Day 5 - 6/26/2016

Leaving Corrymeela

After services at Armagh Cathedral

Hiking up to Navan

Pilgrims at Navan

Pilgrims listening to living history in an ancient Celtic round house

Youth hostel in County Wicklow

Link to all photos, day 5 

Today we did lots of traveling but also had fun experiences. We woke up and left Corrymeela at 8:30 a.m.  After that, we left Northern Ireland on a bus for the Republic of Ireland, to Armagh, the spiritual and historic capital of the Episcopal church, where we attended Sunday service at St. Patrick's Church of Ireland cathedral.

We then visited the Navan Centre, where we were steeped in pre-Christian Celtic life, including a living-history visit to a particular clan's round-house hut (see above).  We learned about Celtic mythology, especially the Ulster cycle of stories, and visited the site (now just a mound) of an ancient sacred site, called Emain Macha, dating from the 1st century BCE (see "Hiking up to Navan" above).

Then Rev. Grace Clunie gave a presentation on Celtic Christianity and spirituality, which was intellectually and spiritually stimulating for some of us and soporific for others.  For example, she shared many pearls of wisdom including a bit of advice for the traveler/pilgrim, from John O’Donohue's poem, For the Traveler: "And if you listen, / You will hear / What your heart would / Love to say."

We then took another long and circuitous bus ride through rural Ireland to a hostel in Enniskerry, County Wicklow.  The views are really pretty and when we got here there was a rainbow.  Everyone was excited because how often do you see a rainbow in Ireland?  Tomorrow should be fun too. Everyone's excited!

     - James and other pilgrims

Day 4 - 6/25/2016

In front of the Croi at Corrymeela

End of Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway

Coast near Giant's Causeway

  

Hike up from Giant's Causeway

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge  

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge  

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Link to all of photos, day 4

We had to wake up at 8:30 am.  This morning was really a culmination of learning about living in community.  Specifically, we spent this morning at Corrymeela doing outdoor activities such as tending and harvesting Corrymeela's garden and learning about stewardship of the local environment.  Indoor activities included more learning about ourselves as individuals as members of a community (we made personal maps, and discussed preconceptions).  After several days here, we are clearly no longer just abstractly learning about, but are actually experiencing living in, community.

This transition from the abstract to the concrete - or shall we say from the abstract to the basalt - was then reflected in a day trip to the Giant's Causeway, a 60-million-year-old geological wonder of 40,000 basalt columns, which was lovely.

From there we then went to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which at first struck some of us as strangely lacking in rope (maybe 10% rope, the other ~90% being wood slates and metal chains). However, we then realized that the original rope bridge, installed by fisherman 250-300 years ago to help them get out to the far island to catch migrating salmon, has since been replaced by the current Rope Bridge (see photos).

We came to home to a lovely meal of peas, fried potatoes, and chicken for the omnivores, and vegetable kebabs for the herbivores.  We had a service in the Croi again (see day 3), which then continued on the beach with team-building games.  Our last worship session in Corrymeela was pleasant after a long day of walking, with a little bit of cheesy music, and heartfelt words.  We rounded out the day with a bonfire, s'mores, and then the usual Corrymeela hot chocolate and toast before bed.

    - Lilly and other pilgrims

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Addendum:  
As part of tonight's worship the leader asked our group to think about what makes each of us happy. Here are some of the responses: A warm fire on a cold night. A long flight. The soccer pitch. Indian delight. Laughter of children. Breaking an awkward silence. Chuck. Ice cream. Getting out of a really cold ocean. Getting into warm clothes. Books. Eight hours of sleep. Forming new friendships. Experiencing new things. Adventure. Any achievement interaction that makes me feel loved of appreciated. Video games. Our church. Puerto Rico... 

Day 3 - 6/24/2016

Link to all photos, day 3

After a sound night’s sleep, we managed to get rousted from our rooms for breakfast; porridge and cereal. Afterwards, we headed on to the Croi (pronounced cree), a delightfully round and partly subterranean place of worship (see here for what this looks like) at Corrymeela for 25 minutes of deafening silence and a short liturgy about peace.  Continuing the theme, we broke into groups to discuss the peace and conflict in our communities.  Through touchy topics, heated debates, and some arguments, we had finally come up with a list of things we loved, disliked, and thought we could improve in our communities.  

