A Reflection on Orientation

Now that I have some chronological distance (a week and a half) from our orientation in Chicago, I'm thinking about just how awesome the experience was. All 50 YAGM lived in a dorm together and enjoyed meals, free time and many, many sessions together. We were assigned small groups led by a YAGM alum which were an amazing space to reflect, laugh and support 5 other YAGM that I might not have otherwise gotten to know as well.

My small group leader was a thoughtful, sincere and hilarious young woman who served in the UK two years ago. Our group happened to be composed of 6 women, each of us assigned to a different country. Our leader was awesome. She (seemingly) effortlessly combined serious reflection with great stories and time to discuss boys back home. Just what we needed! :-) At one point she said that during her YAGM year she came to think back on orientation as a time when Heidi and the alums gave her resources to support her throughout the year. As I reflect back on orientation, this rings true for me. Every part of the week was kind of support to build us up for the next year. Support in the form of relationships with Heidi, other current YAGM's and YAGM alum. Support in the form of tons of information and packets so that when we forget important stuff during the year we can refresh ourselves. Support in the form of worship and theology. Support in the form of inspirational quotations and poems. Like my favorite professor, the YAGM staff believe that poetry can be a force of strength and hope. I'd like to share one poem with you now! Heidi shared this poem which is based on the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt.
 
Passover Remembered by Alla Bozarth-Campbell

Pack nothing.
Bring only your determination to serve
and your willingness to be free.

Don't wait for the bread to rise.
Take nourishment for the journey, but eat standing.
Be ready to move at a moment's notice.
 
Do not hesitate to leave your old ways behind-
fear, silence, submission.
Only surrender to the need of the time-
love justice and walk humbly with your God.

Do not take time to explain to the neighbours.
Tell only a few trusted friends and family members.
Then begin quickly, before you have had time
to sink back into old slavery.

Set out in the dark.
I will send fire to warm and encourage you.
I will be with you in the fire, and I will be with you in the cloud.

You will learn to eat new foods
and find refuge in new places.
I will give you dreams in the desert
to guide you safely to that place you have not yer seen.
The stories you tell one another around the fires in the dark
will make you strong and wise.

Outsiders will attack you, and some follow you
and at times you will get weary and turn on each other
from fear, fatigue and blind forgetfulness.

You have been preparing for this
for hundreds of years.

I am sending you in the wilderness to make a new way
and to learn my ways more deeply.

Some of you will be so changed by weathers and wanderings
that even your closest friends will have to learn your features
as though for the first time.

Some of you will not change at all.

Some will be abandoned by your dearest loves
and misunderstood by those who have known you since birth
who feel abandoned by you.

Some will find new friendships in unlikely faces,
and old true friends as faithful and true
as the pillar of God's flame.

Sing songs as you go
and hold close together.
you may at times grow confused
and lose your way.

Continue to call each other by the names I've given you
to help remember who you are.
Touch each other,

and keep telling the stories.

Make maps as you go,
remembering the way back from before you were born.
So you will be only the first of many waves
of deliverance on the desert seas.
It is the first of many beginnings-
Your Paschaltide.

Remain true to the mystery.
Pass on the whole story.
Do not go back.
I am with you now and I am waiting for you.