Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 5

Endings
Yesterday was a 'day off' at Habitat/volunteer camp - involving some typical camp activities. We had lunch out at a Redamaks' restaurant (great food and great service too!) and then headed to Warren Dunes to climb the daunting Mount Baldy sand hill. After a day in the sun we had a chance to experience Tower Hill's giant climbing wall and then headed to the beach for another great bonfire. It was my last of the week, as I'm heading off this morning to Chicago for the Illinois Conference Annual Meeting.
There are some great memories from this week. We have worked and played hard, I leave pretty spent lots of time building relationships, and have become better people and followers of Jesus in the process. I'm looking forward to the next time!

*Update: There are many, many pictures to tell the story of the week here!

Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 4

3.
We were at three worksites yesterday. Some delivered food boxes to cars at a drive-up commodities distribution center for seniors, others worked at a local thrift shop (and came home with some formal dinner attire) and I was with a group working on clearing brush and trees as well as putting in an i beam and floor joists at a Habitat for Humanity build site in Michigan City, Indiana. Lake Michigan still hasn't been cooperative for swimming (rip tide warning in the afternoon) but we did have a giant hill slip n slide adventure in the afternoon and got to have a group archery event in the evening. Our nightly bonfire on the lake also returned as we sang (I love playing guitar at these things!) and talked about the many things love is and is not - as expressed in 1 Corinthians 13.
Today's a 'day off' and many of the campers are going to sleep in. I'll be heading out early tomorrow for the Illinois Conference Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 3

Everybody work.
Yesterday our group was at another two worksites. One group headed to Harmony House in La Porte, Indiana to do some landscaping and gardening. While we were working, a young boy inside was watching and anticipating. He came outside later and told us he was so excited for the playground being cleaned up!
The other group stayed nearby at Warren Dunes and worked on building a retaining wall to help keep the trail to the lake from disappearing. There was digging, measuring, cutting, attaching, and standing in the river, too!
Weather put a hold on last night's campfire, though we all relaxed with games, movies, and conversations.

Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 2

Sore.
We had a hard workday yesterday. I was with a group that did landscaping/yardwork at Polly's place - a shelter for pregnant women. We moved branch after branch of recently trimmed brush to a giant burn pile (one we started!) and also tilled gardens, weeded playground areas, and moved playground equipment around. Another group of workers packed 1021 boxes of food for delivery to the elderly in the area. It was nice to get back to camp and enjoy a sunset on the Lake Michigan beach.

Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 1

This week I'm at Tower Hill camp in Sawyer, Michigan for the Illinois Conference's 2010 Habitat/volunteer camp. There are 30+ youth and adults from 6 different churches. We'll be spending the week working at several locations in the area. Wireless signal will be iffy, but if I get time and signal I'll post a few pictures! (update -- I did!)

Michigan campfire

Yesterday afternoon I made a 'pre-synod' trip to Michigan to connect with friends at this year's Illinois Conference UCC Habitat/Volunteer camp at Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center in Sawyer, Michigan. This year's camp was scheduled for the same week I was headed to Grand Rapids for General Synod 27, so I hadn't organized a group to go. Ultimately the camp had an abbreviated schedule, which would have made it possible, but in the meantime we'd planned a later summer work trip with the youth and adults from Union Congregational, so we missed this year. I did want to spend a bit of time with the folks, however, so I came up in the late afternoon, shared a meal and then we spent the evening on the Lake Michigan beach with a campfire and campfire songs! Good times - if only for a few hours.

I think these are most of the songs I played last night

• More Light
• Sanctus
• The Cheese Song
• Buffalo Boy
• Amazing Grace
• Twist and Shout
• Jesus is the Rock (and He Rolls My Blues Away)
• Have Love
• The Good Conductor
• Home on the Range/My Home's in Montana
• Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
• Open the Eyes of My Heart
• Day is Done
• Flush the Toilet Every Time
• The Cheese Song (grunge reprise)

I'm planning on being a part of the camp next summer -- June 20-26, 2010 - how about you?

