Winter Retreat Primer

This year's winter retreat is practically here! This is a big one. If you've never been to a SCYL retreat before, this is one to go to if you can.

Those of you who have been before already know this!

If you are a teen on the mailing list, you should have received your flyer by now. If you didn't get one, please let me know. The staff this year is shaping up great. Sessions leaders include League Chaplain, Rev David Fekete, Rev Alison Longstaff and Rev Jenn Tafel. The teen group is large and energized. The SCYL nominations and elections will take place at this retreat too. I think they will be interesting and exciting this time around. If you've read your flyer, you know about the retreat theme. I've included stuff about the theme below for those of you who haven't seen it yet. I know you all come to retreats for the engaging theme and the sessions; not to hang out with friends, go skating, eat pizza, play Ultimate Frisbee in the snow/mud, and watch movies so I wanted to make sure that you had all the information about the topic ;-). I'm looking forward to seeing all of you. I know this will be a great retreat. With such a fantastic group of teens - how could it not be!

Our retreat theme: Baffled by the Bible?

Understanding Biblical Controversies

Most teens do not like to be told what to do. It is all part of the process of growing up and breaking away from parental control. Teens rebel against those in power, fight against establishment, and struggle to create their own environment. This is quite contrary to most existing Christian faiths, where laws and rules about what to believe and what to do are laid out pretty clearly and obedience is expected.

But this isn’t how Christianity started out. Jesus was all about rebellion and revolution. He was a huge risk taker and ultimately it cost him his life. The early followers and leaders of Christianity were minorities and nonconformists. Most were persecuted and killed. Then there is the Bible an ancient collection of stories, laws, prophecy, and prayers. Filled with rules handed down by God through men and principles taught by Jesus and his early followers. The message is often do this or else!

Now, here we are in the twenty-first century, 2000 years after the time of Jesus. We try to fit scripture together with science, politics and the myriad Christian sects with their varied beliefs and as a result become totally confused. Is it that the Bible and today’s modern world just don’t work together? Religion does not seem to play well with science and technology. And why does it often appear that God is just sitting on the sidelines ignoring the whole show?

These are the questions and dilemmas that we will explore at this retreat. The Swedenborgian church offers satisfying and unique perspectives on many controversial issues. These age old questions have practical answers that you can believe in, trust and understand. Come to this retreat and realize resolution.