Daily Blog by Bob Walker
Rockies Delegation

SPEC Day 7 – Revolutionary Life

Good Day Friends,

Well, this will be the final edition of the SPEC News for 2010. Yesterday was the final full day of SPEC and today will just be Delegation Worship, Closing Ceremonies, and pack up and leave. It has been a Revolutionary week.

Nothing revolutionary about breakfast; back to link sausage, eggs, pancakes, frittata, and all the accompaniments.

No classes yesterday; “Morning Revival” took the whole morning. We started out in the gym with a shortened version of Morning Show. They told the winners of all the scholarships and prizes. Then the camp was divided into thirds. Each third went to a different location and heard from a different speaker. Then we rotated, ultimately hearing three people share testimony or story about some manifestation of Revolutionary Life.

Your reporter was especially touched by two of them. A young man from Africa talked about his country, Democratic Republic of Congo. His home life for his first five years was pretty typical, loving family, Father sets rules, kids test rules. One day when the boy was on the soccer field instead of at school or home he and several other young boys were kidnapped by rebel soldiers. After some intimidation and abuse the boys were told they were going to be soldiers. He was blindfolded and handed a rifle. It was almost too heavy for a five year old to hold. He was forced to pull the trigger and when they removed his blindfold his best friend was lying in front of him dead. He ultimately escaped from his captors and found his way home. He now works with an organization called “Free the Children” and goes around the world encouraging people to live a Revolutionary Life to end violence.

The other was also a young man who has felt the call of God to make a difference in the world by serving others. He has worked both at home in the US as well as other places. He worked for a while with Mother Theresa in Calcutta. He has stood up against injustice in his home town of “Philly”. He also goes around sharing his story and experiences urging young people to get involved in community and organizations that are living like Jesus lived, and doing what Jesus did.

The one remark that was very powerful to me was he told these kids to surround yourself with people that look like you want to look.

No lunch report; the schedule was pretty heavy so your reporter didn’t have time to eat lunch.

Sports started at noon and went into the early evening. Rockies played volleyball for third place and won; soccer for gold, and won, and softball and lost (so we got a 4th place ribbon). Also our farmed-out soccer players won. A torrential downpour at noon made way for a hot and humid afternoon.

At eight o’clock “SPEC Presents” performed the play “School House Rock”. Do you remember such hits as “A Bill”, Unpack Your Adjectives,” “Conjunction Junction,” “Interplanet Janet,” and “Interjections?” I remember them the first time around. They were fun. Your reporter was Mercury in Interplanet, and Yeow! in Interjections.

The late evening activity was the annual dance. It’s outside on the Quad and goes till about 11:30. One last chance for the campers to find that special SPEC romance. Ah-h-h-h.

The final morning after a good breakfast of French toast and patty sausage, the Rockies all gathered in the Cheville Chapel for our final delegation gathering and worship. We usually sing a couple songs and then give the kids a chance to share some special part of SPEC for them, pertaining to the weekly theme in some way or another. Toward the end of the time together we gather whatever outgoing seniors we have in the center of a circle with the staff and campers surrounding them. We then have one or two of the staff offer a prayer of blessing for their future endeavors, choices, decisions, etc. It’s always a powerful moment.

A quick rush to the gym for the final gathering, for group awards, thank-yous, and next year’s theme, which is “Uncharted.”

SPEC is, in my opinion one of, if not the best thing, the Community of Christ does for discipling people. The energy, vision, talent, skill, planning, and finances that go into this activity are top shelf. The fact that the church supports SPEC with leadership from the Presidency on says a lot about their commitment – Revolutionary commitment.

As we have looked at the multifaceted aspects of Revolutionary Living through Invitation, Inclusion, Vulnerability, Grace, and Generosity we have been challenged to make our response to the Love of Jesus Revolutionary – New – Radical. We follow a radical leader, countercultural in his living and loving. As followers who claim His name, as disciples who seek to emulate, can we do any less than to wholeheartedly share Him with any – all who seek.

