Been to the Heart of the Country... now South to the Cape!

When I taught, my summer's were broken into the following categories of time.
1) Swimming lessons until the 4th of July.
2) Absolutely NOTHING. (July 3-mid August)
3) Excitement and Dread- teacher's, do you feel me?) for another school year (mid August until the moment school began).

My days were spent with little scheduling, really. Just spending as much time as possible with family and friends and myself.

Now, my summer is broken into these categories.
1) Pray!
2) Prep for summer... directing camps and chaperoning trips and teaching/leading at reunions. (end of spring-mid June)
3) Pray!
4) Look ahead to 7 weeks of ministry...
5) Pray!!! And take some nice easy breaths to relieve any anxiety felt.
6) Week 1... Jr. High/Sr. High Camp... pray!
7) Week 2... Jr. Camp... pray!
8) Week 3... Maine Reunion... pray!
9) Week 4... IYF in Independence... pray!
10) Week 5... Headed for Onset Campgrounds for Onset Reunion... pray!
11) Week 6... Plan for Jr. / Jr. High camp in Onset... pray!
12) Week 7... Camp Pastor at Onset Campgrounds... pray!
13) Where did that summer go??? ... Huge prayer of gratitude!

Is it just me that notices quite a change in my schedule? =]
I couldn't be happier!

I am in between # 9 and 10 right now... Cassy and I are finishing re-packing in Lexington, MA to head down to Onset, MA Reunion.

We just returned from IYF, International Youth Forum, in Independence.
Let's just say it was one of the most refreshing, invigorating, affirming experiences I have had in quite some time. I might go so far as to describe it as "defining" in my life/work/ministry.

Cassy and Christian were there. Check out signalkids.blogspot.com for updates and pictures coming soon from Cassy's perspective. Also, check out cofchrist.org/IYF for pictures.

We must have about 20 kids going in 2013. It's amazing! And we should have time to get that many by then... challenge, who's on board for that?

Excited for mid-summer reflection time, I am.

Peace and Hope to each and all, Trish

I am so thankful to have an assistant!

This morning, I am truly amazed. It is 9:33 am. Choice classes are beginning... origami (taught by my older sister, San!), volleyball, and cooking (taught by my Mom, graham cracker pie!)... and I have a spare moment to organize my thoughts about camp. This means that neither do I have a list 10 or 15 activities long nor am I "putting out fires" as they crop up.

But how can this be?

For the past full month, I have eaten, slept, prayed, thought about, and in all other ways shaped my life around camps and the summer camping season. This has mostly consisted of waking between 6 and 7, first thought on camp and what to do to be fully prepared. My original list was single spaced and 2 pages... if I don't write it down, it won't happen. Of course, there was lots of answering e-mails, phone calls, etc... making my list grow as I tried to make it shrink! Generally, sleep came between 11 pm and 1 am. I am thankful for the uplift of youth and prayer to get through a month of this as I generally require much more sleep.

Well, the list shrank as our first camp, Jr. High/Sr. High camp approached. That meant I was closer to ready for campers and staff to arrive. 4 trips to Camp Winni later, everything had been delivered, and I and the staff were ready for campers.

As the week progressed, I quickly realized that this camp would be an amazing blessing for my outlook on directing camps and "coordinating'' a youth program. I have to say that it truly was one of the funnest weeks of my entire 27 years. I laughed and smiled so much during this camp! BUT... sleep still seemed to elude me. Midnight, 1 am, 2 am to bed... 6 am to rise.

So, how, back in the midst of another camp, JUNIOR Camp, do I all of a sudden have a few spare moments to collect some thoughts. The answer is clear and can be described in two words.

Cassy Billings

The Youth Ministry Coordinator Summer Assistant... My Summer Assistant

I cannot tell you all how great she has been. Reporting for "duty" on night one, before campers, she appeared poised, mature, and ready to act. First question was, "What can I do to get started?" Next, "So, how can I help?" And that type of question has been repeated over and over again for the past 4 days. I speak, or we brainstorm together, and Cassy makes it happen. I am so thankful to have an assistant! And the opportunity for Cassy is pretty tremendous as well, I dare say.

My level of appreciation for Life, camp, God, Love, family, and friends is running extremely high.
Cassy rocks.

In the send-off of C.S.... God is Love.
Peace and Hope, Trish

Today, I was going to post...

Today, July 4th, I thought a lot about writing a post... My thoughts on camp, etc...
It's 11:11 am.
I'm deciding to go back to bed instead.

Peace and Hope! Trish

5 days until Camp...

