So busy. So tired. So worth it.
My mind is turning to mush. I couldn't pull all the thoughts together last night at midnight, and don't know that I will. The pictures will tell much of the story once I get the chance to post them.
For now I'll just give a brief recap...
When we woke and saw the weather forecast (hurricane alex) it was a bit daunting to imagine going back out into the monsoon with wet shoes. So we made phone calls at 7am. (We're kind of a big deal). Our burgeoning Louisiana Episcopal network came through and we managed to find volunteer placements for our whole group at the summer arts enrichment camp at the Cathedral.
Before going, we had the advantage of listening to other groups tell us that the camp could be unstructured and difficult to manage. Having that information enabled us to prepare our youth to pay attention to attitude and initiative. A question I posed was "Is this day about you or is it about these children who need your love?"
Going in with the basic goal of loving the children as much as possible enabled the camp's struggling structure to surface and function properly. The neighborhood kids rotated through classes in violin, guitar, dance, choir, and karate while our youth accompanied them. I wish you could have seen them! In the process, we met an Anglican youth group from Toronto who challenged us to a game of Ultimate Frisbee on Friday. We accepted. And talked a little friendly trash (in the Spirit, of course). Even if we lose, we'll report a commanding victory upon our return.
After our service at the camp we spent the late afternoon at a classic New Orleans spot--the Rockin Bowl. Highest score of the day after 2 games gets to supervise cleanup--Bobby Hamill's 136 edges-out Liam Bowers' 128.
We spent the evening at St. Anna's Episcopal church in the HBO-famed Treme neighborhood. Words cannot describe the experience. Let me try to paint a picture for you: The facade of the church is a billboard with the names and ages of every person Murdered in New Orleans for the year. It's well over 100 this year. Inside the church: light blue wall paint with gold leaf fleur di lis painted everywhere. Statues of Mary. Incense Everywhere. Black gospel music with guitars and jazz piano. A priest with a pony tail (awesome) who looked at our kids (the visiting youth groups were the congregation, basically) and said this (paraphrased) :
"I saw you come in here looking bored like church is stupid. Jesus Christ didn't die for you to be bored. What do you think church is? No major social change in the history of our country has ever happened because of government. It's always been because of the church and faith leaders. If you think church is boring, it's your fault. Do something. Tithe your money. Vote in your church. This is the real gospel."
We had a smoky communion then more black gospel. Then red beans and rice with hog knuckles while we were entertained by "Doc Otis and the Junker Jazz All Stars." The concert and dinner is part of a neighborhood outreach ministry which started at St. Anna's in the year after Katrina. Residents realized they would never be able to recover emotionally without a critical piece of their souls back in place-- live music. Since all the favorite venues (for locals) were destroyed, St. Anna's became a stage for the resurrection of the soul of Treme by hosting jazz after church every week. Since then it's scaled back to a summer jazz series, the first concert of which was planned for our group.
In closing, the young people in our group and the other groups have left behind anything that divided them before the trip. They've become a unit among themselves and with the other youth groups, especially the group from Austin, TX. (lots of girls)
It's fantastic to see our youth being youth, free from the demands of school, programs, excellence, and achievement. They are just having fun learning to love each other and work together.
It's holy. Plain and simple.
Big love from the Big Easy,
Josh
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, New Canaan, CT
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Day 4: The Waters of Baptism (alex)
How does it feel to be standing in the Lower Ninth Ward during a hurricane? Just ask our youth group when they get back. It rained today.
Despite the monsoon-like torrent in the morning, our group worked. Drenched, they stood in vacated lots where homes and lives were destroyed and strong-armed the overgrowth, making the lots ready for regular mowing. Just getting a lawn ready for mowing--clear of debris and scrubby brush-- can incrementally advance the property's status in the redevelopment effort. Our kids knew that. Given every opportunity to seek shelter, rest, warmth, they insisted on continuing their work wet clothes and soggy shoes. I was more than impressed. I was proud.
