On this sunny Monday afternoon, I leave for annual Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. Twelve teens are planning on attending this year. The theme is "Behold I make all things new". I wonder what new things will unfold before us this year to behold. It is with anticipation and excitement that I depart. New teens, old teens, leaders, adults and ministers all gathering for a week of fun, worship and meaningful discussions. And a 49 lb suitcase filled with some very cool stuff for you teens to sell this year to raise money for retreat travel. This is something I wish everyone could be a part of. Convention is an amazing experience that I value each and every year. So much to to do and learn and watch. It is indeed something to behold! I'll see some of you very soon. Safe travels.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
2011 Memorial Day Retreat
I glanced behind me as I pulled the Aztek out of the Fryeburg Assembly on Monday morning at the end of the Memorial retreat to check that my red Frisbee was in the rear cargo net. Yes, it was there. I hate losing Frisbees and they are usually the last thing I pack, or forget to pack when I depart a retreat or camp. We didn't play much Frisbee this year, as other activities were more attractive and the bugs were fierce, but I did get to throw a bit, mostly with Danny. Having confirmed my Frisbee was properly stowed, my thoughts turned to thinking about the retreat that had just ended. I thought about how the SCYL is changing. With Janice gone, this being Nina and Cody's last retreat, and our President Holly soon departing the SCYL, I see the younger teens moving into leadership roles. And, they are. Celie taking over CBS. Bekka and Mariel traveling great distances to attend retreats as young teens. The League is changing. It always has, and always will. Yet, for some reason, I feel the flow of new teens entering the SCYL and ebb of older teens exiting as more substantial and dramatic. I departed this retreat a bit sad of the significant loss of a couple of wonderfully influential, meaningful and caring teens leaving the SCYL. But as I pondered my melancholy state, presently a new emotion arose.
As I pulled onto route 302 to head home a real feeling of contentment washed over me. And a feeling of how proud I am of you teens. I thought, to myself, "Wow. What a great group." You teens were so incredibly mature and responsible at this retreat. And I want you to know how proud I am of you. You were so wonderful in so many ways during this retreat. Helping with cleanup and dishes, your thought-provoking questions and answers in sessions, your beautiful music, working on the potato stamp cards, making decisions and facing issues straight
on. You did all of this without adults nagging you and pestering you. You are truly an amazing group to work and play with!
And the 2011 Memorial Weekend retreat was pretty amazing too. We had a rocky start, with Jon missing his flight and the prom group arriving late, but it worked out ok. Also, the retreat was a bit smaller in numbers then previous years. This I think worked well for the theme, "You're a Sweden-what? Sharing your faith with others". There were some wonderful discussions on faith, what Swedenborgian's believe, and how to answer questions about your religion and your perception of truth. Rev Sage, Rev Susannah, Rev Lee and Rev Jenn all led sessions exploring this topic and helped us discover and strengthen our beliefs and how we might share those beliefs with others. The sessions were lively and engaging, with opportunities for teens to have Q&A time with ministers and express their thoughts on faith with friends, both in writing and talking. Outside of session, the teens worked on making potato stamp cards as a fundraiser to sell at Convention and summer camps. Sunday morning we joined in worship at the Fryeburg New Church. Teens Nina, Audrey and MB sang at worship performing "The O
nly Exception" and Nina and MB sang a beautiful cover duet of "Dreams" by the Cranberries. Later Sunday afternoon, the teen girls had a temporary henna tattoo party. Sunday evening we all gathered at the parsonage, home of Rev Sage. The teens piled on her bed and watched the video "The Choice is Yours", that was made at the last Memorial retreat. Then, Rev. Jenn led the closing communion service with more music performed by Nina and Danny. The bowling alley was closed, so we watche
d a movie back at the Assembly late in the evening. We thought about going to the drive-in, but the mosquitoes were too thick and bloodthirsty for that. We packed up early Sunday morning and cleaned up the Assembly. The teens from Portland and Fryeburg did an absolutely terrific job. I watched the Portland teen gi
rls walk to their car from the main porch. Nina, strolling with her guitar swinging by her side. And as I consider my own ways of sharing faith with others, it often comes back to community and relationship. And it comes back to the beauty and wisdom that I find in the teens of the SCYL. I thank God for you. You are a blessing and I am so very proud of each and every one of you.
