Junior High Youth News
News about events and activities of St. Paul's Junior High Youth
New Creation
New Community
St. Paul's Winter Confirmation Retreat
at Camp Ewalu
Twelve vans packed with excited junior high students headed east through the fog last week for the confirmation retreat at Camp Ewalu. Winter weather always makes it a challenge, but the students were ready to rough it and take on the cold weather, rustic cabins, and full schedule of the retreat.
After getting settled in, the students gathered in Cedar Lodge where they created a group covenant for the weekend. The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students came expecting to learn more about their faith and grow together as a Christian community in Christ. The theme for the weekend, “New Creation, New Community”, was taken from 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come.” The theme focused on what it means to live together in community and actually be a “new creation” in Christ. We learned that our faith is meant to permeate everything we say and do including the way we treat each other.
The new fallen snow and frosty trees made for a great day to enjoy some outdoor activities, and the students got right to it with a photo scavenger hunt around camp. Getting a photo of your group stalking deer through the snow can be quite challenging, just ask the 7th grade boys. But it can be done! After lunch, everyone ventured outside again for an afternoon of cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. After a hot chocolate break, students trekked off to various meeting spaces for confirmation classes. Later, the 6th grade boys prepared salad and drinks for supper, and everyone was thrilled when 18 pizzas arrived. Amazingly, we ended up with leftovers for later.
The evening included an outdoor campfire with songs, skits, and time for prayer. Afterwards it was time for the Ewalu Olympics in Cedar Lodge, followed by games, a movie, popcorn and snacks. In their cabins, the students shared stories, laughter, and occasionally a room would erupt into a loud scream, as a mysterious visitor or two tapped on a window outside. Eventually everyone got to sleep, even if it was only a couple hours for some.
A hot cooked breakfast greeted hungry, half-asleep campers who followed the delicious smell of pancakes and sausage to the dining hall. Afterwards, students broke into groups to prepare for the student-led worship service, which included songs, scripture, prayers, and a couple skits that got a little crazy and messy too. The 7th grade girls taught us that God always does what’s best for us, if we will simply “abide in Christ” and be ready for some surprises.
As the retreat came to a close and we headed for home, many good memories went with us, and hopefully, students were drawn closer to God and strengthened in their faith as well. Thank you to the pastors, small group leaders, and chaperones who provided transportation. We are all a part of a new creation and new community in Christ!