Bless you and yours and magnify all your efforts

SPEC Day 6 – Revolutionary Generosity

Good Day Friends,

Thursday was another hectic day. It was the second sleep-in day of the week, but it’s also the morning of the 5K run. The annual run usually draws about 40 – 50 campers and staff. Times are just below 20 min. to probably twice that. One whole delegation decided to do it as a walk; their staff pledged a certain amount per K toward the fund to eliminate human trafficking. So staff were generous with their funds, the kids were generous to get up early on sleep in morning and walk a little over three miles. Revolutionary Generosity.

Breakfast was the usual with the addition of the funny little waffles again. Good cinnamon rolls helped make it a sweet breakfast.

In the SPEC Today class the kids got to play a game. Teams were given a certain amount of currency (candy) to start with. The object is to amass more wealth either slowly by playing generously, or quickly by playing deceptively and amass currency at the expense of the other teams in your group. A few simple rules govern how and who wins. In the end, even though there was some greed in each large group, the group of teams that played the most generously actually amassed almost twice the fortune of the other two groups. The greedy, get-rich-quick teams usually lost more than they gained by making enemies that got even later in the game – costing everyone.
Counter-Culture, Revolutionary Generosity. That’s not how the world does it

Off to the last day of classes. It’s a hectic time. Everyone trying to finish paintings or ceramics or rock carving or whatever. Instructors trying to make sure the lessons have been taught, points made. And also during class time – all day actually – campers who have applied for scholarships are going in for interviews with the Graceland Board members. Campers are usually nervous and excited at the same time. For some these scholarships will determine how much loan money they will need. For others it may determine whether or not they go to Graceland. Final awards will be announced Friday morning in the “Revolutionary Revival”, which takes the place of SPEC Today and the classes on Friday.

By the way if you want to see pictures of SPEC you can go to the church web site CofChrist.org and click on the events tab at the top. Scroll down to SPECTACULAR. You’ll see pictures of every day and activity.

Lunch was grilled cheese sandwiches, a chicken twister wrap, rice, and veggies.

Tournaments began in every sport. For some the tournament ended yesterday as well. The Rockies didn’t do as well as they’d hoped, losing at quiz bowl, softball, and soccer. I think our farmed-out kids on the red/gold soccer teams will still play another day. For single elimination sports that is it. For other sports they may play for third place.

There is a traditional activity at SPEC that won’t show up on the official daily schedule. Almost every delegation, sometime during the week, will have a pizza party. Some do take-out and bring the pizza back to campus – others like to go off campus to the Pizza Shack. The Shack has been in business a long time in Lamoni and is a favorite hang-out for the students at Graceland and while the SPEC kids can’t go there by themselves –it’s off campus – accompanied by their delegation staff they usually get one meal there during the week. The Rockies party was last night at supper time after our last volleyball game.

Back from the Shack just in time for EXTRAVAGANZA, which used to be a big musical production like “Grease”, but has transformed into more of a talent show. Anyone who wants to participate must audition and be selected. As you can imagine there is musical instruments, singing, dance, oratory, and even martial arts demonstrations – one even in a sort of “black light” environment. There is lots of really good talent here.

Finally Thursday ends with the “Campfire Worship”. This is not your parent’s campfire with twenty kids sitting on logs around a small fire singing Kum-By-Ya. This is an event with big screens, video projectors, amplification, and about eight hundred kids sitting/standing singing. It’s quite the production.

That gets us in the dorms just a little late, but not bad. Devotions in the dorms is getting better and more honest and open as the week progresses. And we settle in for another short night’s rest, ready to do it all again one more day.

Revolutionary Generosity. Campers giving, sharing, affirming, encouraging each other. Cheering for the other team. Offering players to the other team so they don’t have to forfeit. Sharing their stories, their lives, their food. Also a few hundred staff who take more than a week off from work. Offering their vehicles, their skills, themselves for these kids. Because these kids are of worth. They are precious in God’s sight – in our sight. Can this kind of Revolutionary Generosity translate to back home? What has God overly gifted you with that you can share generously with neighbor or friend? What skill, or talent can you generously place at God’s disposal? Generous workers needed – will you apply?

