Discerning my call to serve

I don’t know if I can honestly say that I ever really “decided” to do a year of service; as I started thinking about what to do after graduation, the only options that came to mind were service programs. I can’t pinpoint exactly when I knew this was what I wanted to do. Rather, I think it was a series of small personal changes that were so individually subtle but, combined, were completely transformational that led me to where I am today and I where I will be going this year. I can say, without a doubt, that I wouldn’t be doing this if I hadn’t taken classes in liberation theology & social justice or spent some time volunteering at the Salvation Army soup kitchen in Tiffin.

I think many, if not most, of us have had some sort of experience when we’re exposed to something that challenges what we believe and why we believe it. It forces us out of our normal modes of thinking and out of our comfort zones. When faced with these situations, we can ignore what is being presented to us and go on with our lives as though nothing has happened. Or we can make the decision to address what we have learned, choosing to be open to the changes that new knowledge and experiences can bring. I would, unequivocally, place my experiences from my classes and from my volunteer work in the second category. My classes in liberation theology and social justice and my volunteer experiences made me aware of so many systemic injustices that pervade our world, injustices I cannot ignore.
After recognizing that doing a year of service was the way I felt called to deal with these social injustices, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what program I wanted to do. There are a lot of great service year programs and I researched quite a few of them (City Year, AmeriCorps, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Episcopal Young Adult Service Corps [international service], and Episcopal Service Corps [domestic service]) but I always came back to the idea that I wanted to do something through the Episcopal Church. This decision was solidified after I had the chance to talk with David Copley, the Mission Personnel Officer for the Episcopal Church. I mentioned my interest in a year of service and we talked about a lot of the programs and through that conversation I realized how important it is for me to have a church-based support system during my year of service. Because I am most comfortable with the doctrine, worship, and outreach of the Episcopal Church, Episcopal Service Corps seemed like a perfect fit. And so, the decision to apply for ESC was made.

Something that attracted me to ESC is the fact that it is really just a consortium of various Episcopal Service programs. ESC has been forming in the last couple of years to make these programs more accessible and to make the application process easier. The format of the program allowed me to research the individual programs and then apply to whichever ones I chose through a common application process. In the end, I chose to apply to four different programs: New York Intern Program (NYC), Johnson Intern Program (Chapel Hill, NC), Trinity Volunteer Corps (Washington, DC), and Episcopal Urban Intern Program (EUIP).

After completing my application, I interviewed with each program, one interview per week for four weeks (from first to last: NYIP, JIP, EUIP, and TVC). Going into the interview process, I really thought I knew what I wanted. I was interested in something new and challenging and was open to being in any of the programs, but I really thought I wanted to head to Washington or New York. In retrospect, I can’t even really remember the rationale behind those preferences. After every interview, I was sure I would love that particular program. It was after my Los Angeles interview, however, that I knew I’d found the program that was right for me. The interview lasted an hour and, aside from the questions directly related to the program, included topics such as ubuntu, summer camp, music stores in Columbus, Freaks and Geeks, and what it was like going to a school where one’s beliefs (whether political, religious, etc.) are a minority. I found myself speaking so openly and freely about my beliefs, passions, strengths, and weaknesses. I didn’t feel like I was censoring myself at all; it was the one interview in which I didn’t feel the need to impress. Out of all of my interviewers, Jason (the program director from EUIP), really seemed to take an interest in getting to know who I am instead of just hearing my answers to questions and seeing how they fit into pre-conceived ideas of what future interns should say. Receiving a placement offer from EUIP was definitely one of the best moments of my life. I’m looking forward to a new city, new people, and new challenges.

I have a lot more to say about the program, where I’ll be living and what I’ll be doing, but I’ll save that for another blog.

Peace,
Jordan