At 2:30 on a Monday afternoon ten youth and three adults from DIO SW VA (as we affectionately call our diocese) watched as a green and blue fifteen passanger van pulled into the Evan’s House parking lot. When the doors creeked open and five people climbed stifflegged from inside I met a Monocan Indian for the first time. Introductions were made and our delegation for five adults, and thirteen youth set off for the International Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) in San Antonio, Texas. I had no idea what I was in for when I volunteered to pack into the van with our new Native American friends. Sitting in the first row behind Sharon and Dean, two adults, I introduced myself and before I knew it I was in deep conversation…. well to be honest I didn’t do too much talking myself. Eager to see how different these Indians were from what I saw at the Explorer Park I was in for quite the shock. Sharon explained there are eight tribes of Native Americans in Virginia (which I can now name on command) and a cornacopia of other information that had me riveted. This is all to say that by the time I arrived at EYE, after a two hour drive to Greensboro, spending the night in a church there and two plane rides, the trip was already well worth while.
A huge sign proclaiming “Deep in the heart..” greated us in the San Antonio airport along with the Diocease of Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. Once on the campus of Trinity University, where EYE is being held, we met youth, adults, priests, and bishops from nearly every state. At first intimidated, the enormity of the event became apparent when I arrived at the opening program along with over 1,600 other youth and looked across Laurie Auditorium at some 32,000 hands waving as we sang together. At that moment I felt the presence of God ripple through my being, through out the room and in my life.
Love and peace from San Antonio, may the energy here ripple out to you, where ever you are!
Sarah Bentley
Graduated Senior, YMT member
Adam Siebken and his new Monacan friend, Bradley Branham enjoying the evening program at EYE
That picture of Adam and Bradley reminds me of a couple of friends (myself and my dear friend Sharon Bryant of the Monacan Indian Nation) who met at Hemlock Haven senior high church camp 33 years ago this summer!. Adam and Bradley–and all the Diocesan Youth—be prepared to spend the rest of your life cherishing and growing the friendships you have made in the youth program–they will bring you blessings over and over. It is so fun to keep up over the years through good times and bad. Sharon and I spent a couple of weekends together last summer laughing, being silly, and talking over the really serious parts of our lives–just like the old days. Somehow, we have never lost the spark that began with our first Diocesan event–and we have “Passed It On” to others we have come to know through each other (I have even come to know Bradley’s parents in recent years!). So keep it up guys…..your life will be so rich for sharing this time with all the wonderful folks you’ll get to know in and out of the Diocese. Hey–you should all have a reunion at the Monacan Pow Wow next spring—maybe we can get a picture of four decades of proof that the youth programs like all the special events y’all plan each year and the camps at Phoebe Needles are the best thing going!!
DIOSWVA ROCKS!!!
May the desire to share communion and fellowship run deep in your veins and radiate in your lives through all of your relationships. What a rich and meaningful experience you all are capturing. Thoughts and prayers for each and everyone of you!