SPEC Day 5 – Revolutionary Grace

Good Day again, Friends,

I want you to know I enjoy spending time with you in the early mornings sharing about this SPECTACULAR activity that the Community of Christ offers to its youth. It’s quiet, most are still asleep or just stirring, and you and I are communicating. Thank so many of you for your kind words of encouragement during the week.

Yesterday morning – REAL FRENCH TOAST! Thick triangles of fluffy bread covered with butter and syrup and a couple patties of sausage snuggled up against it. Add a bowl of fruit and a glass of chocolate milk and you’ve (I’ve) got a great start to the day.

Morning Celebration was OK. I like the praise singing. A couple campers shared pretty powerful testimonies.

SPEC Today was really good yesterday. As soon as the campers had gathered and we were led in a couple campfire-type songs by the kids, the staff went around the room and tied each campers hands together – pretty snuggly. Not tied to each other, just each campers hands tied together. Our instructors then led the kids through a variety of group discussions and writing assignments – all while tied up. Watching the kids trying to get up or sit down, some helping each other, some struggling alone, trying to write, move around, all while tied up. Each activity was an exploration of some phase of grace and forgiveness. Near the end of the time our instructors began to talk to the kids about how grudges, revenge, getting even, lack of forgiveness shackle us, bind us, keep us from being truly free. We carry the burden of that with us always. The writing assignment was to write a name or situation we needed to forgive – offer grace. The strips of paper were put into an envelope and would show up later in the day. As we closed our eyes and were led in a song by one of the instructors the staff quietly moved around the room untying hands, freeing the campers from their bondage. Powerful moment.

After a short delegation meeting to discuss the day, the sports, the vital announcements, it was off to class. Yesterday this reporter sat in on the class with Steve and Cathi Cackler-Veazey and Steve Jones from the Bishopric. It is an informal Q&A session where the kids are free and welcomed to ask any question of any of the three or share in some way. Staff is encouraged to just observe. The depth of questions from the kids would be an eye opening experience for some of you. Your kids are sharp, curious, convicted, willing, sometimes frustrated with adults' lack of life, lack of vision, lack of confidence, lack of flexibility. Your kids want to be involved, included, used.

Lunch was sub sandwiches, and some kind of pasta dish. Your reporter took advantage of the salad bar again.

Another hot day on the fields and courts as sports continue. The Rockies won at softball, won two quiz bowl games, lost one, did a pretty good job of controlling the soccer field, but ultimately lost by a goal. The one improvement is that we had several shot-on-goal opportunities and even though we were unable to convert, it was a much improved team effort.

Last night was the SPEC Communion worship. They have tried various forms over the many years your reporter has covered this event; last night they went back to the all-in-one place activity. We gathered on the lawn outside the Library, for those of you familiar with the campus. We sang together, the strips of paper written on by the kids were symbolically burned in a fire. Steve Veazey shared the Communion address. He talked with the kids about grace and forgiveness, and shared a powerful testimony about a camp experience. Bread and small containers of wine (juice) are distributed to the congregation by staff and campers that are ordained. After we partook, Steve asked for privilege and came back out and told the gathered group that this experience last night was a continuation, an added witness to him, an addition to his earlier testimony, of the power of Jesus alive and at work in the experience of SPECTACULAR offering Grace and Forgiveness. It was a rich experience.

While the all-camp communion can be meaningful to some folks, others like a smaller intimate time of sharing. So Melanie, delegation leader for the Rockies, received special permission to allow us to be outside after curfew. The Rockies moved together to a preset location with a small campfire and had our own worship and sharing service. In the small group many of the young people and staff shared experiences of Grace and Forgiveness given and received. Tears, hugs, comforting touch, affirmation and encouragement are always wonderful elements of that kind of bonding. We got back to the dorms after 12:30. A quick snack and off to bed a little after one.

