This past weekend was my church's Annual Camp Out. It's hard to believe that I've been to 12 of them in a row now! We go just north of the Phoenix area, past Payson, "up on the Rim"...(people from AZ know what that means!) Usually about 20 or more families participate, although this year there were less than 10. Still, about 40 people gathered for relaxation, hiking, sitting around chatting, sharing food (and drinks!), worship, and fun. The weather does not always cooperate. One year it rained constantly from Friday morning through Sunday noon. Often it's kinda windy. I think it was the first year I was there (still tent camping) when at about 5am I awoke and was so cold that I had to get up, get dressed, and walk around the campsite several times just to warm up my body! I swear, temperatures must have been in the teens or twenties! About 5 years ago it snowed! Actually most of us skipped that year.
This year the weather was great...a slight breeze, lots of sun, and only slightly cool temps overnight.
Each year at the camp out (at least for as long as I've been there), we gather on Saturday evening for a potluck. People bring a bag of chips or a pot of beans or a veggie tray or some cookies - the usual potluck fare...(not so much jello at this potluck 'cuz it's hard to keep it cool - think coolers and ice!). But the main dish is provided by Morris and Ruth, two of our most faithful, (ahem) older :-), saints. Morris and Ruth cook 3 or 4 or 5 Turkeys on gas grills that they bring to the camp site in their RV. Plus, they provide stuffing and green bean casserole! There is always so much food that we have to get together again the next day at lunch and eat all (or some of) the leftovers. It is a feast in the best sense of the word. And it reminds me of the way the book of Acts in the Bible tells us that the earliest Christians lived their lives...not just on camp outs, but every day!
The book of Acts comes following the story of Jesus' life as told in the Gospels. It begins with Jesus' ascension and describes the way in which those who were followers of Jesus lived their lives. At the end of Acts 2, the story relates that they "had all things in common," and "would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need." These people "spent much time together, ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praised God, and had the goodwill of all the people."
This is the way that God intends us to live. God has always sought to bring us together as one family - one community - one body. Christian creation myths are about people (and all of creation) living together, sharing resources, and taking care of each other. Much of the way God teaches Israel to live as it prepares to enter into the Promised Land has to do with sharing equitably within the community and with outsiders. And Jesus didn't say "love one another" in order to make us feel good. Jesus intends an active love that literally reaches out and gives to others (both friend and foe) for the sake of a healthy community.
At the camp out last weekend, a young couple kinda found us and adopted us. They arrived on Friday intending to get a campsite in the general area where we were (there are lots of camp sites in that area). Finding that all of the sites were filled (it was Memorial Day weekend after all!) they noticed that we had some room, and they asked if they might borrow a small spot to set up their tent. I'm sort of ashamed to say that for a few minutes I was unsure as to whether I should let them stay. Not all of our group had arrived and I wasn't sure how much room we might need. But in the end, we said yes. And we invited them to join us for the potluck and for our short worship service. Plus, they came back for leftovers the next day and mingled with us throughout the weekend! How enjoyable it was to see these two drawn into our community. They chatted and ate and prayed with us. And we with them.
The slight breeze was not the only wind blowing through our camp it seems. The Holy Spirit gently ruffled our feathers and encouraged us to spread our wings around a couple of strangers. Perhaps that same breeze is blowing through your community?
This year the weather was great...a slight breeze, lots of sun, and only slightly cool temps overnight.
Each year at the camp out (at least for as long as I've been there), we gather on Saturday evening for a potluck. People bring a bag of chips or a pot of beans or a veggie tray or some cookies - the usual potluck fare...(not so much jello at this potluck 'cuz it's hard to keep it cool - think coolers and ice!). But the main dish is provided by Morris and Ruth, two of our most faithful, (ahem) older :-), saints. Morris and Ruth cook 3 or 4 or 5 Turkeys on gas grills that they bring to the camp site in their RV. Plus, they provide stuffing and green bean casserole! There is always so much food that we have to get together again the next day at lunch and eat all (or some of) the leftovers. It is a feast in the best sense of the word. And it reminds me of the way the book of Acts in the Bible tells us that the earliest Christians lived their lives...not just on camp outs, but every day!
The book of Acts comes following the story of Jesus' life as told in the Gospels. It begins with Jesus' ascension and describes the way in which those who were followers of Jesus lived their lives. At the end of Acts 2, the story relates that they "had all things in common," and "would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need." These people "spent much time together, ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praised God, and had the goodwill of all the people."
This is the way that God intends us to live. God has always sought to bring us together as one family - one community - one body. Christian creation myths are about people (and all of creation) living together, sharing resources, and taking care of each other. Much of the way God teaches Israel to live as it prepares to enter into the Promised Land has to do with sharing equitably within the community and with outsiders. And Jesus didn't say "love one another" in order to make us feel good. Jesus intends an active love that literally reaches out and gives to others (both friend and foe) for the sake of a healthy community.
At the camp out last weekend, a young couple kinda found us and adopted us. They arrived on Friday intending to get a campsite in the general area where we were (there are lots of camp sites in that area). Finding that all of the sites were filled (it was Memorial Day weekend after all!) they noticed that we had some room, and they asked if they might borrow a small spot to set up their tent. I'm sort of ashamed to say that for a few minutes I was unsure as to whether I should let them stay. Not all of our group had arrived and I wasn't sure how much room we might need. But in the end, we said yes. And we invited them to join us for the potluck and for our short worship service. Plus, they came back for leftovers the next day and mingled with us throughout the weekend! How enjoyable it was to see these two drawn into our community. They chatted and ate and prayed with us. And we with them.
The slight breeze was not the only wind blowing through our camp it seems. The Holy Spirit gently ruffled our feathers and encouraged us to spread our wings around a couple of strangers. Perhaps that same breeze is blowing through your community?
Comments
Post a Comment