September 2008...

September 25... Travelled overnight to Dublin. September 26... We arrived in Dublin right on time! The team traveled to Belfast. On the way, we stopped at Newgrange. This is a neolithic spiritual site. 5000 years ago - 500 years before the Great Pyramids - people were worshiping in this site! We also stopped at Monasterboise. This location dates from the 900's with a high cross. In the non-literate middle ages, bible stories were carved on high crosses. The priests used the carvings to spread the gospel. September 27... The team traveled to Derry/Londonderry. We met with a gentlemen whose brother was one of the young men killed on Bloody Sunday. We also met with two of the Bogside artists. One of the artists leads a non-denominational Christian church. We also had a tour of the outdoor murals that tell the story of the people in the Catholic community in Derry. September 28... We attended church services at Springfield Road Methodist Church. After a luncheon with the congregation, we had a day of rest and relaxation. September 29... We spent today with one of our mission partners, East Belfast Mission. This church is located in one of the economically depressed areas of Northern Ireland, and the 10th most impoverished area of Europe. East Belfast Mission works with people in this Protestant community on issues of homelessness, job training, alcoholism and the other issues of poverty. We heard from people involved in paramilitary organizations, restorative justice issues and policing the areas. While all our speakers agreed that progress was being made in the peace process, they all expressed the problems still facing the community! September 30... Today, we focused on our mission partners in West Belfast and the communities in West Belfast. First, we met with Father Jerry Reynolds at Colnard Monastery. Father Jerry and a Methodist minister went together to the families of the victims of the trouble from both the Protestant and Catholic Communities. Father Jerry is now involved in Unity Pilgrimage, with Catholics visiting Protestant Churches and Protestants visiting in Catholic parishes. Next we met with a person who grew up in the Catholic paramilitary community, but now is working in both communities in economic development. Lastly, we toured Stormont. This is the local legislative assembly. We meet with a representative, who was hopeful regarding the progress in the unified government; and toured the assembly rooms. October 1... We spent our second day with Forthspring. Today was senior citizen awareness day in Northern Ireland. Two local police officers, working in West Belfast, spoke to us about the situations they face each day. One of the officers works in the schools, trying to present a more positive image of police to the children. The second officer works on patrol. We also met with a person working in restorative justice in the Catholic community. Because of the long history of conflict between the communities, each community even has it own restorative justice organization. We then spent the rest of the day with people from both communities that participate in Forthspring, in recreation, in prayer and in a community dialogue about issues facing senior citizens in Northern Ireland and in the United States. October 2... An off day for the team. Most of the team went to the Ulster American Folk Park, about 2 hours from Belfast, that tells the story of the Ulster Scots migration from Northern Ireland to America. A few team members remained in Belfast, and hiked the hills near Belfast Castle. October 3... Today, we travel to County Down, south of Belfast, to experience Celtic Christianity spiritual sites. First we stop at Nendrum, a 9th century monastic site. Next, Inch Abbey, the ruins of a 12th Century Church. We stopped at Down Cathedral, with the traditional burial place of St. Patrick; and Struell Wells, a healing well. Lastly, we spend time at Saul Church, a church built on the site tradition teaches was the location of St Patrick’s first church. Upon arriving in Ireland, a local man allowed Patrick to use his barn - “Saul” in Irish – as his first church, and therefore the name – Saul Church. This is a day to remember all of those who went before in faith, to remember that we (and you!) are on the same journey of faith, and that we walk today as the link with those who walked before us and those who will walk in faith when we are gone.

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