Hello Gloria Dei,
Camp is important at Gloria Dei, and we are a big supporter of the camping organization, Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota. This Sunday Gloria Dei will be taking a group of campers to Klein Ranch in rural Isabel, SD. This is the third week of camp for our Gloria Dei youth. Pastor Sarah and Ryan Woods spent two weeks at NeSoDak Bible Camp with confirmation students in June. In total, over 40 Gloria Dei youth have been at camp this summer. Many Gloria Dei families also take part in family camp at Outlaw Ranch near Custer, SD.
On Monday camp is coming to Gloria Dei as we welcome NeSoDak counselors to help lead our Dei Camp for almost 120 elementary aged kids. Next week Dei Camp kids will grow in faith through camp songs and games, Bible studies, crafts, and worship. Camp is important at Gloria Dei because when kids experience camp they grow in faith, encounter God’s love in creation, and grow as Christian leaders.
Gloria Dei’s commitment to camp brings me so much joy because I know firsthand the impact that camp has on faith. Camp is so important to my faith life. Working as a camp counselor was formative to my faith as a young adult. Camp was where I learned to live out my faith daily and the importance of living in Christian community. Camp was where my call to ordained ministry began. Camp has also been so important in raising my family in the faith. We have spent several summers at family camp at Outlaw Ranch, and it has been a blessing to worship, study, rest, and play together. Attending NeSoDak has also been a highlight of all three of my children’s summers. In fact, I will be picking up my ten-year-old son for his first full week of camp today. I can’t wait to hear all about his week, and I know I will see the impact of camp on his faith life for years to come.
Camp is important and we are blessed at Gloria Dei to share the joy and impact of camp with so many people.
If you would like to experience the joy of camp, join us for campfire worship on Wednesday July 16th at 6:00pm behind the youth room. Come for the fun of camp style worship and stay for fellowship and S’mores. Bring your own lawn chair if you are able.
Of course, it is hard to talk about camp without thinking about the tragic flooding in Texas where more than 100 people have lost their lives. 27 of those lives lost were campers and counselors from Camp Mystic. It is so heartbreaking to imagine the joy of camp turning into such terrible tragedy. Please join me in praying for those who are affected by the flash flood, those grieving the loss of a loved one, and the first responders working to provide relief.
Lutheran Disaster Response is already at work responding to the disaster. You can share a gift to support their work here. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response ensure that our neighbors are not alone on the long road to recovery after disasters like the floods in Texas.
In Christ,
Pastor Amy
