Love Found in Tarrytown

On Sunday, June 23rd, the YASCers were graced with the presence of Christ Church in Tarrytown, NY. Graciously welcomed into this community with open arms through a beautiful service which combined cultures to expand our idea of the Episcopal Church.

Many of us grew up in the traditional Episcopal church with an organ playing, classic hymns sung and everything spoken in English. One thing I've come to realize is that is not everyone's Episcopal church.
Episcopalians speak a wide variety of languages and sing a wide variety of songs. Nobody is doing it the wrong way, just a different way.

Photo courtesy of Charlotte File

The Sunday service in Tarrytown combined their Spanish and English speaking congregations to celebrate us YASCers who are about to experience many different ways of celebrating on Sunday morning. It was refreshing and energizing to hear both Spanish and English overlap one another as we all prayed the same prayer. Maracas, tambourines and drums drove our feet to tap and hands to clap along to an upbeat sound. The Venerable Bill Parnell's, Archdeacon of Mission in the Diocese of New York, sermon reminded us of the power of love. (You can read the whole thing here.)

Bill Parnell preaching.
Photo courtesy of David Copley

Here are two parts that stood out to me:

"And that is what we strive to be as the Church – a community formed by Love. We don’t have it
all down perfectly just yet – we are a work in progress, continually being molded by Jesus who is
Love Incarnate. He alone is the one who bears our sins and our brokenness. No scapegoats are
needed, only a community of people who have seen Love at work in our own lives and are
commissioned to tell all that God has done for us. We who seek to follow in the ways of Jesus
are given that work of reconciliation which restores people to wholeness and challenges the
powers that prevent it from happening. It will surely comfort some; it will surely afflict others –
and the Church is called to reach out to both. That’s why Paul talked about a community united
in Jesus where all the marks of distinction and sources of division disappear: neither Jew nor
Greek, slave nor free, male nor female....
Today we have among us about twenty-five people who are being sent to some far-flung corners
of the world to serve in the name of Jesus who is Love Incarnate. Love is about to come to town
in some new ways through their presence. I give thanks for their energy and commitment, their
vision and their willingness to risk crossing oceans and borders and barriers to share the Good
News. But most of us are staying put, and there is no less need for us to be in mission right here.
There is plenty of need for Jesus to tarry a while in Tarrytown, and Love has come to town in the
people who are Christ Church, a community that is being formed by Love in new ways all the
time. Whether you’re staying or going, jump that train and catch that flame. Carry Love to town
by telling the stories of what God has done for you. Listen well to the stories of what God is
doing for those among whom you live. Let Love form a community. I bet you will see Love
conquer a great divide."

Love and support is what I felt throughout the morning from strangers but all brothers and sisters in Christ at Christ Church, Tarrytown. They threw a lovely lunch afterwards and sat down to get to know each one of us. And we were able to witness the blessing of their clothing closet. Another way this wonderful community and Church spreads its love.

That morning gave me great anticipation to celebrate with the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, to learn a new way to praise God, and share love with a new community.

Thanks for reading!

Free Day in the City

On Saturday, June 22nd we were given a day off from training and let loose into the city. I've been to NYC three other times in the past. They've always been quick trips and I never get to see everything, of course, because there is so much to see. It was nice to check a couple more items off my list.

Hello, New York City!

Rachel and I started off by standing in line for rush tickets to a broadway with Heidi, Becky, and Emily who wanted to see something that afternoon. Unfortunately, after waiting 45 minutes we learned all the tickets had been scooped up. We went to the next best thing, Ellen's Stardust Diner! It is famous for it's incredibly talented, starving actor wait staff who perform throughout the diner as you eat. They sing broadway hits to Disney classics to current radio hits. It was incredibly fun to sing along and hear these amazing stars.

Chrysler Building

The Streets of NY.

Emily & Becky are extremely happy to be in Times Square!

Rachel, Emily, Me and Becky waiting in line for tickets.

Ellen's Stardust Diner!

Waiter performing at Ellen's Stardust Diner.

Me in Times Square.

Afterwards, we conquered the NYC subway system to head down to the Lower West Side and Chelsea area to explore the High Line. The High Line is an aerial park that spans for one mile on top of an abandoned, elevated New York Central Railroad. It's a beautiful park full of street performers, tanners sprawled out on benches, and a section for local food vendors. We got a far off view of the Statue of Liberty as well as the Empire State Building. It was fun to just explore and walk around as if we lived in the city and this was a regular Saturday afternoon activity.