As we braved the elements of Tropical Storm Alex, one young person looked at me and said "With this rain we're just experiencing a little taste of what these people experienced during that storm. It connects us to them." I couldn't help but think of the waters of baptism and how that's exactly what is accomplished--connecting. Through the waters of baptism we are connected to God's people throughout salvation history. Our holy water becomes the Red Sea and the Jordan River, and we become members of the family of God. Likewise, enduring the rainwaters of a gulf storm in the Lower Ninth Ward in some small way connects us to those people.
We continue to hear from neighbors on our site (Tricou Street) that, while our work is certainly much appreciated, we amount to more than the sum of our productive labors. Numerous passers-by have mentioned that the mere sight of white kids in the 9th (we stand out a bit) is a sign that the country still cares. Just knowing that the surge of post-Katrina relief hasn't ended is enough to elevate spirits. We are working to foster an incarnational awareness in the kids, that God uses them to become the embodied angels of hope for people whose lives have been radically disrupted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Examples don't get much clearer than this.
During Compline, we heard a first-person account of a local man's experience of the storm--James who works at Annunciation. We listened as he told us all about the civic disfunction following the storm and the unspeakable tragedies which were too graphic for news media. We heard how he survived, how he rescued people, where he went for refuge, how he was bussed to other cities and treated as a refugee, how for 3 years following the storm he cried 365 days a year. His home was gone, his family was missing, his world had ended. But the miraculous thing about his story is that he ends with this: "My life is better now than before the hurricane." Katrina enabled him to acknowledge his rootedness in the culture and place of New Orleans, and suffering alongside all people of all creeds, colors, and classes he learned that all people are the same at heart. Surviving the storm actually gave him new tools for looking at life as a gift and an opportunity to serve his community.
Following this talk our group separated from the VA, TX, and MO groups. We discussed privilege and made some comparisons of our situation in New Canaan and the situation of a typical teenage boy from the lower 9th ward. We discussed the privilege of parents with college education, good schools and extra curricular programs, safe neighborhoods, etc. We also briefly touched on the topic of realizing our whiteness. Getting beyond our life experience in this way forces us to locate ourselves somehow in a constructive discussion of race, class and politics. I truly believe the youth are broadening in awareness of their privilege--not in a way that makes them feel guilty--but in a way that invites them to make the most of the opportunities in life through empowered service.
Morale is high. Bonding is coming along perfectly. David Shea and Cynnie Thunem may be the best youth chaperones I've ever seen. All in all we've faced every hurdle with grace and a positive outlook, and I look forward to seeing what this group will do for the rest of the week.
Big Love from the Big Easy,
Josh
Despite the monsoon-like torrent in the morning, our group worked. Drenched, they stood in vacated lots where homes and lives were destroyed and strong-armed the overgrowth, making the lots ready for regular mowing. Just getting a lawn ready for mowing--clear of debris and scrubby brush-- can incrementally advance the property's status in the redevelopment effort. Our kids knew that. Given every opportunity to seek shelter, rest, warmth, they insisted on continuing their work wet clothes and soggy shoes. I was more than impressed. I was proud.
As we braved the elements of Tropical Storm Alex, one young person looked at me and said "With this rain we're just experiencing a little taste of what these people experienced during that storm. It connects us to them." I couldn't help but think of the waters of baptism and how that's exactly what is accomplished--connecting. Through the waters of baptism we are connected to God's people throughout salvation history. Our holy water becomes the Red Sea and the Jordan River, and we become members of the family of God. Likewise, enduring the rainwaters of a gulf storm in the Lower Ninth Ward in some small way connects us to those people.
We continue to hear from neighbors on our site (Tricou Street) that, while our work is certainly much appreciated, we amount to more than the sum of our productive labors. Numerous passers-by have mentioned that the mere sight of white kids in the 9th (we stand out a bit) is a sign that the country still cares. Just knowing that the surge of post-Katrina relief hasn't ended is enough to elevate spirits. We are working to foster an incarnational awareness in the kids, that God uses them to become the embodied angels of hope for people whose lives have been radically disrupted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Examples don't get much clearer than this.