Habitat/Volunteer Camp 2008 - 7

It's the last morning of the last day - work is done -- just breakfast and goodbyes to go

Yesterday we finished up the tasks we started

• Marshall Hall painting, curtains and even a tree mural (painted by one of the leaders) is complete
• The Habitat home in Michigan city is way ahead of schedule
• Part of our group went to Fernwood nature center -- weeding, mulching, finding snakes etc.

It's been a great week of working, getting to know youth and adults from all over Illinois (and Michigan!) and growing closer to God.

Last night's worship focused on the talents God has blessed all with. It was a challenge to use those gifts, some of which have been unleashed during this week, at home, school work etc. We spent time identifying gifts that each student and adult have -- it was a great "warm fuzzy" with God woven all through. We didn't get to watch the sunset because of the clouds -- but I'll always remember the night before -- a whole group of folks sitting on the beach watching a beautiful sunset over the lake.

Lots of songs -- I don't think I can remember them all . . .

• Pharaoh Pharaoh
• Something Beautiful For God
• Pass It On
• Where Justice Rolls Down
• Holy Holy Holy
• The Grand Illusion
• I Will Call Upon the Lord
• I Want You (Melvin - the student songwriters and band - made a second appearance)
• Down to the River to Pray
• Benediction

Breakfast, clean up and heading home today! I'm ready.

Next year, anyone?

Habitat/Volunteer Camp 2008 - 6

Yesterday's day off went by quickly -- but it sure was rejuvenating!

After breakfast -- we all simply rested for a couple of hours before heading north up the expressway to "exit 29" where there were a bunch of restaurants. Some of the group went to Applebees and I ate with 6 other youth at Steak and Shake. We had some great conversations about how to tip at a restaurant, reactions to this trip, school experiences, and even politics!

In the afternoon the weather was clear so we swam, climbed and layed out at the beach. At one point one of the leaders went up to the snack area and came back with a bag full of ice cream treats for everyone (she actually went twice) The sand and sun were hot, but the treats made it and the kids (and adults!) were overjoyed with the treats.

Today was also the day to make memory crafts -- signed t-shirts and thin log slices with quotes on them.

Of course, we ended the day with worship at the beach. This time it was about trust -- trusting God and trusting each other. Lots of songs, too
Here's a possible partial list:

Shut De Do
T.A.M.B.O
Made of Clay (and original written by and performed by campers!)
Buffalo Boy
The Star Spangled Banner
Beloved Let us Love One Another
Itsy Bitsy Spider
This Old Man
A medley of parts of Styx and Queen songs
The Cheese Song (third time?)
Open the Eyes of My Heart
What does our God require of us


Today it's our final day of work -- Here's the plan as I know it now

Habitat home in Michigan City
Nature Center - pulling weeds, etc (that's where I think I'll be)
Finishing the painting, curtains, etc at Marshall Hall right here at Tower Hill

Habitat/Volunteer Camp 2008 - 5

Well then, yesterday was one of those work days that had the potential to be a total bust, but I think we salvaged some work anyway. And overall things turned out pretty well.

The weather led to a cancellation of a few of our work projects

Habitat crew went to Michigan City and then turned around and came home
The beach crew never left
The shelter crew arrived and didn't have much in the way of supplies. They finished 2 hours early
Most everyone (at different times) worked on painting the craft and gathering area of Marshall Hall right here at Tower Hill. We painted windows that had been covered by storm windows, prepared the interior walls for a new coat of paint, hung curtain rods and fireproofed the new curtains. We have a full day of work on that whole project on Friday.

Friday? What about today?

Today's a planned day off -- if the weather holds we'll be at the beach much of the day. If not it looks like bowling and/or a movie at a local theatre.

In the afternoon it was still kind of rainy -- so the camp set up a giant slip n slide for us - I was the only adult to try it out -- it was one of the highlights of the week. We also got to spend a bit of time at the archery range -- I wasn't too bad -- I hit the target most times. . .

We still had a great end to the evening with worship and singing. I played a few and Max also played. Then later Julie and I sang a couple of songs with some really ringing harmonies

Here's what I remember

I Like Cicadas
The 501 Song
The 'Tower Hill Camp' Store

I'm a Creep (Max and Julie sang this one)
Sanctuary
This Little Light of Mine
Amazing Grace

We extended curfew for the students by an hour to midnight -- it was about a half hour too long for my ability not to fall asleep standing . . .

