FRIENDS NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015 Issue 14 DISCOVERY CAMPERS ENJOYING THEIR SUMMER COMMUNITY ON THE LONG ISLAND SOUND Peace Not As the World Gives By Dan Bell (Christian Formation Director) Jesus told the disciples, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives (John 14:27). These words are ones that campers got to hear and reflect on during the Christian Formation program this summer. Just before saying this, Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit would come to give guidance and direction once He left this earth. I don t think this is a coincidence. Having God s peace is a fruit of the Spirit that grows in us as we follow Christ. It is a powerful sign of Jesus presence in and among us. There s a silly song we ve been singing in chapel called The Fruit of the Spirit s Not a Coconut, or a pineapple, lemon, watermelon, etc.! Likewise, the peace that the Spirit of Christ grows in us isn t the kind of peace we find in the world. As Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove write, Peace is not just the absence of conflict A counterfeit peace exists when people are pacified or distracted or so beat up and tired of fighting that all seems calm. But true peace does not exist until there is justice, restoration, and forgiveness (Common Prayer Pocket Edition, Zondervan, 2012 p. 58). In other words, when it comes to real peace, peace that is the fruit of the Spirit, it doesn t just look like tolerance or merely getting along with people. It s deeper than that. It s about taking the risk of loving people for who they are, not for who we would have them be. Continued on Page 2 Friends Newsletter Summer 2015 IN THIS ISSUE Don t miss Fall Camp New Fall Camp Reunion for all youth - Page 5 Camp Alumni Updates Where our camp family are today - Page 3
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015 Issue 14 2 PEACE NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES Continued from Page 1 by Dan Bell (Staff) It s about working towards full inclusion and equality. It s about celebrating differences, overcoming prejudice, and doing all we can to be reconciled to one another as we ve been reconciled to God. At Camp DeWolfe, we strive to create an authentically peace-filled community, one in which all of God s children, from the littlest to the tallest, are welcomed, valued, and loved. We began the summer building community like this as staff gathered for trainings to help ensure that campers have a blast while staying safe and being celebrated for who they are. Amid it all, staff learned about one another, celebrated and reconciled differences, and discovered what God s peace is all about. Embracing this sort of peace isn t easy. It requires us to become everyday revolutionaries (the name of one of our staff small groups that are meeting throughout the summer). With radical commitment and Spiritfilled courage, we need to reject all of the counterfeit kinds of peace we find in this world, the false messages that tell us we can achieve peace through power, prestige and possessions. We must instead accept the Spirit s gift of real, lasting peace that is built on the sure foundation of God s justice and love. In the history of the Church, examples abound of everyday revolutionaries, people who shared God s peace in word and deed. One such saint was Francis of Assisi, after whom the camp s new outdoor chapel was named. Although probably not penned by St. Francis himself, this famous prayer attributed to him seems like a fitting way to close: Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is error, the truth; Where there is doubt, the faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled, as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. Under the power and guidance of the Spirit, may we be instruments of God s peace- at camp, at home, at school, at work- wherever we find ourselves today, tomorrow, and always. Amen. This Summer in the Davis Dining Hall Vegetable chili Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons Canola oil 1 pound of Chorizo, casing removed and crumbled 1 large white onion 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 zucchini seeded and chopped 4 large jalapeno chili peppers, seeded and chopped 4 gloves of garlic, sliced 2 tablespoons ground cumin 1 Tablespoon ground coriander 2 cups of chicken stock 1 can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes 2 ears of grilled corn scraped from the cob 1 can of black or red beans Directions: In a soup pot, heat the oil over medium high. Add chorizo and cook till brown. Add onion, bell pepper, zucchini, Jalapenos and garlic, season with salt and pepper. Partially cover and cook until vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Add spices and stir for 1 minute. Add 2 cups of stock, tomatoes, corn and beans. Reduce and heat and simmer, uncovered until the chili thickens! Enjoy with a scoop of sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese and enjoy! -by Tina DeGolyer (Food Service Manager)
