I just returned from the Holy Land on Friday last. In my stops, an afternoon/early evening to Bethlehem.
First, Security: I felt safer in Bethlehem than I do in Baltimore. That said, I wouldn't want to be alone in Bethlehem after dark. I'm trusting, but not foolish.
Second, the Plight of the Christian Community: Christians are taking it hard on all sides, but moreso in the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas. Not only are they trying to recover from almost 5 years of no tourism, they have to deal with the Islamist extremists putting pressure on them as well. The common plea from every Christian I met was "Be our voice. Tell folks to come to Bethlehem. We need the support and, frankly, the hard currency, too."
Third, the bishop of ELCJHL: I actually had a 10-second meeting with the bishop as he dashed to the Arabic church service at the Church of the Resurrection (he was filling in for the Arabic pastor, who was in hospital with a serious eye infection). I was talking to Russ Siler (formerly at LOGA, now at LWF and the English congregation pastor at Church of the Resurrection. He was in a hurry, but at least he said hello (more than some bishops I know).
More later, probably....
Art