Dear Camp & Retreat Ministry community members,
In recent weeks, the vibrance of spring has been shadowed by unthinkable tragedy. The world and our country are grieving. The continually growing number of violent actions against innocent children and blessed communities is heartbreaking. The reports of shootings in New York, California, Texas, and other states across the country cloud our news coverage and every social media outlet. This note to the United Methodist Camp and Retreat community is not to retell the stories you’ve seen on the news, but to call us together into prayer and action.
Pray for the families of those directly impacted by the tragedy. Then pray for personal strength, taking time to process your own grief and anxiety about recent events. Then, pray for your eyes to be opened to the actions that you can take to bring light and hope to the world. Pray, but also do.
One important thing you can do is to continue doing what you have been called to do as a ministry leader. There is now a new urgency for camp and retreat ministries to provide holy space for the diversity of God’s people to come and feel loved, not afraid. There is an urgency for us to provide sacred places apart from the realities of society for young people to explore hard questions; for campers to process and lead conversations. Those who are preparing to come to camp or be on retreat are in need of a respite away from the evils of the world; they need to be in a community of unconditional love and acceptance. By making space for love and healing, you enable the Holy Spirit’s work in this grieving world.
As the month of May comes to a close, the impending summer camp season draws closer. For camp leaders, this time of the year is already filled with excitement, stress, anticipation, and overwhelm. The circumstances of recent tragedies layer anxiety on top of anxiety. Make your mental health a priority.
For urgent leadership and spiritual support, call the UMCRM Leaders Hive Support Line - 724-766-9783.
Young adult summer staff and the campers that are preparing for camp will soon arrive. They will bring with them the wounds from living through the pandemic. Now they will also bring fresh heartbreaking grief from living in a world that isn’t as safe from gun violence as it should be. Here are a few resources to help prepare for managing grief and trauma this summer:
Take time to develop or review your emergency response plan.
The UMCRM Association exists to be a resource and connection point for you. Thank you for being a community of people who pray and who keep saying “yes” to God. We’re all in this together.
May God’s peace prevail,
Jessica Gamaché, UMCRM Association Director
umcrm.org