 2005) here.

Marthame reflects on the current deterioration of the situation in Gaza and its parallels with episodes from his time in Palestine. Read the reflection here.

Marthame reflects on the fractured and ecumenical nature of Easter celebrations in Palestine, and what resurrection might mean in a context of death. Read the reflection here.

Marthame reflects on the recent Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage in Atlanta as he shares a reflection on one final Easter Season in Palestine. Read the reflection here.

Marthame shares a reflection from his time in Palestine, grappling with the meaning of resurrection among so much death and despair. Read the reflection here.

As we continue to keep vigil with Gaza, we offer an original song written and recorded by our own Marthame Sanders (guitar/vocals) and our friend Alonzo Johnson (bass/drums). Called “Gaza (Under the Rubble)” and released under the band name Marred Fame, the song is available anywhere you stream music. Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage Past aijcast Episodes…

Marthame shares a cherished memory from his time in Palestine, crossing all kinds of boundaries. Read the reflection here. Watch Fr. Firas’ segment from Salt of the Earth here.

Marthame shares first-hand experiences of Palestinian life under curfew and the universal desire for safety and security. Read the reflection here.

Marthame reflects back on their tough decision to leave Zababdeh temporarily amidst escalating threats of Israeli military violence back in 2002. Read the reflection here.

Marthame shares a first-hand account from 2002 about an Israeli military incursion into their sleepy little village of Zababdeh. Read the reflection here.

Marthame reflects on how our recent episodes continue aijcast’s core mission, while also looking back to the art of writing amidst Occupation and suffering. Read the reflection here.

Marthame Sanders and Fahed Abu-Akel co-preached at North Decatur Presbyterian Church on the situation in Gaza; and the past, present, and future of Palestine and Israel.

Marthame reflects on the meaning of hope in a hopeless time, whether that time is twenty years ago in Bethlehem, or right now in Gaza. Read the reflection here.

Marthame reflects on the present situation in Gaza and shares a reflection on the meaning of home in a land full of uprootedness. Read the original reflection here.

Marthame shares a reflection on our moral double standard in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the strategy of non-violent resistance. Read the reflection here.

Marthame reflects on the sense of Christian solidarity that brought him and Elizabeth to Palestine in the first place, and what that solidarity means to our sisters and brothers in Christ there. Read the reflection here.

Marthame shares a reflection from Christmas Eve, 2000, when he and Elizabeth made the pilgrimage to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Read the reflection here.

Marthame shares a story from 2001 that, for him, illustrates the arbitrary cruelty of the Israeli Occupation, while wondering what role hope might play at this moment. Read the reflection here.

With the ever-alarming death toll among children in Gaza continuing to rise, this particular reflection on the grief surrounding the death of a child seems all too fitting. Read the reflection here.

With Christian leaders in the Holy Land announcing the cancellation of major Christmas celebrations, Marthame shares this timely reflection written in 2000 about the upheaval Palestinians regularly face.

Marthame looks back at time spent in the olive harvest, a fitting reflection for Thanksgiving week here in the U.S.

Looking back - again - at his time in Palestine, Marthame shares a reflection on the daily challenge of being in such close proximity to suffering. ⁠⁠Read the reflection⁠ ⁠Watch the Salt of the Earth film series

With our attention turned to the Middle East, we continue sharing reflections from Marthame’s time lived in the Northern West Bank. In this essay, Palestinian friends share what they want Americans to hear from them. Read the reflection Watch the Salt of the Earth film series

We continue releasing content from when Marthame and his wife lived in the Northern West Bank (2000-2003). In this reflection, they comment on the world’s duplicity when comparing the Serbian and Palestinian uprisings of 2000. You can read this reflection here. Watch Exile from Salt of the Earth.

As the crisis in Israel and Palestine - especially in Gaza - continues to unfold, we here at aijcast are partnering with Marthame’s production company to release content from when he and his wife lived in the Northern West Bank, 2000-2003. You can read this reflection here.

We revisit our 2017 conversation with songwriter-speaker-author David LaMotte where he speaks about his musical influences, being drawn to meditation, and how his art intersects with his peace work. Plus he plays his song “Wake Up My Love” for us.

Host of aijcast, Marthame Sanders, offers his own reflections on the anger and heartbreak that come with loving Palestine and Israel.

We revisit part of 2021 conversation with chef-artist-synesthete Taria Camerino, speaking about synesthesia, collaborating with cellist Okorie Johnson, and what the 1812 Overture tastes like.

We revisit our 2019 conversation with musician-producer-theologian-pastor Tracy Howe, where we talk about how she got started in music, her journey to singer-songwiter, and her then newfound openness to co-writing.

We revisit our 2021 conversation with members of indie folk/gospel group The Many in celebration of their release We Are Enough.

We revisit our 2017 conversation with Atlanta cellist/composer Okorie Johnson, speaking about the power of improvisation, how the cello has found its way into his life, and even been a source of healing. Plus he plays a couple of songs for us!

We revisit our 2017 conversation with Lisle Gwynn Garrity and Sarah Are Speed of A Sanctified Art, as we talk about weaving together their calls to ministry and the creative arts, their collaborative approach, and the sacred experience of visio divina.

We bring you an episode from our friends over at the Ministry Collaborative Podcast. Pilgrimage Formation Curator Ryan Bonfiglio talks with the Rev. Dr. Terrence Autry (Christ Community, Richardson, TX) and the Revs. Susan Rogers (The Well, Jacksonville, FL) and Marthame Sanders (Mudeif Productions) about their Holy Land immersion experience; conne…

We revisit more of 2021’s Wild Goose Festival, including our conversation with Jake Haber (Aldea Spiritual Community, Tucson), some of his live musical performance (as Jacob Roland), and the recent chart-topping drag performer Flamy Grant!

We revisit the 2021 conversation between singer/songwriter Semler and our friend artist/pastor Shawna Bowman (Friendship Presbyterian Church, Chicago) recorded live at Wild Goose Festival about honesty in songwriting, the encouragement to release Preacher’s Kid, and we hear a couple of their songs recorded live at the Festival.…

We revisit our collaboration with Cara Fears Johnson (Georgia Resiliency Program) and Carlton Johnson (Presbyterian Mission Agency) as we create the song We Are One. Listen in on our creative process as this song of inclusion and welcome comes to life!