So how about you? Are you burdened with a grudge? Are you shackled by holding on to a hurt instead of forgiving? Does the need to get even hold your loving response hostage? Revolutionary Grace hung on a cross, looking at the people who put him there and said, “Forgive them, Father, they just don’t get it yet. They just don’t know. They don’t yet understand.” (my paraphrase)

Jesus wants to untie your hands. Will you hold them up to him, or hide them?
 

SPEC DAY 4 – Revolutionary Vulnerability

Hello Friends,

Well another SPECTACULAR day is in the record books. Yesterday was the first of two “sleep-in days” at SPEC. Wake up time and breakfast are moved back an hour, the “Morning Celebration” is deleted and so we go right after breakfast to “SPEC Today” class.

Breakfast had the usual fare with the addition of link sausage (one of your reporter’s favorites), ham/broccoli skillet and oatmeal.

In “SPEC Today” we talked about being vulnerable – what does that mean? What do you mean take off the masks? What do you mean be open to feeling pain, being hurt, sharing my story? Who is behind that mask – oh it’s just you…….in another mask?

Now off to classes. Your reporter went to a class today; “Zen KimChi”. Gary Logan and son Kyle are teaching exotic cooking twice a day to several campers. Today we cooked turkey burgers with small onions, spicy sauce, and a pineapple ring on top. We also sautéed ramen noodles with sesame seeds in a sweet/sour dressing mixed with cabbage for salad. Oh yeah, and we got to eat it. M-m-m-m-m-m.

Other less tasty selections include, Yoga, Stained Glass, Calling All Angels, Counted Cross Stitch, C of Christ and the issue of Homosexuality, and C of Christ – Today and Tomorrow taught be Steve and Cathi Cackler-Veazey. These might still stimulate your taste buds.

Speaking of taste buds, roast turkey, dressing, pesto pasta, veggies and the usual accompaniments greeted hungry lunch-goers.

It was a hot, hot day for sports. Heat index over 100 degrees. Provisions were made for shorter games or periods, mandatory rest every so often, and encouragement to drink lots of water. Final day of “pool play”; brackets should be set by this morning when tournament play begins. Several teams will be surprised where they start the tournament.

Supper consisted of fish patty sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, fries, and veggies. Outreach International was serving rice and beans in solidarity with folks in Haiti and other ravaged countries.

The evening found us moving into the football stadium for an all-camp worship: music, drama, dance, and a great message by Dave Schaal, part of the First Presidency of the Community of Christ.  Dave challenged us to be vulnerable in our testimony, our financial sharing, and our .vision – our dreaming. Open ourselves, be vulnerable, he said, to God’s voice in those areas of our life. He called us to “walk the walk” as it were; be doers and not just talkers. Part of the focus for our time together was connecting us with the problem of human trafficking, which is not just a far-away problem, but actually occurs in many of our own towns and communities.

After worship was the track and field events, high jump, long jump, running events, and also two exhibition soccer games by selected campers on each team. That made in the dorm, and devotions, a little late.

You know what’s nasty – soggy Oreos. If I lived in this place I’d have to give up Oreos.

So what do you look like without your mask(s)? How scary would it be to allow others to see under…… inside…… the real you? Would they still like you? Love you? Does your mask hide judgmental glances, eye-rolling, or lip curling? What if they knew………..? God is calling us to revolutionary vulnerability. Are you open?

SPEC Day 3 – Revolutionary Inclusion

Good Day Friends,

We did have another nice cool morning here in Lamoni, but it gave way far too quickly to heat and humidity. Today along with scrambled eggs we had waffles ( did you know a waffle is just a pancake with non-skid tread?), mushroom/cheese strata? And thinly sliced ham. Of course there is always fruit, cereal, milk, even chocolate, and juice. We did have an international flair with Danish rolls.

