 Life After Jerusalem
I concluded my year of service in Jerusalem and the West Bank on July 11th, 2009. I will continue to update this site with information, blog entries, and links as they become relevant. I hope you'll continue to follow along as I explore life after Jerusalem!! Meet Chelsea
I am a native of Monroe, Michigan where I graduated from Ida High School in 2004. A lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Dundee, I first felt God’s call in my life while on mission trips in Washington D.C. and Toronto with my high school youth group. I attended the University of Michigan where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology with a minor in Music. While in college, I volunteered at Safehouse Center, a shelter for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and worked in the University of Michigan Medical Center’s Cancer Genetics Clinic. For two years, I served as a Peer Minister with Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Michigan. In my free time, I enjoy playing the bassoon, traveling, and cooking.
My Commitment to Peace During the summer of 2005, I traveled to the Holy Land with the first youth delegation from the Southeast Michigan Synod. Walking in my Palestinian friends' shoes through checkpoints and amidst guns, tanks, and barriers, I was touched by their enduring commitment to hope and peace. Upon returning to the States, my life was changed from one of egocentrism and naiveté to one of activism. Activism that has driven me to lead workshops at local churches about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, enroll in classes at the university, deliver sermons, and attend and facilitate lectures, movie screenings, and discussions. In addition, I attended the 2007 Churches for Middle East Peace Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. where I spoke with my State's representatives and their aides about the Church’s commitment to peace and a shared two-state solution. Now as I graduate from the University, I look forward to serving my brothers and sisters in Christ while living their daily celebrations and challenges. What is the Young Adults in Global Mission Program? The Young Adults in Global Mission program offers international service opportunities to young adults of the ELCA who are willing to share their gifts, receive the gifts of others, participate in intentional Christian communities of learning and service, and live at subsistence level to help meet needs worldwide. Through a variety of experiences, Young Adults in Global Mission volunteers witness to their faith and learn about the global church. Young adults serve in churches, schools, and social service ministries. For the 2008-2009 program, volunteers will be engaged in work in Argentina, Uruguay, India, Kenya, Mexico, Palestine, Slovakia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. How was I selected for this position? Through an intensive application and interview process, I was selected to serve in Jerusalem and the West Bank for the coming year. Along with a group of 5 other young adults, we will be working with the churches, schools, and programs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. This will be the first year in the ten-year history of the Young Adult program that volunteers will serve in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Working closely with Bishop Younan, Martin Shoffner, our country coordinator, and the directors of the ELCJHL’s programs in Palestine, unique placements will be created for each of the volunteers to live and work in solidarity with our friends in Christ. Contact Me: chelseamathis@gmail.com |
 Dome of the Rock Jerusalem 2005 |
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