Here in the Sound District, we understand waterways. For instance, my home sits on a small creek that feeds the Neuse River. Camp Don Lee sits on the Neuse River, and it connects to the Pamlico Sound, and then the Atlantic Ocean. So many of our congregations live along one waterway or another, and our connection to each other always feels palpable. Our waterfront adjacent communities have been through a lot together over the years.
Our connection as United Methodists is not unlike the system of waterways that run through our District. No matter the size of our congregations, ministry flows toward the same goal of creating disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our smallest congregations have the same goal as our largest. We are connected by our faith and our denomination.
The first-ever Vacation Bible School aboard the largest Marine Corps Air Station in the world (MCAS Cherry Point) is reminding us just how beautiful our connection can be when we embrace it! What began as a simple question from a member of Riverdale United Methodist Church to the Chaplain on base has shown how being well connected… can work for the glory of God.
Her question: “How can we help you?” She was probably expecting donations of food or diapers to help young families. His response: “We’ve never had a Vacation Bible School aboard the base, and I would love that to be possible.” As any faithful servant of God would respond, she didn’t hesitate to say, “We can make that happen!” Then, as she drove home, it became apparent she would need help.
She knew to reach out to the District Lay Leader, who also responded, “We can make this happen,” yet realized they would still need help. She then reached out to the District Superintendent and Camp Don Lee. Now, everyone across the district at all levels is working to make this an amazing experience for our military children and their families.
The Camp Don Lee staff is taking the lead with a Voyage-style VBS. Each day, different congregations will provide volunteers, a meal, and an afternoon snack. The base is helping with training for the camp staff and making base access easy for those serving. The district and conference leadership are helping secure housing for the staff of Don Lee. Smaller congregations are teaming up so that TOGETHER they can do what neither could do alone. Connection is a beautiful thing!
We are simply not designed to do this life or this work alone. Through our connection with each other, God allows amazing things to happen when we are willing to move from the shelter of our comfort zone to travel the waterways of our connection.
We are still seeking volunteers to be extra hands and feet in support of Camp Don Lee staff during the week. If you would like to help but can’t be present, you might want to provide a lunch meal one day or an afternoon snack. If you would like to get to know our Sound District Superintendent better, she is volunteering on Monday, the 20th. There is room for you, too!
You can reach out to me at [email protected] if you would like to get connected in any way to this special week, which will be happening July 20th-July 24th. Be sure to pray that this week plants seeds of discipleship and connections for all hearts involved. Also pray that all hearts answer a God-sized request with the kind of enthusiasm and faith that Jenny from Riverdale UMC did when she simply said, “Yes.”
“May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
Kim Rice Smith
NCCUMC Sound District
Lay Leader