J2A means Journey To Adulthood, and between July 30th and August 11th, 2008, a group of eleven awesome youth from First United Church took the meaning of these words more literally than usual.
Accompanied by three adults, the J2A group headed down to Sedona and other parts of Arizona for an 11-day pilgrimage. It was the culmination of two years of planning and preparation by the youth, with the strong support of their parents, families, and the First United community.
A pilgrimage is a journey - both physical and spiritual. It is a time when we take ourselves away from our usual comforts and routines, where we find new space within ourselves which allows us to hear God's voice. It's a time for discernment, where we can seek answers to our own personal questions — about our faith, our life, and our future. It's a time for finding that still point within ourselves where God's call to us can be heard, and for deciding how we will respond to it within our own lives.
In the case of the J2A pilgrimage, it was all of those things, plus a whole lot more: it included fun, adventure, an opportunity to experience different cultures (native-American, and Spanish-American), and a chance to encounter nature in some of its most awesome forms.
And to be alone with God.
This blog will allow you to follow along on our journey. We hope you enjoy it!
Use the links to the left to track the different stages of our story.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Who We Are
Here's who we are, and a bit about why each of us is going on the pilgrimage.
JOSH STENGEL-GOUPIL
"On this pilgrimage, I want to experience peacefulness and find out what my purpose in life is. I also want to see how I would handle things when I am out of my comfort zone and see how far I can push myself."
RACHAEL HUNTLY-BALL
"I want to go on this pilgrimage mainly to get out of my comfort zone. To leave the things that made me a child so that I discover myself as an adult. I also want to get really involved in nature and have a lot of fun with my friends."
ASHA WEBBER-JUGGOO
"I would like to be able to have an amazing, well-rounded spiritual experience, one that will change me and help me understand myself and my goals better."
HALEY CORNELIUS
"I want to go on this pilgrimage to experience an adventure and to get away from my everyday life. I want to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to do things I’ve never done before. I also hope to get a better understanding of myself and who I want to become."
BEN LINDSEY-CLARK
"I want to find love in the universe. I think if I do that, I'll become a happier person and become closer to God. The desert will provide me with a plentiful supply of unexpected beauty. Ultimately, the desert of Arizona, from the majestic steps to the deep canyons will provide that universal and thus Godly love."
KOLEY FREEMAN
"Arizona is to be a great experience for us all. For me, this pilgrimage is an opportunity to test my limits and get to know myself better when placed within a new environment."
EMILI THORNE
"As many probably know, my goal is to just camp alone for one night and experience nature in Sedona. I hope to maybe connect with God in doing this, and feel some sort of inner peace I wouldn't be able to accomplish just anywhere. I also want tot know my J2A friends on another level, and just accomplish that feeling of trust you can only get with certain people."
ROBYN MO-LIAN
"Hi! My name is Robyn Mo-Lian. I’m going on this pilgrimage to hopefully learn something new about myself. I’m also going on this pilgrimage to get away from normal life and experience something new. Hopefully to experience an adventure. During this time I also hope to connect more with myself and with others in J2A."
SEBASTIEN ENGELMANN
"On this pilgrimage, I want to have fun and experience things that I couldn't experience back here in Ottawa. I hope to do interesting things that I couldn't normally do and explore places that will stay with me for all my life. To make a long story short, I want to experience something I haven't experienced before."
EMMA O'CONNELL
"I want to go on the pilgrimage so that that I can become more connected to god and life itself. I want to have a better understanding of myself as well as the people around me. I want to be put outside of my comfort zone and really see how the world seems to flow with life."
KEIR BISSET
"I want to experience life to the fullest. I want to get to know others and myself in a special way. I would like to reach and surpass my comfort zone."
THE LEADERS:
JOYCE HARDMAN "This pilgrimage is already happening! It has stretched us and blessed us in the choosing, planning, and fundraising. We have come to know each other and care for each other like a special family. I have enjoyed being a part of these two years of growing into readiness to take on this exciting and sometimes challenging experience together. We have already been supported so generously by the parents and this First United family. Holding us is a field of love that is way bigger than just us fourteen travelers.
I am thrilled to be going to Sedona and the Grand Canyon—two places known to be so awesome that “you have to be there” to get the full impact. I wish for myself and all the gang, moments where God’s presence is palpable: in love among us and offered to us, in little serendipitous moments, in inner whispers of guidance, and in the opulent beauty of nature. I look forward to enjoying these kids just being themselves, responding to each experience."
WENDY SNELGROVE: "I am thrilled to be, in essence, a Godparent to eleven wonderful young people as they journey in this transitional part of their lives; to be a guide and a support as they separate from parents, but still need strength and wisdom from adults. I hope that our pilgrimage will bring them with wisdom about who God is calling them to be. I hope that they will experience abiding love and joy that will sustain them their whole lives."
MURRAY ANGUS: "In many respects, the J2A youth have been on a pilgrimage for the last two years: during that time, they have grown immeasurably in their strengths, their world views, and in their ability to ask questions and to seek their own answers. This pilgrimage to Arizona will be an opportunity for them to continue that questing, and to discover their own capacity for listening to God's voice calling them. As for myself, I'm never far away from questions about my faith and about my directions in life, so I'm looking forward to that time in the desert - alone with the elements, but always, and most assuredly, in the company of God.
OUR GUIDE
JAMES GREGORY is an Ottawa native who fell in love with the red rocks of Sedona the first time he visited in 1995. He moved to Sedona year later and lived there for eight years. He loves to hike in Sedona’s red rock canyons where he claims “there is an adventure waiting around every corner.” He has led hundreds of hikes in the area and has become somewhat of an authority, especially in off-trail hiking. He has invented a simple, easy-to-use system of descending on ropes which received a US patent in 2005. When he is not hiking in Sedona, he is carving pieces of the red rock into fantastic shapes.
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JOSH STENGEL-GOUPIL
"On this pilgrimage, I want to experience peacefulness and find out what my purpose in life is. I also want to see how I would handle things when I am out of my comfort zone and see how far I can push myself."
RACHAEL HUNTLY-BALL
"I want to go on this pilgrimage mainly to get out of my comfort zone. To leave the things that made me a child so that I discover myself as an adult. I also want to get really involved in nature and have a lot of fun with my friends."
