"Catch the Fire"

 by Jane Clarke

"Do not be afraid, little flock". That's how the gospel starts out today. By the time I was finished reading this passage I was thinking "But I feel afraid"! What then I asked myself am I afraid of? Is God a big ogre? No I don't believe so. I don't believe this loving God we worship is out to get us if we miss steps along the way. Like anything in life I believe we ought to be ready for what lies ahead. Be prepared I think that's the boy scout's motto isn't it? Then, if we try to be ready we aren't caught off guard.

How then do we prepare? We as Christians follow the example of Jesus. So then, as Jesus taught, we love one another, be kind to one another, to share what we have whether that be our gifts of talents, time or money.

I read on further in the Gospel of Luke to verse 49. Jesus says "I Came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!"

This past week I had the privilege of serving as Chaplain here at Camp Okonoki with the 6 - 8 year old campers. The theme this year for camp is "Catch the Fire". Jesus did bring fire to earth and last week it was kindled. We talked about how to ignite the spark within each of us and spread that fire.

The first session I spent with these young people we talked about how special we all are. I read the book "Hooray for You! A Celebration of "you-ness" by Marianne Richmond. The book talks about the grand sum of body, mind and heart that makes every person truly unique! The last page says "on the day you were born, the world grew by one, life with big purpose and much to be done. Look in the mirror. Love who you see. Stand tall. Smile big. Shout. "Hooray for Me!"

I believe that we often forget just how wonderful we are. Somehow during our lives we learn that to say that we like ourselves and who we are and what we are good at is being conceited. But if we are made in God's image (our spirit or soul or spark) we are great and unique and have gifts to share.

I had the young people write down what they love, what they were really good at and what was their favourite color.

I want to ask you What do you love? ....... What are you really good at? ........ What is your favorite color? I had one camper say that she loved herself! I thought that was fabulous!

The next day we read some of the book "God's Paintbrush" by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. This book helps a child think of God as very special friend. This book talks about being scared, happy, how with our hands and arms we can help God's hands.

One page of the books says "I think God paints the leaves bright colors in the fall, and makes the sun warm in spring, because God likes changes. God likes the world to grow." After each section there are questions and the questions after this section asks, "How are you changing? How are you growing?"

When we finished talking about how God is with us through hugs and loves and how we hear God's music in nature we talked about what was inside us. What helped light our sparks. Music, love, hockey etc. What kinds of things are in us to make our spark burst into flame spread our fire..., God's fire to others? ..................

This past week I experienced the most wonderful people who were very on fire and I experienced God through their fire. I caught the fire and it made my fire bigger.

The staff here at Camp Okonoki this year is fabulous! I watched them look after each other and the campers with love, kindness and enthusiasm. These young people have given of their time and talents to look after and nurture young folk. Each person offers their gifts willingly and with great enthusiasm. I feel truly blessed to have been a part of this year's camp and feel the fire that alone and collectively spilled over everyone.

There would be no camp without nourishing our bodies as well as our spirits and let me tell you nourished we were and will continue to be. The cooks have been remarkable and the meals they prepare are delicious. How many camps have you been to that you have been served quiches for breakfast? They certainly kept our fires stoked.

A story from Canyon camp came to me via a colleague who was leaving her pastoral charge. One of the young people in her congregation stood at the pulpit and said that he had been to camp and learned about God's fire and how it is passed on. He thanked the minister for sharing her fire with the congregation and passing on the fire. This fire has been caught far and wide!

I experienced the fire within the campers here. I will share only one of many experiences with you. One morning at breakfast I asked on of the campers (who was quite homesick at night) how he had slept. He said he had a great sleep and asked me how my night was. I said that I hadn't slept all that well. He asked if I had brought a teddy bear and when I said no he told me that I should bring one because it helped a lot to get to sleep. He was concerned about my sleep and he was homesick, how great is that?

The campers loved the counselors and I think the counselors and resource people got more than enough hugs last week.

This camp has a wonderful ministry and if you haven't experienced it first hand I invite you to come and catch the fire here. You benefit from the people, wonderful colors that God has painted in each of the people here. Not only will you catch the fire inside but experience the paintings of God in the great outdoors. If the gospel was written today Jesus would be able to say "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how happy I am that it has been kindled." Amen.