Habitat/Volunteer Camp 2008 - 4

I put on loads of sunscreen yesterday -- and I still have a sunburn on my face and neck -- ouch!

We had a very hot -- yet still wonderful day at Habitat camp

• Finished the roof


• Lots more work on the Habitat home


• Projects and projects and projects at camp
  

The wind and the waves cooperated so that we could swim – I challenged everyone to a race out to the buoy and back. I should have just made it to the buoy – I won that part – but ran out of steam on the return trip.


After a rock climbing adventure for many of the campers (and none of the adults!) up a 35+ foot wall, we headed to the beach for what as become the regular daily plan, we had a time of evening fun, songs, worship and prayer. This time it focused on creation (and the need for humanity to respect and care for God’s creation!) I played some music and we had a few other song/rap leaders to!

Song list (as far as I can remember)

• Post-partum blues


• Lions


• God of Wonders


• Big House


• Cheese song reprise (Danny wanted to play guitar)


• Home on the Range/My Home’s in Montana


• Boom Chicka Boom


• A song with a cow and a foot

More work fun today

• Habitat site


• Women’s shelter


• Beach work (I've been told we're cleaning dead fish off a beach -- that's where I'll be)

Habitat/Volunteer Camp 2008 - 3

What a great first day at Habitat/Volunteer Camp 2008!

We worked hard -- everyone really giving a great effort. We began the day with encouraging devotions with Pastor Dan (that sounds like a Saturday Night Live Skit title!) and then we went to work. We

• Made significant progress on the roof and sides of a Habitat for Humanity Home in Michigan City, Indiana. (more work there today!)


• Put half a roof on a large shed/barn near our camp. (finishing it today!)


• Did what was described as "a million little jobs that all needed doing) at a women's shelter about 40 minutes away - (we're going back there Wednesday)


• Almost completed the wiring on one of the camp buildings that is being remodeled. (I think we continue work on that building Wednesday)

The rest of the day was exhilarating -- the water was too rough on the lake - so no swimming yesterday :( - but several of us went to the big sand dune (Mount Baldy) climbed up and ran (or fell) down. Then after dinner, we had a rejuvenating time of devotions, songs, worship and prayer at a beach campfire. I got to lead some songs (Pink Pajamas, Hole in the Bottom of the Sea, The Cheese Song and Have Love) and we talked about the relationships we've already begun to form after only one day. Everyone quieted down quickly at bedtime -- I think everyone was exhausted!

Today there's much of the same in store

• Work more on the Habitat home


• Finish the shed/barn roof


• Work on several projects (painting, cleaning etc) right here at camp.

If the weather holds -- we'll get to swim later too!

Habitat/Volunteer Camp 2008 - 2

We’re here and ready to work! 25 people youth and adults, are all health-screened, safe-church certified, checked into our rooms in Marshall hall at Tower Hill and we’re ready to work! (OK –
at present more than half are fast asleep – but last night we prepared work teams for today.)
Here’s where we’re going:

• A teen pregnancy center (general maintenance and gardening)


• A Habitat for Humanity build site in Michigan City, Indiana (Building a house!)


• A local home (roofing a shed – that’s where I’ll be today.)


• Right here at Tower hill camp (electrical wiring on a cabin)
  

We start and end the day with worship – I think I’ll get to play some songs at some time during the week, too.


I've got a wireless signal when I go outside our cabin -- I'm sure I can find one inside somewhere too!

Back home again

I've spent the last two weeks away from home -- first at Peaceful Valley Ranch in Lyons, Colorado and then last week living at Forest Avenue Family Shelter in Kansas City, MO (check out the "news" link and see St. Matthew mentioned a few times) while leading a youth work trip with Kansas City Habitat for Humanity. Both weeks were great for different reasons -- Riding horses in Colorado really helped me in finding solitude and quietness as I experienced God's presence. Working on the homes and living in the shelter really affected my life perspective. It is so easy to go into selfish mode and think that you're entitled to things. I don't think that's what God had in mind with the whole "Love me with all you are and love your neighbor as yourself" commandments.

