Spring Update

The Almont winter retreat was a while ago, but I thought a post about it was in order. The retreat was on music and music was certainly a major component of the retreat. It was a blessing to have Paul Deming, a professional musician help lead this retreat. His guitar play was beautiful and his song writing was wonderful. He is a great guy and his smile and positive mood is contagious. But what really struck me about this past winter retreat was the way teens made music in their simple and unique way. Alex belting out Christmas music on the clarinet. Celie and Chris' beautifully created rain stick. Beccah shyly playing the oboe. The clay kazoos. Dr. Dave smiling and shaking the rattle to Beatles tunes with Lori, Alice and Holly singing along. Adam singing Three Wooden Crosses at the closing communion worship service. These are the simple musical memories that I continue to reflect on. I was also moved deeply by the wonderful psalms that you teens wrote. They were emotional and touching on many levels. I print them here so you can all see them.

Psalm 1

Sing unto the Lord all the earth

and all the sea and sky.

Worship Him in joyful song

come to Him with shouts of praise.

Know it is He who created us

and He who keeps us.

We are His own,

the fish of His ocean.

(Alice, Lucas, Bekka, Adam)

Psalm 2

Thank you God for helping us when we need it.

Thank you for guiding us in times of need.

For without your light we would be lost.

For without your love we would be missing.

I praise you in song, my gracious God.

I shout to the heavens with love and thanks.

(Celia, Liz, Ashley, Andrew, Kalib)

Psalm 3

My eyes refuse to open

I cannot wake up.

I am unable to get out of bed

I cannot get up to better your world.

I begin to drift off during the most important things

My eyes begin to close when I try to focus.

God support me through this difficulty

Give my spirit strength.

(Mariel, Deckard, Holly, Jon, Alex)

Psalm 4

I feel alone all the time.

Even when surrounded by people I am lonely.

I can't bring myself to do anything.

I don't try at the things I love.

Comfort is found so rarely.

I always search for warmth and love.

Someday it will get better

and you, God, will lift me up.

(Chris, Celie, Beccah, Skylor)

Of course, roller skating, catch phrase and frozen ultimate frisbee are always highlights for me as well, however, escorting Holly through the Exodus to Independence journey was wonderful (albeit bittersweet) and very emotional for me. It is hard for me to grasp that Holly is 19 now. She has been such a major part of the SCYL, from attending retreats and camps, putting out those great issues of Clear Blue Sky and being league President. I will miss her dearly at retreats. It seems only yesterday that I was greeting that new shy young girl at the youth group sleepover in Portland.

As winter retreat blurs into the past I find myself busy preparing for upcoming spring and summer events. Aside from my work with the younger preteen group (there is a retreat for 10 - 13 yr olds at Almont in the end of April), I have starting work on the Memorial retreat at Fryeburg Assembly and have already starting thinking about our annual all church Convention in early July. This year Convention is at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Convention involves a lot of planning and money, so if you are interested in going, please, please, contact me early so we can work on getting you there. That goes for Memorial retreat as well. I would love to see as many teens as possible come to these two events. I look forward to seeing you soon!