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I've pointed you all to Cake Wrecks, right? My dear friend Jen (who I actually don't know...but I want to be her friend) takes her Sunday post as a break from her usual lambasting of ridiculously decorated cakes to celebrate masterpieces of the pastry world! These "Sunday Sweets" have inspired me to create my own culinary blog - "Food from the British Isles is Good."
(Given the inspiration of Cake - here's the reading music for today - "Alpha Beta Parking Lot," by Cake)
Anyway - what I really wanted to share with you was the first recipe I've gathered on my journey - Plum Pudding! Think fruitcake, because you have to let it mature, but DELICIOUS.
Our story today begins with the Rev. John Braithwaite, the minister at Dunmurry Presbyterian Church (my second placement). After my first Sunday Service at their church, I was invited to the manse (the minister's home) for a Sunday Supper - which is quite a bit like Thanksgiving dinner in the States - loads of delicious food, gravies, veg, and delightful desserts. Before supper, we sat, had a spot of tea, and had a good chat. The Reverend's son was serendipitously back from the Congo for his brother's wedding - so it was quite a special occasion. This is where we get back to our story - Mary, Rev. Braithwaite's wife, pulled out a Plum Pudding for dessert - this is the sort of thing that you can't just whip up before dinner - it has to be saved, and let mature, like a good wine (or any wine, for that manner).
Nine months ago, Mary cooked up several of these puddings, and only pulls them out for the most important of occasions - like the brief return of a son from West Africa!
So here we go:
Compile the following ingredients.
Dry:
1/2 lb. plain flour
1/2 lb. breadcrumbs
1 lb. shredded suet (preferably vegetarian suet - not sure where you can get this in the States, though)
1 lb. dark brown sugar
zest of 2 lemons
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 grated carrot
1/2 grated apple
3/4 lb. raisins
1/2 lb. currants
1/2 lb. ground almonds
1 tsp. mixed spice - ground allspice, cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves (extra!)
Mix all of these dry ingredients and then add 6 eggs. Divide this mixture between 3 bowls (plastic, preferably) and then cover tightly. Place in boiling water and keep at boiling for 4 hours. Store for an indefinite period - up to a year or two or more, probably - and when you want to use them, boil for two hours.
They're delightful with a cover of warm custard and ice cream, and Brandy Butter (mix a little unsalted butter, icing sugar, and a splash of brandy).
Traditional British Isles dessert. Enjoy (three months later).
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Today, I took the train.
Shocking, isn't it? It wasn't that I necessarily needed to, I could have just as well hopped on a bus and made it back to my flat from Belfast, but, for adventure's sake, I took the train.
Today's reading music comes to you from possibly one of the best bands of all time ever, ever, ever (okay, maybe not, but they are my current obsession), The Weepies. Tune in and read on.
I do recommend watching that video and paying attention at some point, because while it might not be the best animated music video in the world, it's ADORABLE.
Anyway...today, I took the train. Before that, I bought a coat & scarf, and a Dr Pepper. Furthermore, I appear to have subconsciously starting capitalising things again. None of these things seems special, really, but for some reason, each experience seems to have left a very powerful impression on me.
First of all...coat shopping. If I haven't mentioned it before, it's cold here. And even as we're entering an indian summer here in Northern Ireland, that doesn't mean much for this humidity born-and-bred Virginia boy. Did I mention yet that it's cold here? So, after a meeting with all of the other YAVs, Nathaniel and I headed over to the downtown shopping district in Belfast, to a place called Primark. It's apparently been a favorite of the YAVs in the past, thanks to its cheap prices and HUGE selection...which would normally turn me off from shopping there (fair trade for the win), but, remarkably, Primark Stores Ltd. is committed to providing ethically traded products. Now, ethically and fairly traded still doesn't promise splendor and equality for all of those involved, but it at least makes you feel a little better than buying from, say, about half of Wal-Mart's clothing line. Check your tags...see where your clothes are made. Think about it for a while.
