Grace to you and peace ~
As I am writing this, day one (of five) of Lutheroad Day Camp is under way. We have four counselors and an Area Director (supervisor) who came from Lutheridge in Arden, NC, five older youth from LSLC acting as “junior counselors” (three of whom will be here all day every day), about ten or so adult volunteers and a Russell working together to shepherd the thirty-plus “campers” who are gathered to learn about Jesus and the goodness of creation. Really, it is an amazing embodiment of our mission statement – beginning with “eagerly welcoming all.”
I say that not only because of the way the counselors have been welcomed, but more profoundly, because of what I witnessed at our Sunday evening “Kick-off” Meet and Greet for Counselors, volunteers, campers and their families. A full 60+% of the campers are not members of LSLC. And nearly half of them (and one of the counselors) do not speak English as their primary language. Now, truth be told, kids (and young adults) know how to navigate the reality of language barriers – they do it every day and easily switch back and forth between languages in a way that is difficult for me to wrap my mind around. And while their parents can do it, it is harder for them…Likely not just because of the language itself, but because of the vulnerability that is exposed with slower processing and the anxiety I imagine comes from speaking with a different accent. Add to that, the grief of being away from their native country and the knowledge of what ravages war is taking on a place they love (most of our non-English speakers are from Ukraine) and their courage is remarkable. What I saw on Sunday evening was adults of different backgrounds, languages, skin colors, etc. coming together, sharing tables and table fellowship without any real concern or fear. I saw young adult counselors eating at different tables with the campers and their parents, building relationships simply by their presence and I saw you present in the inclusive atmosphere of this faith community.
It doesn’t take a lot – but in a world that seems not only to fear any who are deemed “other,” but also to be bent on excluding those who differ, erring on the side of love, welcome and hospitality changes everything.
I don’t want you ever to minimize the way our “eagerly welcoming all” is one way that we live into our mission of bringing healing, help and hope to the world.
God’s peace and much love ~
+ Pr. Sara