You have a role to play in creating the living worship experience at the National Camp & Retreat Leaders Gathering!

Water is elemental, like grace. Water symbolizes the grace and love that God has for us, which rains down without our asking or earning. In 2017 we gather from the tributaries of our dispersed ministries, around the living water that is our spiritual heritage. Let us set aside this time to drink, be renewed, seek clarity, and grow closer as children of God. You are invited to bring water with you to Texas to be used as an outward and visible sign of our inward and spiritual connection to God, to each other and to the natural world.

A Piece of Home

In October, registrants (at least one from each site or delegation) will receive an empty bottle and an invitation: fill this bottle with water from a source at your ministry site, and bring it with you to Lakeview in January. Natural, municipal, well-drawn—whatever the source of water at your site, these waters are fundamental to our ministries. Let yours be on display! 

When we gather, the collected water will be incorporated into the worship space arranged by watershed, and then used in a baptismal renewal service on Wednesday evening.

If you are unable to attend the National Gathering but would like to participate by sending water from your place, please request a bottle by emailing Jen@CampWrightwood.com

Tell Your Story

Ready to play even more?  Once your bottle arrives, capture a photo or video of you, your staff, board, campers, guests, collecting the water. Record a short testimonial about what water means to you at your site, and send all photos, written accounts, and video to Jen@CampWrightwood.com. These, too, will be on display and are a meaningful way to bring a little piece of home to Lakeview.

YouTube UMCRM Water Collection Videos