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St. A's Goes to the Mountains (Again!) by The Rev. Joyce Stickney
I recall a special Sunday morning last October when St. A's folks emerged from their cabins while the breakfast bell rang at Camp Stevens. The good smell of nature, the cracking of twigs beneath my feet, the glimmering sun beams through the trees, all told me, "it's the Lord's Day!" Breakfast was hot and ready; strong coffee, pancakes and sausages, fruit and cereal - strength of the day. After eating, we gathered in the lodge to plan our worship service. Some wrote the Psalm, others picked the music, a group practiced a dramatic presentation of the gospel, prayers were written, and the altar was adorned.
The chapel was outside in the cathedral of trees. People shared how they saw Christ during the weekend. I saw Christ's loving arms when one young person put her arm around a friend's shoulder as we walked through the dark night to the campfire. It was a spontaneous expression of tenderness. After reflecting, we ate the broken loaf of homemade bread and shared the old cup. Hmmm… St. A's felt different. Our worship was earthy and simple and intimate. I was reluctant to pack up and head home. The whole weekend felt like a Sabbath, a time set apart to be with God, God's creation and people. This is good.
This year's parish weekend retreat is October 4-6 (at Camp Stevens in Julian - again). The camp offers hiking trails, mines to explore, a huge tree house, a swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, campfires, comfortable lodgings, delicious home cooking and more. The climbing wall will be available for those who would like an additional challenge and activities will be led by camp staff for young people. Also, if enough people indicate an interest, we may arrange vans for transportation to and from the Camp (it's quite a drive!).
Look for sign ups in August to indicate your interest in participating. Space is limited.
Copyright © 2002 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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