YTI

At YTI, they have exposed us to many different kinds of food – Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, Indian, Korean, Mexican and Jamaican. Even local food was new to me, like alligator and fried okra. I can be a picky eater at times, so I promised myself to be open to trying new things. And I found that I liked it all.

I started to understand that trying all these different foods is similar to looking at different religions. While they are very foreign to me, I have begun to appreciate the uniqueness of each religion. I see how they give people a way to connect to God like Holy Covenant does for me. This experience has taught me to be more open – not just to food, but to religious beliefs and people in general.

On the Day of Interfaith Youth Service, we had the opportunity to spend a day with teens from other countries and faiths. I met kids from different places like India, Pakistan and Egypt. Some were Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic, and other religions I hadn’t heard of. It was very cool. We shared things about ourselves and learned about being a teenager in other countries and different faiths. I found that being a teenager was pretty much the same no matter where you lived.

One of the activities we did together was volunteer for Books for Africa which gives books to kids in that country. Their goal is to end the “book famine” in Africa. The place we worked in was very hot and humid. I couldn’t wait to get back to my room and get a shower, but it was so worth it. In the end, you could see the difference we made. For many years, my family has sponsored a boy through World Vision. His name is Makiye Elakpebi and he lives in Ghana. I wondered if he would get one of these books and how happy it would make him if he did. I started thinking of the excess we have in this country. We take for granted things like books and clean water. The next time I am disappointed that I don’t have an iPhone or my own car, I hope I will stop and remember how little others have. I want to do a better job of recognizing how abundant and blessed a life I have.

Love and Peace,
Rachel Durbin-Nowicki

Every day at YTI is a new experience. I can’t believe how much we have done in such a short
time.

Last Friday, we went to a Muslim Mosque. There are no pictures or statues, and hardly any furniture because they use prayer mats. You take off your shoes when you enter the mosque to keep it clean for prayer. Muslims believe there is only one God who is called Allah. For them, faith is obedience to Allah’s will. Their holy book is called the Qur’an. They pray five times a day and always face in the direction of Mecca. This is where Muhammad (their last prophet) lived. As a woman, I had to dress in a long skirt and shirt and wear a scarf so that none of my hair showed. There are different doors for men and woman. Men enter from the left and women enter from the right. The women had to sit behind the men. We asked them why and were told that if men sat behind women they would see their behinds and it would distract them from prayer. This seems really silly to me but it was a very serious thing to them. I wonder how it is for women. I think it would be hard for me to worship this way.

We also went to the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Mormons go to a meeting and not a mass or a service. They use the word “ward” instead of “congregation.” Mormons call each other “brother” and “sister” because they believe God created Adam and Eve as the first family. So, we all come from that family. They believe we are all spirits created by God. This makes us all children and God is our Father. One of the things that was unusual is that people get assigned to a ward. It’s based on where you live. Mormons can’t go church shopping like we can. Since Mormons believe they are joining a family, taking care of each other is a very important to Mormons. Everyone dressed conservatively and there were lots of kids. Men and women can sit together. Living a life of service is very important to people who are Mormon.

I never realized how differently we worship. I take for granted how good we have it as Methodists. Muslims worship differently than Mormons and both are VERY different from how I worship. I can see how much their faith means to them and how strongly they feel about their beliefs.

Love and Peace,
Rachel Durbin-Nowicki

Today, I was able to be a part of something really important. On July 2, Joshua Noblitt and his partner were having a picnic at Piedmont Park here in Atlanta. They were approached by a group of young guys who asked them if they were gay, and then beat and robbed them with a gun. Rev. Joshua Noblitt is the social justice minister at St. Mark United Methodist Church.

Wanting to move from a place of anger and fear to a place of love, Rev. Noblitt planned a community picnic today at the spot where he and his partner were attacked. Everyone was invited to come. Learning of this, the leaders of YTI made it possible for all of us to attend. Being able to be a part of this event meant a lot to me. It made me happy to see the other YTI scholars supporting it too.

Today reminded me of how much hate is still out there for LGBT people. I thought a lot about Matthew Shepherd. Melissa Etheridge’s song about him played in my head. I also thought about all the unnamed LGBT people that have experienced the hate of people just because of who they are. I pray that someday soon our world changes. Maybe I can find a way to make a difference. Please click on the link to the video of the song “Scarecrow,” that’s about Matthew Shepherd. Then say a prayer for anyone who has experienced such violence, and that God will change the hearts of people who have such hate for LGBT people.

“Scarecrow” video available by clicking here.

Love and Peace,
Rachel Durbin-Nowicki

P.S. Join Holy Covenanter Rachel Harvey for a Solidarity Picnic on Sunday, July 25, at 3pm.