5 days.
Just over 120 hours.
It feels surreal.
No problem, I thought. I can direct 2 camps, camp pastor another, teach Jr. High classes and run youth events at a couple of reunions with help (or assisting others as in Onset), travel out to Independence for IYF with 2 great high school students. I can do it.

Can I do it?

Well, I'll be honest, I'm nervous. I don't feel over-whelmed and that I can't do it. I just feel... well, like it's a big responsibility. Can I stay fresh, excited, engaging for all the kids I'll see? Can my mind and Spirit keep up with all that has to be done to run things smoothly? Can I stay in the attitude of prayer and humility throughout my days that will surely make the summer an amazing experience?

Lots to think about. I think I just won't think about it.
I'll try prayer.
You can try it, too.
For you, me, the youth, and our humanity living out divinity.

Peace and Hope, Trish

PS Each day, more campers sign up. I couldn't be more excited for this. God, friends, keep 'em comin'!

8 Days and Counting Down...

Camp Winniaugwamauk, our most precious and treasure campgrounds here in Maine will very soon be filled with campers, counselors, cooks, nurses, lifeguards, and tons and tons of GREAT ENERGY... the moving SPIRIT of God!!!

I, for one, am incredibly excited and honored to be a part of it all.

My prayer team must have been working over-time along with all the others who are praying and supporting the program because EVERY DAY more potential campers are in contact with me AND our staff is growing, too.

This morning, I am absolutely filled with gratitude for the potential of this summer... and for the reality of excitement that is building in our campers.

_______________________________

BIG NEWS!!! Jr. Camp is about to grow... We've decided to expand our age range from 3-5 grade to include 2nd graders as well. Now kids who have completed 2nd grade are invited as well. Please spread the word.

_______________________________

May God's spirit bring about the Purposes of our Creation.
Amen.

Wow! That was hard work.

So, today, we cleaned up the waterfront. Again.
Two weeks ago, we started.
Today, we continued.
Dave Long, who will be a summer hero should he do what he plans, will finish next weekend.

The waterfront at Camp Winniaugwamauk gets inundated each year with leaves and debris that blow ashore. Each year it is a large project to get it cleaned up and ready for camp. Imagine, then, what a job it is to clean it up if the job doesn't happen for a year... 2 years worth. How much would 3 years be?!?

Well, folks, we were facing more like 4 or 5 years worth. Each year the entry way to the water has gotten smaller and smaller. But this year, it's wide open! No more debris. Let me describe it this way... our water front is like Hulk Hogan's yellow shirt as he prepared to battle a wrestling foe. In recent years, it has been small openings to get to the larger lake... much like the little rips in Senor Hogan's shirt. But this year, it's all clear and ready for kids to tear in to that lake!... muck like the Hulk-Man himself, tearing that shirt right open in excitement for battle!

If that analogy makes any sense... awesome! If not, I've been shoveling and cleaning ALL DAY! and it's late... excuse my crazy brain.

Either way. Hard work, but GREAT people helping out.

I'm so excited for camps I'm just about to burst. I hope I don't... summer wouldn't be as much fun if I had to be duct taped back together.

More on camps soon.

Peace and Hope! Trish

Let the Self-Judgment END!

HI All,
OK, seriously... how hard is it to jump on the internet and write an update about what I'm up to. After all, that's my goal with this blog... to give people an opportunity to know where I am, what I'm thinking, and where the youth program is going.

How hard is it to put my thoughts together in a coherent form that will share a bit of my experience with the world?

How difficult can it be to DO what I say I will do?

Not that hard AT ALL, folks. Really, not that hard.

But instead, I think I'll just not... because if I don't, then I can judge myself each time I think about what I'm NOT doing. And if I'm not judging myself, being my most horrible critic, then what would my mind have to do?

Would I then have time to ponder the beauty of spring? Smell the gorgeous lilacs as they continue to bloom? Eye my lillies each time I step out into my driveway? Sit and breathe in the change of season in all its wonder? Love, enjoy, laugh with all my softball players each afternoon as we toss the ball around? Stand in awe of my nieces and nephew as they grow so fast?

Would I then have time to let the excitement grow for a tremendous summer of camps and faith-related events? Would I stand in awe as I consider myself walking in the footsteps of so many AMAZING people who have worked with youth in camps in the past?

Perhaps, I would have time, then, if I stopped judging myself, to let my mind be clear... open... expansive... to appreciate life and the opportunities therein...

