To be like Esther -- a post by Beth Bojarski, MAD Camp Session 3 Chaplain

Last year I drove across the country with my boys, then ages nine and three. We outlined our route based on national parks we wanted to see, identified possible overnight towns, guessed on how long we could stand to be in the car each day, shared our plans with family and friends to get their thoughts, packed the car, filled up on gas, and pulled out of the driveway. There were roads and experiences we hadn’t planned on but took anyway and some we’d hoped to see but didn’t, there were things we forgot to pack, we got sick of each other some days and couldn’t get enough others, and we learned a tremendous amount along the way. We found adventure.

For the last two weeks I’ve been sitting and wrestling with the story of Esther, walking alongside Music and Drama III campers who have outdone themselves learning and performing Bow Down, a musical based on the biblical story. But as impressive as their theater talent is, their curiosity about the book of Esther, it’s place in the Bible (especially since it never mentions God), how it’s been interpreted and retold by playwrights, theologians, and the vegetables in Veggie Tales, and what in the world we can learn from the story is more inspiring.

Even with differing family structures, ages, genders, faith stories, and life experiences, the campers, counselors, and I all agreed that we each have the capacity and strength to make a difference in the name of love and courage like Esther did. Life is a series of journeys: we plan and prepare, we check in with our loved ones, we figure out what is most important to us, and we put it into practice. Over and over again.

The turning point in the musical the campers perform is a duet by Esther and Mordecai, where Mordecai asks Esther: “Is it a time like this you’ve been created for?” Mary Oliver asks a similar question at the conclusion of one of her best known poems: “Tell me what is it you plan to do | with your one wild and precious life?”

During one of our chaplain times, I shared with campers that God is often attributed to the coincidences in the story of Esther even though God is never mentioned or named: curious timing, overheard conversations, courage at just the right time. I tend to agree with this interpretation. The story of Esther is a story of journey – Esther’s journey and the journey of the Jews throughout the Old Testament. With her one wild and precious life, Esther plans and prepares, she consults with and remains loyal to her family and friends, she clings to her ancestry, culture, and race, she packs her things, and she steps out into the world.

Esther’s story is beautiful and terrible, a lot like ours. And just like in our stories, God shows up. Maybe God is in the coincidences. Maybe God is wisdom or courage or conversations or connections. What I am convinced of is that God is here, loving us, supporting us, catching us, redeeming us. Esther’s story invites us into journey each and every day: plan a little, love our people, pack some (sometimes proverbial) bags, and be open to adventure. We have been created for a time like this and God will always be with us.

Come, Let Me Show You the Way-- a post by Erin M Kamran, Diocesan Communications Assistant

Come, let me show you the way

By Erin Monaghan Kamran

This is my first time at Shrine Mont.

Well, it is and it isn’t. I’ve been to Shrine Mont before, but it was always as a diocesan staff member, helping host clergy retreat or the Bishop’s conference. This is the first time I’ve come to Shrine Mont as a guest, the first time I get to experience this, a place apart, as it’s meant to be.

When my husband and I arrived after a long busy summer of work and internship, I was ready to do what so many people can’t wait to do at Shrine Mont: sit on the porch. During my three years in the Diocese of Virginia, I’ve heard stories about how special Shrine Mont is, and for some reason, people always talk about sitting on the porch. So I tried it out. We sat down on the porch of Virginia House, and I looked at Celal and said, “Now what? What do people do when they sit on the porch?”

He looked at me and said, “I don’t know.” So I suggested we play Twenty Questions. Never in the six years we have been together have we played Twenty Questions. But somehow, this place made room for that. That which is so out of the ordinary, felt like the perfect thing to do.

Later he showed me Bear Wallow spring, where, on his suggestion, I tasted that ice-cold penny-water. He took me to the candy shop where he would buy candy cigarettes and yoo-hoos with his friends on parish retreats. He showed me some of the things that made his early years at Shrine Mont special, as if he was saying, “This is holy ground. Come, let me show you the way.”

I’ve heard that camp is a time where deep friendships are made, with others and with God, in just a few days. Not having gone to camps growing up, I wonder, how does this happen? Maybe it’s the place. This place, where so many have made deep connections before. Making deep connections with people you’ve just met is an extraordinary thing, and when we experience the extraordinary, we want to share it. We want to bring others in to that marvelous place. That place where those who have come before say, “This is holy ground. Come, let me show you the way.”

