But where do we find the Kingdom of Heaven? Is the Kingdom of Heaven behind us, or ahead of us? I think all belief systems – religious, political, social – essentially boil down to this one question. Ed Keithly served as St. George's Session IV chaplain. Below is his sermon from closing worship on Wed., June 26. Ed is the deputy director of transition ministry for the Diocese of Virginia. “Jesus has been raised; he is not here. He is going ahead of you to Galilee.” You may be asking yourself: “Self, why are we reading an Easter Gospel at closing worship?” Because today is not the day our community of faith dies. Today is the day of its resurrection. Today is the day that “Jesus himself is sent out through us, from east to west, the sacred imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.” Today is the day that we return boldly in to the Valley of the World – to Richmond, to Alexandria, to Leesburg, to North Carolina, to Pittsburg, to Spain – to live resurrected lives, to spread the Gospel of Compassion, to love our neighbors as ourselves. But even as I say that, I find it a hard to believe. When you all leave here today, I will feel an emptiness in my heart, an emptiness like Christ’s empty tomb. I will miss you all greatly, and it will take me some time to mourn that loss. This community has been kinder, more caring, more compassionate than any I have seen before. And I include in that the seven years I spent at St. George’s as a camper and a counselor. My experience here has profoundly changed me. You have changed and transformed my beliefs. You give me hope. Why can’t we just stay here, forever? Why do we have to go? Yeah I know we have other things to do. High school. College. Work. Blah, blah, blah. But none of that seems as important to me as what we experienced here: A place where we danced, laughed, played, hiked, sang, swam, slept—all in the sight of a loving, joyful God, surrounded by a community that loves us as God loves us, flaws and all. Why do we have to go? Today’s Gospel is with us in that feeling. The Gospel of Mark is the earliest account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. There are two endings to the Gospel of Mark, both added in later centuries, a short one (which we read today): “And afterward Jesus himself sent out through [the disciples] from east to west, the sacred imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.” And a longer one, which contains themes from the other three Gospels – Matthew, Luke, and John – so scholars believe it was tacked on as a way to give closure to the startling, abrupt ending of the Gospel of Mark. Because the earliest version of the Gospel of Mark ends like this: “‘But go, tell the disciples that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Oof. I understand why later versions of the Gospel of Mark tacked on more satisfying endings. Ending with "they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid” is just too jarring. It’s like if after the game of walkie-talkie tag, after the dance was finally announced that we all just woke up at home in our beds three days later, with no memory of the final 48 hours of camp. There’s no closure. It’s like an incomplete sentence or a … When something we love is coming to an end, we often become hyper vigilant—hyper present. We want to soak up every last minute of experience. We notice things we didn’t before. We see meaning and metaphor in everything around us. We avoid going to the bathroom during the dance because we don’t want to miss “Blister in the Sun.” When something we love is coming to an end, we act differently. We want to say all the things left unsaid, and do all the things left undone. We muster up the courage to tell someone we love them. We make amends to broken relationships. We cry more, laugh harder, sing louder. Sometimes when things we love are coming to an end, we’re afraid. And our fear makes us say things we don’t mean or do things we wish we hadn’t. Today’s Gospel meets us in that place: “They said nothing. They were afraid.” I am afraid. I am afraid to return to a community, to a city, to a world that, too often, is nothing like this. I am afraid to return to a place where people don’t know my name, or care to know it. I’m afraid to return to a place where telling a friend, “I love you, and here’s a really specific reason why I love you,” might make him look at me like I have blood on my face. I am afraid to return to a place where my vulnerability isn’t a sign of strength, but a sign of weakness. I am afraid to return to a place that is not as inclusive, understanding, loving. I’m afraid to return to a place where people judge me for the under-boob sweat I constantly have going. I am afraid, but, if I'm willing to seek it out, resurrection is promised to me – to us, to you – out in the Valley of the World. We can choose to go about things as “business as usual” – slip back in to the rhythm of our lives like nothing happened here – or we can seek out Jesus, who has gone on ahead of us. We can