Acclimation

Acclimation is defined as a physiological adjustment by an organism to environmental change.  This was the the whole idea of our day yesterday.  Part of being on a pilgrimage is being aware of your surroundings and embracing the places, people, and ideas of the area in which you find yourself.  Pilgrims did this long ago to make sure they were being correct images of Christ.  We found ourselves being the image of Christ in a real way.  We welcomed those who welcomed us.  We ate what was put before us.  We learned about Whidbey's past, which in turn teaches us about the island's present day life.

We met with youth from St. Augustine in the Woods, the local Episcopal Church, for a tour of the island, and to learn some of the history of both the place and its people.  Our first stop was Fort Casey.  While at this military installation, we enjoyed a picnic lunch with our new friends.  After a delicious meal we headed to the forts.  What we found were the well kept remains of the front line defenses that opened in the very early 1900's.  Large cannons, hallways, corridors, and bunkers lined the bluff above the water.  Why go to a retired military base?  Per person, the Whidbey Island area has one of the highest military populations in the country.  It has influenced the historic culture of the people who lived here today.  We also found ourselves on another rocky beach lined with driftwood forts and seals playing out in the ocean.

Our next stop was Coupeville.  A small fishing town north of our Sunlight Beach home.  There we found a mussel farm, a wharf dedicated to the conservation of maritime life, and amazing ice cream in the building where Seattle's Best coffee was created. 

After this, we went to St. Augustine's in the Woods for a tour of their worship space.  We found a beautiful space tucked into the woods right on the water.  It is clear from there campus this church is a warm and welcoming place full life and doing many great things.  After our tour there, we headed back to our home to prepare dinner (the traditional 4th of July cookout) and wait for the fireworks.

While planning the trip, I found myself asking what do fireworks have to do with answering the question, "Who do you say that I am?"  I came up with a few trivial answers to this question, but I had no idea what was in store.  Those reading this who attend St. Mark's, know one of the things we do really well is welcoming those who come up our hill.  This is at the core of who we say we are and at the core of who Christ was.  Yesterday evening, we found ourselves with the best viewing spot for an hour long firework display put on by the local people.  This non professional display was something to see.  There were fireworks on display in any direction you wanted to look, and what was our group doing?  Inviting anyone and everyone to join us around our fire for the show.  We were inviting folks to have a s'more.  We were inviting folk to a place to keep warm and enjoy a fantastic show.  By the end our group size had more than doubled with folks from the island and all over the country. We were building community - living the way of Christ.  

Everywhere we look it is easy to see God, the Creator.  Last night we were remind of God, the Creator of Love.  We loved people well in our new environment.  While most of us are still trying to acclimate to the time change and weather, acclimating into the community simply happened because the love of God is for all people, in all times, in all places.

Finally, we to thank all the wonderful people of St. Augustine especially Julie Spangler, her husband Bob, and the youth for an amazing day.