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I can recall sitting on my favorite pew in church -- some many, many years ago -- when I was a young girl, and listening to the beautiful, uplifting, soulful and fervent singing of the choir and congregation as they would belt out their fine selection of songs. One of these songs, a hymn, has held a special place in my heart to this day. The hymn? "What a Friend We Have In Jesus."

As this hymn seemed to be the choir's and congregation's favorite, I would hear a repeated rendition Sunday after Sunday. In a short period of time, I learned every word to this wonderful hymn. I began to meditate on the words and discovered early on in my life that this hymn could be very comforting. Like the words in the hymn, I’ve come to know that we can often forfeit peace in our lives and bear needless pain all because we do not carry EVERYTHING to God in prayer – What a Special Friend I have in Jesus.

And now many years later, and after recent hours of preparation -- get acquainted and study sessions -- I am packing my bags for a special journey. For the period, April 19th through May 1st, I will be a member of the Greensboro Jewish Federation, National Conference for Community and Justice and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro's 5th Interfaith Study Mission to Israel. Twenty-nine leaders from across the Greensboro community will set out to "explore our religious traditions in the land we each call holy."