Camp Reunion Weekend in Mentone, AL

I just finished a camp reunion weekend in Mentone, AL and I am so glad I went. It meant missing today's Chattanooga Pride parade and booth (representing PFLAG Chattanooga), but that's what all the other "PFLAGers" are for... and they represented well! (I know this because a few photos have been sent my way.)

I was reminded this weekend how much camp days shaped my life-- my being, my character, my leadership. Camp helped me be who I was created to be and to accept others for who they are.

My last summer at camp was 1985. I skipped 1984 to do a study abroad in Spain (no regrets, though it would have been cool to be in both places because 1984 was year 1 at Saddle Rock),

I couldn't quite remember if 1972 or 1973 was my first year at Camp Skyline, but I wrote '73 on a previous alumnae weekend. That means I did 10 years at Camp Skyline. My counselor years were as formative (if not more than) as my camper years. I did the typical CIT (Counselor in Training), Jr. Counselor, Counselor route. I was Head of Archery at both camps toward the end of my camp career. I helped with swimming, sports, and Project Adventure additionally over the years. 

Though I might not remember tons of details, put me together with twenty something other alumnae and memories flood back. Memories of people, activities, and songs. Last night at the campfire, songs flowed seamlessly from YEARS ago. It has been almost 40 years since I've been at camp. It has been over 50 since I started as a camper. 

It was amazing and beautiful and fun to be with community, family, chosen family this weekend. Being on Lookout Mountain in Mentone, AL is "going home" for me. Dare I write that it's one of my "thin places". Yes, it's true. Because of Morning Watch, vespers, and more, that space is a thin place for me. It's Holy ground, sacred. Not only was I molded and made character wise and leader wise, it played a large role in my faith, my spiritual being. When I return to camp, I am reminded of all that I learned from so many through the years.

A camp reunion weekend isn't only about thinking about the past memories, It's a time to catch up with people, to encourage and support one another. Depending on which reunions we have attended, we may not have seen each other in 5 to 10 years. If we are luckier than that, it might have only been 3 years.

What is amazing is that the time doesn't matter. The distance doesn't matter. We come together. We pick up where we are. We talk, we share, we sing, we laugh, we cry.....  we build new memories to add to the former ones.

One doesn't think of Morning Watch without thinking of Ellen Roberts. On Saturday morning she offered us words of insight, encouragement, and exhortation. Because there were many who weren't able to make it this year, Morning Watch was recorded. Her message of "joy" was a gift to us.

heart rock found at Morning Watch. I looked down during the prayer and BAM! #SeeAHeartShareAHeart

Marty Griffin, our camp director attended. Marty was not only director but "boss" for those of us who worked under us as counselors. We learned much from her over the years and continue to learn from her at these reunions. "Make up your bed; make up your mind." is one saying that most all remember and live by. By her example and her words, she has taught us much, not the least are these two; to be strong women and that we can do difficult things.

Marlee gifted us with leading us in singing around the campfire last night as she played the guitar. 

I had been asked to share at the campfire on the last night. I spent some time prior to the weekend reflecting on what that might look like. I found something by e.e. cummings in my Earth Gospel book by Sam Hamilton-Poore and decided to share it. I felt led to give a brief introduction about us coming together, being in creation, sharing bonds that cross time and distance, then share the e.e. cummings lines. After that I would open up the space with an invitation for people to share thankfulness. It was a beautiful time of people sharing gratitude, wisdom, their hearts. 

The e.e. cummings lines were from Week One, Midday prayer, p. 51: 

i thank You God for most this amazing

day; for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

On my drive today from Mentone to Gallant, from one camp to another (Riverview to Camp Sumatanga), I reflected on my weekend time.

One person shared at the campfire that they appreciated being accepted and welcomed by the community, that there can be a little bit of fear or nervousness in coming into a situation like this when you haven't been around people for a while. I may not be expressing the words exactly as they shared it, but I get it. In the back of my head, thoughts about fitting in, acceptance, etc. rattled around. 

Being vulnerable, taking a risk, getting out of one's comfort zone... it's worth the effort. Truly. Because when one does that, it becomes easier to be and live into one's uniquely created self.

