Saturday, July 19, 2008

SATURDAY / SUNDAY - Bringing Closure

After getting back from the overnight vigil, we spent Saturday afternoon showering, doing laundry, resting up, and when fully rested: shopping!

We went to the Church of the Red Rocks by 4:30 pm to rehearse the song we will be teaching the congregation in the morning. The Organist, Suzanne Moore, invited us to take the choir's place for the whole service, as well as leading them in the singing of "Draw the Circle Wide." We were touched to read in their bulletin that they have chosen to use the United Church of Canada's Creed for this service.
We then had our "last supper" at the church - this time, the leaders did the cooking and the serving, as a way of honouring the group for all that they had done over the last 10 days.
The evening ended with a ceremony up in the church's sanctuary, where each person went to the front of the group and spoke about how the last two years in J2A had changed them, and how they saw themselves contributing to the life of the church in the future, as they progress onto the Young Adult in Community (YAC) level. Each person was blessed on their particular journey into adulthood by the others with a laying on of our hands. It was a very moving, and loving, end to the pilgrimage ... a pilgrimage which will continue in different forms in the months and years ahead.

The next morning, we put on our best and went off to church, only this time to do more than merely sit in the pews: we were going to be the new (but temporary) choir for the Church of the Red Rocks!.
Meeting with one of the ministers, Rev. David Ragan
Here we are:

1 comment:

First United Church said...

Dom and I wake up every morning excited to see the amazing photographs and read about the exciting adventures of J2A and their fearless leaders. The Red Rocks are quite a wonder and the heights which you are traversing are breath taking.

It's heartwarming to hear how you're coming together to help each other get through those challenging times. Quite a lesson in itself.

Kudos on the imaginative and nutritious breakfast!

J2A, let it be know that many of us parents are quite envious of this fabulous trip and are thrilled that you're sharing it with us through the blog.

Blessings and love to all of you. And a big virtual hug to Robyn from her "parents."

Love,

Dom and Bertie