From Naomi Woodrum:
On August 27, a group of 14 youth and three adult chaperones from across the Diocese stood on the dock at the Port of Everett, waiting to board the historic schooner Adventuress. We were about to embark on a four day/three night sailing trip through the Shalis Sea on a 112-year-old boat. There was a mixture of excitement, fear, and awe as we climbed aboard this extraordinary masterpiece that we would call home for the next few days.
For some of us, this was our second time aboard Adventuress and we were eager to share the experience with a new group of youth and crew members. I remember thinking to myself, “I hope no one gets seasick. I hope everyone gets along and feels included. I hope this is a time of growth and learning.” Little did I know, this trip would be less about what we gained from the experience, but more about what the crew witnessed through us.
We began each morning with breakfast and hearing about the day’s plan and schedule. Then, the captain and crew would turn off the ship’s engine and create space and time for us to do Morning Prayer. We always made sure the crew knew they were invited to join our circle as we sang songs and gave thanks for the day. At the end of each day, we would close with Evening Prayer in the main cabin and join hands in a “squeeze prayer” (where we would each take turns saying a prayer, silently or aloud, and squeeze the hand of the person next to us to pass it along).
At our closing ceremony on Saturday afternoon, we all stood in a circle with the captain and crew members, and took turns sharing what we were taking away from this incredible trip. Half of the crew members said they loved hearing us sing during our Morning and Evening Prayers–it made them smile to hear music fill the air. One crew member said he grew up across the street from an Episcopal church but had never set foot inside. And this trip allowed him to pull back the curtains and see a glimpse of who we are. Another crew member shared that she carried a lot of church trauma from her past, but we reminded her of how important her Christian faith had been growing up. Another member said they were amazed by how quickly our group bonded and were touched by the caring and supportive community we were able to build in such a short time. Many of them admitted to being nervous and apprehensive when they first heard we were a church group coming onboard, but that we had squashed all of their original doubts and assumptions.
And yes, we did learn how to hoist the sails, swab the decks, clean the heads, stand on anchor watch during the night, steer the helm, cook meals in the galley, share small living quarters, and stand on lookout at the bow of the ship. Yes, we did spend time in workshops learning about marine biology, pollution in the ocean and shores, and maritime history. But, perhaps the greatest takeaway from this trip, for me, was the unsuspecting ways we were able to be a light to the crew members during these days we were part of their home and community. These incredible youth were spreading the Gospel through their words, actions, care for one another, and lifting their voices to the heavens. Surely this was God’s work at its very best, and I got to have a front row seat.
