How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

~ Psalm 133:1

 Camp Saint John’s

Over the past few weeks, Our Life Together columns have wrapped themselves around the importance of our community. Izzy wrote of the importance of sacred listening, Hilary wrote about how our community is enriched by the wide variety of gifts members contribute to the work of the church, and Dylan used the idea of musical ensemble to highlight how we create community through joint works.

If we are to grow in our faith and serve our communities, we should recognize that we are reliant on each other. Learning from each other’s gifts and listening to each other’s ideas are important. To learn and grow together as a church family, we need to intentionally set aside time for fellowship.

A key opportunity for us to personally connect deeply with others within our church community is Family Camp, now known as “Camp Saint John's.” In the busyness of life, at CSJ you get to slow down. You have time to get to know others in our church family as you play games, cook food, hike, enjoy music and fellowship, and just relax together. It is a chance to unplug and enjoy God’s creation. Of course, even after camp is over, we carry those connections made there back to church with us, making Saint John's even more of a family.

As we discuss fun camp memories, we find they almost all revolve around the people who are present. While there is plenty of time to relax individually, reading a book by the lake or working on one of many puzzles, we most cherish the time we get to spend with our intergenerational community. Teens are comfortable and welcomed when joining a table of adults at lunch. Children tag along with the teens as they fish or play gaga ball. Long time camp participants sit by the fire and tell stories about what camp was like 40 years ago. Adults and kids of all ages play games like Bananagrams and Chickenfoot, just to name a few. The entire community comes together each morning and evening for devotions and music, accompanied by our talented musicians.