As I pulled onto route 302 to head home a real feeling of contentment washed over me. And a feeling of how proud I am of you teens. I thought, to myself, "Wow. What a great group." You teens were so incredibly mature and responsible at this retreat. And I want you to know how proud I am of you. You were so wonderful in so many ways during this retreat. Helping with cleanup and dishes, your thought-provoking questions and answers in sessions, your beautiful music, working on the potato stamp cards, making decisions and facing issues straight
on. You did all of this without adults nagging you and pestering you. You are truly an amazing group to work and play with!And the 2011 Memorial Weekend retreat was pretty amazing too. We had a rocky start, with Jon missing his flight and the prom group arriving late, but it worked out ok. Also, the retreat was a bit smaller in numbers then previous years. This I think worked well for the theme, "You're a Sweden-what? Sharing your faith with others". There were some wonderful discussions on faith, what Swedenborgian's believe, and how to answer questions about your religion and your perception of truth. Rev Sage, Rev Susannah, Rev Lee and Rev Jenn all led sessions exploring this topic and helped us discover and strengthen our beliefs and how we might share those beliefs with others. The sessions were lively and engaging, with opportunities for teens to have Q&A time with ministers and express their thoughts on faith with friends, both in writing and talking. Outside of session, the teens worked on making potato stamp cards as a fundraiser to sell at Convention and summer camps. Sunday morning we joined in worship at the Fryeburg New Church. Teens Nina, Audrey and MB sang at worship performing "The O
nly Exception" and Nina and MB sang a beautiful cover duet of "Dreams" by the Cranberries. Later Sunday afternoon, the teen girls had a temporary henna tattoo party. Sunday evening we all gathered at the parsonage, home of Rev Sage. The teens piled on her bed and watched the video "The Choice is Yours", that was made at the last Memorial retreat. Then, Rev. Jenn led the closing communion service with more music performed by Nina and Danny. The bowling alley was closed, so we watche
d a movie back at the Assembly late in the evening. We thought about going to the drive-in, but the mosquitoes were too thick and bloodthirsty for that. We packed up early Sunday morning and cleaned up the Assembly. The teens from Portland and Fryeburg did an absolutely terrific job. I watched the Portland teen gi
rls walk to their car from the main porch. Nina, strolling with her guitar swinging by her side. And as I consider my own ways of sharing faith with others, it often comes back to community and relationship. And it comes back to the beauty and wisdom that I find in the teens of the SCYL. I thank God for you. You are a blessing and I am so very proud of each and every one of you.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Love Makes a Person and a Church
The June edition of the Chaplain's corner, by Pastor Dave, SCYL Chaplain
We can think of being human by virtue of our body. That is, we have a head, arms and legs, and a torso, and that is our human form. But in fact, our body is simply a vessel that responds to our soul. Our body is made of material elements, but our soul is made of spiritual elements. And it is actually our soul that makes us human.
We can think of being human by virtue of our body. That is, we have a head, arms and legs, and a torso, and that is our human form. But in fact, our body is simply a vessel that responds to our soul. Our body is made of material elements, but our soul is made of spiritual elements. And it is actually our soul that makes us human.
Simply put, our soul is what we love. We are human because we can love. In fact, we are human because of our loves. It is love that makes us human. Love is who we really are. What we love is our very life. Take away love, and we wouldn't want to do anything. There are two heavenly loves that make us angels: love for our neighbor and love for God.
These loves are also what make a church. The church isn't just a building and the rituals we do in it. Those things are what we would call the externals of the church. The internal of the church is the same as what makes for a heavenly person. The internal of the church is to will good from the heart and to love God. Without these loves, the church building would be empty.
We are humans because of what we love. And we are a church individually because of what we love.
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