ASHA WEBBER-JUGGOO
"I would like to be able to have an amazing, well-rounded spiritual experience, one that will change me and help me understand myself and my goals better."
HALEY CORNELIUS
"I want to go on this pilgrimage to experience an adventure and to get away from my everyday life. I want to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to do things I’ve never done before. I also hope to get a better understanding of myself and who I want to become."
BEN LINDSEY-CLARK
"I want to find love in the universe. I think if I do that, I'll become a happier person and become closer to God. The desert will provide me with a plentiful supply of unexpected beauty. Ultimately, the desert of Arizona, from the majestic steps to the deep canyons will provide that universal and thus Godly love."
KOLEY FREEMAN
"Arizona is to be a great experience for us all. For me, this pilgrimage is an opportunity to test my limits and get to know myself better when placed within a new environment."
EMILI THORNE
"As many probably know, my goal is to just camp alone for one night and experience nature in Sedona. I hope to maybe connect with God in doing this, and feel some sort of inner peace I wouldn't be able to accomplish just anywhere. I also want tot know my J2A friends on another level, and just accomplish that feeling of trust you can only get with certain people."
ROBYN MO-LIAN
"Hi! My name is Robyn Mo-Lian. I’m going on this pilgrimage to hopefully learn something new about myself. I’m also going on this pilgrimage to get away from normal life and experience something new. Hopefully to experience an adventure. During this time I also hope to connect more with myself and with others in J2A."
SEBASTIEN ENGELMANN
"On this pilgrimage, I want to have fun and experience things that I couldn't experience back here in Ottawa. I hope to do interesting things that I couldn't normally do and explore places that will stay with me for all my life. To make a long story short, I want to experience something I haven't experienced before."
EMMA O'CONNELL
"I want to go on the pilgrimage so that that I can become more connected to god and life itself. I want to have a better understanding of myself as well as the people around me. I want to be put outside of my comfort zone and really see how the world seems to flow with life."
KEIR BISSET
"I want to experience life to the fullest. I want to get to know others and myself in a special way. I would like to reach and surpass my comfort zone."
THE LEADERS: JOYCE HARDMAN "This pilgrimage is already happening! It has stretched us and blessed us in the choosing, planning, and fundraising. We have come to know each other and care for each other like a special family. I have enjoyed being a part of these two years of growing into readiness to take on this exciting and sometimes challenging experience together. We have already been supported so generously by the parents and this First United family. Holding us is a field of love that is way bigger than just us fourteen travelers.
I am thrilled to be going to Sedona and the Grand Canyon—two places known to be so awesome that “you have to be there” to get the full impact. I wish for myself and all the gang, moments where God’s presence is palpable: in love among us and offered to us, in little serendipitous moments, in inner whispers of guidance, and in the opulent beauty of nature. I look forward to enjoying these kids just being themselves, responding to each experience."
WENDY SNELGROVE: "I am thrilled to be, in essence, a Godparent to eleven wonderful young people as they journey in this transitional part of their lives; to be a guide and a support as they separate from parents, but still need strength and wisdom from adults. I hope that our pilgrimage will bring them with wisdom about who God is calling them to be. I hope that they will experience abiding love and joy that will sustain them their whole lives."
MURRAY ANGUS: "In many respects, the J2A youth have been on a pilgrimage for the last two years: during that time, they have grown immeasurably in their strengths, their world views, and in their ability to ask questions and to seek their own answers. This pilgrimage to Arizona will be an opportunity for them to continue that questing, and to discover their own capacity for listening to God's voice calling them. As for myself, I'm never far away from questions about my faith and about my directions in life, so I'm looking forward to that time in the desert - alone with the elements, but always, and most assuredly, in the company of God.
OUR GUIDE
JAMES GREGORY is an Ottawa native who fell in love with the red rocks of Sedona the first time he visited in 1995. He moved to Sedona year later and lived there for eight years. He loves to hike in Sedona’s red rock canyons where he claims “there is an adventure waiting around every corner.” He has led hundreds of hikes in the area and has become somewhat of an authority, especially in off-trail hiking. He has invented a simple, easy-to-use system of descending on ropes which received a US patent in 2005. When he is not hiking in Sedona, he is carving pieces of the red rock into fantastic shapes.l
THURSDAY - Getting to Sedona
OUR SYRACUSE HOSTS:
Andy and Jane Hardman (Joyce's brother and sister-in-law) opened up the large country home - and their gazebo - to 18 of us. We arrived in the dark (just before midnight), and left in the dark (4:30 am). They provided us with breakfast for the road, and Andy guided us to the Syracuse airport, where we made our flight right on time.
Everything seems a blur at 4:30 in the morning, but the excitement was palpable!
Our first "teaching time" happened during the stopover in Detroit, where Wendy went over a range of logistical things such as Leaders' jobs, accommodation etc.
It didn't take us long to have an "awe" experience as we drove from Phoenix to Sedona. The red rocks are amazing!
YOUTH LEADERS' COMMENTS
RACHAEL'S CAPTAIN'S LOG! Well, we managed to all get up and dressed and fed by 4:30 AM. And remembering that we’re teenagers, it was quite an accomplishment. Anyways, today we pretty much traveled by car, plane and van. So without too much mix-up we got to Sedona in one piece. We decided to jump right into the game and go to a power spot to watch the sunset. I can honestly say that I’ve never experienced something quite so powerful. But it was a different kind of power, it was quiet and calming. I am so excited for all the other experiences we’re going have.
SEBASTIEN Wow what a great day, from waking up at 4:30 in the morning to taking a wonderfully calm and peacefull hike before dinner. I found the hospitality this morning was great and our hosts were really nice. Then Rachael really helped getting us through the airport and onto the plane. Wow - it sure is hot and beautiful here in Arizona and the closer you get to Sedona the prettier it is. (well, that’s what everyone else said because I was the sleeping navigator.)
The motel is great and we had lots of fun - our hike this evening was short but definitely worthwhile and dinner well I don’t know because we're about to eat but it sure does smell god (don’t correct god)
Mhm Mhm Mhm ☺!!!
Andy and Jane Hardman (Joyce's brother and sister-in-law) opened up the large country home - and their gazebo - to 18 of us. We arrived in the dark (just before midnight), and left in the dark (4:30 am). They provided us with breakfast for the road, and Andy guided us to the Syracuse airport, where we made our flight right on time.