During Compline, we heard a first-person account of a local man's experience of the storm--James who works at Annunciation. We listened as he told us all about the civic disfunction following the storm and the unspeakable tragedies which were too graphic for news media. We heard how he survived, how he rescued people, where he went for refuge, how he was bussed to other cities and treated as a refugee, how for 3 years following the storm he cried 365 days a year. His home was gone, his family was missing, his world had ended. But the miraculous thing about his story is that he ends with this: "My life is better now than before the hurricane." Katrina enabled him to acknowledge his rootedness in the culture and place of New Orleans, and suffering alongside all people of all creeds, colors, and classes he learned that all people are the same at heart. Surviving the storm actually gave him new tools for looking at life as a gift and an opportunity to serve his community.
Following this talk our group separated from the VA, TX, and MO groups. We discussed privilege and made some comparisons of our situation in New Canaan and the situation of a typical teenage boy from the lower 9th ward. We discussed the privilege of parents with college education, good schools and extra curricular programs, safe neighborhoods, etc. We also briefly touched on the topic of realizing our whiteness. Getting beyond our life experience in this way forces us to locate ourselves somehow in a constructive discussion of race, class and politics. I truly believe the youth are broadening in awareness of their privilege--not in a way that makes them feel guilty--but in a way that invites them to make the most of the opportunities in life through empowered service.
Morale is high. Bonding is coming along perfectly. David Shea and Cynnie Thunem may be the best youth chaperones I've ever seen. All in all we've faced every hurdle with grace and a positive outlook, and I look forward to seeing what this group will do for the rest of the week.
Big Love from the Big Easy,
Josh
Monday, June 28, 2010
Day 3: Getting to Work
Today was different. After a 6:30 rise (yawn) we ate breakfast, made lunches, filled water coolers, and split into 5 multi-church teams. One team went to Christ Church Cathedral for a day camp with children. I am told Liam got mugged for cheetos by a 7 year old. A good time was had by all. My knowledge of that group's experience is limited to that.
The rest of us piled in a 4-van-carpool and drove into the Lower Ninth Ward. In case you don't know this was the area which took-on the most water following Katrina. It's population went from 18,000 to 2,000. It looks like pasture now, with the exception of the few homes that have been rebuilt. When we got there, we met Linda Jackson, President of the Lower Ninth Ward Homeowners Association. Her group provides work for volunteers through "Beacon of Hope" an advocacy and volunteer agency which partners with the Episcopal Diocese here. Ms. Jackson distributed 50 rakes, loppers, weed-wackers, and scythes. We were told that relocated property owners who were saving money for a return home have been facing an unjust city tax of $100 per day (!) for "failure to maintain property." In short, that's anything from high grass to completely overgrown lots of scrub vines and brush with waist high vegetation. The mission: clear the lots with handtools, pull the waste onto the road and force the city to follow its own rule by taking trash on the street. A little creative retribution from some of the poorest folks in America. The city surveyor patrolled by and told us the half-acre lots were valued at less than $10,000. It was a really eye opening time for many of our kids. We shed blood, sweat, and tears and cleared 5 lots! I was really proud of the youth and the way they came together around a cause. I watched as neighbors watched our group work and thanked them. I even watched one neighbor come outside and start working on his own overgrown property. We truly embodied hope in action today, and doubtlessly inspired the residents to keep the faith in their home. Their resiliency inspired us.
After showering and eating dinner we had a FANTASTIC and ENGAGING, INFORMATIVE and ENTERTAINING talk about New Orleans' history, culture, socio-economics, and the failures of levees and governments. Pete Nunnally from the Diocese is truly living a calling, and it is inspiring to hear his knowledge about the city and Katrina be fastened together with wit and conviction in a discussion about why New Orleans and the trajectory here really matters for the rest of America. Even after a full 90 minute talk our youth were fully egaged and ready to watch "Trouble the Water" a feature length documentary and winner of the Sundance Film Festival, which contains the only known home video footage of the Storm from the Lower 9th Ward. It also tackles some of the problems of socioeconomic injustice and failed government.