Well... good news! By GRACE, and acceptance of myself and my life and my humanity, I have largely LET THE SELF-JUDGMENT END. And I have, as stated in Romans, found that as I stepped out into the Goodness of God, God was there waiting for me with so much more than I could have imagined.

I have enjoyed all of the things above.
I am getting so excited for a summer of... well, for a summer of something NEW!

And, I'm finally writing a blog post.
My hope and prayer is to continue each week... and that I'll hear some feedback from you.

In peace and with Hope, Trish

I Love it when the Spirit Moves... especially when I get to write and share!

Happy Almost Easter to All!
I believe it was just a couple of blog posts ago when I stated my intent for this whole operation on blogspot. I wanted to provide a place for people to regularly follow "me" (as Youth Ministry Coordinator), my thoughts, my adventures with youth.

There are two major obstacles to that attempt:
1) I am a move "as the Spirit moves" type. I clean, call, go, do, eat, etc.. as the Spirit moves. Although routine and discipline are great for me, I sometimes forego them to my nature... to move and change course and direction as naturally as the wind.

2) For the past 6 weeks or so, I have not been able to keep up with following myself. Mostly, I have followed my car, and Trixie (the female name for my Toyota Matrix; when in his male form, I call him Matthew or Matty... I like to give my car liberties to be whatever I need it to be) has taken it upon herself, seemingly, to turn her wheels to the tune of about 4,000 miles in the past 6 weeks.

The Great News... It seems that my Matrix has been following the Call of a Great Source of Life, Peace, Inspiration, and Wellness. And my ride, in turn, has been tremendous!

8 Quick Updates:

1) My Lenten Journey of Time offered to God has led me to a thankful and unreservedly loving place of Spirit. One of my happiest outcomes has been that I catch myself smiling much more frequently and at odd moments! I hope this is shared with others.
(I should admit that many days I did not complete my original objective of 30 specific minutes of reverie with God... perhaps some might say then that I failed. I don't feel that way AT ALL. When our intentions are pure, our lives are transformed. This, I believe.)

2) Priesthood Retreat in Rhode Island... AWESOME.
Met many new people. Received great suggestions and inspiration for the youth program. Showed off the webpage! allarecalled.org Spent more time with "We Share" doc from the church... please read this if you have not. It is worthy of time and reflection.
http://www.cofchrist.org/discernment/weshare/default.asp

3) Jr. High Ski Retreat in Freeport... GREAT! 12 kids / 12 - 15 adult helpers
Read all about it and see pics at allarecalled.org under the retreat tab.
So fun! And many, I hope all, will be back for camp.
I hear Freeport is getting some youth "stuff" going now! Go Freeport!

4) IYF Bangkok... only about 40 days until Jon and Nate head for Thailand.
In Lexington, we got started on our pilgrimate with them and their super-exciting trip with a family night, Bangkok Trivia Challenge, and a start up to the send-off service. Again, more info about the trip and the guys on youth webpage... Am I repeating myself? I'm telling you, there's lots of info there! =]

5) About half of camp mailings/ invitations for youth to attend are out... the rest will go in a couple of days! (If you know any young people grades 3-12 or anyone willing to help out, get in touch!)

6) April is camp planning month for me and things are coming together. We've still got a long way to go to be fully staffed and ready for youth but the directors of both Camp Winniaugwamauk (me) and Camp Muddy Cove (Kendra King and Matt Schmetz) are hopeful, serious about what we're doing, and extremely excited with maybe a few nerves, for camps this year. There will be many ways to help out listed on the "news and needs" tab at allarecalled.org soon.

7) Holy Week classes and church services with Bill Gardner and guest ministry Jan and Allen Kraybill have been, thus far, among the greatest church and worship experiences of my life. Monday in Brewer, Tuesday in Jonesport, and tonight in Stonington... they were meaningful, relevant, thought-provoking, and Spirit-infused. It is a great opportunity to learn from Bill. (I know he signs my paycheck, but he'd sign it even if I said bad stuff about him, I think =] ) I have been reminded of how knowledgeable he is and how much I always enjoyed, as a teenager and in my early twenties, listening to and learning from him. I enjoyed it very much again this week. And Jan.... her gifts are beyond words. She touched my very Soul.

8) American Camping Association Annual Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire and time with Tiverton congregation.
Oh man! This was one of my favorite weekends ever! Loads of ideas for camping and a vision for the youth program is formulating more fully in this brain of mine... many thanks to all those interested and especially all those prayers being offered!

