A TRIP to the place where Jesus lived and taught 2,000 years ago helped a Tavistock curate to view the bible in a new light.

The Rev Tim Treanor, curate of Tavistock Parish Church, recently returned from a ten-day visit to Israel and the occupied territories to find out what it means to be a Christian in Israel.

Mr Treanor travelled with the Bishop of Exeter and a group of curates on an educational and training trip, staying in Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

'Standing on the very spot helps one to understand the bible in a new way,' said Mr Treanor.

'My mental image was often different from reality. For instance, I imagine the holy land to be always hot, but we experienced snow and hail.'

Most of the trip was spent visiting schools, hospitals and organisations providing practical help to the poorest and most vulnerable.

'Meeting Palestinian Christians was a huge revelation. They live out their Christian faith in the midst of persecution and hardship.'

Mr Treanor will share some of his experiences in a Lent course entitled 'Living Stones'. The course will take place at the Parish Centre on Mondays, March 1, 8, 15 and 22. Each week there will be two identical sessions at 3pm to 3.30pm and 7.30pm to 9pm.

The course will start on Monday, February 22 with a recording of an interview with the Archbishop of Canterbury.