A Lasting Friendship
Years of Friendship with Navajoland

By John and Patty Ely

Our Navajoland journey began in 2013, when our church, St. Julian of Norwich – Cedar Park, TX, began a relationship in the San Juan region of the Episcopal Church in Navajoland (ECN). The idea was to come on pilgrimage to see what the experience could hold for all. The scenic Southwest desert always appealed to us, and then we arrived in the oil-and-gas town of Farmington at a hospitality house without natural gas, so no hot water for cooking, cleaning, or bathing. Little did we know how transformative the trip would become for the whole team. We have been returning yearly since, even during the pandemic, bringing food-banking equipment on a drop-and-run.

While we do a project each year, the real purpose of our pilgrimages is the part of St. Julian’s vision statement about growing in relationship. Our group brings everyone from toddlers to grandparents, and everyone has a role and opportunity to grow in relationship. We intentionally seek not only to learn about Navajo culture and tradition and to share Christian worship, but also to be open to how the Spirit moves within all our relationships. Every visit, we try to work alongside our Navajo brothers and sisters, to break bread together whenever we can, to celebrate our successes and to get to know one another more deeply.

 For Patty and me, our visits have become an important part of our lives. When we arrive in Navajoland, we no longer feel like visitors; we are welcomed home by our Navajo family. Patty is even called Grandma Patty by one Navajo child; it is special. We feel our own spirituality has grown deeper and more nuanced through this relationship, developed organically with each encounter. Integrating what we now understand about Navajo culture and faith has left us with a more complex understanding of our Western European faith, much to the better. So long as we are able, we plan to grow our Navajo relationships. For whatever you pay attention to in your life is what will grow.

 For anyone with the opportunity to visit ECN, we encourage you to take it. You will find people of uniquely deep faith and conviction, and a vast land of unique beauty. Also, if you are open to it, you will discover the Beauty Way to help guide you forward.