If You Seek Christ, Together We Will Find Him
When St. Paul’s started Journey to Adulthood as a youth program and began looking into pilgrimage, we turned to Wonder Voyage. We were drawn to Wonder Voyage for their ability to create a journey to fit the group. Over the years, it has amazed me that the Wonder Voyage director selected for each journey has been the absolute perfect person for the group we have at that time.
On pilgrimage with Wonder Voyage, we approach each day with open hearts and minds, and every day is a new adventure and experience in God’s great creation. It is hard to pick a favorite destination Wonder Voyage has taken us to since I have grown closer to God at each one. My favorite part of each day with Wonder Voyage is the evening devotion. Listening to the youth recap where and how they felt God that day is truly one of the best gifts of pilgrimage. The pulse of the group is discussed every night with the Wonder Voyage director so we are able to make adjustments to the agenda based on their needs. The entire journey is a combination of adventure, learning, and submersion into a new culture.
From the accommodations at retreat centers or hostels, to the “backdoor” entrances to tourist sites, to pulling weeds in a watershed area, we have been pushed out of our comfort zones and have truly experienced the locations we have visited with Wonder Voyage. Upon returning from pilgrimage, our teens decide how to turn their beliefs into action to share Christ in the world.
This summer was my last pilgrimage as a J2A leader. I have made the decision to retire as a youth leader, yet I am certain St. Paul’s will continue with Wonder Voyage, as they are an integral part of our program. I am looking forward to planning an adult pilgrimage in the future and would not look anywhere but to Wonder Voyage. One thing all of us who have travelled with Wonder Voyage know is, “if you seek Christ, together we will find him.”
I have been part of the Christian formation team at St. Paul's Episcopal church in Southington Ct for over 15 years. I have been a Rite 13 leader from the implementation at St. Paul's. I have been married to my husband Roger for 32 years and have two wonderful sons, Jason and Jordan and a 2 year old Great Dane named Bella.