The Spirit has moved, and I have finally written.
I would like to say I'll write again next week. ...
Until next time...
May communities of peace, true love, and joy take shape around you, Trish

Ash Wednesday & My Birthday

About 2 weeks ago, a friend of mine and I were discussing our birthdays and birthday parties. She is now 14 and so was more interested in a super-fun friend-inviting bash, of course. As we were talking, we discovered that her birthday fell on Mardi Gras... perfect, a Mardi Gras party celebrating her birth. How fun! We soon discovered that my own day of birth happened to fall, this year, on Ash Wednesday. An Ash Wednesday-themed party? How fun?! I was skeptical...

I've thought about the contrasting parties (not ever seriously considering having an Ash-Wednesday themed party, by the way) and laughed a lot since our quick talk. Man, she got all the luck between the two of us, I thought and smiled. But then, it dawned on me. What a great day to celebrate, actually, as I considered what I would do/"give up" for Lent. This year, Lent will be a celebration of my birth, birthrights, and creation.

I believe the general idea of Lent is to "give up" something that is important to you with the idea that one is creating space for a greater spiritual awakening. An opportunity for the Living Spirit of God to take up residence in each of us. Generally, I don't like the idea of "giving up". It sounds like I've been defeated before I've even begun. I do better thinking of it as an "offering"... just a personal preference.

So, this year, I've decided to "offer" my time to God. Of all the ways in which I withhold my life from God, prevent myself from entering into the realm of Spiritual Living, my schedule and to-do list are tops. I can bind myself to scheduling my time and getting this/that done in a certain time frame, thereby accomplishing "something". If I accomplish "something", my life must be full and complete. "Not so" SPIRIT would say. It is only in living and breathing peace, love, and harmony in a spirit of thanksgiving, that we are truly alive. Accomplishments and this/that must fade away to grasp the true nature of life and living.

Thus, I am offering my time for the next 40 days. I will offer 30 minutes a day of time to intentially be alone with God, especially giving thanks. Maybe 30 minutes at once, maybe 3 10-minute breaks, maybe 30 1-minute stretches of immense thankfulness. I hope that through this offering of time, an aspect of life that separates me from god, I will become more mindful of my own Spirit and the Great Spirit co-existing at all times, in all places.

May you be blessed in your journey of Lent, whatever that may be.
Peace and Hope, Trish

I Am Celebrating...BIGTIME!

This week's post is very brief. I missed writing last week as all of my technological and computer-based efforts were directed toward completing one task... a youth ministry webpage.

It is done. I am ecstatic. I hope you love it and USE IT! I kind of hope your impressed... is that vanity or pride??? (OOPS! oh well... )

allarecalled.org OR allarecalled.com (they are one in the same)

Peace to you and yours, Trish

PS If you were waiting for some words about the Jr. Retreat, you can find them on the webpage, under the retreat tab, along with pictures, and soon, videos of the weekend.!!!!! I'm so happy.

February 6-8 in Brewer, Maine... CREATE PEACE!

Hi Guys and Gals!
I thought you might be interested in what we are doing in Brewer this weekend. It's our first retreat of 2009. We're attempting to garner as many 3-5 graders as we can to celebrate, have fun, make friends, and learn under the theme Create Peace!
Here is our weekend agenda... next week's blog will feature highlights. There will also be a video-highlight reel of the weekend on Facebook on our NEMCY group... New England Mission Center Youth. Peace Out! Trish

Create Peace
Junior Retreat in Brewer, Maine; Friday, Feb 6 to Sunday Feb 8
Schedule is a guideline. Time’s can be adjusted as “the spirit moves”.

Friday Evening
7:00-8:30: Settle in, Introductions, Getting To Know You for youth/staff, Cookie Decorating
8:30-9:00: Snack, Introduce Theme and weekend agenda, What is Peace-Seeking?
To 9:30ish: Campfire
By 10: Lights Out; Big Day tomorrow!

Saturday
7:30: Rise and Shine
7:45: Breakfast, Clean Up, DRESS WARMLY!!!
By 8:30: Leave for Hermon Mountain
9-11:30: Snow Tubing at Hermon Mountain
12:00: Lunch at Church and Clean Up
1:00: Leave for Great Skates
1:30-4:30: Great Skates Fun & Games
5:00: Supper at Dysart’s
6:30-7:00: “What is Peace-Seeking?” Part II
7 – 9: Creating Peace Activities & Crafts
9:30: Lights Out

Sunday Morning
7:30: Rise ‘n Shine
8:00: Breakfast, Clean Up and Area Clean Up
9 – 10: Post Retreat Interviews/ Song Practice / Peace-Seeking Part III
10-12 Sunday School & Church

A frozen fish, replaced pipes, and time spent believing in community!

