For the past week I've been mentally preparing and spiritually strengthing myself at the YAV Orientation at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, which I can now say feels like a home away from home. I've reunited with the thirty other Young Adult Volutneers, serving during the next year in India, Guatemala, Northern Ireland, Kenya and of course, Peru. Here are some of my thoughts on the week:
Bible Study
The Bible is a mystery to me. And that has been the very reason why I rarely open it. I'm partially intimidated by the authority this book holds for so many people and at the same time drawn to its contents for that very reason. The stories and verses written have meant a great deal to a great many people. So instead of keeping my Bible on the shelf, I've decided it's time to let its words mean something to me.
Each morning during Orientation, we had a Bible study focusing on Paul's letter to the Philippians. I've only heard the letter read in fragments and was happy to be finally looking at the four chapters as a whole.
We looked at the text academically, discussing in groups what gifts we will bring on our journies:
The verse that sparked discussion was "It is G-d who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
We played with text creatively with a much needed craft time during the middle of the week. I chose the line: "Help these women, for they have struggled beside me..." and made a construction paper poster highlighting the verse with red glitter and gold stars to show the passion of the women that followed Christ.
We rested with the text contemplatively, using Lectio Divina, a meditative reading practice used by Benedictine monks as early as the 12th Century. The text is read slowly either to oneself or out loud while one listens for a specific word or phrase that resonates or "shimmers," as our Bible study facilitators described. After listening to chapter 3 verses 10 to 14, the word straining did that for me. I imaged myself washing vegetables in a steel strainer, watching the water remove the dirt and residue, with the excess emptying through the cracks. During this year, I'd like to attempt to streamline my life in a similar way.
Thoughtful Discussions
Our afternoons were spent addressing some very complex issues including serving in partnership, race and sexism in mission, how to facilitate interfaith dialogue, sexual misconduct policies and safety, integral health and self-care (thanks to my mom, I think I'm pretty good at this one), vocational discernment and a critique of globalization. Needless to say, we were all exhausted by the middle of the week, with each of us having our moments of personal frustration and burn-out.
We each wrestled with more nuanced issues during our small group sessions, which met at least once a day. Aside from sharing our "happy crappies" (more traditionally referred to as our joys and concerns) of the day, these meeting times allowed me to develop closer relationships with a smaller group of YAVS, each going to a different country.
Sharing Yoga and Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2RS0vgJe4I
Day three of Orientation left me feeling mentally exhausted and physically restless. I had attempted to do some stretches on my yoga mat (which I will be taking to Peru) but I found myself becoming distracted by the next day's schedule or something discussed during the day. For my own personal benefit, I decided to invite anyone who was interested to do some yoga in the worship room in the evening. And thus began one of the most joyful parts of this Orientation, sharing my love of yoga and movement while at the same time addressing a need. Six women joined me that night and we stretched our limbs and opened our hearts for over an hour, leading to what we all noted was a better night's sleep and happy muscles in the morning.
When I didn't think I could be any happier, our yoga group developed spontaneously into a liturgical dance group. We met a few times during lunch and choreographed a dance piece to a contemporary version of "Amazing Grace" to share during the closing worship service. Each woman created her own phrase - a very personal expression that defies words. My two worlds finally merged, prayer and movement.
Tomorrow afternoon I leave for Peru, and I feel very ready for the journey!
Phrases:
It's one thing to believe in G-d, it's another to have a relationship with G-d. ~Maggie, my small group leader
Power is not for us to give but for each to discover. ~Jessica, facilitator for Sexism and Racism in Mission
How would your life change if you prayed for a single heart? ~asked during Sunday morning's sermon
And immediately they received... (Matthew 20:34).
Bible Study
The Bible is a mystery to me. And that has been the very reason why I rarely open it. I'm partially intimidated by the authority this book holds for so many people and at the same time drawn to its contents for that very reason. The stories and verses written have meant a great deal to a great many people. So instead of keeping my Bible on the shelf, I've decided it's time to let its words mean something to me.
Each morning during Orientation, we had a Bible study focusing on Paul's letter to the Philippians. I've only heard the letter read in fragments and was happy to be finally looking at the four chapters as a whole.
We looked at the text academically, discussing in groups what gifts we will bring on our journies:
The verse that sparked discussion was "It is G-d who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
We played with text creatively with a much needed craft time during the middle of the week. I chose the line: "Help these women, for they have struggled beside me..." and made a construction paper poster highlighting the verse with red glitter and gold stars to show the passion of the women that followed Christ.
We rested with the text contemplatively, using Lectio Divina, a meditative reading practice used by Benedictine monks as early as the 12th Century. The text is read slowly either to oneself or out loud while one listens for a specific word or phrase that resonates or "shimmers," as our Bible study facilitators described. After listening to chapter 3 verses 10 to 14, the word straining did that for me. I imaged myself washing vegetables in a steel strainer, watching the water remove the dirt and residue, with the excess emptying through the cracks. During this year, I'd like to attempt to streamline my life in a similar way.
Thoughtful Discussions
Our afternoons were spent addressing some very complex issues including serving in partnership, race and sexism in mission, how to facilitate interfaith dialogue, sexual misconduct policies and safety, integral health and self-care (thanks to my mom, I think I'm pretty good at this one), vocational discernment and a critique of globalization. Needless to say, we were all exhausted by the middle of the week, with each of us having our moments of personal frustration and burn-out.
We each wrestled with more nuanced issues during our small group sessions, which met at least once a day. Aside from sharing our "happy crappies" (more traditionally referred to as our joys and concerns) of the day, these meeting times allowed me to develop closer relationships with a smaller group of YAVS, each going to a different country.
Sharing Yoga and Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2RS0vgJe4I
Day three of Orientation left me feeling mentally exhausted and physically restless. I had attempted to do some stretches on my yoga mat (which I will be taking to Peru) but I found myself becoming distracted by the next day's schedule or something discussed during the day. For my own personal benefit, I decided to invite anyone who was interested to do some yoga in the worship room in the evening. And thus began one of the most joyful parts of this Orientation, sharing my love of yoga and movement while at the same time addressing a need. Six women joined me that night and we stretched our limbs and opened our hearts for over an hour, leading to what we all noted was a better night's sleep and happy muscles in the morning.
When I didn't think I could be any happier, our yoga group developed spontaneously into a liturgical dance group. We met a few times during lunch and choreographed a dance piece to a contemporary version of "Amazing Grace" to share during the closing worship service. Each woman created her own phrase - a very personal expression that defies words. My two worlds finally merged, prayer and movement.
Tomorrow afternoon I leave for Peru, and I feel very ready for the journey!
Phrases:
It's one thing to believe in G-d, it's another to have a relationship with G-d. ~Maggie, my small group leader
Power is not for us to give but for each to discover. ~Jessica, facilitator for Sexism and Racism in Mission
How would your life change if you prayed for a single heart? ~asked during Sunday morning's sermon
And immediately they received... (Matthew 20:34).
