Navajoland Trip

Just in case you missed me, for the past week I've been in Navajoland. Along with a group from Christ Church in Westerly, and St. Peter's parishioners Susan Jameson and her son Rick, we hosted a Vacation Bible School at the local Navajo Episcopal Church, St. Mary's of-the-Moonlight (isn't that a great name!).   St. Mary's is located about ten miles from Monument Valley, right along the Utah/Arizona border.   Folks from Christ Church have been going to St. Mary's for over a decade, which means they have developed a lasting relationship with the local Navajo people.

The Episcopal Church first came to Navajoland in the 1940s, when a priest from Connecticut decided to move there and establish a mission in Bluff, Utah. Fr. Liebler had a deep respect for the Navajo people and their traditions, and introduced the story and ways of Christianity that honored them.  Seventy years later the three churches he established still have worshipping communities.

It was an incredible experience to stay at St. Mary's, to play with and teach the 40+ kids who showed up each day (can you say "organized chaos"?), to tour the surrounding terrain that is so sacred to the Navajo people, and to learn about the ways that Navajo people have embraced the gospel in unique and inspiring ways. Our final night we were blessed to participate in a Eucharist celebrated by the local priest, who presided in English and Navajo.  It was incredible.

I hope you will come next Sunday (August 1) when Susan, Rick and I will share a slideshow and stories from our trip.   Our hope is that you catch even the tiniest glimpse of the ways we were blessed, and perhaps plant a few seeds of interest in future mission trips, whether it be back to Navajoland, or somewhere else that God calls us to serve. Seeing such a rare and different culture, serving them and being blessed in return...it is the gospel in action.