So, today was one of extreme highs and then extreme lows. In the morning, we met with the Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori. She pretty much has rockstar status for me, a young woman feeling called to ordination in the Episcopal Church. I so appreciated given the time we were given, and I really liked her honesty in answering the questions we posed to her. We didn’t shy away (though we were respectful) from the hard questions, and we really pushed her. The question I asked was, “What are the strengths of young adults, and how can we leverage them to the advantage of this womens movement?” She replied that one of the gifts of young adults was our questioning of the system, and our persistence in getting a satisfactory answer. After we met with Bishop Katharine, we also had the honor of meeting with the Canon to the Ordinary (which is like the vice president to the president). He spoke with candor about everything under the sun. I especially appreciated that he shared with us his frustrations as he went through the discernment process, because he was always told that he was too young. I have felt called to ordination since I was seven years old, and already my age has been a barrier in the beginnings of the discernment process. I am told I am too young much of the time, and it was great to get his advice on how to deal with that. However, my afternoon took a slight turn for the worse. I had to go to the Swiss Consulate, to process a visa. After I finally found it, in a completely unmarked building, I was told they were on lunch break. When I came back at 2, I was told they only process Visa’s in the morning. So, I wasted an afternoon and I will have to go back tomorrow. Through my personal frustrations, though, I have so loved being with this group of young adults. I cannot express how important they are, and have been, through the time we have shared together. I am filled with Gods love in my heart.
Filed under: UNCSW