From KC - To RVA

An attempt at documenting and processing my year as a PCUSA Young Adult Volunteer in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

[essieinrichmond]

I don’t usually share things I write, but this prayer has been on my mind all day. Anyways, this is a prayer about my incurably complicated  and heart breaking relationship with water. 

Creating and sustaining God,

Your story tells us of how You created the waters and called Your creation good.

Your water has been used time and time again to remind us of Your love.

We sprinkle water on the heads of your children, newborn babies and those who have wrinkles, as an outward sign of your promise.

After we confess our sins in worship, We listen to sounds of splashing as water is poured out into the font reminding us that in the midst of our brokenness, Your Grace abounds.

When we share communion together, we break bread made from dough,that has a cup of your water kneaded in. This reminds us of your unrelenting presence.

Water is a way for us to remember the goodness of You, O Lord.

Yet, water is breaking our hearts,

We are reminded of stories about a great flood, and journeys over tumultuous seas, and long, long famines. Our understanding of water, can be incurably complicated.

As the waves and winds of hurricanes have crashed into the lives of your people in Texas, and we wait apprehensively as the rain continues to fall, it stirs up deep and painful  memories. Memories of New Orleans and Biloxi, South Carolina and New Jersey. These violent seas remind us of the down pours of rain that led to endless floods in West Virginia and Louisiana and for all of these people and places our hearts break.

And we watch as your children around the world are longing for clean water. We hear stories of children walking for miles and miles in the desert search for drops of clean water to touch their lips. We watch as dirt and chemical filled water flows out from rusty pipes in homes and schools around our own country and in our own city. All of this Lord, is breaking our hearts.

Water is a way for us to remember the goodness and love of You, O Lord. Yet, the water of the earth can break our heart, and this can be hard for us to reconcile.

So, we come to you holding both images of your creation in our hearts, We come to you carrying reminders of the holy and the broken. And Lord, it can be so hard for us to hold both of these things. It can be so hard to remember that you are good in the midst of this incredible brokenness. And as we live into this tension, we seek your comfort and peace.

Be with us Lord and all those affected by the brokenness of raging violent waters, and those thirsting for a drink of living, grace filled reminders of who you are. Help us to live into this tension in a faithful way. Give us the courage to seek out more of who You are. As we wade into the deep,. Remind us of your unrelenting presence and your abundance grace.

In your name we pray,

Amen

[infpeas]

As an INFP I...

-procrastinate 24/7 -never sleep when I should -cry too much about small things -automatically take things personally -say the worst puns -never read or follow instructions -always lose track of time -am never sure of anything -forget all practical information -always get lost irl and in my thoughts -never know anything for sure -am super clumsy -worry too much about tiny disagreements -talk to myself, a lot -sing songs about everything -am an emotional rollercoaster -make things awkward

[essieinrichmond]

Every. Single. Day.

[essieinrichmond]

Another day in Korea explorations! From Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gardens to shopping at Insadong. We wondered and wandered our way around the city today and it was magical! #notallwhowanderarelost #wanderlust #gyeongbokgung #southkorea #seoul #insadong (at Gyeongbokgung)

[essieinrichmond]

Glimpses of Hanok Village in #jeonju . #southkorea you bring wonder with each moment and around every corner. #wanderlust #hanokvillage (at Hanok Village, Jeonju City)

[essieinrichmond]

Wandering and Wondering... looking back at running in North Belfast.

I got caught up reminiscing and reading old blogs. Out of all of them, this one  is still so applicable. It still fits. Even after moving back to the U.S.A. I still find my self living at an interface. I may not be living in between two political groups, but my physical address puts my home at a juncture between people with money and people experiencing poverty.There may be no brick walls or razor wire like back in Belfast, but the distinct difference in cellphone reception and palpable tension between residents says otherwise. These walls may not be built with physical bricks, but they are structures designed to instill fear of the other and pushes us only further apart. 