Enough about fair trade vs. free trade. Back to my coat. While Nathaniel was searching for long-sleeve tees and new jeans, I was wandering around the outerwear section of the store, trying to act like I wasn't intimidated by the flood of people with thick Irish accents surrounding me, and trying my best not to laugh at the lumberjack vest (think this pattern, but puffy...and a vest). Then I found a coat. It's very metropolitan (read: metrosexual), a black & white houndstooth pattern, sort of trench-coat-y. It looks awesome. So I'm happy.
Being happy with my coat, as material as this sounds, makes me feel a little more at home. I can head outside, put on my new coat and a nice red scarf, and feel warm...which makes it that much easier to smile at the folks walking by. It's great.
The Dr Pepper is a different story entirely. I never expected to admit this to the public, but I think it says something important about me: I have an embarrassing attachment to Taco Bell as comfort food. Not late-night hunger pang food (read: not texting my friends "OMG IT'S 2AM I NEED A TACO"), but comfort food. If I'm sad, I'll go get a taco. If I'm going on a long trip, the veggie option mexi-melt will do me right. I realise that this is odd, but it's who I am...I tried to change, especially when I was very officially a vegetarian for lent, but even then I couldn't resist...they offer every menu option with no meat!
Taco Bell (really, Mexican food outside of making it yourself) does not exist in Northern Ireland. I don't need to say it, but I will anyway...this is sad. So what's a boy to do?
Find some other comfort.
There are Subways EVERYWHERE. A KFC is opening in the town near my flat. I passed several McDonald's on my way into town today, and had a coffee at Starbuck's last week. None of these things appeal to me. Probably because I avoid them like the plague in the States.
Today, after I bought my train ticket home (£2.50, or about $4.15 US), I started perusing the little convenience store inside the station, intending to grab a copy of the Belfast Telegraph to read at home. Instead, I left £1 ($1.65 US) poorer and 1 Dr Pepper richer. You have to understand...there was a period in High School when I bought a Dr P every day. This lasted for approximately 2 years, then I just stopped drinking soda altogether, after realising what terrible things I was doing to my body. But now, drinking this delightful soda from the late 1800s reminds me of high school. I'd say that's pretty comforting.
(Incidentally, one of the places where I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life, the Roanoke Valley area of Virginia, has been called the Dr Pepper capital of the world. Go me for choosing good places to want to live.)
The capitalisation is a different story entirely. I used to, aside from formal communications and papers for school, not capitalise anything other than names of God or pronouns relating to God. For a while, it was a good reminder to me that yes, God is more important than anything else I could ever write about, and it almost became a trademark (people would know if I had sent a mass e-mail to my campus ministry because NOTHING would be capitalised. Except for God, Jesus, etc...). Then I realised that this really bothers some folks, and really, what ministry of love is it if you're ticking people off in every e-mail you send? I'd say it's not one at all.
(Forgive this aside, it's just an odd thing I noticed today.)
Finally, I took the train home. The ride from Great Victoria Street Station to Derriaghy Station isn't long at all, but it was just enough time to write a few postcards and really soak in the fact that yes, I'm living in a real suburb of a real urban area. A city with public transportation. A city with the original DeLorean factory. A city that cares about recycling. A city plagued by economic and social displacement. A city almost persistently covered in rain. A city with a rich cultural heritage that often goes unnoticed amidst the scars of its history.
Whenever I run into a member of Kilmakee Presbyterian, or really any Norn Ironer, I hear the same question (and I expect to hear it for quite a while): "Are you settlin' in okay?" The following story illustrates this:
On Sunday afternoon, Aileen, the organist at KPC, drove me around Belfast to enjoy the European Heritage Open Days. We toured Stormont Estate, where the Parliament meets and the First and Deputy First Minister hold their offices, a beautiful tribute to the Scottish Baronial style (Katy, Doug, and Mr. Irby, that architecture reference was for you three), and went searching for the old pump house at the Gas Works, which is now essentially a state office park. For the last bit of our tour, we wandered into St. Malachy's Church, which was, for that day, completely open to the public.