Can you see the Empire State Building?

Rachel & I on the High Line.

Walking along the High Line

Me, Rachel & Emily at the High Line

Becky & I. That's suppose to be the Statue of Liberty
behind us.

From there we went to the famous Magnolia's bakery, known for their scrumptious cupcakes! Across the street was a shady park with a piano man. We sat down to give our feet a rest and enjoy jazzy tunes. Then the piano man asked, "are there any good singers in the audience?" We all yelled, "Yes, Becky is!" That led to Emily and Becky's breakout, street performance of "Let it Be"!

Magnolia Bakery cupcake!

Relaxing in the park.

Becky & Emily singing "Let It Be" with the piano man!

Next stop was the Guilty Goose, a bar where Becky's old, childhood friend is a bartender. We sipped on some cold beers and met up with more YASCers. And finally, the whole group met back up for a late dinner before our long bus ride back to Stony Point.

Dinner all together! 

I'm glad I didn't try to pack in as many touristy things to do in one day. I enjoyed simply hanging out with everyone and slowly exploring different venues the city has to offer. All in all, a wonderful day!

Goodbye, NYC!

Reflection Up on the Hill

One of the nice things Mission Personal added to training were field trips away from Stony Point. On Friday, June 21 we went up to Holy Cross Monastery, an Anglican Benedictine of Men, to spend a day with the Brothers.  It was the most relaxing and reflective day.

Group shot at the Monastery.
Photo Courtesy of Charlotte File

In the morning, we arrived in time for Holy Eucharist at 9am. Then Brother Rob took us on a tour around the monastery, sharing the importance of certain rooms and about the lifestyle of a brother. Their dedication to their relationship with God is inspiring. They make no money and have no possessions. Yet they are fulfilled by serving Christ to the fullest. It is truly remarkable.

At noon, we participated in Diurnum which is a half hour of chanting a psalm and praying. The chants of the Brothers in a beautiful space move through you. They fill the air, centering you in that space, leaving the outside world and all your worries beyond the grounds.

Brother Rob starting off the tour of the Monastery.

Afterwards, we ate a delicious lunch, split into groups to meet with Brother Rob who talked to us about the importance of finding a quiet, peaceful time each day to reflect and pray. And to discipline ourselves to journal so we don't simply rely on memories during this life-changing experience. He spoke on the key to self-knowledge is loving oneself. We are the vehicle to experiencing God and we cannot accept love from anyone else or even God unless we love ourselves.

There are three keys to spiritual journey of seeking God: (1) humility, being one's true self; (2) stability, not running away but staying put and facing the most difficult in order to grow roots; (3) celebacy, but not in the sense of denying sexuality, it is putting your relationship with God first and allowing all other relationships to stem from that one with God.

Taking notes while talking with Brother Rob.
Photo Courtesy of Charlotte File.

Talking with Brother Rob was insightful. He has a deep peace with himself, the good and the bad. I learned you cannot deny who you are to yourself or to God. You can grow by reflecting and accepting your whole self especially by opening yourself up to a deep connection with Christ.

The afternoon, was open to exploring the 26 stunning acres of property. Alan and I hiked down to the Hudson River to skip some rocks. I chatted and reflected with others in the group and sat quietly in the rocking chairs taking in the spectacular view. At 5pm we had Vespers, another short service of chanting, then dinner and we headed back to Stony Point. It was wonderful to get away from the retreat center, learn something new, continue to hang out with one another, and reflect.

Entrance to the Monastery.

Stunning building.

The Chapel.

Gorgeous stain glass that represented the creation of the sun.

Hannah, Me, and Katie in front of the Monastery.

Alan skipping rocks.

View of the back of the Monastery.

Thanks for Reading!

Go with Grace, Not Knowledge

It has been over a month since I arrived at YASC orientation and training. I apologize for the delay in posting about it. I went straight on a two week vacation afterwards, but also I've been trying to process all that I learned, felt, and discussed during the two weeks at Stony Point Retreat Center in Stony Point, NY. I'm going to do multiple posts about orientation, but here is a general overview, first. (Also, I apologize in advance for the low quality of my photos, I didn't bring my DSLR and was so disappointed with myself. I took all these with my iPhone.)

