A Few of Our Favorite Things

Over the past few weeks, you’ve gotten a glimpse into each member of the Sycamore House, and we hope that we’ll have many more opportunities to share who we are and learn about you, the people who support and pour into us. Reflecting on the past (almost) two months since we’ve arrived, we wanted to share some of our favorite moments since being members of the Sycamore House. 

---

A Few of Our Favorite Things

A photo of the Sycamore House members gardening at the Catholic Worker House.

#1. Our week of orientation was packed. We got to meet Sycamore House board members while also exploring Harrisburg, and one of the places we visited was the Catholic Worker House, which held a spot in Madi’s mind:

My favorite moment so far has been serving at the Catholic Worker house during the first week of Orientation. I love Naed and the work that he’s committed to. It’s also refreshing to be surrounded by so many plants in the middle of the city! It just feels like such holy ground and I can’t help but feel at peace and closer to God every time I enter that space.

 

#2. Church Service at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral

At the very end of the week, we attended our first service at St. Stephen’s. Here’s a reflection from Ben:

One moment that impacted me since my time in the Sycamore House was the first church service I attended to with my Corps members. It was amazing to be a part of the St. Stephen’s community and seeing all the warmth and generosity towards us from all of the church members. It was a great feeling to feel loved and welcomed by many, and it affirmed my decision to join the Sycamore House!

Two Sycamore House members clearing away weeds. 

#3. Rising Sun Acres Farm

For one Friday afternoon out of each month, we come together for a service opportunity. We’ve been able to meet so many individuals who are invested in the flourishing of this community, and we hope that we can be some small part of that in our year here.

Read more about why this was Shannon’s favorite moment:

I enjoyed this event, because after moving to an urban area, it was fun to play in the dirt and get our hands dirty!

#4. The Ordination

By attending St. Stephen’s, we have begun to know the people in that community, and one of the members who’s had an impact on us is Shayna Watson, who serves the church as a curate. Some of us got to attend her ordination to become a Deacon, and this became Chloe’s favorite moment:

On the last Sunday of September, St. Stephen’s held an ordination service. The pews were full with clergy, church members, and the friends and family of Shayna and Eric. The sanctuary was full with the vivid red of vestments, bright smiles of loved ones, and the rich sounds of music. And the day was full with smiling at Amy, hugging Shayna, eating homemade chili, and dancing in the basement with my house mates.

Five Sycamore House member standing around a bushel of apples.

#5. Apple Picking

For another Friday afternoon in the month, we get to spend time together doing whatever we want to do as a group. For our October activity, we decided to venture out to Strites’ Orchard and go apple-picking. It was an especially fun time for Katie:

A moment that has been impactful since arriving at Sycamore House was apple picking with my housemates at Strites’ Orchard! It was great to spend time together and do something I’ve never had the opportunity to do before.

#6. Undoing Racism Workshop

This past weekend, all of us took part in an undoing racism workshop with over 40 other people. Over the course of two and a half days, we explored the history and definition of racism in the United States, challenging ourselves to commit to the work of undoing racism and restoring human dignity for all. Here is Elisabeth’s reflection from that weekend:

I’ll admit that I wasn’t looking forward to the workshop about undoing racism. While I care deeply about racial reconciliation, my journey has been confusing and messy over the past few years. But during this workshop, I had space to share vulnerably about my struggle in a large group for the first time. I felt heard, and the encouragement and validation I received in the wake of that experience confirmed the decision I made to be honest.

---

---

We look forward to many more moments and interactions that contribute to fond memories. Thank you for being a part of that!

Advertisement

Meet the Members: Elisabeth

Hello to all!

I’m Elisabeth Ivey, a writer and coffee enthusiast (I’d like to personally thank the generous members of the St. Stephen’s community for keeping me well-supplied).

I’m also a recent graduate of Messiah College, where I studied English and Sociology & Anthropology. Those two areas of study intersect in my desire to study the people and the world through story. I’ve personally experienced the powerful influence of story to stretch me beyond my own experience. As an author-in-training, I hope the stories I portray will similarly challenge and affirm readers.

I haven’t strayed far from where I spent the last four years. As Program Coordinator with the Center for Public Humanities at Messiah College, I have the honor of working on the very same campus that’s been home for some time. I cherish my work. In my position, I’ve had the opportunity to work with brilliant students who dedicate themselves to research and the community in their roles as fellows. Through a program called Poetry in Place, I get to tour and learn about Harrisburg alongside middle school students before they compose poetry to reflect on those experiences. In whatever work I pursue next, I hope it allows for the same creative and thoughtful work I’ve been able to engage with at the Center.