Arriving at about 4:30pm, we realised they would be setting up for their evening Mass, so we took a seat and just watched. We watched various parishioners filtering in, and other laypersons moving microphones and music stands around the altar area, all preparing for worship. It was a mighty thing, even without knowing the history of the church. The original plan was to house 7,000 worshippers in the space, turning it into THE cathedral for the Diocese of Down and Connor, but the parish decided during the Great Famine, when it was being constructed, that the money would be best spent elsewhere, alleviating the hunger of the people. And yet, the church still stands as a model of simple beauty within the city. Sir Charles Brett wrote of the interior of the church: "It is as though a wedding cake has been turned inside out, so creamy, lacy and frothy is the plasterwork." It's entirely true...after suffering the effects of two bombings by the Luftwaffe, the ceiling of the church remains incredibly beautiful.
Aileen remarked on her 'ecumenicalism' as we chatted about our visit to the church. I was reminded very much of our traditions in the PC(USA)...we find much of our liturgical inspiration in the Ordinary of the Mass, and personally, I try to incorporate much of the spirituality of the early church into my daily life...my feeble attempts at New Monasticism, Lectio Divina, and the like. Talking with our site coordinator, Doug Baker, about this today, we realised that these things just don't happen here. It's a theology of "other-ness." Which is scary.
Thus, I am challenged to live out this "New Monasticism" a la Matthew 18, even more, in the hopes that this Christ-like life will inspire change...not necessarily for Northern Ireland, or Kilmakee Church, or anyone here. At the very least, God can build a kingdom in me.
In all sorts of spiritual ways, I actually quite UNsettled. But I have a coat, I can go buy a Dr Pepper for £1, and I can take the train for £2.50.
Today, I took the train. It gave me time to think. Therefore, I am (settlin' in okay).
Today's reading music comes to you from possibly one of the best bands of all time ever, ever, ever (okay, maybe not, but they are my current obsession), The Weepies. Tune in and read on.
I do recommend watching that video and paying attention at some point, because while it might not be the best animated music video in the world, it's ADORABLE.
Anyway...today, I took the train. Before that, I bought a coat & scarf, and a Dr Pepper. Furthermore, I appear to have subconsciously starting capitalising things again. None of these things seems special, really, but for some reason, each experience seems to have left a very powerful impression on me.
First of all...coat shopping. If I haven't mentioned it before, it's cold here. And even as we're entering an indian summer here in Northern Ireland, that doesn't mean much for this humidity born-and-bred Virginia boy. Did I mention yet that it's cold here? So, after a meeting with all of the other YAVs, Nathaniel and I headed over to the downtown shopping district in Belfast, to a place called Primark. It's apparently been a favorite of the YAVs in the past, thanks to its cheap prices and HUGE selection...which would normally turn me off from shopping there (fair trade for the win), but, remarkably, Primark Stores Ltd. is committed to providing ethically traded products. Now, ethically and fairly traded still doesn't promise splendor and equality for all of those involved, but it at least makes you feel a little better than buying from, say, about half of Wal-Mart's clothing line. Check your tags...see where your clothes are made. Think about it for a while.
Enough about fair trade vs. free trade. Back to my coat. While Nathaniel was searching for long-sleeve tees and new jeans, I was wandering around the outerwear section of the store, trying to act like I wasn't intimidated by the flood of people with thick Irish accents surrounding me, and trying my best not to laugh at the lumberjack vest (think this pattern, but puffy...and a vest). Then I found a coat. It's very metropolitan (read: metrosexual), a black & white houndstooth pattern, sort of trench-coat-y. It looks awesome. So I'm happy.
Being happy with my coat, as material as this sounds, makes me feel a little more at home. I can head outside, put on my new coat and a nice red scarf, and feel warm...which makes it that much easier to smile at the folks walking by. It's great.
The Dr Pepper is a different story entirely. I never expected to admit this to the public, but I think it says something important about me: I have an embarrassing attachment to Taco Bell as comfort food. Not late-night hunger pang food (read: not texting my friends "OMG IT'S 2AM I NEED A TACO"), but comfort food. If I'm sad, I'll go get a taco. If I'm going on a long trip, the veggie option mexi-melt will do me right. I realise that this is odd, but it's who I am...I tried to change, especially when I was very officially a vegetarian for lent, but even then I couldn't resist...they offer every menu option with no meat!
Taco Bell (really, Mexican food outside of making it yourself) does not exist in Northern Ireland. I don't need to say it, but I will anyway...this is sad. So what's a boy to do?
Find some other comfort.
There are Subways EVERYWHERE. A KFC is opening in the town near my flat. I passed several McDonald's on my way into town today, and had a coffee at Starbuck's last week. None of these things appeal to me. Probably because I avoid them like the plague in the States.
Today, after I bought my train ticket home (£2.50, or about $4.15 US), I started perusing the little convenience store inside the station, intending to grab a copy of the Belfast Telegraph to read at home. Instead, I left £1 ($1.65 US) poorer and 1 Dr Pepper richer. You have to understand...there was a period in High School when I bought a Dr P every day. This lasted for approximately 2 years, then I just stopped drinking soda altogether, after realising what terrible things I was doing to my body. But now, drinking this delightful soda from the late 1800s reminds me of high school. I'd say that's pretty comforting.
(Incidentally, one of the places where I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life, the Roanoke Valley area of Virginia, has been called the Dr Pepper capital of the world. Go me for choosing good places to want to live.)
The capitalisation is a different story entirely. I used to, aside from formal communications and papers for school, not capitalise anything other than names of God or pronouns relating to God. For a while, it was a good reminder to me that yes, God is more important than anything else I could ever write about, and it almost became a trademark (people would know if I had sent a mass e-mail to my campus ministry because NOTHING would be capitalised. Except for God, Jesus, etc...). Then I realised that this really bothers some folks, and really, what ministry of love is it if you're ticking people off in every e-mail you send? I'd say it's not one at all.
(Forgive this aside, it's just an odd thing I noticed today.)
Finally, I took the train home. The ride from Great Victoria Street Station to Derriaghy Station isn't long at all, but it was just enough time to write a few postcards and really soak in the fact that yes, I'm living in a real suburb of a real urban area. A city with public transportation. A city with the original DeLorean factory. A city that cares about recycling. A city plagued by economic and social displacement. A city almost persistently covered in rain. A city with a rich cultural heritage that often goes unnoticed amidst the scars of its history.
Whenever I run into a member of Kilmakee Presbyterian, or really any Norn Ironer, I hear the same question (and I expect to hear it for quite a while): "Are you settlin' in okay?" The following story illustrates this:
On Sunday afternoon, Aileen, the organist at KPC, drove me around Belfast to enjoy the European Heritage Open Days. We toured Stormont Estate, where the Parliament meets and the First and Deputy First Minister hold their offices, a beautiful tribute to the Scottish Baronial style (Katy, Doug, and Mr. Irby, that architecture reference was for you three), and went searching for the old pump house at the Gas Works, which is now essentially a state office park. For the last bit of our tour, we wandered into St. Malachy's Church, which was, for that day, completely open to the public.
Arriving at about 4:30pm, we realised they would be setting up for their evening Mass, so we took a seat and just watched. We watched various parishioners filtering in, and other laypersons moving microphones and music stands around the altar area, all preparing for worship. It was a mighty thing, even without knowing the history of the church. The original plan was to house 7,000 worshippers in the space, turning it into THE cathedral for the Diocese of Down and Connor, but the parish decided during the Great Famine, when it was being constructed, that the money would be best spent elsewhere, alleviating the hunger of the people. And yet, the church still stands as a model of simple beauty within the city. Sir Charles Brett wrote of the interior of the church: "It is as though a wedding cake has been turned inside out, so creamy, lacy and frothy is the plasterwork." It's entirely true...after suffering the effects of two bombings by the Luftwaffe, the ceiling of the church remains incredibly beautiful.
Aileen remarked on her 'ecumenicalism' as we chatted about our visit to the church. I was reminded very much of our traditions in the PC(USA)...we find much of our liturgical inspiration in the Ordinary of the Mass, and personally, I try to incorporate much of the spirituality of the early church into my daily life...my feeble attempts at New Monasticism, Lectio Divina, and the like. Talking with our site coordinator, Doug Baker, about this today, we realised that these things just don't happen here. It's a theology of "other-ness." Which is scary.
Thus, I am challenged to live out this "New Monasticism" a la Matthew 18, even more, in the hopes that this Christ-like life will inspire change...not necessarily for Northern Ireland, or Kilmakee Church, or anyone here. At the very least, God can build a kingdom in me.
