Meet the Pilgrims - Naya B.

Hello, my name is Denaya but I don’t like capital D’s sooo I like to go by Naya. Something’s about me that’d I like to share with people are that I love little kids and love hanging out with them and my friends, being silly and probably just because I am a little kid at heart myself. I also have been adopted two times and like where I am now. I like to help people out and to volunteer and I am graduating high school this year and going to college in the fall I am going to study neonatal nursing, which is exciting because I love babies. I like to listen to all different kinds of music and love PIANOS and lastly I love making new friends. I want to go to the holy land this summer because I think that it further my relationship with God and it is a great opportunity. I am exited to go because I will be meeting new people, learning a new culture, and I will be able to come back home and share what I have learned and share my experiences. I am looking forward to “partying” with the Palestinians, riding a camel, and meeting God in a whole new way!!

Meet the Pilgrims - Riley G.

I’m 17 years old, and will turn 18 during our trip. I am graduating from high school this year at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way and will attend Western Washington University this summer. I am a singer and enjoy performing in choral groups particularly show tunes and Jazz. I am excited to explore both my faith and a different country with non-western traditions. The Middle East is foreign in my knowledge of history so my hope is to understand this concept much more by diving in head first to Israeli culture and politics. While on this trip I am excited to visit all of the different sites in the area and see the western wall. I’m a bit nervous about staying with a family and not knowing the proper customs although in the end I know that will be my favorite part of this trip.

Meet the Pilgrims - Caitlin D.

One thing I love to do is collect bottles, glass bottles of places I have traveled to and such. Another think about me is I am 16 years old and by the time I go to The Holy Land this summer I will have my drivers license!! I love sailing and am considering Merchant Marines as a future career. So hopefully this summer I get to sail in one of the seas Israel is by! I wanted to travel to Israel because I haven’t seen much of the world besides the San Juan’s and Gulf Islands. This is on the other side of the world! So the different culture and food I am super excited to see as well as getting closer to God and pilgrimage. Finally I hope to shop, sight see, sail, experience the diverse culture and just be in the moment. Wish me luck!

Meet the Pilgrims - Emily T.

I am 19 years old, going to school at south Puget Sound Community College and I go to St. Benedict’s Church in Lacey. I like to discotech (fancy European word for dancing/hanging out) with my friends. I also love working with the youth at my church ( I am the 4^th and 5^th grade youth leader.) In my schooling, I am working towards becoming an elementary school teacher. I can knit and speak a lot of Spanish. I love Camp Michael J which is August 8^th –12^th this year. Also I love to laugh

What I am looking forward to in this trip is seeing all the historical sights and walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Being a new Christian and going on this trip will help get me closer to God and give me more of an understanding of the religion. I am very grateful for my parish for being so supportive of me and my future Baptism in the River of Jordan.

Meet the Pilgrims - Ethan A.

I am a very active person, both physically and within my church. I play lots of sports such as football(American) Soccer, baseball and basketball. I play sports all year round with only about 1-2 weeks off during the summer.

I am looking forward to visiting holy sites and seeing the holy land for myself. I think it will be a great experience to see the holy land for myself instead of just hearing about it.

A few things I am really looking forward to is seeing Jerusalem for myself and going to Tel Aviv. I've heard great things about both places and really want to see them. I also am really looking forward to seeing and meeting my host family.

First Pilgrimage Retreat

The 2010 Pilgrims and Chaperones gathered on Saturday, February 20th, for the first of two pre-trip gatherings. The group spent 6 hours getting to know one another, addressing some basic logistics of our journey, and looking forward to the trip

Among the many topics we discussed was the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians - a major topic to be addressed at the Youth Course.

The 2010 Pilgrims

The pilgrims for the 2010 Youth Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Jasper W. - St. Andrew's Church in Seattle

Caitlin D. - St. Matthew's Church in Tacoma

Nate R. - St. Hilda-St. Patrick Church in Edmonds

Kate W. - Holy Cross Church in Redmond

Sophie M. - Epiphany Church in Seattle

Ethan A. - Holy Spirit Church on Vashon Island

Riley G. - St. James' Church in Kent

Steven B. - St. James' Church in Kent

Denaya B. - St. Columba's Church in Kent

Emily T. - St. Benedict's Church in Lacey

Chaperones:

The Rev. J.R. Lander - St. Columba's Church in Kent

The Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick - St. Andrew's Church in Seattle

Ms. Irene Smith - St. John's Church in Olympia

Also joining us for the Youth Course at St. George's College - The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel, Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia.