From Adam Conley, Seattle Service Corps Director:
When COVID-19 hit, the possibility that Seattle Service Corps (SSC) would not be able to host the 2020-2021 program year dimmed to a faint flicker. Certainly, every parish and ministry in the Diocese of Olympia continues to navigate the challenges of a profoundly altered reality. However, the prospect of gathering seven young adults under the same roof while four of the members provide direct services to the public in the middle of a pandemic was not without risk.
After extensive conversations with the vestry and clergy of Saint Mark’s Cathedral, the SSC Advisory Board, and director, the nearly extinguished flicker steadily grew into a brightening flame. The commitment of SSC to foster young adult formation through faith, community, and service is as important in a pandemic as it ever is. The non-profits and faith organizations SSC partners with continue to serve a real human need that only intensifies when access to services is restricted.
Covenants are bedrock to SSC. Corps members commit to build intentional community relationships, cultivate a rule of life, engage in rhythms of prayer and spiritual inquiry, practice active listening and discernment, foster habits of self-care and resilience, and follow the Way of Jesus through acts of compassion and service. Covenanting to care for neighbor and self while being mindful of COVID-19 is a daily challenge, but it is also a natural extension of what defines the SSC ministry model.
When the program start date of August 25 rolled around, seven young adults from all over the United States (and one from Europe) arrived on the cathedral campus, and before they could down set their bags in their Leffler House residence, they hopped on a large coach that accommodated physical distancing and rode out to St. Andrew’s House for “Quarantation” (quarantine + orientation). Fourteen symptom-free days and two negative COVID-19 tests later, and with mask-wearing and physical-distancing habituated to second nature, the 2020-2021 cohort of SSC returned to Leffler to begin the “regular” rhythms of their service program.
This year, corps members are framing their SSC journey as one where they “Blossom Abundantly.” Drawing inspiration from Isaiah 35:1-2a, in which the prophet proclaims that “the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,” corps members are highly intentional about their growth and formation, even against the challenging desert backdrop of the pandemic.
Here’s how three corps members see their journey of “Blossoming Abundantly” unfolding in their own words:
“Working remotely and living in community during Covid has been a gift from God – something that I never anticipated saying during a pandemic. I have been given the opportunity to work for an organization that promotes justice in the immigration system, a cause that is close to my heart. This year of service is truly allowing me to listen closer to where God is calling me in life.”
-Taylor Bischot from Amsterdam, Netherlands and Washington D.C., volunteering with the Removal Defense Unit at Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle
“I came into this year at a crossroads, not really knowing what path I should walk down. Through my service work, spiritual practices, and living in intentional community, SSC has not only helped me discern what path I want to take, but has also taught me that it’s ok not to know exactly what the future holds.”
-Grace Attiyeh from Chicago, Illinois, volunteering as an Early Learning Access Coordinator at Mercy Housing Northwest in Seattle
“Being able to serve those experiencing homelessness, a population that I haven’t worked closely with before, has been an eye-opening experience. Even in the few months that I’ve been at my site, I have bonded with guests and heard a great many of their stories. I continue to learn so much every day, whether it be on a personal level or about different resources available. I know this year will be influential in discerning the work I do later in life with my psychology degree—perhaps in the same area I’m in now with SSC!”
-Kylee Hodil from Phoenix, Arizona, volunteering as a Assistant Program Coordinator at Immanuel Community Services in Seattle
Together with Taylor, Grace, and Kylee, these four members make up the full SSC cohort:
- Amanda Fergeson from Dallas, Texas, volunteering at Edible Hope at St. Luke’s, Ballard, and with Faith Formation at the Diocese of Olympia
- April Little from Ashburn, Virginia, volunteering with the Church Council of Greater Seattle
- Caroline Bauerschmidt from Nashville, Tennessee, volunteering as a Vendor Support Services Coordinator at Real Change Northwest in Seattle
- Stephanie Michael from Cropwell, Alabama, volunteering with Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and Communications at the Diocese of Olympia
Now in its fifth program year, Seattle Service Corps is one of only three Episcopal Service Corps program on the West Coast. It is also unique in the Diocese of Olympia as a self-contained ministry focused on young adult formation.
- Click on this link to view a PDF of the “Blossom Abundantly” event invitation:
https://saintmarks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Invitation-Blossom-Abundantly-Campaign-Dec-2020.pdf - Click on this link to register for the event. You will receive a Zoom link prior to the event: www.bit.ly/dec13blossom
- Click on this link to view suggested donation tiers and thank-you gifts: https://saintmarks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Tiered-Giving-Blossom-Abundantly-Campaign-SSC.pdf
- Click here to pledge support to SSC today: https://saintmarks.org/2020/11/blossom-abundantly-ssc-storytelling-fundraiser/
- Click here for more information about Seattle Service Corps and the “Blossom Abundantly” campaign: www.saintmarks.org/ssc
Thank you for supporting Seattle Service Corps!
