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MISSOURI UNION PRESBYTERY
Youth Ministry
For more information about Youth Ministry in MUP,
contact Audra West, audraw@fpccolumbia.org.
Summer Youth Camp
Once I captured this image, I knew it would be a picture I wanted to keep close to my heart. This beautiful location is from my week at Camp JoOta helping with leadership for the Elementary & Junior Camps. Each evening, we ended our day with a campfire which included singing songs of praise, reading scripture and sharing communion. This interactive time of worship was led by a combination of campers and counselors. Thursday, our final evening, gave me a brief opportunity to take this picture before our worship began. I arrived at our campfire space just before the group of campers and savored a moment of peace and beauty while enjoying God’s creation.
Our Bible story for the day came from the book of Isaiah 43:19-21. This scripture begins with “Look, I’m doing a new thing”. Over the days of camp, we completed a variety of activities aimed at directing our campers to put their trust in God’s word and know that HE is doing new things in their lives. We wholeheartedly believe when the campers know and believe this, they feel permission to dream for themselves and follow the direction to “Go”.
The letters you see at the foot of the cross spell the word dream. Earlier that day, campers were reminded about God’s words, “Look! I’m doing a new thing”. Following craft, each camper had time to place their own unique design on one of the letters. This personal design was a tangible way for each child to take time and think. Having this moment of peace refocused each of them on ways they could move forward and attain their dreams.
During camp we were reminded of how God wants to make all things new, alive, bigger, more welcoming, and more loving. The people we read about in our scriptures were diverse, in gender, status, religion and culture. One of the most noteworthy things they had in common was that they listened for God, particularly about things that went against cultural norms and needed to be changed. After this realization each of them found ways to engage their community. Sometimes they challenged it, sometimes they changed their relationship to it, and sometimes they nudged it along. But none of them worked in isolation. They made the world different and better, because they listened, partnered with God, and with those around them. We too can relate to this and follow their example within the communities we are part of.
When we worship God, it is important for us to remember that HE makes all things new and we are a part of something amazing and life-changing on a regular basis. It is a blessing to DREAM and remember the gifts that we have been given!
Blessings,
Audra West
Moderator, Youth Ministry Committee