In all sorts of spiritual ways, I actually quite UNsettled. But I have a coat, I can go buy a Dr Pepper for £1, and I can take the train for £2.50.
Today, I took the train. It gave me time to think. Therefore, I am (settlin' in okay).
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
it's been one week
...since you looked at me?
No, no...since I left the USA and arrived in Northern Ireland! But your reading music for today follows suit.
Oh, the music of my childhood.
In other news, I'M IN BELFAST. This is completely unreal. Since we landed at 9AM local time (British Summer Time, or BST, for those of you keeping track) last Tuesday, it's been a mad rush around the city, meeting church leaders, sorting out all the practical information, and taking in loads of political, social, and religious history...and there's more to come, according to Doug, our site coordinator. I'll try and give you a day-by-day summary here:
Tuesday, 1 September, 2009
~8AM BST: Landed at Belfast International Airport, about an hour before we were supposed to. Amazing.
~10AM: Arrived at the Riverdale House in Dunmurry (or Derriaghy, I'm not sure exactly what district we're in), my new home. It's a 14-story housing block near the Seymour Hill housing estate, and less than 200 yards from the church where I'll spend much of my time, Kilmakee Presbyterian Church.
After this, time started to all blur together. I'll probably be able to keep days separate, though (hooray for writing things down).
Doug came by the flat and picked Rob (the flatmate) and I up for lunch at his home, a delicious meal prepared by his wife Elaine (more on her later). We saw Stormont, the Legislative Assembly building of Northern Ireland, and tried to remain conscious for as long as possible in order to stave off jet lag. This caused time to blur together EVEN MORE.
Wednesday, 2 September, 2009
Rob and I were awakened by a phone call from Doug and the other volunteers, letting us know they were all downstairs waiting for us to let them in to the building. Alarm FAIL. We started off with a prayer and short group devotion, then headed off to Lambeg to visit Harmony Hill Presbyterian and the BASE, Rob's placements, then came back to Dunmurry to visit Kilmakee Church, then back up to the flat for lunch. Then we visited the VINE Centre, where Stephen will be working, and Fortwilliam Macrory Presbyterian, Lynnea's placement. After that, I think I started recovering from the jet lag a little more...I remember much more about our other days (and I was awake enough to write things down from here on out).
Thursday, 3 September, 2009
Doug started the day by taking us to the Irish School of Ecumenics, home of some really cool graduate programs in reconciliation, and where he spends some of his time when he's not working with YAVs. I also got to start the day with what I hope will become a daily practice while I'm here, and for the rest of my life: reading from the PC(USA) daily lectionary. Thursday's passage of note was James 4:11-12 (taken here from the NRSV).
11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?
I think, incredibly powerful, considering the history of the political/social situation here in Northern Ireland.
We also spoke about some of the current problems facing Belfast, and the communities we live in, especially the massive displacement of folks from the city centre into 'suburban' housing estates, and the deprivation that causes within the city.
We also visited several churches and other ministries, including the 174 Trust and Glengormley Presbyterian, where Nathaniel will be working; Dundonald Methodist, Madeline's placement; and Regent Street Presbyterian and the LiNK, Amy's placement.
Friday, 4 September, 2009
We visited Sally's church, Strand Presbyterian, and the East Belfast Mission, my original placement, where Sally will be working part-time. Interestingly enough, both of her placements will be demolishing their buildings come the new year. Strange. Then we drove up to Garnerville Presbyterian, where Patricia will be serving.
The real highlight of the day was all the time we spent at Whitehouse Presbyterian Church, where Stephen will be spending most of his time. Situated in an interface district (directly between loyalist and nationalist communities), this congregation has lost its building to numerous fires, even a flood in the past years, at least once to sectarian arson. After all this, they were generous enough of what they had to serve us lunch (and a delicious one at that).
Friday night was what really blew my socks off, though. They brought us in for an Irish interpretation of an American (and Presbyterian) tradition...the BARN DANCE.
Bizarre.
The real joy here was being able to let down our hair a little bit, interact on a personal level with the folks at Whitehouse, and I was finally convinced to participate. Remarkably, I'd never done one of these things before...and I actually had a bit of fun. What a treat! Also, we played a ridiculous game, I'll try to find one of the other YAVs' videos of it for you. Essentially, it ended in our site coordinator and his wife both seriously tackling other people to win. Amazing.
