Episcopal Outreach Camp Lives Again!

Photo courtesy of Jamie Holt Aguilar-Rodriguez

Written by: Lyn Holt, Director of Youth Ministry at St. Peter's Episcopal Church

“What was your favorite part of Outreach Camp?” was the question asked by a leader after the closing bible study at Episcopal outreach camp. Twenty-eight middle school hands shot up in the air and each one wanted to answer that question! The answers were as varied as the youth who attended this outreach camp, held at St. Peters last week. One of the 7th grade girls said, “My favorite thing was going to the Rescue Ranch in Statesville, feeding the animals and making toys for them!” An 8th grade boy said, “I liked making all those sandwiches for the men’s shelter.” Yet another young man, a rising 6th grader, said his favorite thing was “stocking the pantry at the Galilee Center of East Charlotte and making encouragement cards for the people who come for food.” To which an 8th grade girl quickly added, “Yes, Ms. JoAnne [Jenkins] told us that all people are loved by God and people who don’t have food are just the same as us.” And, of course, at least three of the teens said that the Knights game was their favorite!

These twenty-eight rising 6th–9th graders from five churches in the Charlotte Convocation came together with adult leaders from each church for three purposes: to lend their hands and hearts to five non-profit agencies in Statesville, Mooresville, and Charlotte, to worship together and to become friends in Christ. For most, it was their first time doing outreach of any kind, and they expressed gratitude for the opportunity to help others. It was also the first time for several to spend the night away from home, but once they made a few friends, they were happy campers!

The youth were also a little hesitant to take part in a Taizé service, something they have never heard of, but they participated with open hearts and minds. They really loved the quiet beauty of the candles, the music and the solemnity of the prayers. We also had the chance to hold our daily morning prayer services at two of the other churches involved, and at Galilee Ministries’ worship space.

We hope this successful reboot of EOC will set a new foundation for our churches to continue to connect middle school Epsicopal youth with opportunities to grow their faith and to live it out in dynamic and meaningful ways.