Let me personalize that.

When I am vulnerable, take a risk, and get out of my comfort zone... it's worth the effort. Truly. Because when I do that, it becomes easier for me to be and to live into my uniquely created self. 

If that resonates with you at all, re-read it for yourself, recognizing that the "I" is now really your voice, speaking to yourself.

Vulnerability and risk aren't easy, but we can do hard things.

Hard things will help us learn and grow.

They will help us make memories and strengthen the bonds of relationships that we have.

I am grateful for all those who planned and executed this weekend reunion. I am grateful for all those who came. I am grateful for all those who impacted my life over the 11 years of camp. I am grateful for the friendships I have within this community, this family of camp friends.

"We were strangers for such a long time, but now we're friends 'til the end of time....."

May there be joy on the journey!

Debra

P.S. One of the things we did was tour Camp Skyline. I jumped on the rope swing. I didn't get a picture of that, but I think others did. I may add that later. :)

I did find a photo of me in the dining hall in a frame with other memorabilia. That was cool. It was from one of my counselor years in Brookwood cabin. Ironically, Brookwood was my first cabin as a camper.

Additional Photos from the weekend:

Potential or Problem? A guest post by Cece Tillman

photo of Cece Tillman taken from her FB page and cropped

Two days ago (this past Sunday), my friend Cece Tillman wrote what she called "a sermon to myself". She wrote an insightful piece that caught my attention and cause me to pause and reflect.

I asked Cece for permission to share her post as a guest writer and she said yes!

I know Cece through the Chattanooga Lafayette Emmaus Community. We have known each other for several years and are getting to know each other better. She is a deep thinker. She has a huge compassionate heart. She lives and loves like Christ, the one she follows. 

Here is Cece's "sermon":

Potential or Problem? -TODAY’s

SERMON TO MYSELF

What do we see when we see people or situations? Potential or

Problem?

If we looked at the people

around us, who would we choose

to be on our team? What would we be looking for? The best and brightest. We would look for those who are top notch performers, who could help us reach our goals. Who did Jesus (God) choose?

The youngest (David) the trickster (Jacob) the runner (Jonah) the cheater (Matthew) the doubter (Thomas) the deserter (Peter) the Pharisee (Nicodemus) the murderer (Paul) and the know it all (me).

We judge people and situations all the time. We think we have it all figured out. We know how it should go, who should be doing what, and how they should do it. And in the process, we damage people, judge people, push people away and shut the door of the kingdom on people that we think don’t belong.

I’m so guilty of this, God help me. Even when I’m judging the people I see doing this, I’m guilty again. God help me see potential. Help me bring your kingdom. Show me where I’m failing, and make me more like you.

-----------------------

After reading these words the other day, I wrote this:

Ooohhhh..... this is good! Potential or problem? Obstacle or opportunity? I am so glad Jesus chose a bunch of rabble rousers, as did God! What a good reminder that God has chosen people for God's purposes. We all have edges that need polishing. We all need learning and growth. So, how do we do this life together? Difficult conversations, repentance, forgiveness, restoration, healing.

Thanks for your sermon. It got me thinking. It was great to see you, as always!

P S. Do you blog? This is a good one.

------------------------

Today, as I re-read these words, what sticks with me is "make me more like you". That is the goal of a follower of Christ. That is my goal. I want to be more like Christ, made into his image. Living, loving, and leading like Jesus. Poured out for others in love.

Thank you, Cece, for sharing your gift of writing with us.

I invite you to read and re-read her words. What sticks with you? What resonates? What will you take with you into the day?

Potential or problem?

Opportunity or obstacle?

Stepping stone or stumbling block?

The choice is ours.

May it be so.

Debra

A lesson from "Little Lights" on playfulness

tonight's sunset from my deck

I enjoy playing with photography too :)

I have been following "Little Lights" since they began posting. There are several reasons:

•  they are uplifting, encouraging, and insightful
•  Steve Harper and his wife post these uplifting, encouraging, and insightful posts 

This morning I read a post that really resonated with me:

"We must keep playfulness alive in the spiritual life. In his book, 'Meditations,' Thomas Moore said, “We know we are moving more deeply in the spirit, when we notice the presence in us holy foolishness.” St. Francis personified it. John Wesley made happiness a sign of holiness. There is a close connection between praying and playing."

