Diocesan SUMMER 2018 messenger CAMP STEVENS INSPIRING TRANSFORMATION SUMMER CONTENTS 2018 camp stevens 4 Going to Camp by Bishop Katharine 5 Embracing Your Wilderness by Kathy Wilder 6 Securing Roots by Emma Simons-Araya 7 Camp Sessions: Register Today 10 The Camp Stevens Food Philosophy 11 Summer Recipe: Kale Salad summertime 8 Summer Calendar ORANGE YOU 12 Vacation Bible School GLAD YOU CAME? Campers enjoy the outdoors and healthy snacks at our dioce- san camp in Julian. diocesan news 13 Baptist Couple Visits St. Luke’s by Richard Anderson 14 General Convention 14 Diocesan Convention FREEDOM! Surrounded by compassionate Camp Stevens staff, campers learn to show their goofy side and let go of inhibi- tions. 003 TIME SPENT OUTDOORS hen I was a kid, I spent a lot of opportunities to ex- time outdoors with my broth- perience God Wer. We would play in what we and to feel affectionately called the mudhole in our their own backyard. We would invite all the neigh- worth, borhood kids over for games involving lots to know of leaves, mud and bugs. We came away deeply at from those glorious afternoons thoroughly their core dirty and supremely happy. Now compel- that they ling research suggests that time spent in are uncon- nature reduces stress, inspires collabora- ditionally tive play, creates feelings of empathy for loved. Not only the non-human world, and facilitates better that, but campers learn physical and social development. skills that serve them throughout their Christians have sometimes whole lives: leadership, independence, opined that this world is not our home, but service to others, swimming, crafting, and close reading of scripture argues other- sports of all kinds. They grow in self-con- wise. Jesus connected intimately with fidence through talent shows and lip-sync natural elements, turning water into wine, battles. In the context of a safe, loving multiplying food, and embracing the heal- community, they might allow themselves ing power of mud. Our Israelite forebears to be goofy and uninhibited. As they expe- experienced God as primal elements: burn- rience this support and sense of belonging, ing flame and a pillar of cloud. One might they grow into whole-hearted adults who say that nature is the preeminent way we carry that unconditional love into their jobs, experience God, and begin to understand homes and communities. what it means to be human. If you haven’t yet been to Camp, Camp Stevens, our diocesan call today to make an appointment for a camp in Julian, knows well the restorative tour: 760-765-0028. + Hannah Wilder is properties of God’s creation. The staff also the Messenger editor: [email protected]. know that youth seem especially sensitive This issue is the second of six to highlight and open to God in nature. For over 60 diocesan ministries as part of Ministry years, Camp Stevens has offered safecamp and Together! open-ended learning activities for children in the natural world, providing them with messenger contact The Episcopal Diocesestevens of San Diego, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107 magazine info advertising EDITOR: Hannah Wilder This magazine has a circulation of about 619-481-5456 | [email protected] 13,000 and an approximate readership of 26,000. For more information or to receive submissions a copy of our rate card, email hwilder@ We welcome submissions of original arti- edsd.org cles, letters, poetry, art and photographs. Submissions should pertain in some way distribution to the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of This magazine is San Diego. It is advised to check with the a free publication editor prior to submitting, to ensure your for The Episcopal materials fit thematically and that there Diocese of San Diego is space. All submissions should be sent published 3-4 times via email: [email protected]. Include your per year. If you would name, congregation, phone and home ad- like to be added to dress. The editor reserves the right to edit our mailing list, send all material for length, clarity and accuracy. an email with your At this time, the magazine cannot provide name and address to: compensation for submissions. [email protected] 4 GOING TO CAMP: A PROFOUND EXPERIENCE first went to overnight camp with my Girl Scout troop and Iseveral others when I was 6. During that week we practiced building campfires, wandered in the woods, hiked down stream- beds, and learned songs that still resonate, like “Make new friends, but keep the old – one is silver and the other gold.” I have lasting memories of peanut butter and honey sandwiches that had been made so far ahead that the hon- ey-soaked bread was crunchy. I also recall crying when it was time BISHOP BLESSING: With help