We finished the day with Compline again. It's becoming exactly what ritual liturgy is at its best--a place where the words capture the sentiment of God's people. In this case, it's giving thanks for our time, thoughts on recognizing Jesus in our midst, and preparing for rest. I really feel our kids beginning to identify with their church in a more personal way.
There's so much more to say, but I'll leave you with (As Daily Show host, Jon Stewart would say) your moment(s) of zen:
1. Christian Walsh's 15th birthday. We sang to him in the morning, which inspired a group of girls from the St. Louis church to surprise him with a cake in the evening.
2. Richie Sautkulis working with aviator sunglasses and no shirt. He looks like one bad man.
3. A Kitten Funeral. We found a dead kitten at the work site, so we dug a hole and I officiated at my first kat funeral. We all offered words and I said a prayer thanking God for the awareness to pause from work for the work of recognizing a creature and the gift of life. Goodbye Kitty.
BIG LOVE FROM THE BIG EASY,
Josh
The rest of us piled in a 4-van-carpool and drove into the Lower Ninth Ward. In case you don't know this was the area which took-on the most water following Katrina. It's population went from 18,000 to 2,000. It looks like pasture now, with the exception of the few homes that have been rebuilt. When we got there, we met Linda Jackson, President of the Lower Ninth Ward Homeowners Association. Her group provides work for volunteers through "Beacon of Hope" an advocacy and volunteer agency which partners with the Episcopal Diocese here. Ms. Jackson distributed 50 rakes, loppers, weed-wackers, and scythes. We were told that relocated property owners who were saving money for a return home have been facing an unjust city tax of $100 per day (!) for "failure to maintain property." In short, that's anything from high grass to completely overgrown lots of scrub vines and brush with waist high vegetation. The mission: clear the lots with handtools, pull the waste onto the road and force the city to follow its own rule by taking trash on the street. A little creative retribution from some of the poorest folks in America. The city surveyor patrolled by and told us the half-acre lots were valued at less than $10,000. It was a really eye opening time for many of our kids. We shed blood, sweat, and tears and cleared 5 lots! I was really proud of the youth and the way they came together around a cause. I watched as neighbors watched our group work and thanked them. I even watched one neighbor come outside and start working on his own overgrown property. We truly embodied hope in action today, and doubtlessly inspired the residents to keep the faith in their home. Their resiliency inspired us.
After showering and eating dinner we had a FANTASTIC and ENGAGING, INFORMATIVE and ENTERTAINING talk about New Orleans' history, culture, socio-economics, and the failures of levees and governments. Pete Nunnally from the Diocese is truly living a calling, and it is inspiring to hear his knowledge about the city and Katrina be fastened together with wit and conviction in a discussion about why New Orleans and the trajectory here really matters for the rest of America. Even after a full 90 minute talk our youth were fully egaged and ready to watch "Trouble the Water" a feature length documentary and winner of the Sundance Film Festival, which contains the only known home video footage of the Storm from the Lower 9th Ward. It also tackles some of the problems of socioeconomic injustice and failed government.
We finished the day with Compline again. It's becoming exactly what ritual liturgy is at its best--a place where the words capture the sentiment of God's people. In this case, it's giving thanks for our time, thoughts on recognizing Jesus in our midst, and preparing for rest. I really feel our kids beginning to identify with their church in a more personal way.
There's so much more to say, but I'll leave you with (As Daily Show host, Jon Stewart would say) your moment(s) of zen:
1. Christian Walsh's 15th birthday. We sang to him in the morning, which inspired a group of girls from the St. Louis church to surprise him with a cake in the evening.
2. Richie Sautkulis working with aviator sunglasses and no shirt. He looks like one bad man.
3. A Kitten Funeral. We found a dead kitten at the work site, so we dug a hole and I officiated at my first kat funeral. We all offered words and I said a prayer thanking God for the awareness to pause from work for the work of recognizing a creature and the gift of life. Goodbye Kitty.
BIG LOVE FROM THE BIG EASY,
Josh
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Day 2: Shameless Fun
At the moment I'm basking in the air conditioning at Annunciation, thinking back on a full day of sun and fun. The youth are "quiet" in "lights out."
