Safeguarding God's Children

We all know how important it is to keep our children safe. We also know that it is so often up to us to make their safety a priority. This training in "safe church" is for anyone that works with children and youth in a church setting. It is for teachers, leaders, and volunteers.

Safeguarding God’s Children

Saturday, June 28 (register by June 20)

St. Barnabas, Portage

Certification Workshop 9:00am-12:00pm

Train-the-Trainers Seminary 9:00am - 2:00pm

We are holding a Safeguarding God's Children Certification Workshop & Train-the-Trainers Seminar. This is a great time to have all of the teachers for your Vacation Bible School & fall Sunday School teachers certified.

Have you considered becoming a trainer for this program? We are looking for people who have a passion for children's safety to become trainers for the Diocese. Once trained, you will be able to have certification workshops in your parish (with a trained co-trainer). To become a trainer, you must have a recommendation from your rector (or senior warden if you are between rectors - or from the Bishop if you are a priest).

To see more information, please go here: http://www.edwm.org/myp/SafeguardingGodsChildren.htm

If you are interested in participating, I would encourage you to contact the church office at 517-323-2272 or by e-mail.

Camp Staff Still Needed

The Diocese of Western Michigan is looking for camp leaders. Here is their appeal:

The camper registration are flying in for the Episcopal Youth Camp 2008! The theme for the year is Light the Fire, and we will be looking at how God lights a fire in us & how we can bring it out into the world.

We are still looking for staff, especially men. The boys of our Diocese need male Christian role models, and we are looking for men who would like to serve in this way.

We are also looking for nurses & a musician for senior camp.

Senior Camp - August 3-9

Junior Camp - August 10-16

Qualifications? You must be age 18 or over (and out of high school) to serve at Junior Camp & 21 or over to serve at Senior Camp - but we are really looking for parent-aged people. We offer a "Pumpkin Patch", for parents who have children not yet old enough to be a camper. You also must be ready to have fun - go swimming or canoeing, go on hikes or do archery, play music or play games. We are looking for people that are ready to serve God. Without you, we will not be able to have a camp this summer!

To find out more information, please go to this website or contact Gennie Callard (269-381-2710 or gcallard@edwm.org): http://www.edwm.org/myp/camp/.

Pentecost is here!

My parents love A Prairie Home Companion, the radio show on NPR. It's an old-time variety show from Minnesota. I grew up listening to it virtually every Saturday night or Sunday afternoon of my childhood. I sometimes listen to it now and think that my parents are listening to it right then. It makes me feel close to them.

In one memberable show, the host, Garrison Keillor, suggested that spring makes us do stupid things. It's something about the warming temperature that makes our brains go all screwy. Well, he used that rationale to prove that his ancestors were smart in moving to Minnesota where it's cold, versus Florida, where they would be stupid all the time. It was a funny show--and has clearly stuck with me over the years. Mostly because there is one truth: warm weather does seem to make us stupid.

I think it has something to do with that long, cold winter we get in Michigan and the first time the temperature jumps into the 60's, we strip down and run around like sun-worshipers. We break out our sunglasses, shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops. We like to be seen loving the sun as much as we actually want to be out in it. And every year, I get that same urge.

For churches, they made some easy decisions well before there was a "summer vacation" by putting Advent/Christmas at the beginning of winter and Lent/Easter at the beginning of spring. But, as the summer expands to engulf the months of May and September, we are left uninspired for the one church day that is closest to directly affecting us: Pentecost. On this one day, we celebrate the Holy Spirit's interaction with the church. It has the vivid imagery of the tongues aflame! It has the vivid reds and the pomp of our greatest services in the church year. And yet...it sure is nice out. It sure is appealing to ignore the motivating and brilliant directions of the Spirit in the midst of our regrowing Eden around us. But come to church for this. Feel the electricity of Pentecost! Yes, it is also Mother's Day, but Mom's, share the celebration this time. Let us feel alive in the Spirit!

For a good, short discussion about Pentecost, take a look at the Presiding Bishop's letter about Pentecost. It is outstanding.