Everything seems a blur at 4:30 in the morning, but the excitement was palpable!
Our first "teaching time" happened during the stopover in Detroit, where Wendy went over a range of logistical things such as Leaders' jobs, accommodation etc.
It didn't take us long to have an "awe" experience as we drove from Phoenix to Sedona. The red rocks are amazing!
YOUTH LEADERS' COMMENTS
RACHAEL'S CAPTAIN'S LOG! Well, we managed to all get up and dressed and fed by 4:30 AM. And remembering that we’re teenagers, it was quite an accomplishment. Anyways, today we pretty much traveled by car, plane and van. So without too much mix-up we got to Sedona in one piece. We decided to jump right into the game and go to a power spot to watch the sunset. I can honestly say that I’ve never experienced something quite so powerful. But it was a different kind of power, it was quiet and calming. I am so excited for all the other experiences we’re going have.
SEBASTIEN Wow what a great day, from waking up at 4:30 in the morning to taking a wonderfully calm and peacefull hike before dinner. I found the hospitality this morning was great and our hosts were really nice. Then Rachael really helped getting us through the airport and onto the plane. Wow - it sure is hot and beautiful here in Arizona and the closer you get to Sedona the prettier it is. (well, that’s what everyone else said because I was the sleeping navigator.)
The motel is great and we had lots of fun - our hike this evening was short but definitely worthwhile and dinner well I don’t know because we're about to eat but it sure does smell god (don’t correct god)
Mhm Mhm Mhm ☺!!!
FRIDAY - Our First Hike
Our first full day in Sedona began with a wake-up call at 6:30 am. By 7:30 we were out the door and on our way to our first hike. It was easy to see the advantage of going early, as the temperature was a lot cooler in the morning before the sun was high in the sky. We drove off the highway onto a very rugged back road, and then got out and began walking. James, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the land, it's history and its plant life, and we stopped frequently to learn about various things we were passing by. (Remember that you can enlarge any of these photos by double-clicking on them)
The hike was to three different levels of the mesa. At the first, we spent some very special time sitting in some ruins under a huge overhand. It was the dwelling left behind, it is said, by the Senagua people who had lived here about 1500 years ago. It was an amazing place to be. Wendy led a teaching time in which we sat in silence for a while, and then put words to the most important questions they have for themselves. We wrote these down on bits of paper, shared them aloud, and then rolled them up and stuck them in the walls of the stone dwelling, like Jewish people do at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. 
We then continued on to the next level of the hike, up to a higher ledge. For this, we used ropes and grappling hooks to scale a rock face. James is an expert in guiding people through this process, and he brought a fellow guide named Greg to assist him. It was quite the challenge for some of us to scale the rock face, and called forth courage that we hadn't known we had. Once we were all up on the ledge, the view became even more awesome. 
After a bit of a rest, we then climbed to the third and final level - this time to another ruins that was also located beneath a giant overhang. This was our destination, where we rested, and ate our snacks. By this time the temperature was reaching about 100 F, so it was good to be in the shade of the overhang and to catch the breeze.
While we were there, the Youth spotted some caves higher up and climbed up to explore them. It turned into quite a discovery! They found petrified corn cobs left behind by people centuries ago. They also followed the cave till it to them to another entrance down below in the side of the same cliff. Their finding represented a new discovery in the area, so everyone was suitably impressed with their accomplishment!
The hike down was a long one (if you look closely, you can see our two vans far below on the bottom left). We stopped at a lookout where we could take in the complete panorama of the valley and its surrounding mesas. Truly breath-taking!!!
When we finally got down to the vans, we were SO hot - the temperature was 40+, and the sun was baking us. We had to wait for everyone to get down from the mesas, so while we were waiting, several of us found the only bit of water in this whole, dry valley: it was a pool of water that had collected in a crevice during the last rainfall (whenever that was!) It was fairly brown water, and kind of slimy on the bottom, but such was our desperation to escape the scorching heat that some of us succumbed to temptation and waded in. Aaaahhh - it may not have been pristine, but it sure was cool!! The water was dyed with the colour of the rocks, so we didn't have to buy a t-shirt with that quality in town anymore.
Crazy, but true!
We ended the day with a meal we cooked for ourselves at the Church of the Red Rocks, a beautiful facility that the minister literally turned over to us to use in the evenings (more pix to come tomorrow). After our meal, we had a ceremony and a teaching while sitting outside the church on the hillside, overlooking Sedona and the various red rocks which surround it. Here we shared the Questions that we had generated earlier in the day, and then burned them in a ceremony using the candles of blessing which had been lit by the parents when we left Ottawa. This ceremony was a symbolic way of putting our personal questions into the hands of God, and by doing so, expressing our belief that a) ) it's possible to enter into a personal relationship with God, and b) that we have faith that God will always be there for us in that relationship. We then went on to discuss the importance of being active seekers in this relationship, and then shared some of the conditions we each felt we needed to be active seekers.
HALEY & EMMA’S GROUP LEADERS' REPORT
Today it was very hot. Believe it or not but it was 45°C! We went on a 5-hour hike on a trail called “Hole in the Rock.” It was given that name because of holes in a steep rock, made by Senagua people long ago. They are used for climbing. We all managed to safely climb the rock and some overcame great fears in doing this. We saw 2 ruins made by the Sanagua people about 1500 years ago. We found some broken pieces of pottery, which were used as tools. We also explored and discovered a small cave in a rock, where we found mummified corn. After the hike, some of us decided to go from a nice swim in a small hole full of very dirty water. It was that hot! After, we had never appreciated a shower so much before. We also had our first visit to the nice church that is letting us cook our food in it. The view from the sanctuary is beautiful.
The hike was to three different levels of the mesa. At the first, we spent some very special time sitting in some ruins under a huge overhand. It was the dwelling left behind, it is said, by the Senagua people who had lived here about 1500 years ago. It was an amazing place to be. Wendy led a teaching time in which we sat in silence for a while, and then put words to the most important questions they have for themselves. We wrote these down on bits of paper, shared them aloud, and then rolled them up and stuck them in the walls of the stone dwelling, like Jewish people do at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. 
We then continued on to the next level of the hike, up to a higher ledge. For this, we used ropes and grappling hooks to scale a rock face. James is an expert in guiding people through this process, and he brought a fellow guide named Greg to assist him. It was quite the challenge for some of us to scale the rock face, and called forth courage that we hadn't known we had. Once we were all up on the ledge, the view became even more awesome. 