These two places (Richmond and Belfast) run so parallel to each other. Much like my first week in Northern Ireland, someone told me on my first day here (In Richmond), "Don't run over there, it's dangerous. You should only run on Brook Road or Seminary Ave."  

Well, I don't listen too well, and I'm stubborn. So, I ran in both places...multiple times.

 In doing so, I noticed that I was having much the same experiences as when I ran on Antrim Road. So naturally, I wanted to re-read my blog entry about it . When I did, I found the entry oddly comforting, yet frustrating, but nevertheless it got me thinking.

Today, I think less about running and and stretching my personal boundaries and more about how to live at an interface. More specifically how to be a good neighbor, when living at an interface.  

Living at an interface of: loyalist and nationalist protestant and catholic white and black rich and poor christian and muslim pushes me to think critically about how to be a good neighbor. 

It makes me think about how to welcome, love and accept on all sides of my campus, my neighborhood, this city and in this world. Living here causes me to think, What does being a good neighbor truly and authentically look like? What do I need to do? What risks am I willing to take? Am I ready? Is living like this even possible? Will it even make a difference? What does being a good neighbor even mean? How will I define it?

My list goes on... 

As I Reconsider this idea of living on an interface, it leaves me with far more questions than answers. All I know now is that I don’t want to be complacent. I want to search, to  discern, to understand, and to care. It is In these moments,  can't help but continue to keep Wandering and Wondering about being good neighbor, and where I begin.

On that note, maybe I need to take my own advice again start appreciating the gift of running. Maybe in more ways than one it might help me see.

Peace, blessings, and all my love, Essie

P.S. If you missed the above links, you check out the old blog here!  http://essieinrichmond.tumblr.com/post/61576355059/running-in-n-belfast-antrim-road

[essieinrichmond]

Such a powerful experience this morning. Some of the #UPSem faculty and students went to the media preview of the To Be Sold Exhibition at the Library of Virginia. The exhibition is a compilation of artifacts, artwork, and transcriptions of stories that paint the picture of the domestic slave trade in Virginia. It was such an incredible opportunity to learn and be reminded of the danger of the single story we are so often brought up being told, and how important it is to open our minds and our hearts to all truths no matter how painful of our collective history. In the hope that we continue to have open conversations about these stories and continue to work toward reconciliation and justice in our world. #slavetradeRVA (at Library of Virginia)

[essieinrichmond]

Some Richmond YAVA doing what we do best, talking about the @yavprogram! We had the opportunity to hang out during a local Presbytery meeting and share about our years and our love for this program! #yavprogram #YAVA (at Petersburg, Virginia)

[essieinrichmond]

Just over a year ago these became my Belfast people. And today I get to reunite with them in NM. This might be my favorite #tbt See you soon New Mexico! #togetherisbetter #NIYAVS1314 #YAV1314

[essieinrichmond]

We Carried Your Secrets- Theatre of Witness

As I continue to process  this past year. I am reminded consistently that our voices and our stories matter. During my year, I had the opportunity to watch as some of the people I worked with found the voice to share their stories in the hopes of continued peace making and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

You may remember when I mentioned, the "Everyone Is My People" audio project which some of the men I worked with at WAVE participated in. Listening to their stories was one of the experiences I hold closest to my heart. That specific project was a joint effort between the WAVE Trauma Centre and the Theatre of Witness. The project's artistic director Teya Sepinuck was amazing. Her passion for this project coupled with the dedication and compassion she held for participants was incredible. She pours her heart and soul into her work, and it shows. The audio project is powerful, and touched the hearts of so many who were there, and many more who listened to the recordings later. 

Since being home I have recently come across several of her other works with Theatre of Witness. "We Carried Your Secrets," really connected with me. Over the last year, I have heard so many stories not too dissimilar from the ones in this video. Their voices are so powerful, and their stories moving. The synopsis of the movie says this:

Since January 2009 The Playhouse Theatre has played host to a new Theatre of Witness programme; an exciting new vision for performance where Art and Social justice meet. Its first original production is We Carried Your Secrets. It follows the perfomers from early rehearsal through the tour of the production as they collectively journey through grief, understanding, healing and connection, showing how theatre can be used as a powerful tool for peace and reconciliation.