A quick recap of the day...
After church at Christ Church Cathedral this morning (Special Thanks to the Dean for a shout-out (http://www.cccnola.org/RADIOBROADCAST.htm), we went to the French Quarter for lunch at the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen. On the way we took the group for a quick drive-through tour of Bourbon Street. We figured Sunday at noon would be the most harmless time of the week for this. Glad that's done. Check.
At the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, I was astonished that, given the remarkable selection of fresh ingredients for toppings (ie, asparagus, shitake mushrooms, goat cheese, etc.), over 75% of our group ordered cheese pizza. It was still delicious. We then had some free time in the French Market and along the mighty Mississippi River.
We took an afternoon rest break at the mission before heading back out to see the New Orleans Zephyrs, a minor-league baseball team for the Florida Marlins MLB franchise. They battled to a defeat tonight against the Iowa Cubs, a Chicago affiliate. A highlight was that the jumbotron camera operator was fond of our group's exuberant dancing skills. We were on the 'tron all night. Another highlight was Sam Fuld, centerfielder for the Iowa Cubs, who forged a lifelong friendship with Mac Pivirotto and Griffin Miller by giving them a baseball. The boys came straight home and friended him on facebook.
We came home to a nice Compline service and bedtime. We're all ready for our first day of work tomorrow.
With love,
Josh
A quick recap of the day...
After church at Christ Church Cathedral this morning (Special Thanks to the Dean for a shout-out (http://www.cccnola.org/RADIOBROADCAST.htm), we went to the French Quarter for lunch at the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen. On the way we took the group for a quick drive-through tour of Bourbon Street. We figured Sunday at noon would be the most harmless time of the week for this. Glad that's done. Check.
At the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, I was astonished that, given the remarkable selection of fresh ingredients for toppings (ie, asparagus, shitake mushrooms, goat cheese, etc.), over 75% of our group ordered cheese pizza. It was still delicious. We then had some free time in the French Market and along the mighty Mississippi River.
We took an afternoon rest break at the mission before heading back out to see the New Orleans Zephyrs, a minor-league baseball team for the Florida Marlins MLB franchise. They battled to a defeat tonight against the Iowa Cubs, a Chicago affiliate. A highlight was that the jumbotron camera operator was fond of our group's exuberant dancing skills. We were on the 'tron all night. Another highlight was Sam Fuld, centerfielder for the Iowa Cubs, who forged a lifelong friendship with Mac Pivirotto and Griffin Miller by giving them a baseball. The boys came straight home and friended him on facebook.
We came home to a nice Compline service and bedtime. We're all ready for our first day of work tomorrow.
With love,
Josh
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Evening of Day 1
Whew. It's hot.
After arriving and getting settled at the mission, we went out for authentic Southern BBQ at Mrs. Hyster's. Ribs, Chicken, Cornbread, green beans, baked beans, mac-n-cheese, salad, and sweet tea. If you're ever in the Big Easy and you want BBQ, call Mrs. Hyster. 504-416-7364. She ain't got time for no website, honey. And she agreed to take a picture with us! (coming soon)
Tonight we're gonna spend some time getting to know the other groups with games. Then we'll read Compline and hit the hay.
Thanks to all for following with your prayers!!!
With love,
Josh
After arriving and getting settled at the mission, we went out for authentic Southern BBQ at Mrs. Hyster's. Ribs, Chicken, Cornbread, green beans, baked beans, mac-n-cheese, salad, and sweet tea. If you're ever in the Big Easy and you want BBQ, call Mrs. Hyster. 504-416-7364. She ain't got time for no website, honey. And she agreed to take a picture with us! (coming soon)
Tonight we're gonna spend some time getting to know the other groups with games. Then we'll read Compline and hit the hay.
Thanks to all for following with your prayers!!!
With love,
Josh
morning of day 1
Everyone was doused with holy water as Mother Anne sent us with a blessing. A safe yet bumpy ride to newark. We're having fun in terminal. Security was easy. Stay posted for pics and video of the blessing.
With love,
Josh
With love,
Josh
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