And bizarre.
Saturday, 5 September, 2009
This was a long, long, long day. Very long. Doug picked us up in the morning and drove us out to Carnmoney Presbyterian, the site of a youth leader's training event, Training Trevor. I have many words for this event, if you want to know, shoot me an email or facebook message. Most importantly, I attended a session by Johnny Bell, a Belfast youth minister, on the importance of getting youth involved in decision-making in the church, to foster later leadership, develop important skills, and feel ownership in their congregations. Heavy, important stuff. I have good words for this...you can also email me for those.
By far the best part of the day was spending some spontaneous time after the conference in Downtown Belfast with the other YAVs...what a group we are, and what a city Belfast is!
Sunday, 6 September, 2009
Today, I spent the majority of the day with folk from Kilmakee Presbyterian, as well as a jaunt into the town of Dunmurry to buy groceries. They're all wonderful people, and very excited about me being here, but I was a little overwhelmed by the day as a whole...it's still all very new.
I did really enjoy being the subject of several interrogations, including the location of Virginia, my thoughts on the color blue, and where I most want to visit in Ireland while I'm here (it's Carrickfergus Castle and Slane Castle, by the way).
Monday, 7 September, 2009
Much more quality time with the YAVs, as well as some interesting lessons on PCI history and the political history of Northern Ireland. We also got to spend some time shopping around the city centre, where Madeline and Amy bought fabulous hats.
Tuesday, 8 September, 2009
Finally, today was a day full of stories...of each other, of Doug, and of the YAV program in Northern Ireland. There's a rich history here just in that small group. We led each other in a lectionary this morning I'd like to share with you all, one meant to help quiet the soul in a time of trouble. This is just the first wee bit of it.
You keep us waiting
You, the God of all time
want us to wait
for the right time in which to discover
who we are, where we must go,
who will be with us, and what we must do.
So, thank you - for the waiting time.
We've been waiting for a while for this - some of us in the group a lot longer than others - and it's starting. Tomorrow, we head out into our placements, seizing the day. Then we keep waiting. But God is with us, as are your prayers and support. And we have each other, too.
Thank you.
No, no...since I left the USA and arrived in Northern Ireland! But your reading music for today follows suit.
Oh, the music of my childhood.
In other news, I'M IN BELFAST. This is completely unreal. Since we landed at 9AM local time (British Summer Time, or BST, for those of you keeping track) last Tuesday, it's been a mad rush around the city, meeting church leaders, sorting out all the practical information, and taking in loads of political, social, and religious history...and there's more to come, according to Doug, our site coordinator. I'll try and give you a day-by-day summary here:
Tuesday, 1 September, 2009
~8AM BST: Landed at Belfast International Airport, about an hour before we were supposed to. Amazing.
~10AM: Arrived at the Riverdale House in Dunmurry (or Derriaghy, I'm not sure exactly what district we're in), my new home. It's a 14-story housing block near the Seymour Hill housing estate, and less than 200 yards from the church where I'll spend much of my time, Kilmakee Presbyterian Church.
After this, time started to all blur together. I'll probably be able to keep days separate, though (hooray for writing things down).
Doug came by the flat and picked Rob (the flatmate) and I up for lunch at his home, a delicious meal prepared by his wife Elaine (more on her later). We saw Stormont, the Legislative Assembly building of Northern Ireland, and tried to remain conscious for as long as possible in order to stave off jet lag. This caused time to blur together EVEN MORE.
Wednesday, 2 September, 2009
Rob and I were awakened by a phone call from Doug and the other volunteers, letting us know they were all downstairs waiting for us to let them in to the building. Alarm FAIL. We started off with a prayer and short group devotion, then headed off to Lambeg to visit Harmony Hill Presbyterian and the BASE, Rob's placements, then came back to Dunmurry to visit Kilmakee Church, then back up to the flat for lunch. Then we visited the VINE Centre, where Stephen will be working, and Fortwilliam Macrory Presbyterian, Lynnea's placement. After that, I think I started recovering from the jet lag a little more...I remember much more about our other days (and I was awake enough to write things down from here on out).
