Hey Y’all! My name is Marci Mazza- Fredley (she/her) and I am so excited to be one of the three 2023 DPF Peace Interns! I am a rising senior at Bethany College in West Virginia, majoring in Political Science, with a minor in religion and social justice. I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the city known for having the most bridges!
When I am not studying for classes, it may be hard to find me because I keep busy on my off time! Two places I find myself quite often is on the lacrosse field, or at the Oglebay stables. I play defense for the Bethany’s women’s lacrosse team, and I am on the Hunt Seat Equestrian team!
I am also the Pennsylvania Region’s Youth Ministries Intern, so I take time to plan and organize all staff and events for the summer at Camp Laurelview in Rockwood, Pennyslvania. Sometimes I fill in as pulpit supply at various West Virginia and Pennsylvania Disciples of Christ churches on Sunday mornings. I love being able to write sermons and share the word of God through an academic and equitable lens. This is something that I focus strongly on in my minor at school!
Something interesting about me is that I recently adopted two kitties from a rescue shelter in Pittsburgh! I named them Yallah (meaning “hurry, let’s go) and Jameela (meaning “beautiful”). These are the first two words I learned in Arabic while I was in Palestine last week! They joined our family with warm welcome from our two pups, Mike, and Mercury!
Last week I took a trip with other third-year Higher Education and Leadership Ministries fellows to Palestine! Every third-year cohort takes an international trip together to learn about and experience other cultures, while exploring our own faith journeys. While in Palestine and Israel, I realized that sharing the stories and experiences of our Palestinian brothers and sisters is vital to the work of the larger church. Which is why I will be focusing on the apartheid happening in Palestine through my work this summer with DPF.
Something I am really excited for this summer is to not only share my experiences with campers and lead workshops, but to also learn from the campers too. I am a firm believer that we are always learning; even when we are in positions as teachers and leaders, there are always new things to learn and experience!! Which is one of the big reasons I wanted to be a DPF Peace Intern. I want to continue my faith journey in all spaces social justice related, but also learn from every environment around me.
I started my activist journey as a high school student, and all I ever wanted was to be included in the larger conversations centered around equality and justice. Now more than ever, youth are becoming more aware of the world around them, and rather than encouraging them away from these passions, we should be inviting them to the table for these vital conversations!