Over the past two days I've tried to get caught up on whatever it is I didn't do over the last two weeks. I'm unpacked, I've updated the St. Matthew website, (click on the "what's new" link) put together the pictures from the Kansas City trip, wrote a new blog entry for i.ucc called "House" and even cleaned up my desk.

Oh, wait. My desk is still really messy.

(Here's the "House" blog entry:)

The word "house" has at least four meanings.

In our Bible reading for this week, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, David is king in Jerusalem. And the word "house" has three connotations in the context of our verses. It can mean palace, temple and dynasty (as in a royal house.) We also have a fourth meaning, "an irreverent, controversial doctor who trusts no one, least of all his patients." -- according to the FOX network. (Have you all heard of the television show House? Interesting TV.)

David had been successful in wars against other nations. The Hebrew people's entry into the promised land was at least two hundred years in the past. David had a good thing going and he knew it. And it thought it was high time to do something to honor God. He thought that since he had a palace, (house) it was time for there to be a temple (house) -- instead of a tent -- for the Ark of the covenant -- the "God-box" The court prophet Nathan agreed. After sleeping on it, however, Nathan came back and said that David wouldn't build the temple. God had never asked for a temple. But God was going to build David a house -- a royal house -- that would last forever. The God-box didn't need a temple yet -- David's offspring would build that. (The FOX House doesn't figure into the passage)

David's son Solomon did go on to build the Temple. As a matter of fact, in addition to the temple to the God of Abraham he built temples to many other Gods. I think that in the long run the building didn't really matter to God. God doesn't live in buildings. God is everywhere. For that matter, I don't think the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem has anything to do with honoring God. God can get everything done without us building any kind of structure.

So back to the houses --

I wanna build you a house, God. You wanna build me a house? I'll build you a house. I don't need a house. I am a house. I'm everywhere.

I wonder. Do we try to build too much to honor God? Does God want to be in the place we think God deserves? I don't think God would take kindly to being contained. I think God is more of a "living free in the universe" type. Do you ever think that we've placed too much emphasis on the buildings? When I was growing up we could never run in the sanctuary. It was God's house. I never really bought that. I wish instead we'd stay what we really meant. "Please respect the sanctuary. We experience God's presence there because of the people, the music, the preaching and even the silence. It makes us uneasy to see what we consider hallowed ground treated poorly." I would get that. It makes sense. But "God lives here" doesn't work. God lives everywhere.I also think that God is in places we don't expect God to be. After all, if God is everywhere, the God must be in places we would assume God never goes. And no matter where we go in the universe, God got there before we did.

What would it mean if instead of concentrating on what we can do for God because we feel obligated that we would just experience God's continued presence in our lives. What if instead of making compartments for when we pay attention to God and when we dont that we just let go and encounter God everywhere -- not because we have to or because we were reminded to by our teachers and preachers -- but because we just do?

We can't control God. We can't hide from God. We can't go anywhere God is not.
We can continue to experience the unpredictable, untamed and universe-filling God. God is everywhere. Not in a house -- It's more like God is ever out there with us --still camping.

Listening

I've taken some reflections from last week and incorporated them into the most recent entry in the "opening the Bible" blog at i.ucc. It's about rejoicing and it's called "Mountaintop Experience."

Sometimes you feel like shouting for joy!

I've just returned from a week-long visit to the mountains. I lived in a cabin that looked over a mighty river that rushed and flowed -- producing a wonderfully soothing sound that I fell asleep to every night. I got to ride horses every day and experience the beauty of nature mostly untouched by human hands. I also got to spend time in silence, waiting for and listening for the still small voice of God as I sought to empty my mind of everything. The week was marvelous.
It makes me want to rejoice -- not just in the "I'm feeling happy" kind of way, but in the "Thank you God for your presence and for your incredible gift of joy and peace and relaxation."

I've had a mountaintop experience.

As I looked at one of the Bible passages for this week, Psalm 24, I sensed that same joy. Sure, it has a "King of Glory" style to it, but I think the writer was really coming from a place of joy when they wrote the song. I can imagine them sharing it with others and a mighty chorus singing praises to God together.

It's the way I feel as I write this.

I know the feeling of celebration doesn't last forever. But it sure is nice while it's here.

Today I'm headed to Kansas City to work with Habitat for Humanity.