At the St. Elizabeth’s Camp talent show, I watched as campers and buddies celebrated each other. Some danced, some wrote skits, some sang and some popped balloons for humorous effect. It was so fun my face hurt from smiling. There was no telling who had more fun during the talent show – those performing, or those in the audience. In this short week of camp, a community of friendship and encouragement was created, and this talent show was a way to celebrate that, one last time.

As I sat on my porch after the talent show, I felt an ache in my chest at the thought of this group separating tomorrow. This group, exactly as it is, right now, will never be the same again. But next year, there will still be a St. Elizabeth’s Camp. Next year, there will be another group of campers and buddies who will create a new community. A community that will include some who’ve been there before, and some they have yet to meet. I know, without a doubt, that those returning will meet those joining for the first time saying, “This is holy ground. Come, let me show you the way.”

Erin Monaghan Kamran is the Communications Associate for the Diocese of Virginia, where she oversees the diocesan website, social media and e-newsletters. Erin’s favorite part of her job is uplifting stories of God at work through the people and ministries in the Diocese of Virginia. She lives with her husband, Celal, and their dog, Clifford, in Alexandria, Va.

Jesus is in the House -- a post by Karen Salter, Director of Staff Development

Jesus is in the House

            First peace, then joy, then love fill my spirit whenever I drive to Shrine Mont.  I feel sheltered by mountains; I feel particularly sheltered by this one where I know there will be good friends, good times and good food.  Best of all, Jesus will be there in ways I can count on.  The ways that I can’t predict are the most powerful, reminding me to stay alert.

            My most recent trip was a 24-hour drop-in on Family Camp, led this year by my friend Chris Cameron.  This year’s Senior Warden at St. Anne’s, Reston, Chris has consistently brought wise and faithful leadership to her church.  She brings a Ph.D. in clinical health psychology, and particular expertise and experience in emotional well-being to everything she does.  At Family Camp Chris focused on the importance of how our emotions, especially joy, enliven and connect us as children of our loving God.  The joy she had set free in the group was obvious when I entered the dining hall on Friday and five happy people told me how wonderful their week had been before I even sat down. 

            Each day at Family Camp day begins with worship.  Friday morning’s service was a special treat – led by the youth, with beautiful music sung and led by Mary Reins, accompanied by Jenni Logan on guitar.  Terrence Preston delivered a powerful message about connecting with one another in ways that can only lead us to one conclusion:  Jesus is in the house.  That’s just what happens at Family Camp, and it repeats throughout the year when Family Camp participants connect with each other in places other than Shrine Mont.

            On Friday morning Chris led us in choosing a psalm in small groups to read or enact in a way that communicated the emotions expressed in the psalm.  The creativity in our presentations was inspired and inspiring, imprinting fresh joys from those psalms in our memories.

            We closed the morning by choosing photographs that pictured what we hoped to take home, and explaining the reasons for our choices.  Many of the photos mirrored the gifts of the Holy Spirit that the youngest members of the group had drawn and spoken about during our closing worship:  wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord.

            The gift I expected was that all would experience the love of Christ during the week. What I didn’t expect was how clearly and consistently we knew his presence in our hearts through connecting with our human companions, younger, older, or in-between; and sometimes with all of them at once. 

            What would our lives be like if we remembered, every day, to bring that home?    

St. Elizabeth's Session 2 Photo Journal

St. E’s Session 2 Photo Journal

            During the second session of St. Elizabeth’s Camp this year, (that’s right, we had TWO sessions!) we did many of our favorite classic activities. We had a sensory-friendly hayride, a winter carnival, and the old-time favorite, the talent show. Having a smaller camp allowed for closer friendships and more time to get to know one another. Each day consisted of pool time and four rotations in the morning between art, lake front, sports, and chaplain’s time. This was a great year at St. Elizabeth’s and we cannot wait until next year!

St. George's Session 4 Photo Journal

St. George’s IV Photo Journal

           Session IV of St. George’s Camp is always an exciting one. There are constant surprises around every corner, as well as daily activities we can always count on. Some exciting new things we did this year included a Ropes Course 3-day trip and a Music 3-day trip. On the Music 3-day, the campers worked alongside MAD Camp to record some traditional Shrine Mont Camps song, and the results were astounding.

           The love that the campers at St. George’s show for each other is visible in every aspect of daily life at camp, and each and every camper has proven to fully live into the “Body Passage” that this camp is shaped around. This session was a wonderful one. Until next year, St. G’s IV.