After a bit of a rest, we then climbed to the third and final level - this time to another ruins that was also located beneath a giant overhang. This was our destination, where we rested, and ate our snacks. By this time the temperature was reaching about 100 F, so it was good to be in the shade of the overhang and to catch the breeze.
While we were there, the Youth spotted some caves higher up and climbed up to explore them. It turned into quite a discovery! They found petrified corn cobs left behind by people centuries ago. They also followed the cave till it to them to another entrance down below in the side of the same cliff. Their finding represented a new discovery in the area, so everyone was suitably impressed with their accomplishment!
The hike down was a long one (if you look closely, you can see our two vans far below on the bottom left). We stopped at a lookout where we could take in the complete panorama of the valley and its surrounding mesas. Truly breath-taking!!!
When we finally got down to the vans, we were SO hot - the temperature was 40+, and the sun was baking us. We had to wait for everyone to get down from the mesas, so while we were waiting, several of us found the only bit of water in this whole, dry valley: it was a pool of water that had collected in a crevice during the last rainfall (whenever that was!) It was fairly brown water, and kind of slimy on the bottom, but such was our desperation to escape the scorching heat that some of us succumbed to temptation and waded in. Aaaahhh - it may not have been pristine, but it sure was cool!! The water was dyed with the colour of the rocks, so we didn't have to buy a t-shirt with that quality in town anymore.
Crazy, but true!
We ended the day with a meal we cooked for ourselves at the Church of the Red Rocks, a beautiful facility that the minister literally turned over to us to use in the evenings (more pix to come tomorrow). After our meal, we had a ceremony and a teaching while sitting outside the church on the hillside, overlooking Sedona and the various red rocks which surround it. Here we shared the Questions that we had generated earlier in the day, and then burned them in a ceremony using the candles of blessing which had been lit by the parents when we left Ottawa. This ceremony was a symbolic way of putting our personal questions into the hands of God, and by doing so, expressing our belief that a) ) it's possible to enter into a personal relationship with God, and b) that we have faith that God will always be there for us in that relationship. We then went on to discuss the importance of being active seekers in this relationship, and then shared some of the conditions we each felt we needed to be active seekers.HALEY & EMMA’S GROUP LEADERS' REPORT
Today it was very hot. Believe it or not but it was 45°C! We went on a 5-hour hike on a trail called “Hole in the Rock.” It was given that name because of holes in a steep rock, made by Senagua people long ago. They are used for climbing. We all managed to safely climb the rock and some overcame great fears in doing this. We saw 2 ruins made by the Sanagua people about 1500 years ago. We found some broken pieces of pottery, which were used as tools. We also explored and discovered a small cave in a rock, where we found mummified corn. After the hike, some of us decided to go from a nice swim in a small hole full of very dirty water. It was that hot! After, we had never appreciated a shower so much before. We also had our first visit to the nice church that is letting us cook our food in it. The view from the sanctuary is beautiful.
SATURDAY - Our Second Hike
Wow - what a day!!! We stretched ourselves past many of our personal limits today.
Joyce warmed us up for the task by leading us in a yoga session before we left.
The next stretch came when we headed out for our next big hike - and what a hike it was!
We did our morning ceremony and reflection inside an ancient ruin underneath the mountain's overhang. We sang together ("We Are Pilgrims on a Journey"), and shared our experiences during the climb up of all the different things we paid attention to.
After our ceremony, we worked our way along the edge of this giant rock wall
It was a test of everyone's courage, but we had each other's support, as well as the support of our guide, James Gregory, and his assistant, Karen.
Our final destination was the "hole in the wall" high up on the cliff. Crawling through it is said to be akin to being reborn into a new world. For some, the birth was more difficult that others. Joyce said she had been born feet-first the first time, so she wanted to do it head-first this time. 
Here, Seb emerges from the "birth canal"
This lookout point gave us a fantastic view of the whole canyon
On the way down, we came across some desert mistletoe, so Joyce and Murray thought they should test it out. It worked pretty well, but Murray thought it needed more testing. (Wendy wanted it noted here that she misses Wendy Ann!)
We got back at the hotel by early afternoon, where we rested and recovered from the immense heat (+40F). Once again, we ended the day by going to the Church of the Red Rocks and making our dinner in their kitchen. At supper we had an intense debate about how to use our free time on Sunday. Ben moderated it and made sure we came to a clear decision. We didn't have a talking stick, so made use of a salad dressing bottle to keep the conversation under control.
On our way back to the hotel after dark, we stopped at a lookout above the town, and we all just lay on our backs on the ground, looking up at the immense night sky with it's millions of starts. As we lay there, Murray talked about how a relationship with God is like any other relationship, in that we cannot take it for granted; rather, we have to appreciate it as a gift, and be continually thankful for it in all its aspects. So we each shared what we were thankful for that particular day.
And was there ever a lot!!!!
GROUP LEADERS' REPORTS:
RACHAEL'S CAPTAINS LOG! Well today we did another hike and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Well, I didn’t have much trouble with the rocks, but some members of the group were having a really hard time with the heat. So I decided that I could be useful bringing up the rear and making sure no one got left behind. I really enjoyed it and I felt really good about it afterwards. I was also really proud of some members of the group because they over came their fears. At the top of the hike we did some of our own exploring on some hikes, and that put me out of my comfort zone, which was an adventure. All in all, it was a day where everyone faced their fears in one way or another. Well done everyone!
KOLEY'S INCOMING TRANSMISSION… all is well in the distant lands of Arizona. We have all survived mentally, physically and emotionally which is quite a feat considering all that we have done in the past 24 hours. From waking up early to facing fears in a hike, we have all done something to test ourselves. In a particular stretch of the hike we had to shimmy along a rock face. Several of us, myself included, were terrified of this due to fear of heights. In the end we all made it, each with our own sense of accomplishment. I am so proud of us all.
Joyce warmed us up for the task by leading us in a yoga session before we left.
The next stretch came when we headed out for our next big hike - and what a hike it was!
We did our morning ceremony and reflection inside an ancient ruin underneath the mountain's overhang. We sang together ("We Are Pilgrims on a Journey"), and shared our experiences during the climb up of all the different things we paid attention to.
