Pilgrimage of Resistance: Penny Elsley & Kaitlyn
SCM’s Movement Blog will feature profiles of the young adults making the five day journey south on our spiritual activist road-trip. Check back regularly, and follow our trip on our Twitter feed !
by Kaitlyn Duthie-Kannikkatt (Ottawa ON)
Pilgrim
My name is Kaitlyn. This will be my first year on the pilgrimage, as well as my first SCM event. I had (somehow?!) never actually heard of the movement or the pilgrimage until two weekends ago while in Toronto for a youth council meeting for the Primate World Relief and Development Fund (thanks Chris [Miller, SCM’s representative on PWRDF Youth Council]). But I pretty much made the decision on the spot to join this year’s pilgrimage!
This past summer, I read Shane Claiborne’s Irresistible Revolution. I’ve been involved with a number of causes over the years, but had never really considered the relationship between activism and faith before reading the book. It opened by eyes to this whole new dimension of Christianity that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t really witnessed or experienced before. I’m still in the process of exploring liberation theology, and I am so so so so excited about this incredible opportunity to actively follow in the footsteps of Christ.
I’m a second-year student at Carleton U in Ottawa studying Global Politics and Economics. It’s a good time so far. I am passionate about international development, human rights and creating community – both locally and globally. I am looking forward to meeting all of you.
by Penny Elsley (Australia)
Pilgrim
I am a young Australian woman currently on a unique journey of
discovery…. a type of ‘walk-a-bout’ experience across the globe… exploring
ways to a better future and listening for the sounds of a song that is not
so distant… in fact it lies within us all! I am passionate about a lot of
things…. music, community, friends, the earth, spirituality, food :-) but
most of all living life to the full and living in such a way as to enable
those who have been stripped of this possibility to find it. My involvement
with youth over the years and my life experience has taught me that
something unique and profoundly good is rising up from this generation. They
know how to build connections between people and the world has a lot to gain
from this. The transformative and healing power of connection is something I
desire to illuminate as I explore ways to encourage the creative energies
that abound in this moment….
I first found out about the SOA when I did an internship this past April at
the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am so
grateful to have met David during my brief time here in Toronto and to now
have this opportunity to take part in the protest and to share the journey
with you all. I’m sure it is going to be a ‘perfect fit’ for my current
mission to ‘get amongst it’ and to learn as much as possible about making a
difference in the world.
