Before camp you probably got sick of me saying how awesome Church camps are...well last weekend did nothing to dampen my enthusiasm. In fact it was the best camp I have been to for years! As one person put it: "it felt as though God's blessing was on us all weekend". Another used the word "perfect". Before we pat ourselves on the back too much though, before we slip camp into a "nice memory" basket in the recesses of our minds, let's reflect a little about what was so good. 

The food (YES!); the "family" feel; the fun activities; the engagement with new people in the church; the great administration; the generational links; the opportunity for pressing into God; the opportunity for reaching outside ourselves... So many aspects... 

First, let's look at the "stated intentions" of camp itself. We had a theme which was in line with our Vision Statement "Living faith from the inside out". This gave us a platform to explore deeper into what we have already been discovering and uncovering for the past 18 months. We started the camp in prayer and worship, looking at and experiencing different forms of worship that challenges our "normal ways". We then talked about how we might "practice the presence of God" and we heard some wonderful wisdom from people of all ages - young, old and everything in between! 

The second half of the camp had more of an outward focus with several invited guests joining us. There were around 15 people who took on this invitation in various ways and that was encouraging to see. All in all we had over 70 people participate in the weekend in some way, with 63 staying over night on the Saturday - and more kids than adults!! 

Just considering these things above and you would have to say that the camp was a great suc-cess! However when you add to that all the wonderful "togetherness" that was apparent throughout the camp; when you consider the depth of inter-generational relating and the pro-found conversations and prayer that was happening spontaneously etc. then you can see a whole new layer of awesomeness to the camp. 

Basically God turned up and that is always cool! The challenge for us now is to continue with the momentum that God has injected into the life of our church. We need to keep our ears open to what God is saying, we need to listen for his guidance and make decisive moves for-ward for his glory. Are we up for it? Well, I think God believes that we are as he continues to do exciting things among us. Let's keep on keeping on...oh, and who's up for organising Church Camp 2013? Let's get the ball rolling! 

Blessings, Pastor David Auty 

I have so many great memories of camps growing up. From Easter camps to youth camps; school camps to horse camps...but the best memories of all are from church camps, and in particular one that I attended with my family when I was about six years old. So why does this one church camp stand out for me? On reflection I think there are a number of reasons that church camps are so great. Here are a few: 

1. You can go with your family. 

For that camp when I was six it was me, mum, dad, my brother Charlie and my sister Rachael together at camp. It is a wonderful thing to be able to be together in a context that is outside regular routines. There's a sense of safety for children, knowing that mum and dad are close by, while at the same time have a degree of adventure with opportunities to explore life in a differ-ent context with different people. There are times of both independence and interdependence mixed together. Camps with the family give us a chance to bond in a unique way that can't al-ways happen at home or on family holidays because it is done in a context with others around. 

2. The church really comes together and feels like a family. 

I remember as a six year old taking a three year girls hand and leading her around the scavenger hunt. I particularly remember the joy that this gave: to me, to that girl, and to her parents (and the pride my parents felt that their son was happy to forfeit the chance of winning to give anoth-er kid a fun time). There is something wonderful about these kinds of encounters that really makes a difference to our lives. I am still friends with that girl! Despite being different ages, we developed a good friendship as we grew up together in the church - and camp jump started that friendship. Yes, it's great spending time in home groups and over coffee on a Sunday morning, but when it comes to getting to know people, there is no substitute for simply spending time together - camps give us the space for that to happen. So if you don't have the opportunity to take your own family then we'll all be family for you! 

3. The interaction between people from different ages and stages is wonderful! 

Children talking with adults that aren't their parents. Older people spending time with young families. Single people laughing and playing games with married couples - you name it, church camp has it. As a six year old I remember a teenager showing me his keyboard at camp and let-ting me play music on it. I also remember listening to the wisdom of an old Biblical scholar in the church. How may environments in our modern world allow for teenagers, adults, kids and the elderly to spend quality time together? 

...and there is so much more I could say. Let me finish with this: COME TO CAMP - YOU WON'T REGRET IT! I'm sure it will enrich your life and it will certainly be a blessing to us all as we seek the unity that our Lord Jesus prayed for. See you there! 

Blessings, Pastor David Auty