After our ceremony, we worked our way along the edge of this giant rock wall
It was a test of everyone's courage, but we had each other's support, as well as the support of our guide, James Gregory, and his assistant, Karen.
Our final destination was the "hole in the wall" high up on the cliff. Crawling through it is said to be akin to being reborn into a new world. For some, the birth was more difficult that others. Joyce said she had been born feet-first the first time, so she wanted to do it head-first this time. 
Here, Seb emerges from the "birth canal"
This lookout point gave us a fantastic view of the whole canyon
On the way down, we came across some desert mistletoe, so Joyce and Murray thought they should test it out. It worked pretty well, but Murray thought it needed more testing. (Wendy wanted it noted here that she misses Wendy Ann!)
We got back at the hotel by early afternoon, where we rested and recovered from the immense heat (+40F). Once again, we ended the day by going to the Church of the Red Rocks and making our dinner in their kitchen. At supper we had an intense debate about how to use our free time on Sunday. Ben moderated it and made sure we came to a clear decision. We didn't have a talking stick, so made use of a salad dressing bottle to keep the conversation under control.
On our way back to the hotel after dark, we stopped at a lookout above the town, and we all just lay on our backs on the ground, looking up at the immense night sky with it's millions of starts. As we lay there, Murray talked about how a relationship with God is like any other relationship, in that we cannot take it for granted; rather, we have to appreciate it as a gift, and be continually thankful for it in all its aspects. So we each shared what we were thankful for that particular day.
And was there ever a lot!!!!
GROUP LEADERS' REPORTS:
RACHAEL'S CAPTAINS LOG! Well today we did another hike and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Well, I didn’t have much trouble with the rocks, but some members of the group were having a really hard time with the heat. So I decided that I could be useful bringing up the rear and making sure no one got left behind. I really enjoyed it and I felt really good about it afterwards. I was also really proud of some members of the group because they over came their fears. At the top of the hike we did some of our own exploring on some hikes, and that put me out of my comfort zone, which was an adventure. All in all, it was a day where everyone faced their fears in one way or another. Well done everyone!
KOLEY'S INCOMING TRANSMISSION… all is well in the distant lands of Arizona. We have all survived mentally, physically and emotionally which is quite a feat considering all that we have done in the past 24 hours. From waking up early to facing fears in a hike, we have all done something to test ourselves. In a particular stretch of the hike we had to shimmy along a rock face. Several of us, myself included, were terrified of this due to fear of heights. In the end we all made it, each with our own sense of accomplishment. I am so proud of us all.
SUNDAY - A Day of Sabbath
Today was a day to worship, and to remember that God, too, wants us to play and be rested.
We began by "sleeping in" until 7:30 and then getting all dressed up for church.
We attended worship at the Church of the Red Rocks, situated on the crest of a hill overlooking Sedona and its surrounding rock formations. Quite a spectacular venue, and an even better welcoming. (These are the folks who have given us the keys to their building so we could cook our dinners and have meetings in the evening). We were welcomed by everyone, and introduced to the congregation. Emoli spoke from the pulpit on our behalf, and did a great job representing us. She thanked the congregation on our behalf for their incredible generosity.
The view at the front of the sanctuary (that is not a painting - those are big windows, and that's the actual view!)
After a quick lunch, we ventured up the Slide Rock canyon
We found ourselves a wonderful swimming hole and just played in those cool waters for a couple of hours. It was heavenly!
Seb struts his stuff!
Rachael just goes for it
Keir does it with style
And after much thought, Emma takes the plunge
Finally, the afternoon was capped off with a couple of hours of shopping on Sedona's main street.Ahhhh, the pleasure of it all!
GROUP LEADER'S REPORT
BENJAMIN LINDSEY-CLARK CAPTAIN's LOG STARDATE 2678.4 (Sunday the 3rd)
"Today began with a “sleep in” to the late hour of 7:45. We had already planned the day before (with my help). We ate and got dressed. In our formal clothes. Why we couldn’t wear our pyjamas like we normally do to church is a mystery to the whole group. (But we looked really pretty) Then, upon our momentous arrival, we were greeted by an onslaught of happy, heartwarming, church people. We sat near the front and listened to a “fairly” liberal sermon. (More than I expected) Then Emoli gave what can only be called an awe-inspiring speech explaining our group, journey and to thank them for their generous hospitality. Then we left for a quick jaunt to the bookstore where we collected our remaining books and ate subs. Now comes the interesting part. The journey to slide rock. As you can see from the pictures this is clearly not the place in the postcard because the slide rock was so incredibly packed that we had to relocate downriver. Thereupon we had fun. We swam, we laughed, we jumped but most importantly, someone conquered her own terrible fear of height. Emma climbed to a rock twenty-five feet high and jumped into a pool which you could see the bottom! We all cheered her on and felt especially proud of little Emma. Also Wendy jumped too. Then we went to the edge of Sedona for shopping. Of course the shopping was magical, but during the trip a flash storm rolled by, drenching the majestic red desert in the promise of continued life. A day of rest was just what we needed. This is the Captain, signing off."
We began by "sleeping in" until 7:30 and then getting all dressed up for church.
We attended worship at the Church of the Red Rocks, situated on the crest of a hill overlooking Sedona and its surrounding rock formations. Quite a spectacular venue, and an even better welcoming. (These are the folks who have given us the keys to their building so we could cook our dinners and have meetings in the evening). We were welcomed by everyone, and introduced to the congregation. Emoli spoke from the pulpit on our behalf, and did a great job representing us. She thanked the congregation on our behalf for their incredible generosity.
The view at the front of the sanctuary (that is not a painting - those are big windows, and that's the actual view!)
After a quick lunch, we ventured up the Slide Rock canyon
We found ourselves a wonderful swimming hole and just played in those cool waters for a couple of hours. It was heavenly!
Seb struts his stuff!
Rachael just goes for it
Keir does it with style
And after much thought, Emma takes the plunge
Finally, the afternoon was capped off with a couple of hours of shopping on Sedona's main street.Ahhhh, the pleasure of it all!