Play IS a spiritual practice. I need reminders of that. Play and playfulness are part of my true self, my core being. Yet, life often gets me off track from being the me I was created to be. I need reminders that it IS okay to "keep playfulness alive in the spiritual life." Thank you Steve Harper and Little Lights for this reminder today.

How have I lived into play in the past?

• Bubbles-- one is never too old for bubbles, in my humble opinion. I often keep them on my person, in a backpack, in the car. Blowing bubbles is a fun and playful thing.
• Playgrounds-- swinging on the swings or sliding on the slides
• Running through sprinklers-- yes, even as an adult I've done it. There was a retreat with FUMSDRL in Buffalo, Minnesota one year that the sprinklers caught my attention on the way to lunch. I put down all my stuff and ran through them. Then I went over to my stuff, picked it all up, and walked on to lunch. I felt much better. :)
• "fly" during the song "I'll Fly Away"-- as a colleague posted on Facebook, I have been known to "fly" during this song. How can you NOT "fly" with arms spread out wide while the song is being sung?!?!  Well, that has backfired a couple of times. :) As she noted, Annual Conference one year I was "flying" and I "ran" or "flew" into the Bishop. OOPS. :) Another time I was doing it at the local church and I ran into the District Superintendent-- on the day the congregation was voting for me to become a candidate for ordination. OOPS. :)
• riding my bicycle is good play
• riding my motorcycle is also good play
• board games are good play
• playfulness can include being silly, laughing, telling jokes-- though I'm told my jokes are pretty corny :)

Somehow, even when I KNOW, really know, that play is part of my deepest core and being, I still struggle to engage in it. I get caught up in the busyness and business of life. That's likely normal. 

So, how do I move more deeply into "holy foolishness" as the quote from Thomas Moore mentioned? What does it look like to "keep playfulness alive in the spiritual life"? 

A colleague reminded me: "Play is one aspect of sabbath-- so it's essential."

An article on "Play as a Spiritual Practice" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat on the Spirituality & Practice website offers good information. One quote: "Play is the exuberant expression of our being. It is at the heart of our creativity, our sexuality, and our most carefree moments of devotion. It helps us live with absurdity, paradox, and mystery. It feeds our joy and wonder. It keeps our search for meaning down to earth."

An article on "Play as a Contemplative Practice" by Shelly Johnson on the In Search of a New Eden website offers some great insight and perspective on play. Here are a few thoughts that caught my attention:

"But in the world of play, there is all the time in the world, and so it becomes the world of infinite exploration and understanding."

"Any play activity you do can become a contemplative practice when you practice it with awareness and presence and with the intention of cultivating gratitude, peace, freedom, and a connection with the Divine."

There is more to check out in that article. It made me realize that maybe I am actively doing more play currently as I am pursuing a creative activity several times a month. Though it takes concentration to learn it, I find myself enjoying the creative process.

As I read the article, I also realized there have been several times that I have mowed leaf or grass labyrinths in my yard. Who knew that I was practicing play as a contemplative practice in those moments?!?! :)

Today I rode my motorcycle around the property at work before heading home. It's supposed to be raining later in the week and I wanted to get some ride time in, some wind beneath my wings. As I rode around the property, I took deep breaths and couldn't help but smile. It calms me to ride, to feel the wind in my face. 

Though I may not have been to a playground lately, I have taken time to be in and play in nature as we hiked this past Sunday afternoon. There is one place we hike that I like to skip flat stones across the still water. That is play. There is another place I like to go hang my hammock and then play around on the large rocks and boulders for a while. 

It's been a while, but I have a mindful coloring book and have enjoyed coloring in it in the past. It's calming and peaceful.

It's there. My playful self is still alive and well. Maybe it takes reflection to remember.

And, maybe, just maybe, I will be more intentional about play and playfulness in the future.

What about you?