Our spirits were lifted from the heavy topics once we ran outside to play capture the flag.  As laziness took over, a group of us stood watching the water.  Standing out with fellow Corrymeela travelers, it seemed like we were standing at the edge of the world.  

Grateful to be reunited, we sat around and relaxed before dinner.  After one too many pieces of cake, we headed down to the beach for a chilly dip and ice cream at Maud's in Ballycastle.   As we made our way back to evening service to speak about what makes us happy, the 9 PM sun (above) was still high over the horizon.  Finishing off with hot chocolate, we ran back to our dorms for a long night’s sleep.


- Sarah and other pilgrims

Message from Jenni

Disappointed by our first flight changes, and not wanting our initial departure delays to dampen our sense of community, I said to at least one of the travel teams before leaving St. John's for their flight, "This isn't the pilgrimage, it's just how we are getting to the pilgrimage."

I've changed my mind.

This is all pilgrimage. Every moment since we gathered in the Historic Church on June 21 has been -- is -- our pilgrimage. The experiences among pilgrims so far have been more varied than in past years, but they have been real, lived, memorable experiences. And I do know from past pilgrims that it can be those unplanned ones that are the most meaningful, looking back.

Even my own "lucky" team 3 -- the last to fly out only to encounter a missed connection, indescribable airport-line-waiting, re-booking logistics, and a night in an airport hotel with only our carry-ons and airport-issued T-shirts and toiletries -- has had an incredible international experience. We are all well-seasoned world-travelers now...

...world travelers who have had opportunities for trust, care, conversations, jokes, laughs and time (oh wow, time) to be. Together. On a journey of hope, faith, and openness to the unknowns to come. Pilgrims.

It wouldn't be fair for me to say I wouldn't have exchanged it for the more ideal planned itinerary, yet the disappointment is gone.

Instead there is gratitude for all of these unplanned experiences, and for each pilgrim whose humor, responsiveness, resilience and trust I have gotten to experience in these last few days. That has been truly amazing. I know the other leaders have experienced the same in their various ways.
Our pilgrimage is well underway.

Blessings,
Jenni +

Day 2 - 6/23/2016

Link to all photos, day 2

    "Walk with me 'cause the journey is long,

                Walk with me 'cause the journey is long,

     Walk with me 'cause the journey is long,

                Walk with me 'cause the journey is long…"

                -South African traditional sung by the pilgrims in worship 


The journey is not always what it starts to be.  It is, after all, a journey.

Our journey was delayed due to inclement weather, but we were not alone because our fellow pilgrims walked with us.

Some of our pilgrims are still walking their journey but thankfully are safe and sound staying overnight in London.

We are thankful that most of our groups made it while we await the arrival of our fellow pilgrims.

Keep walking, our fellow pilgrims!

      - Brandon and Ben, and other pilgrims

“Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future, therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself. If you do, it will take you where you need to go, but more important it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.”

                ― John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

Day 1 - 6/22/2016

St. John's Pilgrims

Bus in Belfast

At Corrymeela

Link to all photos, day 1

Ireland Day 1

After hours of traveling we finally arrived at the Belfast airport.  We boarded our bus and we were off for the Corrymeela Community.  On our way we saw the beautiful hills and valleys of Northern Ireland or at least we did before everyone fell asleep.

When we finally arrived at Corrymeela we were greeted by the nicest leaders.  They helped direct us around the campus and gave us an hour’s free time, which most people took to play a game of football or take pictures of the amazing views.

After our free time the group met with all of the staff at Corrymeela to understand the rules and the purpose of their program.

We’ve already learned so much in the little time we have spent in Corrymeela.

For dinner we had traditional Irish beef and potato stew.  In addition, there were many side dishes to choose from.

After dinner we had more free time before the evening worship.  The service was very different than what we are used to.  So ends day one for the first group.

 - Abby B and other pilgrims

Dear pilgrims and our supporters,

We are about as ready as we will be for our journey! Oh, you may not feel ready. If you are like me, you have another errand or two to run, a little bit more to pack, a few more loose ends to tie. You might be excited, nervous, even disbelieving the day has come.

But you are ready. We are ready. We have been opening up and preparing for this journey for so long... and God has made us ready.

When we pray tomorrow we will remember the traditional Celtic saying about pilgrimage: "The King whom you seek, unless you take him with you, you will not find him there."

Think of all the ways Christ has been with us all along... in who we have met, what we have learned, those we have served, the ways we have been changed. All this reflects our readiness...and God will do even more!

Jenni +