Praying on Pilgrimage It has been a busy year and a busy semester, leaving me with little time to post. I am nearly finished with my second year of seminary, right in the middle of writing final papers. I am also finishing a year interning with Ecclesia Ministries, working on the streets of Boston. I have loved my work here. Even when I have missed the trees and mountains of my home state, I have made amazing friends, done the work that I love, and learned so much. I am deeply grateful for what the last two years have taught me. When, three years ago, I embarked on this "adventure with God," pursuing my call to ministry, I had no idea what would be in store. Yet, each step of the way, I have felt the divine hand leading me and have been held up by a myriad of friends and mentors. For all of you, I am so grateful.
Now I am taking a next step in this "adventure with God." I am leaving Boston to return to the Northwest, where I will also finish my last year of seminary through EDS's distance options. I have been invited to help a team of people from the diocese start an outdoor ministry in Seattle. I am so grateful to be able to continue to do the work that I love. I feel a deep, strong call to work, live, and minister on the margins. There are so many people in this country who are unhoused or marginally housed, who are struggling to survive, who are fearing deportation as immigrants. I once thought that it was my call to bring the church to them. But I quickly discovered that the church was already there. It was up to me to join them.
In the middle of my excitement and confidence in God's leading, I am also scared. I am once again walking out into the unknown. There is never any certainty in that. While I am learning to trust, I am still a baby in faith. And so I recall the ancient prayer attributed to St. Brendan, the ancient Irish missionary... "I will trust you on the sea."
I am also sad to say goodbye. I have developed deep and beautiful relationships with people in the streets in Boston. I have found so much faith, so much courage, so much wisdom, and so much love there. Each of them will be sorely missed and I will carry them on in my heart as I leave. They have taught me more than I could have ever given them. They have taught me how to be a good pastor. They have also taught me that God is found so clearly and so profoundly on the margins.
Now they give me their blessing and support to take what I have learned to the streets of Seattle. I have been blessed beyond measure and I look forward to what the future holds for me.