believe that there will never be a community like St. George’s and let our memory of this place be a memory of a paradise lost, or we can choose to see ourselves as disciples, sent out to love the world as God loves us. Maybe it’s wishful thinking that the Valley of the World can be like this place. But it’s the better story. We have to believe in the better story. It’s the only way we’ll ever write it in to existence. After all, we can’t be content to escape to St. George’s for a few weeks a year. Because the whole world deserves the love we experienced here. We can never be truly compassionate, as God is compassionate, if we leave behind us the version of ourselves that we found here on the mountain and let things go on as they had before we arrived. In fact, I don’t think we could if we wanted to. In a way, St. George’s is something like a Baptism, where we’re anointed with Holy Water and marked as “Christ’s own forever.” The holy water of the pool, of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, of the water the counselors sprinkle on your face on your birthday. The water from our Nalgenes. I have been marked, baptized by you all, and the question now is how do I show that forth in my life? I don’t know. But I believe if I seek Jesus – the Jesus who has gone on ahead of us in to the Valley of the World – I think we get closer. Every time we come together in prayer and thanksgiving. Every time we choose to speak up to injustices, big and small. Every time we choose compassion, no matter what the world shows us. Every time we look in to someone’s eyes and see their pain and joy—every time we see God in those eyes. Every time we choose to love ourselves as God loves us. Every time we do these things, we bring the Kingdom of Heaven one step closer. But where do we find the Kingdom of Heaven? Is the Kingdom of Heaven behind us, or ahead of us? I think all belief systems – religious, political, social – essentially boil down to this one question. Is the Kingdom of Heaven behind us, or ahead of us? As we leave this place, the lesser part of me wants to believe that it will soon be behind us. But if I believe the Kingdom of Heaven is behind us – that no greater love or adventure awaits me back in the Valley – I will spend my life trying, and failing to recreate what happened here. That’s not possible, because what happened here was at a specific point in time, at a specific point in our lives, with a specific group of people. I can choose to believe that the Kingdom of Heaven is ahead of us, but if I press blindly on, putting this place in my rearview mirror, I will lose sight of what about this place I wanted to carry with me on the journey. So I have to believe that the Kingdom is both behind us and ahead of us. When we come to the Eucharistic Feast, at the breaking of the bread, we’ll hear Laura speak Jesus’ words: “Do this, in remembrance of me.” What gets lost in translation is that Jesus wasn’t saying, “Eat this bread to remember me by.” He was saying, “Do this to make me present again.” The Eucharist is supposed to give us a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus showed us 2000 years ago, and compel us to seek the Kingdom of Heaven in our world—to seek He who is resurrected, He who has gone on ahead of us. To see that Heaven is both behind us, and ahead of us. We have no choice but to press forward, but we can make the love we found here present elsewhere. We will all need to seek ways to make our little Kingdom of Heaven on Yellow Spring Mountain present again in our lives. We can’t just let them be fond memories. If we let our experience here become just memories, then today a community dies. But I don’t believe that can happen. I’ve seen too much love in you all to believe that this is the end. God loves us too much to let this be the end. The Church needs you. The world needs you. Wherever you go next, it’s time now for you to lead—to be disciples of the Gospel of Compassion. It might seem baffling that Mark’s Gospel would end with “they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” But it’s ridiculous to say that the Gospel has an ending at all. It just has a place where it leaves off for us to pick up. We find ourselves in such a place now. We leave the comfort of the story we know and enter in to a story that we have to write in to existence. We go on to tell the story of this place. We might be afraid. We will mourn leaving this community, but we go on to seek Jesus—to spread love and compassion, to bring about the Kingdom of Heaven. Today we give thanks for the life of this community, and we dance to the tune of its resurrection. Amen. [The congregation then sang "The Lord of the Dance."] Photo credit: Ashley Cameron
