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Retreat Signup Confirmation
First, on behalf of our JYM Retreat Staff and the children who attend our retreat program, welcome! We are delighted that you want your child to attend our next retreat which will be held September 18-20, 2009 at Woolman Hill Retreat Center. Directions Here
Your online JYM Retreat sign-up for the September 18-20 retreat at Woolman Hill has been received. A roster of expected attenders will be emailed out the week before the retreat weekend, which may help parents with car-pooling, etc.
Theme Information:
"Does God Text Jesus?"
(Thanks to JYMer Nathan
K. for this theme idea!)
As Friends, we don't spend much time teaching our children about the Trinity, or
levels of interconnectedness among and between "heavenly beings," and what we
generally understand to be "holy" in nature. We speak of God's presence, or the
work and gift of the Spirit in many things, from flowers and fields to people
and art forms. But what do our children think and feel about how these things
interrelate? Does God, or could God, actually communicate with the Spirit of
Christ-today, right now, at this retreat? Could the teachings of Buddha
become manifest through the burning of incense, use of chant and the gathering
sound of the gong at the beginning and end of Buddhist meditations? And when
Native Americans tell us that we may be standing on "sacred ground," what
exactly does that mean? As we live into and through our own faith experience as
Friends, are there "crossover" plains where Muslims facing Mecca, Catholics
making the sign of the Cross, and the raised hand of the Pentecostal in praise
and a "covered" Friends worship all mean the same thing?
Retreat Information:
Remember that we need to have a Health and Safety Form on file for each child on retreat. If you have not sent one in yet, please do so right away. If you have not already mentioned it on your child’s Health and Safety Form, please let us know if your child has any food allergies or special dietary needs so that we can meet his/her needs. As always, be in touch as needed regarding any other matters that would help your child to enjoy his/her retreat experience within our program.
Retreat Fees:
Retreats cost $60 per child, payable at the retreat. When two or more siblings attend a $5 per child discount applies. An ability to pay should never keep anyone away, as scholarship assistance is always available, either partially or for the full amount.
Brief Reminders:
Arrival time on Friday is from 5:30 PM on. We serve supper, and can feed your child no matter what time you arrive. We will worship in the meetinghouse on Sunday at 10:30 AM and parents are welcome to join us. Lunch follows worship at 11:30. Final pickup time for all children is 12:30 PM. Do let me know if your child has any food allergies or special dietary needs so that Wendyl, our Supreme Kitchen Goddess, can plan. Thank you.
Health and Safety Forms: If we have your child's Health Form on file from a previous retreat, and none of the info has changed, you do not need to complete a new Health Form. However, if the Health Form we have on life is old, or your not sure if some of the info has changed, then please send us another one here. Please be sure to list any sensitivities and allergies to foods, fiber, fur, and creatures. This is extremely important. We are able to meet every child's needs if we know in advance. I thank you, and our chef, Wendyl Ross, the Supreme Kitchen Goddess, does as so as well!
Administrative announcement: As some parents may know, it’s been almost twenty-one years since I first proposed to the Yearly Meeting that younger Quakers should also be able to experience their own retreat community. Fortunately, that idea turned into a proposal and then a program in 1988. Since that time it has been my privilege and honor to be present to this ministry, which was an unpaid, but per retreat stipended position for all of those years.
Over the past year many Friends within NEYM have worked hard to create a framework for a new, full-time paid position that would be shared by Gretchen Baker-Smith, doing the Junior High Retreat program, and myself, doing the JYM Retreat program. I am pleased to announce that effective October 1, 2009, this new position will become a reality, and my role as the JYM Retreat Coordinator will from that point on be a paid, part-time position within NEYM. With this and other structural changes within the YM, Jonathan Vogel-Borne, Field Secretary to NEYM, will become my supervisor and I will report directly to him. NEYM Youth Programs Committee will continue to oversee program content and delivery.
Other than that, all else remains the same and the joy and honor of attending to this ministry continues, God willing.
We are honored to have your child join us. Journey safely.
Kevin Lee:
508-994-1638 – home
508-287-9056 – cell