By Erin Harden

Camino in Spanish means “a path, route, or road.” For us, it was a sacred journey. The “us” I am talking about is a group of over 150 young adults, ages 18-30, from all over the United States and Honduras, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Ecuador.
We met on September 19, in the courtyard of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. After mingling and meeting new people, I had the pleasure of sitting with young adults from Utah, Tennessee, California and the Dominican Republic. Our schedule said “Dinner with Musical Entertainment,” and little did we know this would be a man and a woman on a bicycle, complete with neon lights and speakers. After that, I learned to expect the unexpected.
The Ghiberti doors of the cathedral are very ornate, 1.37-ton doors located at the formal entrance. These doors are only opened for ordinations, installations and consecrations, but they were opened to allow us to begin our Camino, our journey. Inside, we reaffirmed our baptismal vows and crossed ourselves with holy water from the baptismal font. We continued our Camino with stations of the Millennium Development Goals, similar to Stations of the Cross.
Each of our conference workshops reflected the Millennium Development Goals. In “MDGs-Beyond the Buzzword: ERD & International Development,” we focused on goal number six: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Luke Fodor from ERD began by giving us a few depressing, shocking, and eye-opening statistics. Did you know that on average, an American person eats around 3200 calories a day, which is equal to over six cups of rice. In Haiti, on average, a person eats the equivalent of about two cups of rice a day. Every day 3,000 children die from malaria but these lives can be saved by two inexpensive ways: a net and education. A net treated by deet can save lives by placing it over the area where people sleep. These nets cost only $5 and last five years. The populations most affected by malaria are children and women, especially pregnant women.
In “Environmental Stewardship” led by Martha Gardner, Officer of Peace and Justice Ministries for the Episcopal Church, we focused on goal number seven: Ensure environmental stability. We talked about the effects of bottled water and after this workshop, I am making a conscious effort to stop drinking bottled water.
Large soft drink companies have “drained massive amounts of water from community wells, leaving residents without water for people and their cattle” in India (source: Corporate Accountability International). Corporations such as Coke, Pepsi and Nestle spend tens of millions of dollars every year to bottle water even though tap water is better regulated than bottled water. Scientific studies have shown that bottled water can be less safe than tap water because it contains levels of bromate, arsenic, bacteria and other contaminants.
We also talked about ways of “minimizing our carbon footprint,” simple, cost-effective practices such as turning off lights when not in use, turning down the thermostat, filling the dish washer and washing machine with full loads and unplugging your mobile phone as soon as it is charged.
After our workshops we journeyed through various San Francisco neighborhoods. Our leader, Vince, grew up in Chinatown. At the Chinese Historical Society museum housed in the old YMCA of Chinatown, we gained insight into the trials and tribulations of the Chinese natives who came to San Francisco to make a new life. There were many stories of prejudice that continue today.
Immersed in Chinese history and culture, we walked on to the streets of the “real” Chinatown which is different than the tourist Chinatown. On our way, we saw a funeral procession with a band leading a line of cars with people throwing fake money out of the windows. This custom is much like a funeral in New Orleans where bands often lead the procession. Vince explained that a gong is hit every time the procession stops in front of a place of importance to the deceased. We maneuvered our way to our final destination in our Chinatown journey, True Sunshine Episcopal Church, where Evening Prayer was led by Vince, who is rector there.
After an international smorgasbord meal, graciously contributed by parishes throughout the diocese, we closed with an incredible bilingual Eucharist and reaffirmation of our baptismal vows. The Rev. Alida Alejandra Diaz Perez delivered the sermon in Spanish, and, thankfully, everyone had English translations.
Because I had a plane that left at 6:10 a.m., I missed the closing ceremonies but I can tell you Bishop Marc Andrus (a former member of the Canterbury Club at Virginia Tech) left the House of Bishops meeting early to preach and commission the young adults at Grace Cathedral. For him to take the time to do this certainly left an impression on each of us. I am sad I missed the closing day, but I am also learning this is what happens when you have ventured out into the real world and have a real job to return to on Mondays.
Camino was an incredible experience because with so many young adults in one place, it highlighted the need for the Episcopal Church to provide young adult ministries. Yet I have had experiences in our diocese and elsewhere that encourage me that efforts are taking place to close this gap. As I think back over this event, I see how the Baptismal Covenant so closely relates to the MDGs. Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? I will, with God’s help.
Where does your Camino lead you?//

Erin Harden, a member of Christ Episcopal, Roanoke, represented the diocese at the Camino conference for Young Adults. She is volunteer young adult coordinator for the diocese. To find out more about the Young Adults gathering at Council in January or other activities, contact her at eharden221@gmail.com.