Before college, I lived in seven different states, so I grew accustomed to the idea that a transition meant a geographical change. When I learned I would get to stay in the area for another year, I realized I would get to practice presence and learn how to grow deeper into the community here. I’m thankful for this chance to experience the city in new ways. Living in the Sycamore House, attending St. Stephen’s, working at Messiah College, and exploring Harrisburg, I anticipate a year of growth as I learn from those around me and engage in intentional relationships. Thank you for being a part of that!

---

Photography by Owen McCullum

Meet the Members: Chloe

Hi, my name is Chloe! Last May, I graduated from Calvin College in Michigan with a degree in English Literature and Environmental Studies. I’ve spent my life thus far split equally between three places: Beijing, China; Birmingham, Alabama; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because of this, I’m not entirely sure where to call home, but this year I’m excited to explore a new place.

Since I spent the first chunk of my life in China as a missionary kid in a small Reformed denomination, I’ve grown up appreciating the role of culture and the importance of community. When I studied in England for a semester during college, I was drawn to the liturgical and ecumenical aspects of the Anglican tradition. Through my time living in the Sycamore House, I hope to learn more about the Episcopal Church as well as how to live intentionally with others.

This year, my service placement is with the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club. As a national grassroots environmental advocacy group, the Sierra Club is largely volunteer-run. My position as an Organizing Fellow primarily involves supporting these volunteer leaders across the state, creating resources for local groups and coordinating statewide strategies for their environmental justice campaigns.

The majority of my work supports the state’s “Ready for 100” campaign, a national movement that advocates for clean and equitable energy, urging local legislators and decision-makers to make commitments to renewable energy and offering action plans to back these resolutions. In light of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recent report, this work feels more critical than ever.

Although it’s been just over a month, I’ve already been challenged and stretched by my time here. And I’ve been incredibly grateful for walks along the Susquehanna River, the goodwill and humor of my housemates, the kindness of my coworkers, and the generosity of the members of St Stephen’s.

Here’s to a good year and to good things to come.

– Chloe

Meet the Members: Katie

Hi, y’all!

My name is Katie Lamp, and I came to Sycamore House by way of small town Alabama. I graduated from the University of South Alabama in December 2016 with my Bachelor’s in Social Work. Before arriving in Harrisburg, I worked in community mental health as a case manager. This year, I will be serving with Capital Area Head Start. I am excited about this opportunity because I have always loved working with children and I am looking forward to being a part of early interventions that will benefit these students for years to come.

Whenever someone finds out where I’m from, the first question is always, “Why Pennsylvania?” The answer is that Pennsylvania is home, too! I was born here along with my mother and three of my grandparents. I fondly remember many summer vacations here and always told my parents growing up that I was going to live here one day, even if just for a year. I’m happy that my statement was correct!

In my free time, I love exploring my new surroundings, reading, and listening to music and sports radio. I love watching football (NOT an Alabama fan!), baseball, and hockey. I am also very interested in genealogy and have composed a substantial family tree archive. When I’m back home in Alabama, I spend a lot of time with my Godson who is almost 4.

Serving with Sycamore House is a dream come true, and I cannot wait to see how being a part of the house, St. Stephen’s, and the Harrisburg community over the next year will impact my life for years to come!

Meet the Members: Ben

Hello! My name is Ben Shao, and I am a recent UConn graduate majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology. My career goal is to practice medicine, and I wanted to take this year after recently graduating from college to serve others and practice the humanity side of medicine that I think is so vital to becoming a great physician.

This year, I will be serving at Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area and Beacon Clinic. My role at Habitat for Humanity is to identify grants that best fit our organization and help write them so that our organization can continue in serving the families of Harrisburg. At Beacon Clinic, my role is to help low-income individuals navigate through the complex world of healthcare insurance and help in any way possible. These two placements have been a blessing for me, as they both involve my passions towards healthcare and homelessness. As someone who wishes to become a physician in the near future, I know that the lessons that I will learn between the two placements will help me gain a broader idea of how healthcare relates to other various aspects of life.

I have lived the past 16 years in a small, seaside town just on the outskirts of New Haven, CT. Growing up in the same community for a long time has helped develop a strong connection with the place I grew up in, and it strengthened my passion and belief of giving back to the community. What drew me to the Episcopal Service Corps, and specifically Sycamore House, was the idea of being a part of the Harrisburg community and serving those that I would be sharing this community with. While it has only been a little over one month since moving into Harrisburg, I feel welcomed here in the city of Harrisburg, and I am eager in exploring and growing in this wonderful city.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time outside and staying active. I enjoy playing most sports, but my favorites to play are basketball and tennis. I also love to stay indoors as well sometimes and watch movies, TV shows, or read autobiographies or memoirs. Here in the city, I have noticed the plethora of activities and organizations that I can get involved in, and I am excited to explore my hobbies and passions within the city of Harrisburg.

I am very thankful to be a member of the Sycamore House this year, and I am looking forward to both serving at my placements and also getting to know both my wonderful housemates and the St. Stephen’s community!