I am now attempting to give you an update of this years Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America's Summer Conference or "Peace Camp" as it is so affectionately called. I was introduced to this back in 2000. This year it was held on the campus of Berea College in Berea, KY Now, I won't miss it! It has become just another part of home to me.
It was a great week and so good to see everyone. It is like this big family reunion and there are always some relatives that you have never met before. We had lots of good music thanks to Sy Kahn and Alecia Pagan and Ray Two Crows Wallen.
There were interesting speakers on some very interesting subjects. I went to one where Glen Stassen gave us some interesting ways to talk about bringing peace to our world. I also went to a writing workshop with Rita Nakashima Brock and learned about how to write your memories. We were also treated to a reading by Kentucky author, Wendell Berry. While I have heard Mr. Berry speak in the past, I have never read one of his books. That is going to change!
The other real important thing that we learned about last week was the status of the gulf area. Victims of Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita are still suffering and are in need of assistance. We met with three pastors from New Orleans who are working to bring attention and help to their community. The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America has been working with these pastors to help rebuild. While we were at the conference, one of the member churches agreed to join in support of the effort in the Gulf Area.
Just as an aside, my church, Highland Baptist, sent a team of workers down to Chalmette this week to help with the rebuilding effort. This was something that was planned outside of the conference, but I was glad to be able to share with the pastors of our efforts.
I guess my favorite part of Peace Camp is the fellowship with my friends there. Sometimes we just sit around and talk, sometimes everyone brings their instruments and snacks and we have a sing-a-long. I don't think it is a surprise that this would be my favorite. If you know me, then you know how much I enjoy family and singing and the building of relationships. The snacks don't hurt, either!
You know us Baptists gotta have food!!!
All in all the week was very exhausting, it always is, but this time was so different for me in that I felt more like I had come home. Last year I was so sick and didn't feel up to doing much. I really didn't enjoy things as much as I did this year. I am so grateful to God that I am feeling better and have more energy.
Listen, sometime in the near future, my son Josh is going to be posting a video on his MySpace page from the Churches Supporting Churches group. When he does, I will make sure that a link will be available. We will also have some pictures from the week, itself.
Next year it is scheduled to be in Montreal!!!
