Angela Brymer, Diocesan Children and Youth Adviser, tells us about Family Camp which took place at The Emmaus Centre, Wydale Hall earlier this year.
This year we held the second Family Camp after a trial event last year, started by Carolyn Edwards. Following Carolyn’s departure to her new role as National Officer for Ministry with Children and Young People, it was planned and run by Rachel and Andrew Watson with families from the Mowbray, Southern Ryedale and Scarborough Deaneries attending.
With a theme of Caring for God’s Creation, the grounds of Wydale are the perfect place for retreat and rest, exploration, creativity, fellowship, fun and play. We had meals together, scavenger hunts, played for hours in the park, active wake up and worship, prophetic art, hot chocolate and marshmallow s’mores around the campfire, quiet prayer and time to snooze, conversations about faith in our homes and family life, and opportunity to worship God in the outdoors. Everyone had a great time.
Some of the young people shared what they thoughts of the weekend:
“I enjoyed spending time with other younger Christians.”
“I enjoyed a relaxed and unpressured agenda for a weekend and the environment is a delight.”
“I enjoyed the woodland chapel and the prophetic art.”
The opportunity to come together as Christian families, to find things in common, to share stories of life and faith, listen to and encourage one another and pray with each other is significant. Those who took part this year are keen to invite more families next time.
Please pray for the families who came to Family Camp that they may hold onto the glimpses of heaven from their time together and that they may grow in faith as families. Please pray for plans and preparations for another Family Camp and all those who would benefit from being a part of it.
This story is featured in our October – December Prayer Diary – click here to find out more about the prayer diary.
