"Many Bodies, One Spirit"

July 23, 2010
Ely

A reflection by Helen Ballew

In the front window of our two “coaches” are signs that say “St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Choir, San Antonio, Texas – We are Together.” And indeed, as one day melts into another, we are more and more together. “The Wickham” has been teaching us that a pilgrimage is a journey and to think of this tour as a pilgrimage. Often we think of a pilgrimage as a journey to some place, like Jerusalem or Mecca. But there is a way in which this pilgrimage is as much about the journey -- the joys and sorrows of travelling together in a group -- than it is the destination, although Ely Cathedral is a most worthy destination for a pilgrimage of the Anglican faithful. So in this pilgrimage to England and to Ely, the longer we live in community and the more we travel and explore and experience together, the more “we are together.”

We are witnessing a process of group transformation enriched by the individual personal transformations that are evident nearly every day. Theological discussions on our bus rides sprinkled with many thoughtful questions, and deep reflections that bracket each day engage each and every member of the group. We are a group of highly individualistic personalities – “many bodies” – but we are increasingly becoming “one spirit.”

Many Bodies, One Spirit (You may have seen this saying on the Youth Group’s t-shirts. They chose the saying and it fits.)

Needless to say, as a parent chaperone, I feel extremely blessed to be a pilgrim among these faith-filled, faith-seeking, highly gifted, fun-loving and thoughtful pilgrims, young and not-so-young alike.

Father Jonathan mentioned in an earlier post that I’d observed the music to be the truly transformative experience here. I’d like to elaborate. When we first arrived in Ely and stood on the grounds of the Cathedral, up came the goose bumps. When we then walked in the Cathedral and laid eyes on the interior, mere goose bumps gave way to breathlessness and tingling. But when the voices of our choristers – our friends, our children -- filled the Cathedral with their beautiful music, the experience became for me and for others simply transcendent. There was a feeling that all the centuries of history – all the many voices -- embedded in the stones and wood and glass of this deeply historic place came alive and merged into one.

Here was our own St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Choir adding its voices to the 1,400 years of worshipping voices contained in this beautiful place. And each day as our beloved choir leaves it all on the altar, the heart and soul in their united voices lifts us all. What a blessing. What a tremendous gift.

I only wish you could all be here with us to experience this.

Many centuries, many voices, one spirit.

- Helen