Music & Drama Camp Session 3 Photo Journal

MAD Camp Session 3 Photo Journal

            This year at MAD Camp Session 3, we decided to switch things up a bit. Between staying in the cottages and changing how we do feeling check, the changes of MAD Camp were all exciting and positive! The highlights of this session were recording camp songs with professional musicians, performing in several churches around the area, and doing karaoke with a live band. We pulled out all of the stops this year for MAD Camp, and their final show Bow Down went without a hitch. With only 8 rehearsals before performing live in front of an audience, these campers are insanely talented and ready for a challenge. We will miss you MAD camp!

"What You Learn at Summer Camp..." by our own Aisha Huertas, Diocesan Minister of Mission and Outreach

What You Learn at Summer Camp can Help Grow the Church and Change the World

7/19/19

I didn’t grow up going to summer camp, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked into Shrine Mont’s Tuesday All Camp Worship. I knew enough to know that there wouldn’t be eight verses of some archaic hymn sung or organ music playing, but beyond the expectation of catchy music, a homily and Eucharist, I was watching intently for the rest.

As a newcomer, I felt a little quiet, a little uncomfortable and maybe a little out of place. 

The unease of approaching something as a newcomer, made me think about what it must be like for people coming into our churches for the first time.

Maybe they’ve heard a lot about the Episcopal Church or have a friend that attends a particular parish. Maybe, they’ve heard about the Church from their kids’ friends who attend summer camp. But, in the end, being new in a place where everyone else seems to know one another can make you feel like the odd woman out.

What I witnessed on the mountain that night was lovely. Gathered at the Cathedral were not just a group of very joyful young people, it was a group of young people who were excited to be there and to be there together. More than 200 youths of varying ages, backgrounds, cultures, and identities sang arm and in arm and finger snapped their approval and support for several participant leaders. There were different fashion styles and hair colors, piercings and no piercings, and different levels of abilities and skills. Still, together they stood and worshipped the one God who loves them all.

On this particular night, there were was a brave young woman who struggled slightly through her reading of scripture and a young man playing his “Guitar Hero” guitar as part of the worship team.  Both loved, both welcomed, both standing in vulnerability in front of a group that instead of judgment, gave them Shrine Mont Camp snaps in approval of a job well done. My heart felt warm at such welcoming and accepting love and wished that every place I encountered in my life and in my work could be like this and like this to everyone.

So how do we welcome “outsiders” to feel at home in our communities of faith? Does it require time and intensity like forming friendships at shrine mont? Or is it something instant?

While I don’t want to deny that sometimes people and places just click, the reality is that having meaningful, lasting relationships with people and places takes work.

In her book, Radical Welcome, the Rev. Canon  Stephanie Spellers talks about welcome that is radical because it is not like anything else we do in our human relationships, it is very intentional. Radical welcome requires a true opening of our hearts, loving people where they are and embracing and accepting everyone into a community just as they are.

We humans aren’t wired that way. We think of differences as scary or abnormal and not worth our time. That is why radical acceptance of people takes time.

How you, parish member, clergy or Shrine Mont parent act when you encounter someone new at a place that is so familiar to you, can become a defining moment for your church and for that person. And, once you’ve made someone feel welcome, you learn from that experience and do it all over again with someone else because being radically welcoming is ongoing work.

As for me here at Shrine Mont, I’m an introvert so it takes a little extra work, but I quickly encountered people wanting to help me, teach me a song, make a silly joke or take me out for ice cream.

These campers are doing something right and it is thanks to a dedicated staff that intentionally does the work necessary to ensure that all who come here can be exactly who they are. The readings don’t have to be perfect. Our hair can be blonde, or gray or purple, and our guitars can certainly be toy guitars. There is room in God’s kingdom here for all of our vulnerabilities and differences, mine included.

Can we provide a similar environment for people inside and outside our churches? Can we view everyone in our communities in this loving way and treat them as such? 

We are all part of the Body of Christ and to our unconditionally loving God there are no outcasts.

Elements of what we need to change the Church and the world are on this mountain. Let’s bring it down from the mountain top!

SHYC Photo Journal

SHYC Photo Journal

           

This year, the number of SHYC campers exploded! We went from approximately 15 campers to 35! Although our size more than doubled, we still had the same goal of “Being doers of the word, not just hearers only.” To accomplish this, we did four separate service projects. We went to Harrisonburg on the first full day of camp and cleaned a portion of Black’s Run stream, and assisted in painting and gardening at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Later in the week, we went to Seven Springs campsite to do some trail maintenance and the week favorite was going to Gayle’s Farm, a completely organic, donation farm that is run completely by one woman and volunteers. We learned many things this week, such as being flexible when things don’t go a certain way, and that many hands make work light. It was a fantastic week and we are very excited for SHYC to continue to grow!