As I mentioned in my last post, my grandmother died right before training which delayed my arrival. While everyone else arrived on June 16th, I flew in on June 19th. After such an emotional couple of days, it was wonderful to be joyously received by 20 supportive friends and a couple of new ones! It was a wonderful setting to transition into after the funeral.

The amazing group of people I spent two weeks with!

I recently read on the Shrine Mont Camps blog that the camp chaplain, the Rev. Susan Daughtry, said, "community is one of the places we meet God." After two weeks of building a community with the other passionate YASCers, I can say I met God in a different way through each and every one of them. Community is a defining word for YASC. We build a community of support between one another. We gain support from our surrounding communities as we embark on this journey. We will build new communities in our placements.

On our last day of training, we all sat in one big circle and passed a ball of string around, in no particular order, to one another. When we were passed the ball, we said one thing we learned during orientation. Mine was that, "I've learned I can find love and support through all these people. And that they will be there for me throughout this coming year." And hands down, I was not the only one who expressed that. In the end, it showed we are all connected to one another.

We have become a family.

Our web of interconnectedness.

Overall, we had sessions and small group activities facilitated by Chris Pullenayegem, our cultural competency consultant. He taught us how to perceive and assess cross cultural situations with an open mind, properly communicate in cross cultural situations, and simply how to widen our cultural knowledge. All of that information will greatly help us as we assimilate into a new culture and community far from our own. In my mind, the most important aspect of training were the times we all had outside the classroom.

Chris Pullenyegem, our cross cultural guru!
Photo Courtesy of David Copley.

Outside of the conference room, we were able to share our hopes, fears, expectations, concerns and digest all that was being thrown our way. The conversations, laughs, and silly times bonded us all together to form a tight knit support group. While our friends and families will be there to support us, they will not being going through the same ups and downs.

This is how it was when we weren't in the conference room.
Photo courtesy of Charlotte File

One of our guest speakers, Natalie Finstad, Executive Director and Co-founder of Tatua and former YASCer, said, "Go with Grace, Not Knowledge." In our culture, we all want to be the smartest in the room and have all the answers right away. But in other cultures it's about 'Being' and not 'Doing.' We can gain as much knowledge and prepare thoroughly before leaving for our respective placements, but if we don't leave with an open mind, an open heart, with grace then we lose the potential of gaining much more than we already think we know.

I'm not only going to constantly remind myself of this, but all those about to head out on a mission trip, "Go with Grace, Not Knowledge."

Gaining cultural knowledge.

Relaxation.

Play-Dough helped us pay attention.

Map of Team Asia!

I got an honorary spot in the North Carolina Group picture!

We loved to all hang out by a bonfire at the end of the day!
Thanks to Will P. for making them for us!

Grandma Gloria

Grandma Gloria. Or simply Grandma to me. She was really my only one. My mom's mom died when I was six or so and I don't have much of a memory of her. My dad's dad died when he was really young. So I grew up with one Grandma and one Grandpap.

Grandma Gloria passed away last month.

It was not sudden. There was a chance for family to say goodbye. She would've been 88 last week and lived a full life. With the funeral taking place on Tuesday, June 18, it delayed my arrival to YASC Orientation up in New York by a couple of days.

Grandma Gloria with her grandchildren on her 85th birthday.

However, her funeral was a celebration and a blessing in disguise. It brought together family and friends. Family that I was worried I wouldn't have the chance to see before I left for a year. And some family that I haven't seen in about 10 years from Michigan. Her house was full of her spirit by bringing all those that loved her together, sharing memories, laughter and support, but also grief and sadness.

My grandmother was a force to be reckon with, a women with a strong backbone and independent spirit. I'm sure most of it came from raising five kids (four boys) by herself after my grandfather died in 1971. She had a love for the black and white, classic movies. She taught me how to shuffle cards properly and play solitaire, the importance of letter writing and the joy which comes from musicals (Sound of Music, Singing in the Rain and Meet Me in St. Louis, I all watched first at her house).

The boys loved her. haha

At the service, my Mom read a wonderful reflection written by Thomas Mills, a man who's my Dad's age who grew up down the road. It's a wonderful testimony about not only my Grandma Gloria but the importance of community and family. Read it here.

While it is always hard to say goodbye and let go, it is better to let someone live in the glory of Heaven than to suffer on Earth. I feel blessed to have had such a wonderful woman help guide me during part of my life and I know she is continually guiding me from up above.