Be Still Rowing Down the River

There’s nothing like getting out in creation and being reminded to “Be still, and know that (God) is God” (Ps 46:10a). To feel the cool breeze on your face as you trek a trail or facing down a cliff that you just climbed thinking you couldn’t do it. We get so caught up in the routines of our ‘daily’ lives that it surprises us when we pause and are asked to simply “Be still…” When was the last time you were just still? When was the last time you gave things to God and just existed? When was the last time you breathed as deeply as the very first breath God blew into you?

To say “Camp Changes Lives” is a bit of an understatement for me. I went in my middle school years, and later as a camp counselor after high school. I felt God’s love, grace, and embrace there; as well as God’s challenge to be more than what I thought I was at that time. It was also the place where I felt God’s call to ministry to the tasks now outlined in the offices I serve: to preach, teach, and administer the sacraments. And it all starts with being in a place/opportunity to “Be still, and know/experience that (God) is God.”

This July we have two youth (and myself) going to camp at Lutherock in the mountains of North Carolina. There they will be both challenged and found in God’s love, grace, and embrace as God changes their lives! One of the challenging things our youth will do during camp is go white water rafting. Yet, while they might be the ones at camp, they need your prayers and support! Next month we’ll be running a short stewardship drive to help offset the cost of their camp fees: Rowing Down the River!

In the Narthex (Gathering Area) we’ll have rafts on a river. I invite you to pick up a raft (or a few) with a support amount written on it. From there just attach the raft to an envelope with ‘camp’ written on it (and on the memo line for checks) and place it into the offering place or send it into the office. This is a challenge to all of you too! How much can we show love, grace, and embrace in this drive? Many of us have had life-changing experiences at camp; so why not pass that along to others too! And I’ll see you, Rowing Down the River!