GROUP LEADER'S REPORT
BENJAMIN LINDSEY-CLARK CAPTAIN's LOG STARDATE 2678.4 (Sunday the 3rd)
"Today began with a “sleep in” to the late hour of 7:45. We had already planned the day before (with my help). We ate and got dressed. In our formal clothes. Why we couldn’t wear our pyjamas like we normally do to church is a mystery to the whole group. (But we looked really pretty) Then, upon our momentous arrival, we were greeted by an onslaught of happy, heartwarming, church people. We sat near the front and listened to a “fairly” liberal sermon. (More than I expected) Then Emoli gave what can only be called an awe-inspiring speech explaining our group, journey and to thank them for their generous hospitality. Then we left for a quick jaunt to the bookstore where we collected our remaining books and ate subs. Now comes the interesting part. The journey to slide rock. As you can see from the pictures this is clearly not the place in the postcard because the slide rock was so incredibly packed that we had to relocate downriver. Thereupon we had fun. We swam, we laughed, we jumped but most importantly, someone conquered her own terrible fear of height. Emma climbed to a rock twenty-five feet high and jumped into a pool which you could see the bottom! We all cheered her on and felt especially proud of little Emma. Also Wendy jumped too. Then we went to the edge of Sedona for shopping. Of course the shopping was magical, but during the trip a flash storm rolled by, drenching the majestic red desert in the promise of continued life. A day of rest was just what we needed. This is the Captain, signing off."
MONDAY - Grand Canyon
Today we experienced one of the true wonders of the world: the Grand Canyon. To come upon this massive, huge, phenomenal gorge is literally breath-taking. The scale of it all is almost too much to take in, so you just sit and look ... and look ... and look.
We arrived at the Canyon in later morning after a smooth and lovely drive from Sedona. We continued to see how diverse the Arizona climate and topography really is: we went from desert at about 4000 ft up through a national forest, then across grasslands at almost 6000 ft elevation. The climate changed as well, and the weather at the Canyon was more typical of an Ottawa summer day than a Phoenix one. We should be so lucky.
The Canyon is a major draw for tourists from around the world, and many languages could be heard along the crowded paths. We walked along the edge (some of us closer than others!) and took in the view. Unfortunately, many of us were feeling tired from the previous days' hikes and so we contented ourselves with driving along the south rim of the canyon and stopping at various lookouts along the way. Each offered its own unique panorama. Here's a sample:
The award for best photo of the pilgrimage goes to Koley Freeman, whose timing was just right to get this shot of lightning hitting the ground.
We arrived at the Canyon in later morning after a smooth and lovely drive from Sedona. We continued to see how diverse the Arizona climate and topography really is: we went from desert at about 4000 ft up through a national forest, then across grasslands at almost 6000 ft elevation. The climate changed as well, and the weather at the Canyon was more typical of an Ottawa summer day than a Phoenix one. We should be so lucky.
The Canyon is a major draw for tourists from around the world, and many languages could be heard along the crowded paths. We walked along the edge (some of us closer than others!) and took in the view. Unfortunately, many of us were feeling tired from the previous days' hikes and so we contented ourselves with driving along the south rim of the canyon and stopping at various lookouts along the way. Each offered its own unique panorama. Here's a sample:
The award for best photo of the pilgrimage goes to Koley Freeman, whose timing was just right to get this shot of lightning hitting the ground.
TUESDAY - Rafting on the Colorado
We rose at 5 am to catch the early rafting trip down the Colorado River, beginning at the foot of the Glen Canyon dam and going 14 miles downstream
The canyon was beautiful, with cliffs as high as a thousand feet looming above the river. The canyon is a home to a diverse array of wildlife, including golden eagles, condors, coyotes, and beavers.
We stopped along the way at a beautiful red sandy beach. Some people hiked a short trail to view some pictographs, while others contemplated the idea of swimming in the icy waters of the Colorado River
Rachael was the first to brave the frigid waters when she volunteered to wade in to search for some eye glasses that one of the other passengers had dropped. (She was successful!)
Pretty soon, several of the other J2A youth were also making a big spash
Emoli
Keir
Rachael
Emma
Seb
Koley
Wendy and Robyn
Murray and Josh
Click on this image to read details about the canyon and the cruise
GROUP LEADER’S REPORT
HALEY: "We had an early morning and woke up to go on a rafting trip in Glen Canyon. Some of us decided to go swimming in the 48°F water and some were lucky enough to be thrown in. It was freezing. The rest of our day we had a picnic in a park and then drove to flagstaff to stay the night. We are becoming closer as a group and have never worked together better. We are definitely growing."
Don't forget to post your comments! Just click on the Post a Comment link (below) to send your thoughts to the youth.
The canyon was beautiful, with cliffs as high as a thousand feet looming above the river. The canyon is a home to a diverse array of wildlife, including golden eagles, condors, coyotes, and beavers.
We stopped along the way at a beautiful red sandy beach. Some people hiked a short trail to view some pictographs, while others contemplated the idea of swimming in the icy waters of the Colorado River
Rachael was the first to brave the frigid waters when she volunteered to wade in to search for some eye glasses that one of the other passengers had dropped. (She was successful!)
Pretty soon, several of the other J2A youth were also making a big spash
Emoli
Keir
Rachael
Emma
Seb
Koley 
Wendy and Robyn
Murray and Josh
Click on this image to read details about the canyon and the cruise
GROUP LEADER’S REPORT
HALEY: "We had an early morning and woke up to go on a rafting trip in Glen Canyon. Some of us decided to go swimming in the 48°F water and some were lucky enough to be thrown in. It was freezing. The rest of our day we had a picnic in a park and then drove to flagstaff to stay the night. We are becoming closer as a group and have never worked together better. We are definitely growing."
Don't forget to post your comments! Just click on the Post a Comment link (below) to send your thoughts to the youth.
WEDNESDAY- Back to Sedona
Wednesday was not a day of high activity. We stayed in Flagstaff overnight on Tuesda night, and Wednesday was spent getting rested up a bit, doing laundry, and then driving back south to Sedona.
The day definitely started on the right foot with our best breakfast ever: vanilla and chocolate ice cream, milk (for milkshakes), chocolate syrup, sugar and cinnamon buns. A bit of fruit was thrown in just to keep things legal. Clearly the food police had had the day off. Here's Keir, Josh and Asha reveling in their opportunity to experience such fine cuisine
Much of our drive south Flagstaff was through the Navajo reservation. While much of the land was sparse and dry, like everywhere else in Arizona, the proper sunlight could bring out its natural beauty.
