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| Come to Camp!"Lord, Our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" - Psalm 8:1 Consider this your personal invitation from me to come to Camp Cedar Glen during the weekend of February 15 to 17. Camp Cedar Glen, not far from the town of Julian, is owned by the regional body of United Methodists. In other words, it's "our" camp. Many of our children and youth attend week-long camps at Cedar Glen in the spring and summer. They have formative experiences as they draw close to God's creation and to one another in a fun and welcoming setting. When Camp Cedar Glen is not hosting United Methodist youth camps, it is open for use by church and community groups. If you've never been there, it's time you paid a visit! The camp's many buildings are scattered on a wooded hillside. Cabins with bunk rooms, a dining hall, a recreation hall, and a chapel each serve their unique purpose. Hiking trails, outdoor prayer and worship spaces, an archery range, and a swimming pool (for summer use) invite campers to explore the surroundings -- and the interior landscape as well. Indoor fireplaces and an outdoor campfire ring make for cozy gathering places. Camp is a place to relax in both body and spirit. PB UMC's weekend at Camp Cedar Glen will have something for everyone. Dee will bring lots of games, puzzles, and craft activities. Maggie will be prepared to lead in the singing of favorite camp songs and praise choruses. I will offer some ways to explore the theme "embers of faith"; I'll tell bedtime stories and lead Sunday morning worship. A "camp improvement" project will be available for those who like to pull on their gloves and get to work. Those who like to nap or enjoy long stretches of getting lost in a book are welcome to indulge themselves. Christina will lead a hike, or a run, or both. Joey will demonstrate his technique with bow and arrow. Anyone who wants to spend an afternoon in town strolling through the shops or sampling the apple pie will be free to do so. Meals will be prepared by camp staff and served family style, so "KP" duty will not be too demanding. I hope many of you will choose to come Friday evening (arrive after dinner) and stay through Sunday lunch. But for those who absolutely must sleep in their own bed at night, a "day participant" option can be made available. For example, come from 10 to 4 on Saturday; make a donation of $25 and you can enjoy lunch in the dining hall. One of my goals is that lots of us can become acquainted with this wonderful camp... AND that we can become more acquainted with God and with our church family through spending time at camp. People who have belonged to PB UMC for a long time can testify to the many happy memories they have of being at Camp Cedar Glen with friends and family from church. Not too long ago, reflecting back on the highlights of her fifty years of membership at PB UMC, Bettie S. asked, "Why don't we have weekends at camp anymore?" Well, it was a tradition that died out for a while, but now we're ready to revive it! Christine K.'s list of reasons for coming to camp includes being able to see the stars. Along with the writer of Psalm 8, Christine finds that "when I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established" thoughts of God's majesty and providence are not far behind. How often do we set aside time to truly rest and let God speak to us through the marvels of nature and the companionship of our friends in faith? This is our chance! Sign up now to come with me to camp! Together with you in Christ's service,
Pastor April |
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