During Morning Celebration , “Lost and Found” sang a new song, at least to this reporter, from their new CD called “Ears” Here’s the chorus,

“Give us ears that we might hear, give us eyes that we might see,
give us hope that we might hope, give us faith that we might be,
the one to break and share your bread, declare you’re risen from the dead,
that all your people might be fed, and on the way we might believe.”

What a wonderful message for a day focused on inclusion. You know it’s a natural part of SPEC. Inclusion. These kids are really good at inclusion….here. Here you are part of the team, part of the class, part of the activity, part of the crowd. Included. Welcomed. Here. Kids from one delegation helping another. Kids from one part of the country open to kids from another part of the country, or world. Different shapes and sizes, different colors……of hair…..and skin. Different accents. Different customs. But all part of one body. All important. All needed. All included. Here.

What about at home? What about at school? What about on the street – in the “hood”? There?

In “SPEC Today” class we sat in groups of six and in our small corner of a sheet of poster paper, we wrote 5 things we like to do. Then we looked at each others’ responses and found similarities, things alike. We discovered far more similarities than differences. Are we really more similar than different? Even with “those people?”

Then off to classes. Here’s some more sampling of elective classes the campers get to choose from: Celebration and Worship, Finding Faith on Screen, Stone Carving, Rag Quilting, Disk Golf, Beading, more tomorrow.

Lunch was B-B-Que Sandwiches, Veggie Wrap, and Veggie Fried Rice. There is always breads and rolls, and PB&J, lunch meats, and sometimes a baked potato bar and always a salad bar. A person would be hard pressed to go away hungry from any meal here.

Sports teams self-select their level of competition. There are four levels. Gold, Red, Green and Blue. The first three days are called “pool play” and teams play against other teams that have placed themselves in the same color level. Depending on how a team does they may stay in that level or move up or down for the last days of tournament play. Tournament play starts Wednesday thru Friday. Winners keep going farther and later into Friday play.

The Rockies have played Softball, Soccer, Quiz Bowl (picture the old college bowl TV show), and Volleyball so far. We don’t have a basketball team and no golfers this year. We have a couple gold level soccer players so we farm them out to a gold level team so they can play at their best.

Supper was Sirloin Pasta, Rice, and Vegetable/Tofu Stir Fry. Your reporter took advantage of the salad bar and a couple cookies for dessert.

Tonight’s activity was an A capella group called “Chapter Six”. If you’re familiar with A capella these guys did a very good job and seemed to be received well by the approximate three-fourths of the camp that attended. This reporter enjoyed the show very much. They were fun, energetic, creative, and tight harmony.

In at 11 – Devotions, snack (PB & J sandwiches, Oreos, and Pringles – lights out at 12.

So what would Revolutionary Inclusion look like for you? Who would Jesus specifically call you to reach out to include? To quote Mr. Rogers, “Could you be mine, would you be mine, won’t you be my neighbor?” Which neighbor needs to feel Revolutionary Inclusion?
 

SPEC DAY 2

Good Day, Readers, (didn’t want to exclude those of you who don’t read in the morning)

It was a wonderful morning for the first full day of SPEC. The cool air (by Iowa standards), clear sky, and fresh smell were a treat for those who rose early to experience them. Breakfast beckoned your reporter to venture over to the commons for fellowship and good food. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, Denver Skillet (scrambled eggs w/peppers, onions etc.) bacon, breakfast potatoes, fruit and juice, oh and cinnamon rolls made for a great start to the day.

After breakfast we all went to the gym for “Morning Celebration,” which is praise singing, silly skits, powerful Ministry of Music by “Lost and Found” and a very thought provoking sketch/monologue by Ted and Co. Theater Productions, oh yeah, and daily announcements.