It felt ironic to see rain storms over the desert, but August is a time when they have monsoons almost every day for a short while, usually in the afternoon. Given the expansion sky and the flat terrain in northern Arizona, it was always possible to see rain happening somewhere.
After driving through the national forest, we emerged into the land of the red rocks once again.
The view of Sedona. As the elevation dropped, the temperature soared back up, so it was a bit of a shock to feel it again after two days in cooler northern Arizona
Emma sets the standard for impromptu gymnastics
Keir does his best to meet it
We managed to squeeze in some much-needed shopping along Sedona's main street. Here, we gathered to compare notes on our findings
We wrapped up our day with a home-cooked dinner at the Church of the Red Rocks. This congregation has been SO generous to us, in letting us use their facilities so freely (literally and figuratively).
After dinner, we had some teaching time in the sanctuary of the church, where we looked back at the questions we had at the outset of the pilgrimage, and spent time journaling and reflecting on where we have each come in our personal journey so far.
Ottawa seems like such a long time ago!
GROUP LEADERS REPORTS
KEIR: "Today we were given the opportunity to sleep in. Then, one of use had the brilliant idea to have milkshakes for breakfast. That hero shall remain nameless. Cough cough KEIR cough (Koley helped). Anywhos, then we drove back to Sedona, and went shopping. After our brief excursion to the land of shops, we ate at the church. While the food was being prepared, some of us got to see a barbershop choir. The best experience today. One of us was even invited to sing, but she\he chose not too….haley…"
SEB: "We had a great morning because we got to sleep in and enjoy a good night’s rest. The breakfast with the cinnamon buns muffins and milk shakes was one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had. Then we drove back to Sedona, got new rooms and settled in. The “Foodies” got the food for supper and then everyone left to go shopping. The salad for supper was great and we got invited to go hear a barbershop choir and it was quite the choir."
Don't forget to post your comments! Just click on the Post a Comment link (below) to send your thoughts to the youth.
The day definitely started on the right foot with our best breakfast ever: vanilla and chocolate ice cream, milk (for milkshakes), chocolate syrup, sugar and cinnamon buns. A bit of fruit was thrown in just to keep things legal. Clearly the food police had had the day off. Here's Keir, Josh and Asha reveling in their opportunity to experience such fine cuisine
Much of our drive south Flagstaff was through the Navajo reservation. While much of the land was sparse and dry, like everywhere else in Arizona, the proper sunlight could bring out its natural beauty.
It felt ironic to see rain storms over the desert, but August is a time when they have monsoons almost every day for a short while, usually in the afternoon. Given the expansion sky and the flat terrain in northern Arizona, it was always possible to see rain happening somewhere.
After driving through the national forest, we emerged into the land of the red rocks once again.
The view of Sedona. As the elevation dropped, the temperature soared back up, so it was a bit of a shock to feel it again after two days in cooler northern Arizona
Emma sets the standard for impromptu gymnastics
Keir does his best to meet it
We managed to squeeze in some much-needed shopping along Sedona's main street. Here, we gathered to compare notes on our findings
We wrapped up our day with a home-cooked dinner at the Church of the Red Rocks. This congregation has been SO generous to us, in letting us use their facilities so freely (literally and figuratively).
After dinner, we had some teaching time in the sanctuary of the church, where we looked back at the questions we had at the outset of the pilgrimage, and spent time journaling and reflecting on where we have each come in our personal journey so far.
Ottawa seems like such a long time ago!
GROUP LEADERS REPORTS
KEIR: "Today we were given the opportunity to sleep in. Then, one of use had the brilliant idea to have milkshakes for breakfast. That hero shall remain nameless. Cough cough KEIR cough (Koley helped). Anywhos, then we drove back to Sedona, and went shopping. After our brief excursion to the land of shops, we ate at the church. While the food was being prepared, some of us got to see a barbershop choir. The best experience today. One of us was even invited to sing, but she\he chose not too….haley…"
SEB: "We had a great morning because we got to sleep in and enjoy a good night’s rest. The breakfast with the cinnamon buns muffins and milk shakes was one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had. Then we drove back to Sedona, got new rooms and settled in. The “Foodies” got the food for supper and then everyone left to go shopping. The salad for supper was great and we got invited to go hear a barbershop choir and it was quite the choir."
Don't forget to post your comments! Just click on the Post a Comment link (below) to send your thoughts to the youth.
THURSDAY - Facing our Fears
Thursday saw us doing some major "team shopping", and then testing our ability to overcome our fears.
In late morning, the group went back downtown to complete a process that will have lasting meaning for us all . In our previous foray into Sedona's shopping district, Ben had spotted some beautiful turquoise jewelry; he later proposed that the whole J2A group buy rings to express our bond with each other. Everyone thought this was a great idea and so we went back and each picked one out. Back at the hotel, Ben then led a ceremony where he spoke about how rings have been part of religious and cultural traditions throughout the centuries, and among other things, are a symbol of committed relationships. We then put our rings on all at the same time.
After lunch, the group was taken out to the edge of Sedona to gain some experience climbing with ropes. Our trusty guide, James Gregory, and his two assistants provided lots of support as we learned how to face our fears by scaling down a rock face.
Haley
Josh
Robyn
In late morning, the group went back downtown to complete a process that will have lasting meaning for us all . In our previous foray into Sedona's shopping district, Ben had spotted some beautiful turquoise jewelry; he later proposed that the whole J2A group buy rings to express our bond with each other. Everyone thought this was a great idea and so we went back and each picked one out. Back at the hotel, Ben then led a ceremony where he spoke about how rings have been part of religious and cultural traditions throughout the centuries, and among other things, are a symbol of committed relationships. We then put our rings on all at the same time.
After lunch, the group was taken out to the edge of Sedona to gain some experience climbing with ropes. Our trusty guide, James Gregory, and his two assistants provided lots of support as we learned how to face our fears by scaling down a rock face.
Haley
Josh
Robyn
FRIDAY / SATURDAY - Overnight Vigil
The day began with a planning session, led by Joyce. This involved, not only figuring out all the things to bring along with us, but also some preparation for what takes place on a vigil, and how to approach it.
We hiked for about 40 minutes through a canyon, much of which was fairly heavily forested. 
No one came away from the hike without a few scratches and scrapes from the various thorns, brambles and cactuses (cacti?) that we had to pass through.
