Meet the Pilgrims - Robyn

I am going on this trip because I am looking to have a more personal experience with cultures other than our own, to experience some of the cultural boundaries that we've been studying, and to get deeper into my faith and religion. I am excited to travel to the Holy Sites and experience the religious background of my faith. I am also really looking forward to spending time with people from that area—travelling with the kids, and staying in local houses—to get a better perspective of the culture that is there and the conflict that they are all going through. - Robyn

Meet the Pilgrims - Evan

I am going on this trip because it is a great opportunity to go to a new country and learn about cultures and potentially learn more about religion. I am hoping to have a great time with old friends and to make some new ones too. - Evan

Meet the Pilgrims - Daniel

I am traveling to Israel because not only is it going to be tons of fun, it will also be very interesting, educational, and life changing. We will be exploring the Holy Land, and associating with Palestinian youth. This trip is an International Humanitarian strive for justice and peace between Christians, Palestinians, Jews, ands Arabs. I would be honored to strengthen this relationship by going on this trip. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about our Savior. Learning more about Jesus is also a great way for me to grow as a Christian.

I am most excited about two things. I think most interesting to me is to see how Western culture and technologies have influenced other parts of the world. The other interest is just seeing the Holy Land and visiting places where the bible stories took place.

Meet the Pilgrims - Shelby

I'm Shelby, and I go to St. John the Baptist in West Seattle.  I'm going to Israel this summer to learn more about the faith that I have had since I was a child.  I am really looking forward to visiting sites such as Masada, the Dead Sea, the Dome of the Rock, and visiting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.  During my freshman year, my history teacher was a fanatic about Masada, so I had heard a lot about it and started wanting to see the actual location, and now I have my chance!  I'm so looking forward to this trip.

Meet the Pilgrims - Flora

I am going on this trip because I think that it will strengthen my belief in God as well as give me an amazing opportunity to see and learn abut a new part of our world and the culture that exists there.  I am most excited about climbing Masada and visiting the Dead Sea, but also for walking the Stations of the Cross and getting to be where Jesus once lived.  I can't wait and I think it will be so much fun! - Flora

Youth Pilgrimage Retreat - Whidbey Island

This past weekend, the pilgrims were treated to a warm welcome by the wonderful people of St. Augustine's In-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland on Whidbey Island.  This was the first time that all 8 youth and 3 chaperones were gathered together in the same place.  It was a wonderful time of getting to know each other, enjoy each other, and begin to trust each other.

As part of our getting to know each other - pilgrims Flora Muglia and Shelby  Bautista led us in some ice breaker games.  Thanks Ladies!   Members of the group also reported on some research they had done, investigating aspects of life in Israel and Palestine such as art, music, sports,  and food.  We also each talked about the things we fear the most about this journey, and what we are most looking forward to during this trip.

In the evening - we were welcomed by the Idso family to a wonderful cook-out at the home near Freeland.  We wandered along the beach, and enjoyed the amazing scenery of Whidbey.  The youth stayed in homes of members of St. Augustine's that evening.

In the morning - we all gathered at the church for Holy Eucharist.  We were also present for the Adult Forum.   St. Augustine's welcomed two Israeli graduate students who were there to tell there stories.  (Unfortunately, the pilgrims missed out on the similar talk by two Palestinian students two weeks prior.)

Christ Church, Blaine, WA - Supporting Our Pilgrimage through Music

One of our pilgrims for the journey this summer, Alexandra Hendricks-Hockey, is a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Blaine, Washington. Alexandra (or Alex) is a gifted musician, as is her vicar The Rev. Jay Rozendaal. As a means of raising financial resources and awareness of the journey this summer- Christ Church is putting on a concert tomorrow, May 10th. Here are some notes about the music from Jay:

(Jay) will be playing a set of Bach Chorale Preludes, transcribed for piano by 19th century pianist Ferruccio Busoni, and a set of pieces by Chopin and Liszt (including his "Legend: St. Francis of Paola walking on the waves"). A student of (his) from Western, and a Blaine H.S. alum, Celeste Fraser will be singing arias from La boheme, and a group of Lieder by Richard Strauss. (Celeste will be going to Manhattan School of Music in the fall for her master's.) And, on the lighter side, (they) will have a set by members of a local Celtic band, Seamus, led by (a) parishioner Clea Taylor - and joined by Alexandra for a couple of songs. Alexandra and (Jay) will do "Morning has broken" and "Taste and See."

What a wonderful example of a community supporting its young person both in prayers and resources!