This cross-community project takes you through countless everyday events in the lives of those affected by this political conflict. There are so many emotions to be felt. However, throughout this project one thing is certain, There remains a call for peace, and a longing to reconcile hearts. This project  through their stories and stage presence truly encourages the audience to feel hope through their pain, their stories, and their resilience. It truly is a beautiful piece. If you have some time to spare. I encourage you to click the link (here or in the title) to watch it. 

Voices are powerful, and so are our stories. We would do well to remind ourselves of this. 

Peace, blessings, and all my love,

Elizabeth

[essieinrichmond]

Well Belfast, it's been real! It feels like yesterday were up here, exhausted and wet, sharing what little food we had! Excitement for our year was brimming and the wanderlust setting in. Little did I know then what the city behind me would teach me over the next 11 months! Belfast, you are beautiful, and your people are wonderful. Thank you for sharing your beauty with me! You will be in my heart for years to come! Love always, Beth #cavehill #discoverni #hillswithaview #goodwalks #togetherisbetter #BelfastNI #yav1314 (at Cave Hill Belfast)

[essieinrichmond]

Well Belfast, it's been real! I can't believe it's already time for me to go. This year has been incredible, blessed with so many wonderful people and beautiful spaces. All if thus will be in my heart for years to come. Love always, Beth #cavehill #scenicviews #goodbyeNI #discoverni #goodwalks #togetherisbetter (at Cave Hill Belfast)

[essieinrichmond]

These are only two of the countless people I said goodbye to today! Abbey Presbyterian Church you are incredible and I will miss you so very much! #yav1314 #goodbyesarehard #missingpeople #yavprogram (at Abbey Presbyterian Church)

[essieinrichmond]

Reflections on Milltown & The Pope

About a month ago, I went with a group of men to the Milltown Cemetery for a historical tour. The cemetery is a privately funded, and is the burial ground for many people of the Nationalist  background. Many of the men I was with happened to be from that same background. It proved to be an interesting afternoon where we would walk by a headstone and someone would say,

"Aye, there's my mate."

"They were in that bomb up the road." or "I lived a few houses down from the fire that killed those people."

At Milltown Cemetery, there is a memorial for the 1981 Hunger Strike, and it seemed that many of them men knew someone who had died during the strike, or they had known someone who had been affected at the attack at the Milltown Cemetery in 1988. The stories seemed to flow, as some people reminisced of lost loved ones and friends.  While others quietly listened, and kept their memories close to their hearts. 

Fast Forward to Junior Drop-In later that evening:

One of the boys asked me later that evening if I really saw The Pope when I was in Rome.

I told him:

"Yeah, I totally did! I have a picture if you want to see it." 

My answer to his question created quite a stir. Several boys jumped into the conversation saying: "Well, I would have killed him." "If I saw the Pope, I would kill myself." "I would have blown him up."

When I asked them why they felt this way, I was met with this response:

"I hate him. He is trying to take over our city."

 The Youth Centre I work at is in a different part of town from where the men's group takes place. Most if not all of these boys come from a very strong loyalist background. 

These two very different experiences remind me of the paradoxical world we live in. It continues to show me that although there is progress being made, there is still hate that riddles the soul, and further divides us. There is still pain in the hearts of so many, and there continues to be a great need for reconciliation in our hearts. 

My prayer is for continued movements in the way of peace. I pray that hope fills the hearts of many. I hope for no more threats, no more violence and no more division. I pray that hope fills us, and guides our hearts and brings us to a place of genuine peace and unity.

A peace wall in Belfast - August 2013

[essieinrichmond]

Check out what we did on our YAV Retreat to Edinburgh and Iona in Scotland this month!!! So much laughter and goodness to share!

[essieinrichmond]

For Kenneth

Earlier this year I applied and was accepted to Union Presbyterian Seminary. In one of the application essays, I was asked to read a scripture, and write about how I see that scripture being related to my vision of the church. After reading the passage, my mind instantly thought of a dear friend of mine,  Kenneth. So, that's what I wrote about.  More recently, I learned that after a long struggle with diabetes and other medical problems that stemmed from the disease, Kenneth passed away. Since hearing the news, I have been thinking a lot about what I have learned from him. He certainly has influenced me, and this essay by no means begins to cover the impact he has had, but it's a start. 

So, Kenneth this one is for you. 

Essay #2: Luke 4:16-19 I have a friend, and his name is Kenneth. I remember the day I met him. It was after the annual youth service at Village Presbyterian Church. I’d seen Kenneth around, but hadn’t had the courage to talk to him. Kenneth was different. He smelled funny, had a beard, and beady black eyes. He stopped me on my way out of the sanctuary, and told me how wonderful the service was. I never thought much of it, but after that day we started talking more often. I learned how he used to be homeless. I heard about the hardship of diabetes, and the cost of living in a cold home. One of my last Sunday’s at Village Presbyterian, I asked Kenneth if I could sit with him in church. I had never seen such light come into his eyes. During the service I helped him hold up the hymnal because his hands were too shaky, and he let me borrow his pen when I wanted to take notes. The joy and gratitude Kenneth expressed to me following that service was surreal. I had never realized that the joy of company was something he didn’t experience often enough.

In a temple in Nazareth, Jesus read these verses from the book of Isaiah: “...he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim the release of the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jesus expressed the call God had for his life. The call to serve others in need. Now, aren’t we brought up believing that we are supposed to live our lives like Jesus? If that is the case, then we are called to share the good news and the joy of God with those who are hurting and in need. However, aren’t we all in need? Aren’t each of us imprisoned by our own insecurities, hurt by our own sorrows, and broken by our own tragedies? We live in a world that is too often riddled with brokenness. You can look at my friend Kenneth and know that he has struggled, but there are so many people in our world who are weathered by the storms of life, and are in need of restoration. However, you can’t see that need just by looking at them. 

In our world, I feel that Christ is calling us to look past the surface of people and their sorrows, because we are all hurting.  If I am broken in one way and you in another, then perhaps it is not about one person serving another. Maybe it is this idea of mutuality and partnership that we should be looking at. For me, It’s about coming together and supporting each other as humans who feel and experience this world. Now, I like to think Jesus didn’t travel this on his own, Through the people he met, the temples he entered, and the friends he made, he walked his path surrounded by people. People who had experiences so similar and yet so different from his own. People who influenced his ministry and the parables he shared. I strongly believe there is something that happens to our human hearts when we allow ourselves to be open with others. I believe that when we open ours hearts and minds to people, we grow, and our hope for the world strengthens.

My vision for the church, is for it to be a place where these moments can happen. A place where people experience people. It’s a place where we should hold hymnals for each other and share pens with our neighbors. A place where we come together to hear the needs of humanity, and then collaborate with each other to fill those needs in both our own communities and the wider world. I see the church as a place where people come to grow together, and a place where people come home to share how they’ve grown on their own. The church is the place where the people of God come to be reminded of who they are and whose they are. I am so thankful for the words Kenneth and I shared in the sanctuary that Sunday morning. My world grew wider because of that day, and my heart, bigger. The bond we share is special, and I hold it close to my heart. We are blessed with the capacity to be compassionate people. It is what God asks of us as individuals, as members of the church, and as people of the world. We are people in need of other people, and the life giving experiences these bonds bring.

[essieinrichmond]

So, I saw The Dark Hedges this weekend! #adventuring #NornIron #nofilter (at Ballycastle)

[essieinrichmond]

I love my job because I get to do things like this.... And it gives me an excuse to be on Pinterest! #youthwork #yavprogram #yav1314 #pinterest