I’ve spent a bit of time in church camps this week. Earlier this week Laurie Mokaba, moderator, and myself toured ABC of CT’s Camp Wightman and today I am writing this from ABC’s Green Lake Camp and Conference Center. I’ll talk more about how close to my heart camping is on Sunday in my sermon, but right now I’ll just say: I am thankful to be in this beautiful space where God’s presence is so palpable.
In Luke 4, immediately after his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to fast and pray. In Luke 5, we are told that the crowds around Jesus were growing exponentially as the word got out about him. Luke reports that Jesus “would slip away to deserted places and pray” (Luke 5:16). Like the prophets before him who would withdraw to quiet places, Jesus clearly saw the value in being in nature and away from distraction. A whole Christian tradition arises from this, with mendicant and other religious orders prioritizing silence for prayer and meditation. (Look up the desert fathers and mothers if you get a chance!)
So, to give another plug for camp – although not silent, camp gives campers an opportunity to withdraw from daily life (and technology!) in order to focus, like Jesus did, on growing their faith. This is true for kids and adults!
So, as I’m away at Green Lake, having spent the morning meditating and knitting as the geese swam their families by, my prayer for you is that you might make regular space in your life to “slip away” to a quiet place and pray. Be it a quiet corner of your bedroom, your porch, a park, or a beach, may you meet God in the quiet and having met God come back ready to take up again the good fight of faith.
Blessings,
Pastor Amy