from young friends, to go home – this was wonderful, our assisting bishop, the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts and I wanted to stay! Schori, blessed Camp Stevens in December at the Going to camp is a pro- Bergstrom Lodge dedication. The new lodge fea- found opportunity to make new tures linen service, private rooms and reliable wifi. friends and try new things, chal- opportunities to move outside comfort zones, try lenge yourself and experience vul- new things, confront fears, and discover abilities nerability, and learn to appreciate that expand a sense of what is possible. Educators the wonder of the world around call that “building resilience,” but it’s really about us. Kids learn that not all families forming more truly human and creative people. function the same way and that It’s about building character and spiritual depth, there’s more than one way to deal learning to love yourself AND your neighbor, and with conflict and difference, and discovering that it’s all intrinsic to a good life. they learn about sharing chores Camp Stevens offers kids and adults a and living space. Imagine what peaceful place apart, a kind of creative sabbath the world would be like if every where growth can happen. When was the last time adult had that kind of experience! you went apart, turned off all the beeps and chirps The quintessential reality demanding your attention, and simply listened to of camp is about going apart the wind in the trees, the burbling of a brook, or for a time, to enter into a new the symphony of frogs and bees and crickets? It and surprising reality, filled with doesn’t just lower your blood pressure, it expands revelatory and unexpected truths. your heart and excites whispers of thanks and Like a retreat, summer camp awe and yearning. Some among us can find that offers a liminal experience, what peace-filled re-creation with dirt-stained hands in the Celts call a “thin place,” where a garden; some of us take off down the trail with the usual boundaries of normal a loaded backpack; and some sit on the beach or life fade away and a deeper sense surf its pounding waves. of the holy and sacred enters our The time and space apart comes in many awareness. We can go on retreat, guises, yet the sabbath task is only to choose or take long hikes alone to expe- one and enter in as fully as we are able: to rest, to rience the wonder of creation or get offline, to remember that we are not slaves or confront our own smallness in the automatons controlled by another. God’s people midst of vastness, yet something camped in the desert for 40 years to learn that even more surprising happens they were free, that they were made in the divine when we’re surrounded by others image, and that the response is always to be who are negotiating the unfamiliar thankful and creative. There’s an ancient rabbini- and engaging what might seem cal story about a man who asks what happens at overwhelming. the last judgment. The rabbi says that Moses will Camp means setting ask a person, “Did you enjoy everything God gave aside the familiar, whether it’s you to enjoy?” May you find Camp this year and turning off the electronics or experience and enjoy what you discover! + Con- eating new foods. Everybody gets tributed by Bishop Katharine, our assisting bishop. 5 EMBRACING YOUR WILDERNESS ilderness represents to many report that camp helped them get to know an untamed world beyond our kids who were different from them and Wreach. To others, it is a myste- their families. 74% of campers reported do- rious and scary state of being. Dr. Brené ing things they were initially afraid to do. Brown, author and vulnerability researcher, Campers and their families are embracing found that while people describe their their wilderness! own wilderness as being uncontrolled Upon my return to Camp Stevens, and vast they also find it to be “a place of I have committed to sharing this gateway true belonging, and the bravest and most to wilderness and personal growth with as sacred place you will many kids and families ever stand.” When asked as possible, regardless about wilderness experi- “74% of campers of life circumstances or ence at Camp Stevens, a perceived barriers. Last summer camper stated, reported doing summer, along with our “At camp, I lose myself things they were general scholarship cam- and find myself all at initially afraid to do.” paign, we joined with our once.” Wilderness holds partner, RefugeeNet, to a balance of wonder and send almost 40 refugee struggle, gratitude and challenge, open- kids to camp, fully loaded with camping ness and fear, isolation and connection. gear, transportation, and great enthusi- Entering the wilderness is a core part of asm.