Camp’s mission statement says we offer people the opportunity to fellowship in “serenity”. Serenity literally means “clear skies” — a state of refuge from the storms of the World. Right now, our World does feel pretty stormy with a divided country going into an election and numerous disasters and conflicts abroad and at home. Because of this, I thought, “Camp should do something to help people find fellowship and serenity in this season.” That’s the genesis of our new Zoom/Webinar series Prince of Peace: Jesus and Peacebuilding from the Election to the Holidays.
In this series, we’ll talk about real, practical, Jesus-inspired strategies for peacebuilding in your life, relationships, and communities — at a time when it’s needed most. Things are likely to be wild during this election (they kind of already are), and followers of Jesus have a opportunity to work for peace in this season…if we are willing to learn from his Kingdom principles and peacebuilding practices.
In each session, we’ll dive into a different aspect of this peacebuilding work. Don’t worry: we’re NOT going to focus on issues, political agendas, or candidates — there’s plenty of that going on already. We WILL focus on what we can do to promote peace, love, and Kingdom outcomes in our life spheres. Interested? Use the form below to sign-up and you’ll get an invite a few days before each event. Want to know more? Scroll down the page for details on each session.
Schedule and Sessions
Releasing and Loving “The Other Side” | 10/24 7PM EST
This session will explore what we do with those in our lives who see things differently — even very differently. We will do this using a paradigm from missions and peacebuilding of committing people to Jesus and releasing them so we can truly love them. We’ll talk with MCC Peace Educator Nathan Toews about Peace Practices and how to use them in our lives, relationships, and organizations. In this session: How I helped start a anti-vax, anti-masking, “alt-news” church during COVID though I’m non of those things. What the Native American Two-Rows Wampum (Gaswéñdah) teaches about inter-generational / inter-cultural / inter-modal. Does Jesus teaching on Old and New Wine in Luke 5 give us a model? Can we look to Paul’s teaching in Romans 14 for an example? How the mission concept of distinguishing between planting seeds and trees could help. Plus resources for using the Peace Practices where you are. Video & Session Notes
From Inner Peace to the Holiday Table | 11/14 7PM EST
When the people around us challenge our peace, it requires us to draw on something deeper in order to continue extending the hospitality required by the Gospel. We’ll talk with Jason Storbakken of Brooklyn Peace Center / Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship about his lifestyle of radical hospitality and how he uses practices that nurture inner peace so he can continue to welcome others. In this session: Why a painful Thanksgiving conversation at my Uncle’s house made me stop going and what I wish I would have known then. The connection between peacebuilding inwardly and outwardly. The insight from James 4 about the internal origin of conflict. How Jesus connected the inward work of the Holy Spirit and his gift of peace in John 14. Plus resources for building your own inner peace for hospitality. Session Notes
Peace Making Presents | 12/19 7PM EST
Advent celebrates the central fact that God began building peace with us by giving a Gift. Following this example, gifts are a powerful tool for peacebuilding in our lives, relationships, and organizations. We’ll explore how gifts — of empathy, time, attention, and material things — can transform situations and hearts. In this session: Giving Across Someone’s Story: how a simple secret about unexpected gifts can be used to open up space for peace and transformation. The surprising context of Jesus’ Luke 16 advice to use wealth to build relationships and its connection to his advice about living stress-free. A mini-workshop on gift ideas for those we want to impact with peace. Plus a special gift from Camp to you.
A Little History
During the “Triple Crisis” that occurred around the 2020 election cycle — the COVID19 Pandemic, George Floyd / Black Lives Matter / MeToo, and the January 6 Turmoil — Ken and Kevin put out a series of essays on Race and Diversity. Race is a sub-text for many people in the current election, whether in the controversy over DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts and Critical Race Theory in businesses, schools, and government; the authenticity of certain candidates racial identity; or the debate about Immigration Policy. These short essays layout some of Camp’s story and position and offer some helpful thoughts on what Peacebuilding looks like, and can be applied beyond issues of race to consider diversity in political thought and social issues.
2020 Essays on Race and Diversity | Start with Essay 1: Whose Side Are You On?
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Peace Making Presents
This is Session 4 of the Prince of Peace: Jesus and Peacebuilding from the Election to the Holidays webinar series. Advent celebrates the central fact that God began building peace with us by giving a Gift. Following this example, gifts are a powerful tool for peacebuilding in our lives, relationships, and organizations. We’ll explore how…
Pain and Need Aren’t Partisan
This is Session 3 of the Prince of Peace: Jesus and Peacebuilding from the Election to the Holidays webinar series. (Click here to sign up for session invites.) Sometimes people seem so different from us, we automatically assume we can’t connect. Or, we tried to connect on some level, but it quickly became way too…
What is A Mission Statement?
On the LMC NYC District call this month, Dr. Tiffany shared critical information on what is and what is not a mission statement. This is critical as we think about moving the congregations in our district forward towards mission, optimize the mission already underway, and align together on the LMC mission as district churches. In…
Advent Calendar
Count Down the Days to Christmas with Camp! Jesus is the center of our Camp community. Let’s celebrate together the coming of the One who brings peace and salvation and life everlasting to humanity. We’ll be posting each day to Facebook and Instagram stories, but you can get our daily post in your email inbox!…
A Spirit-filled Christmas: The Joy in Judgement
The end of this week (Black Friday) marks the beginning of the Christmas season for many. (Though the big-box retailers had stuff out before Halloween, can you believe it!?!) For our culture, this season is a time of Joy. We gather for feasting and presents and the delighting of children. And despite the growing chill…
From Inner Peace to the Holiday Table
This is Session 2 of the Prince of Peace: Jesus and Peacebuilding from the Election to the Holidays webinar series. (Click here to sign up for session invites.) This session is about what we do when the people around us challenge our peace. It requires us to draw on something deeper in order to continue…
Releasing and Loving “The Other Side”
This is Session 1 of the Prince of Peace: Jesus and Peacebuilding from the Election to the Holidays webinar series. (Click here to sign up for session invites.) This session is about what we do with those in our lives who see things differently — even very differently. We do this using a paradigm from…
Story of A Tree
A fresh tree stump is like a magnet to me. I have to look at the rings to read the tree’s story. It’s at once humbling to look inside a living thing that is much longer-lived than yourself, but also encouraging to see how it weathered the ups and downs of life, the good times…
Camp’s Political Endorsement
I’ve been eligible to vote for 30 years, but – like many in my generation – I’ve never felt like a politician or party truly represented me. They may win me at one point, but they’ll loose me in the next. When I have voted, it always seemed I was going to the polls holding…
Mapping Spiritual Journey with NYC Leaders
In order to know where you’re going, it’s a good idea to know where you are. One of the best ways to know where you are is a good map. The NYC LMC District is seeing growth in many of our churches right now, and opportunities for re-inventing and re-launching in others. But these are…