What do you do for play? Or, what will you begin to do?

Here's to play and playfulness!

Deb

Additional articles on play and spirituality:

Play and the Spirit-filled life

Playfulness is a Spiritual Practice

PLAY AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Lessons from a tomato plant

I noticed a tomato plant growing in the office garden a few weeks back. I thought the garden was dead, gone. It surprised me to see new life. Yesterday I noticed it had little yellow flowers on it. I decided to put a cage around it to help support its growth. This morning I noticed two more baby tomato plants growing nearby. These are all volunteer plants. 

Here are my thoughts from yesterday on the tomato plant that I posted with two photos:

"A tomato plant in the work garden. Not too out of the ordinary. Except that everything has died (except for the weeds and I have gotten most of them). This little one came up out of nowhere a few weeks back (voluntary plant) and is now flowering. I had given up hope on the garden. I thought it was over. But I was wrong. The yellow flowers on the vines tell me that more tomatoes are on their way. That the evidence of life and its fruit are here. I staked the little plant for support. Sometimes we just need a little support. My thoughts from a tomato plant. DD" (September 9, 2024)

As I reflect more this morning, here are some lessons I am learning:

• New life and new growth can surprise us at anytime. Watch for it.
• Even though we plant, water, and weed, we are not in full control of what happens.
• Evidence of fruit shows life. Look for it.
• Support systems allow us to grow more effectively. 
• There is beauty that comes from dirt.

How can this be applied to life and relationships?

• What does it mean to notice others?
• How do we "pick them up" in their time of need and place a support system around them? 
• What does that support look like? (totally depends on the situation, doesn't it?!?!)

What thoughts, reflections, and/or questions come to your mind?

Peace on the journey, 

Rev. Deb

[Photos are mine.]

Hummingbirds-- a cause for a pause

taken this afternoon from yet a different perspective-- from inside

I put out new hummingbird food this week and have enjoyed watching the hummingbirds fly, land on the feeders and on the tree branches, eat, buzz around, etc. I have enjoyed hearing their wings, them fuss at each other, and the other sounds they make.

Today as I sat on the deck in the cooler morning air, I realized that my different point of view earlier in the morning had allowed me to see the hummingbirds from a different perspective. That was a "cause for a pause" as it made me think about seeing things from different perspectives. 

Here's what I wrote this morning and the photos that accompany my deck time.

"I waited and watched from a different vantage point this morning. I was able to get better photos without the hummingbird blending in to the trees. At the table I did catch one behind my coffee mug, but it is harder to see. Sometimes we need to look from a different perspective in order to see things more clearly. It may not need to be a huge move, just a small one. How can that experienced reality with the hummingbirds be applied to other areas and situations in life? 🤔

Peace on this day."

As I continue reflecting, here are some more questions that come to mind:

• How willing am I to move into a different space in order to see differently? 
• What can I learn by seeing from a different perspective? 
• As I look from a different perspective, how does that affect what I see, what I hear, what I experience?
• What if I were willing to look at carefully at people and situations from varying perspectives? How would that enhance my understanding?

These are the questions that rise to the top as I reflect. 

Maybe, just maybe, I have learned something today that I can carry into other scenarios.

I invite your thoughts and reflections.

Rev. Deb

(photos are mine)

A reflection on soul care from 6 years ago

I was scrolling through my memories on FaceBook yesterday and this is one of them, a reflection I wrote on August 28, 2018.

As I re-read the words I had written, I realized they still ring true. Though I don't remember the situation that spurred me to write the words, it could have been anything. It was most likely written during my morning coffee and deck time.

The view that I used to have off the deck was a wonderful frame for pictures. It has since been taken over by some straggly branches that belong to the neighbor on that side. I have thought about cutting those branches. I think it's actually an invasive bush, like privet. But, to do that, I would need to ask. We'll see. Though I no longer have this full view, there is still a view.

"Some days are more difficult than others to maintain a whole soul. There are the days I need more time in creation, silence, solitude, prayer, rest, play, or other spiritual practices. Soul care is crucial to living well."

