Camp Emmaus, July 11-12
Camp Emmaus is located in Menahga, MN (near Park Rapids) and is one of three camps composing the Pathways camping corporation--the other two camps being Lake of the Woods near Baudette, MN and Minne-Wa-Kan near Cass Lake, MN.
I had been to Emmaus once before in the fall for a retreat, but this was my first time visiting in the summer and while camp was in full swing. The serenity of the place that I knew from my visit in the fall was quickly erased by the controlled chaos of counselors, boys and girls actively engaged in what summer camp is all about: games, singing, bible studies, camping, swimming, crafts, canteen and meals. It was fun to see Camp Emmaus from both of these sides.
Hospitality was greatly extended to me by the entire staff and in the short time I was there they really made me feel a part of them. My sincere thanks to Laura Morlock, program director and Derek Tronsgard (who will be a student at Luther Seminary in the fall) for seeing to all my needs.
I had great conversations with a number of the staff regarding seminary study as well as general conversations about discernment. It is such a joy to listen to these talented young men and women talk about the dreams and aspirations they have for their futures. One young lady shared with me a dream about renovating an old hotel and making it a safe and healthy environment for foster children of all ages. Another spoke to me about her passion for working with refugees. And a young man and I spoke about his major in elementary education and the importance of being a role model for boys; especially in a culture where fathers are often absent from their children’s lives.
Lord God, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to take a few steps along the journey of life and faith with the staff at Camp Emmaus last week. Give them the energy and creativity they need to complete their ministry this summer; they are truly a blessing to the campers they serve. And guide them with your wisdom as they dream and discern their futures and seek to give glory to you through the life you have granted them. In Jesus name, Amen.
I had been to Emmaus once before in the fall for a retreat, but this was my first time visiting in the summer and while camp was in full swing. The serenity of the place that I knew from my visit in the fall was quickly erased by the controlled chaos of counselors, boys and girls actively engaged in what summer camp is all about: games, singing, bible studies, camping, swimming, crafts, canteen and meals. It was fun to see Camp Emmaus from both of these sides.
Hospitality was greatly extended to me by the entire staff and in the short time I was there they really made me feel a part of them. My sincere thanks to Laura Morlock, program director and Derek Tronsgard (who will be a student at Luther Seminary in the fall) for seeing to all my needs.
I had great conversations with a number of the staff regarding seminary study as well as general conversations about discernment. It is such a joy to listen to these talented young men and women talk about the dreams and aspirations they have for their futures. One young lady shared with me a dream about renovating an old hotel and making it a safe and healthy environment for foster children of all ages. Another spoke to me about her passion for working with refugees. And a young man and I spoke about his major in elementary education and the importance of being a role model for boys; especially in a culture where fathers are often absent from their children’s lives.
Lord God, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to take a few steps along the journey of life and faith with the staff at Camp Emmaus last week. Give them the energy and creativity they need to complete their ministry this summer; they are truly a blessing to the campers they serve. And guide them with your wisdom as they dream and discern their futures and seek to give glory to you through the life you have granted them. In Jesus name, Amen.
posted by Liza at 9:07 AM
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Again this year I made a visit to Camp Wapogasset (near Amery, WI) to spend time with the large numbers of staff and campers at this camp during the summer; it is a busy place.
My time at camp among the staff was greeted with great hospitality and I was afforded various opportunities to be in conversation with those who had questions about seminary study. My favorite time with them is during their staff worship on Friday afternoons when I am given the privilege of leading and distributing the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Spring Valley is also the childhood hometown of a college friend of mine, Tracy. Since I was raised in hill country, I used to wonder how Tracy ever survived four years of college on the flat prairies of Moorhead, Minnesota; but this area of the country is, indeed, a beautiful place to grow up as well as put a Bible camp.
I had two wonderful opportunities to give a presentation on discernment and church vocations. One was to the S.I.T.'s--staff in training. These are a group of high schoolers training to be camp counselors. They spend one week in training and then get two weeks to be junior counselors. I give these young people a lot of credit for taking time out of their summer to commit themselves to learning how to minister to others in this outdoor ministry setting. What a faith-filled and talented group of individuals. By the way their trainer was Cassie Sauter, soon to be a Greekling (a student studying Greek in the summer) at Luther Seminary in July. She and Jeanette Bidne, another counselor at Good Earth Village will be students at Luther Seminary this fall.
In my last call I served a parish that was part of this corporation of camps and had the privilege of serving on its board for a number of years. I have great respect for the staff at these camps and the leadership, care, and creativity they bring to outdoor ministry; it felt good to be among old friends. I also ran into a former youth who is working at one of the camps this summer — his third. His name is Adam and he will be a Sr. at Gustavus Adolphus College next year. It was a proud pastoral moment for me to see him at camp.
When I arrived staff training was still in full swing and both the staff from Outlaw and Atlantic Mountain Ranch (another SD camp within a half hour of Outlaw) was on sight. My thanks to Pastor Jeff Rohr, director at Outlaw, for giving me time to share with the staff about discernment and church vocations; always a delight for me.
The camp is located on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Enemy Swim. A beautiful mural in the camp Lodge depicts the rich history of this camp. The Dakota Indians (whose reservation land surrounds the camp & lake) once had a vibrant village on this peninsula. During an attack by another Native American tribe they forced the enemy to retreat and swim across the early spring frigid waters of Indian Bay, thus giving the lake the name Enemy Swim.
I had a great time visiting and participating with the staff during staff training. My thanks to program director AJ Franken for allowing me the opportunity to speak with the staff regarding the topics of discernment and church vocations; it was very enjoyable for me to interact with the staff in this way. I also was able to join the staff in preparing for the summer Bible studies and worship times. The staff tackled some important and sometimes difficult theological questions. For many of them this is the first time they will be the “teacher” and not the “learner” of the word of God and that can be a bit intimidating when one is just starting out. But these are gifted and faithful young men and women and I have no doubt they will rise to the task.
One of the things I tell the camp staffs that I meet with is to take seriously if someone says to them, “you know I see in you the gifts/talents/skills to be a professional leader in the church.” Because often times other people see gifts in us that what we may not see ourselves and the Holy Spirit is probably working through this person to help us discern our vocation.
Our dog Allie renewed her citizenship last night as a resident of Vining at the annual dog licensing clinic held at the fire hall. On hand to assist at this event was the town clerk, who after receiving the $5 registration fee issued the official paper license and dog tag; a local vet who was available to administer any shots your dog needed and the mayor. (All by the way are good Lutherans.) The city clerk told me that "Allie was the last to register last year and the first this year." Obviously her owners are making some progress.
I attended my synod assembly this past weekend in the southwestern Minnesota town of Redwood Falls. Or as Jon Bishop Anderson (see photo) calls this event, “The great Southwestern Minnesota get together.” And great it was with over 750 people in attendance gathered under the theme of “You will be my Witnesses” from the first chapter of Acts.
I was reminded how young the ELCA is when I read that the 20th anniversary will be celebrated this summer at the churchwide assembly in Chicago. We haven’t even reached the drinking age yet. I will admit those teenage years were tough, lots of talk about sexuality and getting along with our ecumenical brothers and sisters. Growing up is hard. But as a pastor who has worked with many young people and watched them mature over the years, I am hopeful.
My thanks to the interns whom I sat with at the assembly from Luther Seminary (see photo) Jonathan Dahl and Dan Forsgren who added to my enjoyment of the assembly; it was fun guys.
