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Hospitality: Offering Space Where Change Can Take Place

by Todd Bartlett

This week I begin a new series of reflections on Camp and Retreat Ministries that looks through the lens of our mission statement:

We are people dedicated to creating quality environments of Christian hospitality and learning. We nurture persons so that they may…

  • Grow in wisdom and healthy self-esteem.
  • Develop lifestyles of loving interdependence with each other and all of creation,
  • Affirm and expand their faith in God and their service as Christian disciples within God's world.

We serve individuals, families, educational institutions, religiously affiliated groups, social service agencies, community service organizations, and other non-profit organizations that enrich life in the world.

What does hospitality look like? What does it mean for us to say that we offer Christian hospitality? Henri Nouwen wrote, “Hospitality is not to change people but to offer them space where change can take place.” This quote captured the imagination of the staff leaders at the Collins Retreat Center while I served as the director there. It reminded us that no matter how much we might want someone to be different, our primary work was really in creating the space where they could be who they were and to engage in whatever change they were seeking in their life. Our camps are also engaged in a similar effort. This summer we received a note from a Latgawa camper’s family it stated:
 

“The last question of the camper survey asks if campers would like to return to Latgawa next summer. The camper’s response was this: "Of course! Camp is where I'm 100% myself!"

My heart fills with joy each time I read the words of this child who understands that there is a place where he or she (and other campers) can express their authentic selves. I am filled with gratitude that our site staff work diligently to create such spaces so that the possibility exists for those who are at camp may experience the freedom to be who they are.  

Hospitality is offered by many people and in many ways. As Christians involved in this ministry of hospitality, we see this as an expression of our discipleship. We are called to create places where those who yearn for God, nature, community, and one’s own soul have places where connection to these is possible. What makes this Christian hospitality is that we offer it in the name of Jesus, who reminded us that when we do it to the least of these we do it to him and we do it because we know the difference that such ministry makes. After all, we were touched by Christ’s spirit through such servants in our own lives and we have seen it happen in the lives of so many others.
 
I hope to hear your story of Christian hospitality at a camp or retreat center and the difference that it continues to make in your life.

See you around the campfire soon,


November 14: International Wear Your Camp T-Shirt Day!

Todd and Eric got in the spirit last year! Wear your t-shirt and send it to us at Camp and Retreat Ministries (eric@gocamping.org) and we will post it on the Camp and Retreat Ministries' facebook page tagged, #CampTShirtDay!


 

 

Go Camping E-News is a publication of Camp and Retreat Ministries, a collaboration of the OR-ID Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon.

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Portland, OR 97201
503-802-9210
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