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015 Issue 14 3 Camp Programs & Events August 2015 29 th Engaging Today s Youth Leader s Workshop 10am-4pm with lunch. Open to all. Register at www.campdewolfe.org Camp Alumni Update: The Tuleja Family We now serve in youth ministry as House Parents at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch near Amarillo, Texas, a residential group home community for wayward children. As House Parents, we take care of 10 elementary children in a group home setting. Our "job" is to meet the needs of our children 24 hours a day just as traditional parents would at home. This includes meal preparation, taking care of ouchies, helping with homework, going on outings to do activities like going to the pool and the movies and teaching our kids the love and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ. In February 2015, we welcomed the arrival of our son, Landon. He has blessed our lives and the lives of the children we serve in countless ways and he is a constant reminder of the love of Jesus Christ. Mike and Megan Tuleja SHARE YOUR CAMP STORIES Email the Camp Office office@campdewolfe.org FAST FACTS 98% % of summer campers who tried new activities at camp this summer! 100% % of campers who made a new friend or two at camp this summer! 29 th 30 th Yoga Darshana September 2015 4 th - 6 th Trinity Grace Church 5 th 6 th Ebenezer Mission Church 11 th 13 th Sarah s Daughters 12 th 13 th I.G.H.L. Group 17 th 18 th Friends Academy Senior Class 18 th 20 th New York Youth Symphony Orchestra 24 th 25 th Lutheran High School 9 th Grade 25 th - 27 th Willi Family Wedding October 2015 2 nd 4 th North Shore Community Church 8 th 9 th Hicksville High School Natural Helpers 9 th 12 th - Long Island Center for Mindfulness 11 th 12 th Racial Justice Planning 16 th 18 th - Prophetic Praise Ministries 17 th - 18 th I.G.H.L. Group 22 nd 25 th Friends Prayer 30 th Miller Place High School Natural Helper s Fall & Winter s- Each week during the school year, Camp DeWolfe welcomes church groups and schools from across NYC & Long Island. Call the Camp Office to book your retreat today at 631-929-4325. MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CAMPER S LIFE: www.campdewolfe.org/donate-online-today
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015 Issue 14 4 Our Parent s Summer camp experiences Good morning, I wanted to thank you for having my camper arrive at camp today! The drop-off went smoothly and we met his cabin partners at the medical station. Then he was off to breakfast. The online pics this morning showed him playing basketball and involved with paddleboard instruction. It looks like he has settled in nicely and is enjoying himself. Thank you so much for the accommodation and the Camp DeWolfe experience. Best regards, -Camper Parent (Nassau County) Hi, I just wanted to let you know that this was the first year that my son went to sleep away camp. He had such a wonderful experience and your counselors make such a difference. He was in B1 last week for the 2 week sleep away and B2 for the very first week. I am so happy with your camp and how everything was handled. Thank you! -Camper Parent (Syosset) Greetings: I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful experience my son had while at Camp DeWolfe! To be honest, he is having a hard time adjusting back. We cannot wait till the next time. Blessings to you and thank you so much! Please keep us posted and I would be honored to be used as a reference about the Camp! Thank you and God bless you all! -The Rev. Theodora N. Brooks (The Bronx) My boys enjoyed themselves tremendously. I really appreciate the daily involvement my children have with God and Jesus. Opening their hearts and minds to our Lord is a main priority I have as a parent. I was also very impressed with the way that poor behavior is addressed. It makes me feel secure to know that my children are being looked after the way I would. Thank you very, very much! My hopes for my children were that they have an opportunity to be a part of a God/Jesus loving community. To be able to fellowship and be free to be themselves, separately; to grow personally, make new friends, & forge positive role model relationships. I think that in a week's time they've had a wonderful experience. CDW has introduced them to many new activities they might not have otherwise tried. And it s important for them to try new things and experience new situations. I think that at the end of three weeks time, things will stand out more. -Day Camper Parent (Suffolk County)
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015 Issue 14 5 Do you have or know any youth ages 7-17? This new one-day program is for them:
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015 Issue 14 [Addressee] [Street Address] [City, ST ZIP Code] PO BOX 487 Wading River, NY 11792