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Luton & Leighton Quaker Camp |
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When & Where was Camp? Epistle - Camp 2009 The theme for this camp was “The Blue Dot; Our Planet and Us”. This was reflected in our choice of work group names based on the natural features of the earth. We developed the theme through programmed, all-age meetings for worship and informal discussions.We thought about our significance as individuals in relation to the hugeness of the world we live in- we stand on this precious globe of earth, looking out as we spin through our galaxy. The world can feel so huge and we can feel so tiny, but often we feel most intimate and connected with the earth when we encounter nature in moments of solitude. We thought about the danger, difficulty and struggle represented by mountains, but also the outstanding beauty of the views from them and how much strength we gain from climbing them. There are parallels with the struggles and hard moments in our lives, and how overcoming challenges can make us stronger and wiser. We spent some time in meeting considering the little steps we can take to save our planet. We also spent time thinking about our catering policy at camp. We found it hard this camp to find local suppliers for our food, and had to rely more heavily than usual on supermarkets to get our supplies. As a community, we thought about what our priorities were in terms of the food we ate at camp. We agreed to work together to make choices about our food that would lighten our tread on the earth we care so much for. We have agreed to raise camp fees to ensure that we buy as much local, organic, seasonal food as we can. We want to reduce our meat consumption so we can buy higher quality meat from animals that have been reared ethically. Weather has had a massive impact on camp this year. The site was often cold, muddy, shrouded in mist and overcast. As well as rain, very strong gusts of wind caused damage to equipment and blew a large tepee completely over. The community pulled together in the face of these challenges and we were struck by how traumatic and devastating it must be to lose your permanent home to a natural disaster like a flood or hurricane. Intermittent breaks in the weather were even more appreciated and really lifted our spirits. The clouds which brought rain, also made for really breathtaking sunsets, which we watched as we sat together round the campfire for our meetings at the end of the day. Being limited by the weather. We developed a strong programme of on-site activities, including making sock monkeys and tapestries, playing sports such as volleyball, football and table tennis and exploring our gender identities through women’s and men’s groups. We built a wooden henge which became a space to relax in and a focal point for outdoor worship. This camp was also very music filled, with a song-writing workshop, an excellent home-grown ceilidh band and many other impromptu and planned opportunities to sing and play instruments. We had a camp outing to Tarr Steps, an ancient granite footbridge over the river Barle. Many of us enjoyed paddling in the river and we all had delicious icecream. On Sunday 23rd August, camp divided into 3 to visit the local meetings of Barnstaple, Minehead and Taunton. These small meetings were all incredibly welcoming and kind, and appreciated how vibrant and lively our community was. To escape the mud, we descended on a swimming pool in South Molton where campers of all ages swam together and returned to the site clean, even if that only lasted for a short time! The weather was kind to us for our all day walk, which was a great chance to get out and about in the countryside. Camp has been a place of gathering together, where we have had a profound experience of living and working as a mixed age community. As Isaac Pennington said in 1667; “Our life is love and peace and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another and not laying accusations one against another, but praying for another and helping one another up with a tender hand.” QF&P 10.01 This working and living together, which has at times been like watching and participating in a dance, with each person involved and pitching in, has allowed many people to feel supported and safe. In this safe place, they have felt able to open up, share problems and learn about themselves. As we take down the canvas and equipment that has been our home for the last 12 days, we carry the spiritual power we gain from camp back into our everyday lives. We can draw on it as a source of strength throughout the year, and let the light we have drawn into ourselves shine out again. We look forward to rebuilding our physical community next year, but we know that our real community is not the canvas and pegs, but the people within it. Camp 2009, Exeford |
