Servant Leaders

When I was asked to take over Camp Re-NEW-All, I knew that the Bishop and Troy (my two bosses) wanted camp to head in a new direction. The only guidance they gave me on this matter was that the camp needed to return to being more camper, and less staff focused.

At first, I wasn't sure how to approach this challenge. More campers were a must, less staff as well, but still maintaining a safe camper-staff ratio. But other than that, what could I do to change the physical attitude of my staff. Many of them came for great reasons, to rebuild their faith, reunite with their fellow Catholics, but nowhere in there was the campers.

Servant leaders.

That's what we needed to make this camp what it is supposed to be. We needed staff that were there 100% for the campers- that wanted to make this week the best week ever for the campers. And that's what I called them to do. Self-giving, selfless teenagers can be hard to find at times, but somehow in the past two weeks I have met over seventy of them scattered across my camp ground. They came in expecting their normal camp experience, and instead were told to give up themselves for a week, and focus on children they had never met before.

I have had adult staff who have been coming for camp for years mention their happiness over the fact that camp is returning to it's roots, that we are beginning to yet again, focus on who makes the camp worthwhile- our campers.

I can tell you that in the next couple years, Camp Re-NEW-All is going to produce some amazing leaders, who have been taught not to boss or to command, but to serve, to wash the feet of the groups they are in charge of. I think Pope Francis I would be proud of this small niche in the world, creating young Catholic leaders, that will someday be the Church leaders we need, and creating a safe haven for the children.

Pray for a third successful week at camp, and until next week-

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

Not That Different

For spring break, Josh and I, with a group friends are going to Poncha Springs, CO. But first, we are spending the weekend in his hometown with his family! Saturday was spent celebrating his younger borther's birthday, and today has been spent in two different churches. 

First, Josh and I had to drag ourselves out of bed for an 8 am Mass at St. Francis de Sales in Lansing. Then came breakfast at this awesome train depot now restaurant in downtown Leavenworth. Then came Josh's childhood church. 

During Mass, there is the part which everyone greets those around with them with the Sign of Peace. This is one of my favorite parts, especially at camp, when everyone walks around giving hugs and creating this atmosphere of Love and fellowship. 

The Sign of Peace happens during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, shortly after the Lord's Prayer is said. During the early times of the Church, it was called the Kiss of Peace. It has origins in the Jewish culture, and the other Middle Eastern, Greek, and Roman cultures of the time, all of which who used kisses as a sign of peace and respect. But what's the point now? 

This Kiss of Peace, the Sign of Peace, this acknowledgement of the people around us is for us to see each other with love and respect. In the same way that Budhists offer "Namaste" to each other, acknowledging each other's souls; we as Christians are acknowledging the Peace of Christ within us all. And not only are we acknowledging this Peace in each other, but we are offering it to those around us as well, creating a community of believers, filled with Christ's Love and Peace for each of us. 

At the beginning of service at Lansing First Southern Baptist Church, there was some singing, a greeting from the pastor, and then an invitation for people to go around and greet one another. 

"Hug, shake hands, talk," He encouraged them. I could handle the hugging and hand-shaking, but at first, the talking caught me off guard, along with the roar of conversation that ensued. At least not in my childhood, which required conversation outside the sanctuary for the most part. But as I sat there, feeling slightly on edge, I reminded myself that just because it was different does not make it wrong. 

Imagine how Josh must feel in the middle of much more formal gathering at Mass, when we suddenly start making eye contact and touching one another, I chided myself, this is no different. This was exactly like the Sign of Peace, it was love, peace, and fellowship. What's so bad about that? 

The obvious answer is the right one; nothing. 

We all get so hung up on different churches, different denominations. When what matters is that we see the Peace of Christ in each other, and know that each of us are Loved by God in the same mighty, all-consuming, Loving way. We are all in our own ways "totus tuus", or totally God's. 

Totus tuus, and happy spring break,

LeAnn