Experiencing ‘Awe’ in the North

Members of the Parish of Holy Cross, Vancouver and some friends and family travelled to Whitehorse this past March. Eight of us flew from Vancouver, including Katsumi, a guest from Japan, and Trine, the Rev. Alecia Greenfield’s mother. We were looking for the northern lights and practicing appreciating awe. We knew that we needed to pay attention to awe everywhere. Not everyone who goes north gets to see the aurora borealis. We made a lot of plans.

Together we explored the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, where we discovered how heavy moose antlers are and were awed by the majesty of mountain sheep. We split up to explore more of the region. Some of us went to Skagway, Alaska, and some saw the first trumpeter swans migrating north. Some of us went snowshoeing and tried out kick sleds. We paid our respects at the Kwanlin Dun culture center. We brought a small gift to Rev. Vincent Fenga at Christ Church Cathedral, Whitehorse. We appreciated the Ted Harrison designed windows at the Cathedral and met the Bishop of the Diocese of Yukon, the Right Reverend Lesley Wheeler-Dame. Every day we took time to rest and reflect at the onsen (Japanese for natural hot springs). We were awed by the generosity of the group and amazed by the beauty of the landscape. 

And then we did see the lights. Every night the northern lights danced in the sky. We were blessed. And we were awed. 

IMAGES (top scroll)

• Trying on moose antlers: the Reverend Alecia Greenfield, Keiko and Ryan
• Northern Lights
• Meeting the clergy in Whitehorse - Bishop Lesley, the Reverend Vincent Fenga, Rev. Alecia and Wendy
• James and Wendy at Christ Church Cathedral, Whitehorse
• Kicksleds and snowshoes, Keiko, Ryan and Katsumi
• Wendy follows the Gold Rush in Skagway
• Last night in Whitehorse: Wendy, Katsumi, Trine, Ryan (rear), James, Rev. Alecia, Keiko

Photos: Wendy Matsubuchi-Bremner