What are your "go-to" spiritual practices when you need filling up, when you need to maintain a whole soul? I listed some of mine above. Some additional ones: spending time in a hammock, hiking, riding my bike or motorcycle, writing.

How are you living into soul care?

Peace on the journey, 

Rev. Deb

Reflections on the book by Noel Forlini Burt--Hope in the Wilderness: Spiritual Reflections for When God Feels Far Away

I finished this smallish, thinnish book about a week ago. It has 85 pages of reading, plus a bibliography. Don't let the amount of pages fool you into thinking it's thin on content. It's not. It's powerfully packed in those pages. 

I read it in preparation for an upcoming 4 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation in October. Though I had looked at and printed out the brochure, it didn't register in my brain that the author is one of the faculty for the week. When I realized that, I was even more grateful that I was able to sign up for this Academy experience. 

Hope in the Wilderness: Spiritual Reflections for When God Feels Far Away by Noel Forlini Burt is an honest, open look into the wilderness journey. The author shares her personal experiences throughout the book, along with references from Scripture and other writers. She shares her Academy experience from Camp Sumatanga. 

I can relate to the Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation experience, as it was a life changing experience for me. My Academy experience was in FL and I finished it 11 years ago in 2013. Oh, how time flies. Each session was like "going home" as I headed there in my "rolling sanctuary". Each session worked in me in so many ways. I am still reaping the benefits for the time sown into my life those two years of Academy #32, the bilingual academy.

Being able to relate to the ebb and flow of "going home" was just one connecting point with the author. She taught at a University. I understand that too. I taught for 24 years, mostly at the higher education level.  Our experiences are different, but there are some similarities. She left home (Alabama) to go teach in Texas. I got to come closer to home (Georgia) when I moved to Tennessee to teach at a small liberal arts college from Long Island, NY. 

Noel had my attention from the introduction of her book. She quoted Thomas Merton early on and his prayer of unknowing. That prayer was and is an ongoing prayer for me, a mantra you might say. I used it in my paperwork for commissioning and ordination and in my interviews. You see, it has been hard for me to know, to see where I am going along this pathway of life. I haven't understood much of it. So, Merton's words have resonated with me -- "I have no idea where I am going."  But he goes on to say that he trusts the one leading him. That has been my experience. So, when Noel quoted Merton, I knew I was in for a good read.

Noel repeats phrases throughout the book that resonate and begin to sink in.

•  "In the struggle is the formation."
• "God is the Great Silence."
• "it came out of nowhere, as grace often does."
• "The wilderness is the Way Home."

In addition to these nuggets, there are many more nuggets that I have underlined and marked in the book. I may or may not get around to noting all of these at some point. Maybe I will get to a few of them.

I started thinking about all the wilderness experiences I have been though over the years and made a list. They include loss of loved ones, loss of relationships in other forms, physical ailments, loss of dreams, changes in situations, transitions. It comes down to transitions. Most of my wilderness experiences have been transitions and liminal spaces, the unknown. Hmmmm.

These experiences for me have helped me find myself, my true self, along the path. During the season of the Covid-19 pandemic, I spent lots of time outdoors, in the woods or in my hammock. That was a wilderness of leadership, relationships, being. Yet, I (with many others), found ways through it to create new paths, new ways-- to lead, to be in relationship, to be. There were several times when I could tell I was going through a transitional metamorphosis. Having that time to "be", to reflect, to do things differently, to see things differently, etc., was a powerful time for growth and creativity... even though there was unknown and wilderness.

This book has helped me realize and see that "the wilderness is the Way Home", that "God is the Great Silence", that "in the struggle is the formation", and that "it [grace] came out of nowhere, as grace often does."

One quote that resonates in this moment: "There is a truth that only the soul can tell, but that truth will emerge only when the soul is ready to tell it. [...] We trust that in the waiting, new life is unfolding." (54)

I am looing forward to going back through the book to read it again, to read my highlighted sections, to ponder and reflect more. I am also looking forward to meeting the author, Noel Forlini Burt, in October.

Whatever your wilderness experiences have been or are, may you find hope in them.

Deep peace and grace on the journey, 

Deb