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These past two weeks of St. George’s session 4 have been packed to the brim with many of the classic activities such as overnight camping, hiking, and pool parties. Things were done a little out of order this year for the campers, though (ask your camper about the fake out for the dance on the first night of camp). We also introduced two new 3 Day trips, focusing on food and art. The body of Christ passage rang true for campers throughout the 14 days each of these campers were on the mountain. Mad Camp III was more hardcore this year than ever before. After learning their parts for this year’s show, Godspell Jr., in just a matter of days, the campers took their performances on the road. Stops were made in Jerome, Harrisonburg, and Richmond, Virginia. Along with rehearsals, the campers partook in many other activities including doing “the polar bear challenge” at Seven Springs, sharing their talents at the last night’s coffeehouse, and playing a favorite of Shrine Mont Camps everywhere, “Kingball”. After a jam-packed session, their show was still an enormous hit at all of their stops and camp closing. Explorers’ Session I spent the week going on all sorts of adventures! From an afternoon hayride to a hike up North Mountain to a campout and many more, no amount of rain could discourage them from having fun in the wilderness or, in some cases, under the HAPPY Pavilion. They were not afraid to get a little dirty, which was evident during the crowd-favorite EP known as MudFest. In the end, the week ended too soon for many, but we know they’ll be back for many more adventures next year! Senior High Youth Conference spent the week serving many different groups of people, including themselves. Some highlights of the week included visiting an organic farm, hiking up North Mountain for the sunrise, working with residents at a local nursing home, and facilitating a Craftival for Explorers’ Session I. Each day included a new crazy costume and a new theme of serving, or “marking,” others, which in the end led the group of 23 to have an amazing session! From ultimate frisbee to basketball to track and field, St. Sebastian’s Session Two had a blast building a strong community through playing sports. That’s not all they did, though – they hiked North Mountain, made up some fun skits, and had deep conversations at chaplain’s time. They also spent time with the other camps on the mountain with the 4th of July America Bash, some all-camp Kingball, and lots of worship. They may have had a little (a lot of) rain, but it didn’t stop Sports Camp from having an amazing session! MAD II truly was a party this year, particularly since the show was Life of the Party: The Story of Mary and Martha. Many All-Camp activities were had, although some solo EPs like the Craftival and Improv night were a huge hit. Chappy time was spent doing different interactive activities every day, from prayer trees to a boxing meditation to throwing stones into the pond. Part of every day was spent working on the show, but the campers managed to learn a whole show in just over eight hours throughout the nine days of camp. Just like the show, the session was a huge success! By Ed Keithly
Deputy Director, Transition Ministry The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia On Wednesday, June 14, training for the Shrine Mont Camps directors began. On June 16, the rest of the camp leadership staff – program directors, assistant directors and camping directors – joined them. On Sunday the 18th, the 70-some cabin staff of all nine Shrine Mont Camps kicked off staff week in earnest. On June 24 and 25, Explorers’ the Great, MAD, St. Andrew’s, St. Sebastian’s, and St. George’s greeted the first campers of summer 2017. From there, camp was off to its unstoppable pace—fast and slow, with its long days and short weeks—and before we know it 700+ campers will experience Shrine Mont Camps, a community unlike any other I’ve seen in this beautiful world of ours. I was invited up from the diocesan offices in Richmond to sit in on part of directors’ training at Shrine Mont. In my work for the bishop’s office, I spend a lot of time thinking about what’s needed to create a lively, thriving Christian community. Here’s my non-exhaustive, un-scientific list of the necessary pieces:
From 2007-2010, I worked as a cabin counselor for three years and an assistant director for one, which means I experienced four staff weeks and one leadership training, but the directors’ training was new territory for me. The agenda for the last session with Paris Ball and the nine directors was “1. God, 2. Crisis, & 3. Lots of Little Details” It was immediately clear to me that Paris was leading a master class on how to create Christian community. During “God”, Paris prefaced the conversation by saying their job is to create space for their counselors to encounter God, and for the counselors to do the same for their campers. She said plainly that the object was to allow growth rather than make believers. She had three questions for the directors:
