Sunday, July 12, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
FINAL DAY - FRI, JUL 10 - CELEBRATION!
Today the RC&D presented us with green T-shirts, feted us with a picnic and presented awards for the over 2000 person-hours volunteered by our youth and their leaders this week.
Then it was off to Rehoboth Beach for an afternoon and evening out on the town. The closing circle brough many testimonies of the good feelings that flow from doing this kind of work---helping those in need as well as of the fellowship and love experienced in the workcamp community. Nearly half this year's group was comprised of first-timers. And they'll be back next year!
Tomorrow we pack up, clean up and head home with memories of a wonderful week together!
Video of Discussion of the Parable of the Prodigal
This video Q+A about Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal was used as part of our Wednesday evening worship service. Be sure to watch the "bloopers" and "outtakes" after the commentary fades out. Watch the video by clicking on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNxvykj4SGA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNxvykj4SGA
Thursday, July 9, 2009
THU, JULY 9 - click on the pix to enlarge the view
The fourth and final workday of the 2009 Delaware Workcamp again took place under God's sunny skies. Crews finished up a roof, some flooring, some windows and doors and did some painting. Another crew helped our host Church (Lewes Presbyterian) ready their just-renovated sanctuary for a hastily scheduled funeral--cleaning up construction debris, vacuuming, dusting, and transforming what had been a construction site into a sanctuary that was ready be again a worship space!
In the evening we went to the fishing pier for the traditional pizza picnic, took a stroll on the pier and gathered for worship on the beach. In the previous night's worship, we wrote on construction paper hearts what we wanted God to take away from us (from Ps. 51 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God."), and tonight we burned those hearts in a small bonfire on the beach. Nine of our senior workcampers read Psalm 8, and we celebrated the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper with Ginny Pendelton and Gary Onyan serving as elders. I told the vision of the New Heaven and New Earth from the Revelation to John as we remembered together the theme of the week---"A New Creation."
Tomorrow is beach day! We attend a barbecue luncheon put on for us by the agency that coordinates our work here, then swim, then head to the famous boardwalk on Rehoboth Beach for amusements, shopping, strolling and dinner out.
It is hard to believe how fast this week has gone, and we give thanks to God for the work that's been done, the friendships that have been made, the fun we've had, and the New Creation that is already breaking into our lives and the lives of those who we have served here in Christ's name.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
WED JUL 8 - click on thumbs for larger pix
Another great day in Delaware! Sunny and warm! Our youth did roofing, ramp-building, window-replacing, painting and other fixit work from early morning until well into the afternoon. Then it was off to the beach and a welcome shower. The "Martha Crew" treated us to a dinner of taco salad and ice cream sundaes---Yesssssssssssss! Our evening storytelling included the Parable of the Prodigal. The Martha Crew shot a video of Romans 12 and a discussion of the parable that we watched in worship---along with the outtakes! We saluted our oldest participant (64) and our youngest (13). A workcamp first: Three generations of the Burch family are represented!
As I blog today's entry, some boys are playing basketball outside my window in the church parking lot. (Where do they get the energy?!) Soon it will be time for our lullaby and the deep sleep of the hard-working youth of Utica Presbytery and Old Greenwich Church!
Here are some of the blog posts left by the kids tonight:
"Moving Music!! Wonderful Waves & Worship!! Fantastic Food!! Roofing Rocks!! -- Ginny
"This trip is awesome!" -- Tim G.
"Love to my brothers and my sisters!" --
"No one like Bing-Bong and Paa-ull - l na jk! We LOVE 'em (sometimes)." -- Ariel MB
"It was wicked." -- Jeremy K.
"Amazing people! Lots of fun! Honestly one of the best weeks of my life!" -- Stephanie
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
TUE JUL 7 - click on thumbnails to enlarge pix
Tonight in our worship we heard the words of Isaiah: "Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." Some of us could use a little strength renewal! A day of good work in the sun--low humidity and hot, but not too hot! Some of the projects are real challenges, but that's why were here---to do our part in the "new creation." In our worship tonight we were treated to the Martha Crew's productions of two videos. The first featured a slo-mo run on the beach to the music of "Chariots of Fire." The second was a telling of the story of Jesus' mother and brothers' attempt to call to him through a crowd, and Jesus' response: "Whoever does the will of God is my mother and my brother and my sister." Insread of the usual "Peace of Christ," we watched a music video of the song "Stand by Me," and shook hands with each other, saying, "Stand by me, brother/sister." A late night trek to Dairy Queen was a special treat!
Some random posts from the kids:
"This trip has been wicked sweet!" Ariel
"Thank you for this trip, Everyone!" Bill B.
"Bob is the Dairy King!"
"Love life!"
Goodnight from Delaware!
MON JUL 6 - click on thumbs to enlarge!
Eating and worshiping. Two of things we love to do at workcamp!
We were all bummed to learn on Monday that RC&D was having issues with insurance. No one under 18 was allowed on a roof! They are working hard to get that changed for next year. Meanwhile, we've been assigned other things to do in addition to a couple roofs: window, door and floor replacements as well as ramps. In addition, the "Marth Crew" (different group each day) is responsible for preparing our feasts under the direction of master chef, Andy Froass! Mmmmmmmm-mmmmmmmm!
Our theme this year is "A New Creation." In our Monday evening worship service we were feted with a sock-puppet performance of the Pentecost story as well as video highlights of the day.
Everyone slept well after a hard day's work in the sun and dip in the ocean!
Monday, July 6, 2009
SUN JUL 6 - Click on thumbnail to enlarge picture!
Thirty-eight Utica Presbytery youth along with their advisors gathered Sunday morning in two groups for the journey to Delaware, the first group departing at 10:00 a.m. and the second departing at high noon.We made pretty good time despite the "parking lot" on I-81 in Pennsylvania. (Someone please write to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and complain!) Only one pit stop for restrooms and dinner! We all arrived at the Lewes Presbyterian Church before dark! A first! There we rendezvoused with six kids from Old Greenwich (New Jersey) Presbyterian Church and settled in for a good night's sleep on the floor!
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