Prayer is an Action Word

The January edition of the Chaplain's Corner by Pastor Dave, SCYL Chaplain

Prayer is a very powerful thing to do. God answers all prayers. However, there is a catch. Jesus tells us, “You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it” (John 14:14). By asking for something in Jesus’ name, more is meant than just praying to Jesus. Jesus’ name means everything that Jesus stands for. If we ask for help that is in keeping with Jesus’ teachings, then we will get it. But we will only receive our wishes if they are in keeping with God’s will. This is what is meant by Jesus’ name.

Be ready for action. God will show us how to accomplish what we pray for. But this may mean that we need to do the actions necessary to accomplish or receive what we pray for. If what we pray for is in Jesus’ name, we will be shown how to obtain our desires. God will enlighten our minds and we will be guided to what we pray for.

Be ready to wait. Our desires may not be fulfilled immediately. They will come in God’s own time. Our desires may not come in the way we imagine them. They will come the way God sees is best for us and those around us. But one thing we can be sure of. Our prayers will be answered. “You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.”

2010 SCYL Officers

The 2010 Swedenborgian Church Youth League (SCYL) Officer and Chaplain elections took place at the Almont Winter Retreat this past December. The results are:

President - Nina

East Coast and Public Relations Officer - Rachel

Midwest and Activities Officer - Janice

Canada and Service Officer - Joseph

West Coast and Fundraising & Finance Officer - Cody

Editor, Clear Blue Sky and Communication Officer - Holly

League Chaplain - Rev. Dr. David Fekete

12345 82nd St. Apt 201

Edmonton, AB T5B 2X3

Canada

feketedavid@yahoo.com

cell: (780) 995-6063

We've got some new officers and some returning officers. We are sad to say goodbye to 2009 officers Alex, Sam and Jake who are 19 now and must leave the SCYL. We look forward to seeing them at Transitions retreats, Convention and summer camps.

We have a great group of officers elected to serve in 2010. Nina, returns for a second term as SCYL President. Nina was an inspirational and amazingly positive leader last year and we are so excited to have her back again. She is busy applying to colleges and singing (Nina is excited to play the lead villain in her high school production of “Once Upon a Mattress”). She is very involved in church retreats, camps and Convention so your almost sure to meet her if you attend one of these events. Watch out, her happy, playful spirit is contagious!

Janice and Joseph are new officers. Janice has been very active in her participation at Almont Summer Camp, Convention and retreats. We are so pleased to have her finally as an officer! She is a gifted musician and expressive conversationalist. You’re sure to get an interesting story and lots of questions when talking with Janice! Joseph is new to the SCYL and we are so excited to see

him playing such an important role in the future of the League at such a young age. We look forward to his insight and energy.

Cody begins his fifth year of service to the SCYL returning as the West and Fundraising/Finance Officer. Rachel returns for her third year as East Coast and Public Relations Officer. Holly begins the challenging job as CBS editor for a second year. She did an amazing job putting out three great issues in 2009 and we are excited and blessed to have her continuing on. Please help her out by sending her stories, poems, pictures, articles, drawings, whatever you want to share with the other teens.

Rev. Dr. David Fekete was re-elected to his

third year as the League Chaplain. Dr. Dave as he is commonly known, spends a lot time traveling to retreats and camps to help make them great. He writes monthly chaplain posts that you can read here. Best of all, he writes some hilarious Mad Libs that are highly entertaining!

Please join me in congratulating all of our 2010 SCYL Officers and our League Chaplain. This marks another year where we are thrilled to have a great mix of teens leading the League. I’m elated to be working with this group and I hope that you get a chance to meet them if you haven't already.

Winter Retreat Worship Service Poem

Balance Your Peace and Love

Peace,
without who am i,
or who are you.
War solves none,
just does more,
evil.

Love,
something,
something I found,
we found really,
when we're born,
it gained never lost.

Balance,
Peace and Love,
seize and dove,
it creates us....

as one

~ by Josh

Almont Winter Retreat

Winter retreat at Almont was incredible. Despite many of us being sick (including me) with persistent lingering colds (some have renamed the retreat Snotfest 2009, yuck!). The retreat was lively, full of life and energy. Coma couch got a workout, as usual. Did you know that this was the first Almont winter retreat for thirteen teens? Ten teens who attended had never even visited Almont before. It was wonderful to see the "longtime" SCYL teens greet the new teens and help to welcome them into our community. It is hard for someone to break into a new group and I really appreciate all that everyone did to make the new teens feel comfortable and accepted. It is my hope and prayer that teens new to Almont will find it to be a positive environment where the soul is nourished, the spirit is lifted - a place where lifelong caring friends can be found. And I hope new Almonters come back year after year, to SCYL retreats, summer camps and other events. This is my experience, and it has made all the difference in my life. And it is the SCYL spirit of acceptance and your care for one another that perhaps I value most.

What memories did I take home from this retreat? Bowling and pizza, bringing that nasty Satan into the light, frozen Ultimate, watching the joy that is Coma Couch, talking about Old Testament laws and how they apply today, Catch Phrase, discussing marriage and same sex relationships, Foreigner in the van, and singing grace at interstate service plazas. What did you take home from this retreat? Please add your comments to those of Nina and Rachel here and let everyone know!

My mind is flooding with memories of all the fun things we did— getting all dressed for everything (especially bowling), sharing stories while washing dishes, freezing during Ultimate Frisbee, devouring popsicles and garlic bread, bonding with the girls at 3 a.m., and having a raving dance party in Pfister lounge with glow sticks! ~ Nina

The four days I spent there were so filled with love and laughter and happiness and excitement and back-breaking, rib-cracking hugs. ~ Nina

Upon arriving we were quickly acquainted with the beloved tap water, we had all managed to forget about. From this point on, everything is one giant blur; once other people started showing up we were on retreat time, which means that an hour feels like it's three. ~ Rachel

The sessions were really intriguing. I especially enjoyed Sage’s topic of same sex marriage and of course the closing worship service that ended with all the teens singing along to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” I found that moment to be truly touching. ~ Nina

...i'd say the amount of fun and everlasting experiences can be measured by the number of people who keep coming back and the new ones who have been convinced into coming. ~ Rachel

Almont was incredible, and I thank all the teens and staff for making it such a beautiful place. ~ Nina

Happy New Year!

Sorry that I have not gotten a post up recently. I've been very busy. I promise Almont winter retreat pictures and stories very soon. Keep checking in. Hope you are healthy, happy and enjoying the new year.