The last 20 minutes of the hike were up to the site where we would establish our base camp. 
The site James led us to was a ledge with fairly elaborate ruins, tucked under a large overhang on the side of the cliff. The view was gorgeous, and the opportunities to explore endless.
As soon as we arrived, a nearby rainstorm left behind a beautiful rainbow - which soon turned into a double rainbow
After a bit of a rest, the youth then scoured the hills for spots where they could imagine spending the night on their own.
Rachael found a comfortable niche on the side of a great cliff.
Emoli chose a more open spot, on a point of rock overlooking the valley and the butte on the other side.
The sun went down about 7:30 pm, so everyone was back in their position by then. Whistle codes had been developed so that anyone feeling danger or needing help could get support during the night. At the base camp, a fire was kept lit all night by the Leaders and the guide.
The night sky quickly fell, and we were alone with the stars, with ourselves, and with God.
As the sun broke over the eastern butte around 6:30 am, the youth came down from their personal vigil sites. All had survived the night on their own without too much sleep. We had a quick "breakfast" snack to replenish our energy, and then began the climb back down under the bright morning sun. Somehow, it seemed a lot easier going down.
Don't forget that you can let the youth know that you're thinking of them! Just click on the "Post A Comment" link (below), and send the group your thoughts!
We hiked for about 40 minutes through a canyon, much of which was fairly heavily forested. 
No one came away from the hike without a few scratches and scrapes from the various thorns, brambles and cactuses (cacti?) that we had to pass through.
The last 20 minutes of the hike were up to the site where we would establish our base camp. 
The site James led us to was a ledge with fairly elaborate ruins, tucked under a large overhang on the side of the cliff. The view was gorgeous, and the opportunities to explore endless.
As soon as we arrived, a nearby rainstorm left behind a beautiful rainbow - which soon turned into a double rainbow
After a bit of a rest, the youth then scoured the hills for spots where they could imagine spending the night on their own.
Rachael found a comfortable niche on the side of a great cliff.
Emoli chose a more open spot, on a point of rock overlooking the valley and the butte on the other side.
The sun went down about 7:30 pm, so everyone was back in their position by then. Whistle codes had been developed so that anyone feeling danger or needing help could get support during the night. At the base camp, a fire was kept lit all night by the Leaders and the guide.
The night sky quickly fell, and we were alone with the stars, with ourselves, and with God.
As the sun broke over the eastern butte around 6:30 am, the youth came down from their personal vigil sites. All had survived the night on their own without too much sleep. We had a quick "breakfast" snack to replenish our energy, and then began the climb back down under the bright morning sun. Somehow, it seemed a lot easier going down.
Don't forget that you can let the youth know that you're thinking of them! Just click on the "Post A Comment" link (below), and send the group your thoughts!
SATURDAY / SUNDAY - Bringing Closure
After getting back from the overnight vigil, we spent Saturday afternoon showering, doing laundry, resting up, and when fully rested: shopping!
We went to the Church of the Red Rocks by 4:30 pm to rehearse the song we will be teaching the congregation in the morning. The Organist, Suzanne Moore, invited us to take the choir's place for the whole service, as well as leading them in the singing of "Draw the Circle Wide." We were touched to read in their bulletin that they have chosen to use the United Church of Canada's Creed for this service.
We then had our "last supper" at the church - this time, the leaders did the cooking and the serving, as a way of honouring the group for all that they had done over the last 10 days.
The evening ended with a ceremony up in the church's sanctuary, where each person went to the front of the group and spoke about how the last two years in J2A had changed them, and how they saw themselves contributing to the life of the church in the future, as they progress onto the Young Adult in Community (YAC) level. Each person was blessed on their particular journey into adulthood by the others with a laying on of our hands. It was a very moving, and loving, end to the pilgrimage ... a pilgrimage which will continue in different forms in the months and years ahead.
The next morning, we put on our best and went off to church, only this time to do more than merely sit in the pews: we were going to be the new (but temporary) choir for the Church of the Red Rocks!.
Meeting with one of the ministers, Rev. David Ragan
Here we are:
We went to the Church of the Red Rocks by 4:30 pm to rehearse the song we will be teaching the congregation in the morning. The Organist, Suzanne Moore, invited us to take the choir's place for the whole service, as well as leading them in the singing of "Draw the Circle Wide." We were touched to read in their bulletin that they have chosen to use the United Church of Canada's Creed for this service.
We then had our "last supper" at the church - this time, the leaders did the cooking and the serving, as a way of honouring the group for all that they had done over the last 10 days.
The evening ended with a ceremony up in the church's sanctuary, where each person went to the front of the group and spoke about how the last two years in J2A had changed them, and how they saw themselves contributing to the life of the church in the future, as they progress onto the Young Adult in Community (YAC) level. Each person was blessed on their particular journey into adulthood by the others with a laying on of our hands. It was a very moving, and loving, end to the pilgrimage ... a pilgrimage which will continue in different forms in the months and years ahead.
The next morning, we put on our best and went off to church, only this time to do more than merely sit in the pews: we were going to be the new (but temporary) choir for the Church of the Red Rocks!.
Meeting with one of the ministers, Rev. David Ragan
Here we are:
FINAL THOUGHTS
JAMES GREGORY was our expert guide while hiking in Sedona. A resident of Ottawa, he has also lived in Sedona for extended periods, and is known to the locals there as one of the best hiking leaders around. It was a privilege to have had him with us, and he did much to make our experience such a success. James was invited to share his own reflections on his time with the J2A group. Here are his words:
"It was an honour to be the hiking guide for the J2A group while they were in Sedona, which is a strange, hot, dry world with danger on all sides. During that time, I had them hanging off ropes, scrambling up cliffs, walking ledges and spending the night alone in the desert without tents, sleeping bags or food. They faced their fears with courage and helped one another overcome their challenges.
It was a privilege to get to know the youth in a personal way. Each person contributed something unique and valuable to the group experience. What they all shared in common was a sense of fun and adventure, combined with thirst for truth and a deeper meaning for their lives.
I have taken many groups on hikes in the Sedona area. My time with the J2A group was one of the most significant experiences in my life. I felt that the hand of God was upon us. I guided a bunch of kids into the desert and a group of young adults returned. It is comforting to know that the future of the world is in good hands."
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