Confirmation Camp

On Sunday (6/23/2013) I'm heading to confirmation camp with two of St. Stephen's confirmation kids, joining 50-60 others (youth and adults).  We'll be going to VanderKamp (www.vk.org) for five nights, returning on Friday.  My task as an adult leader will be to supervise the girls in my lodge, as well as teaching a mixed group Bible related lesson twice each day, as well as, supervising them during the day. 

This will be my first... my VERY FIRST experience at camp EVER! 

I'm really looking forward to going to camp, spending time with the youth, as well as, the other adults who will be there.  I know there will be a lot of fun activities, as well as time for meditation and worship.  I can't wait to sit around the camp fire and sing fun songs.  I feel like I missed out as a kid, so I'm approaching this experience from two perspectives.  Perhaps this is a good thing, it keeps the excitement high, when I look at it from my inner "Kid's" perspective.  When I look at it from an "adult" perspective, I'm a bit nervous, not knowing exactly what is going to happen.  I guess that put's me in a good place to relate to the youth who haven't been to camp before.

As I head off to camp this coming Sunday, I hope that you will keep me and the other campers in your prayers.  Please pray that we have safe travels, plenty of Christian fellowship, time for rest, time for relating to God and to nature, and plenty of time for fun as well.

Should I survive this experience, I'll see you all next Sunday for our Youth Led Worship and the Confirmation of two of our youth.

Blessings to you in Christ,
Pastor Deb

Who's she preaching to?

Last Sunday, my sermon was about being made new in Jesus, it was also about HIV/AIDS and unsafe sexual practices, to which many of my older congregation members wondered - "Who is she preaching to?" The truth is, I was preaching to them, and everyone else. Just because the message doesn't directly apply to you, it doesn't mean that there isn't someone who needs to hear it, that wasn't present in church on Sunday...someone you know, family, friends, neighbors... That's what our baptismal promise is all about. Share the news, bad and good. HIV/AIDS is far from over. Thank goodness, through God's love and grace, we are given the courage to carry on and and to help others. Reach our to your loved ones, your friends, and your neighbors. Share what you hear each Sunday. God be with you. Pastor Deb