This weekend I was in DownEast Maine. When I came back to my house, my fish, Larry Stalone, was very, VERY sluggish. I went to the pet store and told them his symptoms. They said, you are freezing him. Woops. I moved him to a warmer room. He's eating and moving again! Aleluia =]

Two hours after I returned from PetCo, I (and by I, I mean Brock after I asked him to drive an hour and a half and leave work early to investigate) discovered some of my pipes had frozen. Thanks for the warning, Larry. Still, bummer!

Upside, my boyfriend, Brock is fixing them. No labor cost!! Downside, every 7 minutes, he yells, "Honey, get me x, y, or z!" Settling in to work this week has been challenging.

Fortunately, I had an uplifting weekend to launch me into this week. It included a whole lot of visiting! Let me share a bit...

Saturday, I stopped by the local nursing home to visit my Aunt Marion, 99 years old. We visited for about an hour. She shared stories of her life, family, friends, and how she now keeps track of everyone important to her.... which is about everyone as near as I could tell. At the end of our visit, she said, "You know we have another church member here, Dorolese. You should go visit her." I replied, nearly shouting to accommodate her 99 year old ears, "I can't today, Aunt Marion, but I'll come back tomorrow." "Yes, dear, that's good. And you'll come back and see me again, too." I love that she felt comfortable enough to command my schedule. Then again, I felt at home sitting with Aunt Marion. Of course I would visit her and did. The visit the next day with Dorolese, my Dad in tow, was remarkable. To watch her entire countenance change in the course of an hour was nothing short of miraculous. As we were leaving, we shared in prayer together. Hands, spirits, and hearts joined together... our own little community. Beautiful.

30 minutes later, I walked into the house of an elementary school friend. I felt totally at home, again, as her 8 year old boy flung a nerf football off the face of her 5 year old daughter, who began to scream. My friend got them under control, and we played for a couple hours. (I have recently been re-acquainted with my friend in my position as elder in the church. Her son was extremely ill with what doctors are now calling a meningitis that is frequently fatal. When not fatal, it often leaves those afflicted with brain damage of some sort. Let's just say, my friend is convinced of the Truth of administration. I am in awe of her testimony.) As I was leaving, her 5 year old invited me over for a sleep-over the next night. I love the easy acceptance in kids.

Sunday included more visits, a stop at Sunday school in Jonesport (which produced two definite YES's to the upcoming Jr. High Retreat!), and speaking on Beals. A note on Sunday school. 4 people share the responsibility and the kids love it! In the course of our time together the kids decided on a retreat they'd like to host next fall. Kids want something to claim as their own. Jonesport is providing that right now. Awesome!

Closing comment, I believe that: Community is nurtured through time together. Peace is fostered as we care for one another in community.

May we pursue our calling as a community of peace! Urgently and with purpose.
In hope and peace! Trish

What am I up to? You might be wondering...

My Mom got up this morning and, after church was cancelled in Beals, Jonesport, and Ellsworth, Maine, decided to put her new treadmill together. She whispered to my nephew Brevan, "Hey, I've got a job to do. I'm going to go put my new treadmill together with all my tools." To which he loudly exclaimed, "I want to help you!!!", jumped from her lap and began running circles on the living room rug, deliriously excited with this new adventure. He's quite a builder!

45 minutes later, with the treadmill pieces spread all across MY bed and bedroom floor, Brevan is screaming with glee in the living room in his brand new boat. A true "You know your a Downeaster if..." moment. My first pictures are now posted. I think you'll enjoy!

So, I've decided to take a new tack on my blog. I've heard that a number of people are wondering what I'm doing. I always answer... attempting to catch and cast a vision for an AWESOME youth program. I'm 4 months in with a lot to learn. I'm open to a lot of advice... not much seems to be coming my way. Come on people... perhaps your family is different than mine. We don't hesitate to share our opinions. =] Let's hear 'em. What do you suggest for how we approach our youth? Camps? Retreats? Groups? etc...

So, back to my new tack... I'm going to try to post once a week simply stating what I'm up to. Shorter posts. Funny stories. Questions looking for opinions. ANSWER people!!!! =]

First question, do you want me to send you e-mail updates when I post? Either respond here or just to my e-mail account. I figure, it keeps us connected a bit more. What do you think?
Second question, do you have any suggestions for people interested in helping with summer camp this year? A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION!

Peace and Hope and Stay out of the storm! Enjoy the pics of my crazy nephew!
Trish