YTI is awesome! Every day is filled with discussions and activities that make us think about God and challenge us to look at things differently. We have worshipped at several different types of churches. First, we attended an Eastern Orthodox Church. It was very traditional and they sang through the entire service that lasted two hours. We couldn’t go to communion because the bread wasn’t blessed. The girls were told not to cross their legs during the service. It is considered rude. I had to work hard to see how they could be connecting with God but reminded myself everyone finds God in different ways. In a small group, I visited a church that has a community garden. People that have been in jail or are homeless work taking care of the gardens. This gives them a way to get food and make money. The food grown is sold at the local farmer’s market. While we were there, our group planted a garden plot to help out. We also went to Holy Comforter, an Episcopal church. Over 60% of the congregation is people with mental illness. Most of these people live in group homes. This church offers day programs with a focus on art and gardening for people with mental illness and other disabilities too.

Most recently, we had the opportunity to visit the childhood home of Martin Luther King Jr. Since I was little, I have respected this man’s commitment to changing how the world treated African American people regardless of the personal risk. I cried with joy when I got there. Just knowing that I stood in the same place as this great man sent chills down my spine. We also visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change which continues King’s work. I was moved when we saw King’s resting place. The King crypt rests on a pedestal in the middle of a reflecting pond. Inscribed on the stone are the words “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, I’m free at last.”

I had the opportunity to eat fried okra, sweet tea, and alligator…It tastes like chicken. I love the south!

Love and Peace,
Rachel Durbin-Nowicki

Yesterday we watched a documentary on homosexuality, and one of the people who spoke in the film was from Broadway UMC in Chicago. I found myself crying through the whole documentary. It makes me sad knowing that people who are LGBT are not treated equally especially in our churches. I am so proud of my mom for being who she is and also angry that she doesn’t get the same rights as people who are straight.

I feel very passionate about this issue and decided I would share with the group how strongly I feel about equality for LGBT people and how we must love and accept all people. Many of the kids here have very different beliefs about homosexuality. I definitely feel in the minority here. Afterwards, several teens came up and said my comments made them start thinking about their beliefs on homosexuality. And even though they may not have agreed with me, everyone in the group was really supportive. They told me how much they appreciated what I said and that I was very brave.

This experience made me love and appreciate Holy Covenant even more. I shared with everyone our mission statement: Seek God, Love All People, Change The World. I told them that we just don’t say the words, we do it. It also made me think about what it means to be United Methodist. Until right now, I never thought much about Holy Covenant being part of something much bigger. I started thinking about the UMC 10thousandoors video and the statement: Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.

Growing up in the Catholic Church, I was always accepted and my family was not. Becoming United Methodist, everyone in my family is accepted. I didn’t understand how important that was until now. I also realize that I don’t know that much about what it means to be Methodist. I’m hoping when I get back people at HC can help me figure it out.

Love and Peace,
Rachel Durbin-Nowicki

I am having a great time but am missing everyone, especially folks at Holy Covenant. Sundays are especially odd, not worshipping with all of you. If you have the chance, I’d love to hear from you. Below is the address I can be reached at………

Rachel Durbin-Nowicki
Youth Theological Initiative
Candler School of Theology
1531 Dickey Drive/Room 433A
Atlanta, GA 30322

I had hoped to write more frequently but we don’t have internet access except in the early morning and late at night. I will do my best to let you know what I am doing.

Love and Peace,
Rachel D-N

July 10, 2010
Greetings from Atlanta!

After first spending a couple of days with my uncle in Houston and having an awesome
time, I arrived in Atlanta today. It was a really busy day. First, we all got settled into our
rooms and met our roommates. Kelsey is from Alabama. She is really nice. There are
lots of kids here from the south. I am especially happy about this ’cause I am a southern
gal at heart. The next thing we did was ice breaker activities and games to get to know
each other. I was hoping they would do the activity where you are asked to use three
words or things that best describe you. I was going to use one of Pastor Kate’s words
– child of God. I was bummed when they didn’t do this activity. Worship was so cool. It
felt a lot like how we worship and they sang a song that we do so I knew the words. The
other kids are great. Everyone is so nice and it already feels like we have known each
other for a long time. I am so excited. I have to stop here. Everyone is coming together
to end the day in song.

Thanks so much for all your prayers and support.

Love and Peace,
Rachel Durbin-Nowicki

Dear Holy Covenant Friends,

I want to tell you about an awesome experience I am going to have this summer. I have been
selected to participate in the Youth Theological Initiative Summer Academy in Atlanta, Georgia,
July 10-31, 2010. The Youth Theological Initiative is a program of theological education hosted
by Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

YTI gathers high school students from around the country to explore what it means to be
a “public theologian.” We will engage in service in the Atlanta community and have ongoing
conversation about how to connect our faith to the needs of the world around us.

I am asking for your support in visible and active ways as I get ready for this experience. Most
importantly, I need your prayers and encouragement. I also am asking for financial support to
help cover my expenses. Even while I am in Atlanta, anyone interested in supporting me may
purchase “stock” for $10 a share. Checks can be made out to Holy Covenant with YTI
Scholarship in the memo line.

Growing up, I learned lots of ways to make the world a better place. The thing I’ve never been
quite sure of was how to live my life and have God at its center. I believe my experience at YTI
will help me to start figuring that out. Thank you.

Love and Peace,
Rachel Durbin-Nowicki