Thursday, 3 September, 2009
Doug started the day by taking us to the Irish School of Ecumenics, home of some really cool graduate programs in reconciliation, and where he spends some of his time when he's not working with YAVs. I also got to start the day with what I hope will become a daily practice while I'm here, and for the rest of my life: reading from the PC(USA) daily lectionary. Thursday's passage of note was James 4:11-12 (taken here from the NRSV).
11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?
I think, incredibly powerful, considering the history of the political/social situation here in Northern Ireland.
We also spoke about some of the current problems facing Belfast, and the communities we live in, especially the massive displacement of folks from the city centre into 'suburban' housing estates, and the deprivation that causes within the city.
We also visited several churches and other ministries, including the 174 Trust and Glengormley Presbyterian, where Nathaniel will be working; Dundonald Methodist, Madeline's placement; and Regent Street Presbyterian and the LiNK, Amy's placement.
Friday, 4 September, 2009
We visited Sally's church, Strand Presbyterian, and the East Belfast Mission, my original placement, where Sally will be working part-time. Interestingly enough, both of her placements will be demolishing their buildings come the new year. Strange. Then we drove up to Garnerville Presbyterian, where Patricia will be serving.
The real highlight of the day was all the time we spent at Whitehouse Presbyterian Church, where Stephen will be spending most of his time. Situated in an interface district (directly between loyalist and nationalist communities), this congregation has lost its building to numerous fires, even a flood in the past years, at least once to sectarian arson. After all this, they were generous enough of what they had to serve us lunch (and a delicious one at that).
Friday night was what really blew my socks off, though. They brought us in for an Irish interpretation of an American (and Presbyterian) tradition...the BARN DANCE.
Bizarre.
The real joy here was being able to let down our hair a little bit, interact on a personal level with the folks at Whitehouse, and I was finally convinced to participate. Remarkably, I'd never done one of these things before...and I actually had a bit of fun. What a treat! Also, we played a ridiculous game, I'll try to find one of the other YAVs' videos of it for you. Essentially, it ended in our site coordinator and his wife both seriously tackling other people to win. Amazing.
And bizarre.
Saturday, 5 September, 2009
This was a long, long, long day. Very long. Doug picked us up in the morning and drove us out to Carnmoney Presbyterian, the site of a youth leader's training event, Training Trevor. I have many words for this event, if you want to know, shoot me an email or facebook message. Most importantly, I attended a session by Johnny Bell, a Belfast youth minister, on the importance of getting youth involved in decision-making in the church, to foster later leadership, develop important skills, and feel ownership in their congregations. Heavy, important stuff. I have good words for this...you can also email me for those.
By far the best part of the day was spending some spontaneous time after the conference in Downtown Belfast with the other YAVs...what a group we are, and what a city Belfast is!
Sunday, 6 September, 2009
Today, I spent the majority of the day with folk from Kilmakee Presbyterian, as well as a jaunt into the town of Dunmurry to buy groceries. They're all wonderful people, and very excited about me being here, but I was a little overwhelmed by the day as a whole...it's still all very new.
I did really enjoy being the subject of several interrogations, including the location of Virginia, my thoughts on the color blue, and where I most want to visit in Ireland while I'm here (it's Carrickfergus Castle and Slane Castle, by the way).
Monday, 7 September, 2009
Much more quality time with the YAVs, as well as some interesting lessons on PCI history and the political history of Northern Ireland. We also got to spend some time shopping around the city centre, where Madeline and Amy bought fabulous hats.
Tuesday, 8 September, 2009
Finally, today was a day full of stories...of each other, of Doug, and of the YAV program in Northern Ireland. There's a rich history here just in that small group. We led each other in a lectionary this morning I'd like to share with you all, one meant to help quiet the soul in a time of trouble. This is just the first wee bit of it.
You keep us waiting
You, the God of all time
want us to wait
for the right time in which to discover
who we are, where we must go,
who will be with us, and what we must do.
So, thank you - for the waiting time.
We've been waiting for a while for this - some of us in the group a lot longer than others - and it's starting. Tomorrow, we head out into our placements, seizing the day. Then we keep waiting. But God is with us, as are your prayers and support. And we have each other, too.
Thank you.
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