Church Camp at the Coast

This past weekend we wound our way out of Canberra toward the coast. A few of the trees along the way had teddy bears tied to them, somebody’s idea of fun. I noted the dryness of the fields as the city opened into farm land. We drove through a few small towns stopping for fuel, coffee and of course there is the bakery with many things to temp your taste buds. The closer we got the greener the scenery around us became. Our driving slowed as we went over the mountain and were met with foggy mist. Then one more stop at a coastal town for ice-cream, bathrooms and chips, then on to camp.
The church has been going to this particular camp site for longer than I have been alive. Some people camp while others cram into the rooms with bunk beds. Little is planned for the weekend beyond the food, and there is plenty to eat. Days are spent lounging around chatting with whoever you might be sitting next too, swimming, playing games with the kids and putting together puzzles, and of course eating. Saturday night there is a program which normally involves several people making a fool of themselves and much laughter. Sunday morning we gather for a family friendly worship service before we all head down to the beach for a bit more surf and sun.
Hanging out at camp gave me possibilities of entering to conversations that I rarely have time for on a Sunday morning. I loved going down to the beach after dark with the youth group and playing a spot-light kind of game. It was great to see all ages looking after each other and sharing the work. I came back slightly sandy and tired but glad we had a weekend away.

Sad Cloud

It has been a few days of intensity. The weekend was spent in workshops with AVP (alternative to violence program). I have been part of this workshop before and my parents are both trained in this area so the info was not that new to me. What was new was how I reacted to the material and the intensity of the workshop. I came out of the weekend feeling drained and slightly disillusioned. An added strain on the weekend and over the last two days has been the news of a young woman in the social justice networks here going into hospital on Friday and passing away yesterday. A layer of grief for her, for her family, friends and community hangs over me like a fog. There are questions of why did this happen and what does it mean. All of a sudden the kind of pain that people who lost loved ones in the bush fires in Victoria, becomes so much more real.
I would appreciate prayers the community of this young woman – and for all that are grieving.

The heat has decided to give us a break and I feel able to think and function again. The temperatures have not helped the situation with the fires, as many of you might have heard. In the office we have taken to reminding each other when we complain about the heat that at least we have our homes and are not under threat of losing our homes and families.
Last week I started out by celebrating my 28th birthday. I was delighted to receive greetings from people all over the world. Thanks everyone! The day itself was spent in meetings, which is not my favourite pastime, but they went well. There were little celebrations throughout the day. The rest of the week saw me rushing around trying to get things in place for the beginning of a new term and a new year. This year we are going to start trying some different things in the youth ministry of our church which is exciting and fairly daunting at the same time. I think that change is healthy and I see some very positive ways forward – but a lot of work will be required as well.
Two weeks ago I was down in Melbourne. My parents drove through Canberra and picked me up on the way to Melbourne. It’s nice to get to spend time with Mum and Dad and I also loved not having to drive! All three of us took part in the AAANZ (Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand) conference that happened in an outer area of Melbourne (we were close to where the fires are now). The weekend was inspiring. There were people there that I know and love and who love me and also new people to meet and to hear some of their stories. The conference focused on New Monasticism and I drank in all of the communities telling us about their lives together. There was a deep honesty in the weekend as we named the need for community but also acknowledge the hard side of living together as broken humans. I left the camp with more ideas for Irene’s Place and a stronger conviction that this sort of work and community is needed in Canberra.
While I was studying for my undergrad I came to Melbourne for an internship with Collins Street Baptist Church and the Urban Seed program. Many of the people that I became close to over those few months of work are still around Melbourne. I spend a few days after the conference catching up with friends, hearing what is happening at the church and Urban Seed and seeing how we can support each other in our work. Overall I felt like the week had been a much needed gift of time with people who know me well.
The last full week in January we had our Kids Holiday program at church (this is the equivalent of Vacation Bible School). I was the speaker and we looked at a few parables. Little people are so much fun; they exude enthusiasm and enter life without the hidden emotion that most adults attempt. I had not worked with children for a while and appreciated a change just for a bit. I had to think of how to get ideas across to a group ranging from ages 6-12 instead of the 13-21 year olds I normally work with. It was good to see some of the youth step forward as leaders as well and to play off of this shared energy.
Back in Canberra I’ve taken time for some community events like the multicultural festival and a gardening day.