Their responses to the questions came from their unique backgrounds and personalities, but spoke to a unified understanding of the work ahead of them. Here are some of the things I heard (paraphrasing): “Love them.” “Be open and listen, and ask the same of your counselors.” “Pray for your staff. Tell them you’re praying for them.” “Begin staff meetings with quiet. ‘Arrive before you start’: put both feet on the ground, know where you are, and center yourselves.” “Stay present.” “Provide framework and explanation for the work we’re doing.” “Claim your spiritual authority. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘We’re all family in this place and that’s not how we do things here.’” “Remind them that God loves them.” After the conversation about creating holy space, we moved to “Crisis”. Paris shared the emergency action plan with her directors, and went over the procedures in the event that something that put campers and staff in danger. God willing, there won’t ever be a need for the plan, but any worried parent should rest assured that every director and counselor knows what to do if the need arises. Next up in the directors’ training session was “Lots of Little Details.” Paris listed the details to remember, before, during and after a camp session. The directors discussed them and offered wisdom from their wealth of experience. What struck me about this discussion is that these little details lead towards some of the most important work at Shrine Mont Camp: letting parents know their child will be safe and healthy at camp, planning for a successful transition between sessions, updating Paris and the Vienna House staff on what’s going on in the lives of their staff, learning from each session so camp can get more awesome, every day and every year. * * * Later that evening, I gave a presentation to a group of lay leaders [not involved with camp] on trends in clergy transitions and the ordination process. One of the slides detailed the reasons why the Diocese of Virginia has one of the largest ordination processes in the The Episcopal Church at a time where many dioceses are ordaining fewer priests every year. One of the bullet points read: Shrine Mont Camps. I told the group that because of our camp chaplains, when I was a counselor I got an up-close look at about 20 models of clergy leadership before I was 22 years old, not including the churches where I grew up. I had experience creating spiritual community for youth and young adults. I planned worship services and led others in planning. Three of our diocese’s seminarians are former camp counselors. Right now there are close to 10 former camp staff discerning a call to ordination. On diocesan staff, I’ve worked with nine camp staff alumni. Many of the current diocesan staff send their children to camp. Around 18 clergy and lay professionals serve as chaplains every summer and return to their own communities enlivened by their experiences. Countless others who worked at camp chose helping professions, or teaching, or just being a better person in whatever field they chose. But it’s important to point out that camp isn’t a means to an end. Camp isn’t a recruiting vehicle or a training ground. We don’t draw people away from camp. Camp sends people out in to the world, and beckons them back again—like a perpetual Eucharistic feast. More important than all of the leadership models I saw and “applicable experience” I gained is this: I hiked, swam, played, learned and slept for two months a year as part of a community who loved me – flaws and all – in the sight of a loving, joyful God. Shrine Mont Camps isn’t a means to an end; it’s a means to the Kingdom of Heaven. * * * Before the last directors’ training session finished, Chris Pace, director of St. Sebastian’s, asked the group to take a moment to pray for the program/assistant/camping directors, who would be arriving that day. Another director pointed out that Chris had asked them to pray around the time that those folks would be getting in their cars to drive up to Shrine Mont. This small, glorious community of faith had been established once again for the summer, and it was ready to draw that circle wider. Saint George's Second Session had the privilege of celebrating a year's worth of holidays including Christmas, Halloween and the Fourth of July. They had a blast with the other camps on the mountain, celebrating all camp worship, freedom fest, and kingball. Campers spent the week camping out and worshiping all over the mountain, as they found themselves to be a valuable part of the camp body. It was a summer full of memories that we know will last forever. This weekend camps shared space with the annual Bishop's Jubilee. Featuring The Bishop's 5K, a Family Fun Fest, Bluegrass Worship and the Staff Vs World game which brought together current camp counselors and Shrine Mont Alum. It was an incredible day with a little something for everyone. |
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The view from the mountainSpreading the good news of Shrine Mont Camps into the Valley of the World.
AuthorsThe View from the Mountain is written by a rotating cast of staff writers and contributors. Archives
September 2018
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