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.

Former League President Kathryn Pruiett

We continue our profile on former SCYL Presidents ~ Where are they now?

This month's featured former League President:

Kathryn Pruiett

Served 1987 - 1988

Kathryn as a teen at winter retreat

Where is she now?

My name is Kathryn Pruiett (used to be Rienstra).
I was President of the NCYL (New Church Youth
League as we knew it) in 1987 and 1988. Those
were truly wonderful years!!!!! Now I am a
mother of two wonderful children and have been
married for 15 years. I also work full time as a
Supervisor/data analyst for AT&T (used to be SBC
or Southwestern Bell Telephone). I have been
with the company for 12 years.  

The years I spent in the league have helped shape
who I am, and always serve as a foundation in all
the decisions I have made, and will make.

TrueTube Retreat in LaPorte

TrueTube? That was the question we pondered at the youth retreat in LaPorte. Ten teens gathered at Manna House over the weekend in late October to look at and discuss video created by teens or concerning relevant teen issues and/or spirituality. We explored how popular culture relates to Swedenborgian theology and considered how closely this reality matches our own personal experience. Prior to the retreat, I spent several days scouring YouTube for interesting, relevant retreat-worthy topics to view with teens. I ended up finding about 25 videos that I sorted into 5 topics (God, religion, the afterlife, life’s big questions, and interfaith music). The videos represented a wide cross-section of culture. They varied greatly – some serious, some funny; some animated, some photographic; some scripted and acted, some spontaneous improv. It was extremely enlightening to view popular video on these subjects. I learned a lot. When I searched for “God” and “religion” I was particularly surprised at how much and how popular anti-religion and anti-God commentary was. But, for the most part, the God that was ridiculed was not the God the I worshiped and the religion that was attacked was not what I believed.

We spent the weekend retreat doing mini-sessions, where we would watch a video and then discuss it. In between sessions, we visited a funky coffee house, played Catch Phrase, hung out and talked, or listened to music. Vince spent much of his time drawing pictures of me on his notepad as various animate and inanimate objects. He managed to fill the whole book. Very funny. I can’t pick a favorite, but I like Kurt as a microwave, Kurt as a rainbow and Kurt if he were invisible. Since no one took any pictures (sorry about that) I thought I'd post a few here. I’ll try to remember to bring the pad to winter retreat so you can see them all. On Saturday night we had a big movie party with loads of popcorn and candy. We watched three movies, White Noise 2, Fired Up and What Dreams May Come, until 3 am. Most everyone fell asleep at some point during the movies. We awoke Sunday morning just in time to run over to the church to catch the beginning of the worship service. Then we headed downstairs to do one last session where we were joined by Ashley and Emily. For the last session we watched a series of short music videos on different faiths including; Tao, Hindu, Islam, Jewish, Christian and Native American. We closed with a prayer circle then said our goodbyes. Although we missed our friends from Michigan and Ohio, this retreat was great. You teens taught me quite a bit and I had a wonderful time. I hope that you found something valuable to take back home with you too. If you discover anything interesting on YouTube that you think might be nice to share with your SCYL friends pass me the link. Thanks.

Angels and Demons

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

We are constantly surrounded by angels and demons, and they influence us. They usually don’t affect our physical lives, but they do affect the way we think and feel. Demons exert their efforts to try to destroy our lives. Demons are not a special class of being, they are just mean people who have passed over to the next life. In the next life they remain the same as they were on earth—mean. On earth, demons tried to ruin people’s lives so in the next life they are the same. They try to ruin our spirit. They try to fill our minds with self-doubt, with messages that we are worthless, with messages that we are bad people. They can fill our emotions with anger against other people. They can make us think we are superior to others. In short, they fill our minds and hearts with dark forces.

But we also have angels who are with us. The angels are not a special class of being—they are simply good people who have passed over to the next life. The angels try to fend off the demons. They try to fill us with positive and encouraging thoughts and good feelings. Angels fill us with love for other people, for God, and for the things of religion. They tell us that our lives are cared for by God and that everything will be alright.

We have a choice as to who we will listen to, and to which kind of spiritual company we will keep. We can choose to attract angels or demons. By asking God into our lives, we surround ourselves with God’s power and love and we also surround ourselves with angels. When we have God in our hearts and when we are surrounded by angels, we have peace of mind, and joy.

Cody and MB

Cody and MB kept us all laughing at Blairhaven with their crazy dancing and antics. Thought you would all appreciate a taste of what we enjoyed!

Former League President Ernie Eckberg

We continue our profile on former SCYL Presidents ~ Where are they now?

October's featured former League President:

Ernie Eckberg
Served 1966 - 1968

What did he do and where is he now?

I have been in Texas since 1967. I'm in my 37th year of being in the floor covering business. I specialize in custom motorcoach flooring.

I felt blessed that I was able to serve the local church in Elmwood and going to Convention to be elected President. I felt blessed that Convention allowed me to travel the country to visit the local leagues and to be an encourager for the youth. I was blessed to be asked to co-edit the Messenger with Rev Bob Kirven. I felt blessed to interview the President of Convention, Rev. Dick Tafel Sr. for my contribution to the Messenger. They, Corrinne and Dick let me stay at their home while I was in Philly. And Stewart Poole opened his home for me, also.

In my short 3 year term, I flew or drove to so many locations and met with so many folks that it would take me quite a while to assemble that list. I remember the last convention I attended and that was in Urbana. I was the outgoing president of the ANCL- American New Church League. I remember Sherry Fekete being there and we were good friends. I helped organize Conventions in Brockton, Philly and at Harvey Mudd College in California. I also served on General Council being asked to fill the unexpired seat of one of the members that had passed away.

The church has been the most influential part of my life. We are isolated members and have joined a couple churches here in Texas. There always seems to be a void in our life when we attend those church services - as we feel that what is being preached is not what we believe. Thus we do a lot of reading and praying by ourselves. I never felt the need for having a crowd around when I talk to the Lord.
[Editor note: Current Church President Chris Laitner was youth league secretary when Ernie was youth league President]

2009 Columbus Day Retreat at Blairhaven

The 2009 Columbus Day retreat (known as Blairhaven, as it is the only time a teen retreat is currently held here) was spectacular! As SCYL President Nina Sasser put it, "Best Blairhaven ever". We all learned so much about Swedenborg's famous fans. Rev. Lee taught us all about the amazing things that notable readers of Swedenborg like Blake, Jung, Cowherd, Emerson and MLK Jr. did with their lives. And Rev. Susannah vividly shared with us the life of Helen Keller by play the part and giving us the opportunity to experience blind, deaf disco bowling! At the Elmwood church on Sunday, we identified people that we admire and discovered traits that we have in common with them or would like to have. Back at Blairhaven, Rev. Lee explained how important it is to make positive change in your self to bring positive change into the world.

Of course, retreats are also all about fun with friends, and this retreat had plenty of that! Cody came all the way from LaPorte. Rev. Kevin Baxter made a visit on Sunday afternoon with Ephraim. The annual mudwalk turned into a frenzied mud wrestle. Blind deaf disco bowling certainly spiced things up. Brownie movie night was as yummy as ever and we laughed to Fired Up and screamed to Signs (some of us laughed at both ;-) ). We even got to take a hike up to the Myles Standish Monument, which was something we haven't had a chance to do for several years (and got a fun picture of our staged break in). And although Killer Croquet took a hiatus, I think all will agree that this Columbus Day retreat at Blairhaven was one to remember.