Grace Lutheran Church

Click Here to listen to last week's sermon titled: "The Greater Gift" (5-13-12)

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When my daughter, Elizabeth, was eight years old, we decided that it was time to send her to church camp. She had spent overnights with friends, but this was the first time she was of age to have a camping experience. We chose a week when I would also be at camp with our confirmation youth, just in case she wasn't quite ready to be that far away from home. She was a little reluctant, at first, to be left in the cabin with her counselor and fellow campers.

However, she knew where I was and knew that she would be seeing me every day for meals in the dining hall. On the third day of camp, I saw Elizabeth hiking up the hill with her cabin group to the dining hall. I waved and said hello as I had the two days before; only, this time I got a totally different reaction. She frowned at me and waved her hands, as if to say: "Don't do this to me, Dad. Pretend you don't know me." Although that reaction was somewhat deflating to my ego, I realized that she was having a great time with her new friends and didn't really need for me to watch over her any more. She had a great time!

The North Carolina Synod of the ELCA is fortunate to have, not one, but four great church camp/retreat settings: Lutheridge and Lutherock in the mountains; Agape Camp and Retreat Center near Fuquay-Varina; and Kure Beach Retreat Center outside of Wilmington. All offer wonderful opportunities, many year-round, for congregational groups and individual families.

I would like to especially call attention to Camp Agape. I certainly encourage those of you who have rising third graders through senior high to give this camp some serious thought. The camp is beautiful, well staffed, and lots of fun. This year they have added a zip line and a mud pit to play in. There are a number of them camps: Model Rocketry Camp, Wacky Camp, Giddy Up Camp, and many more. For those who might like to go as far as Kure Beach, they are sponsoring three camps there this summer: Manatee, Starfish, and Pelican Camps.

There are colorful brochures in the narthex which list all of the camping options and relevant information for Camp Agape and Kure Beach. You can also get more information from AIM Ellen or from me.

For another option, don't forget the Day Camp offered at Grace July 2-6 for rising first through fifth graders. For more information on this camp, now into its twelfth summer, Pick up a salmon-colored brochure in the narthex, or contact the church office. I sincerely hope that more of you will take advantage of these wonderful opportunities. They are fun, they are educational, and they help to build character and spiritual awareness in our growing children and youth. What is that worth?

Your Servant in Christ,

Pastor Michael Frye