July 2009: Transformation Through Communication
Summertime is camp time for youth and young adults. Many churches encourage and enable their youth to attend a summer church camp for a week or more.
July 2009 Bulletin Insert Format [PDF]Julio 2009 en español
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ… Ephesians 4:15
Summertime is camp time for youth and young adults. Many churches encourage and enable their youth to attend a summer church camp for a week or more. A very unique camp is supported by Global Ministries’ partner in the Middle East, The Forum for Development, Culture, and Dialogue (FDCD). “Bringing Youth Together for Peace” is the title for this year’s international work and study camp offered by the FDCD and the Arab Group for Muslim-Christian Dialogue. The campers who are chosen to attend will spend five days in early July in Saydnaya, Syria, then five days in Dhour Chweir, Lebanon.
The work camp is part of an ongoing program motivated by the conviction that interaction transforms relationships. Young adults ages 23 to 33 from different countries, religions and backgrounds live together in an isolated setting. They work on the process of dialogue and understanding through workshops, lectures, exercises and field visits with religious leaders and organizations. There are intercultural evenings and sightseeing trips as well as a week-long building project. The participants are exposed to positive alternatives and ways of dealing with their problems and with others in a peaceful manner.
Each year the experience of cooperation and communication gives participants an opportunity to become catalysts of transforming relations. Deep, respectful dialogue translates into action, building community and collaboration. That leads to the peaceful transformation of conflict at many levels – and hope for the future of our world!
We pray for the young adults who will live and learn together at camp, that we may all strive to learn and understand each other.