Following that, the camp is divided up into small groups for dialogue and discussions in “SPEC Today”. Each delegation is paired with a couple other delegations for discussion of the daily theme, which by the way Sunday was “Revolutionary Invitation.” In our class we discussed a Belief in God, and a relationship with God, and then placed ourselves on a continuum from “Don’t know if God really exists” to “I have a strong relationship with God.” After positioning ourselves on the continuum, we sat in small groups and discussed why we positioned ourselves where we did. Very insightful to this reporter.

Delegations then have some time to meet, discuss sports schedules, and do more announcements.

Then the two morning elective classes begin. Campers are required to attend both Sometimes it’s frustrating because in some classes, such as ceramics, there is limited room, supplies, etc. So campers who don’t sprint very fast may have to settle for their alternate class in each time slot. Just a small sampling of classes include, painting, drawing, Where’s My Soul?, Community of Christ – Today and Tomorrow, and Leadership: Leading Radical Change. There is also “Extravaganza” the musical production, and SPEC Presents: Schoolhouse Rock with selections like "Conjunction Junction," "Interplanet Janet," and "Interjections." (Bring back memories?)

Lunch was sloppy joes or spaghetti and sauce w/ or w/o meat. Veggies round out the hot lunch and there is always a fairly well-stocked salad bar as well. Cookies, cake and soft serve add a sweet touch to the end of the meal.

“LET THE COMPETITIONS BEGIN!” Right after lunch the sports began. Volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, tennis, table tennis (ping pong), wrestling, golf, and of course quiz bowl make for a full afternoon for almost all of the overzealous campers who think they can do it all. Fortunately SPEC limits their team play to two events. Individual sports is more a personal choice.

Sports competitions go into the early evening at the front of the week and usually well into the evening by the far end of the week. Somewhere in there we all try to catch dinner : baked chicken, ravioli, veggies, as well as salad, or a person can make themselves a pretty creative quesadilla. I’ll keep you posted on meal selections as the week goes by.

Sunday night a returning favorite: “Lost and Found,” the same group that provides ministry of music in the morning, performed a concert that wrapped up the evening of Day 2. In the dorms by 11; devotions in each of the dorms helps slow the pace and settle the campers for sleep. Lights out at midnight (for the campers).

So, when Jesus called men and women to follow Him, he issued a rather revolutionary invitation: “Leave your previous life, your attachments, your family connections, and follow Me.” And they followed. We might never be asked to leave it all, but what might Jesus ask you to leave behind? What holds you in a way that would keep you from answering the invitation to follow? Revolutionary Invitation – what would your invitation sound like?
 

SPEC DAY 1 – REVOLUTIONARY!

Good Morning, Readers, and welcome to SPECTACULAR 2010. You are about to begin this year’s adventure of SPEC through the eyes of your roving reporter and Rockies Delegation Staff person. We have approximately 24 campers and staff with the Rockies Delegation this year. I will give you an update on the whole camp as that information is made available.

This reporter missed SPEC last year; staying home for the imminent arrival of our first grandchild, Mason. .

People arrived at the campus of Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa in all forms of travel yesterday. Caravans of various sized and shaped cars, trucks and SUV’s. Lots of large busses rumbled down the roads to campus. And many flew to somewhere close and then drove the final leg. However they got here, the quiet campus slowly became alive with noise, color, energy, and strange-looking creatures. Soon a teeming, moving, living, breathing, force began to rise up and take shape after a year of dormancy.  The creature known in these parts as SPEC had been resurrected; albeit with a slightly different look. Some parts are comfortably familiar, others new, different, confusing. SPEC IS ALIVE IN ITS NEW FORM.

As usual, the Rockies contingent left Denver Friday morning, and traveled to Kansas City and Worlds of Fun. New rides, new roller coasters beckoned. And we took advantage of them. By eleven o’clock we were wet, tired, and hungry for the most part. A very gracious, if not slightly crazy family in Liberty greeted the excited travelers with warm hospitality, food, conversation, oh yeah, and food. Did I mention these folks are an amazing example of God’s love? Rich conversation, food, a dip in the pool, and finally sleep enveloped the group. Early in the morning fruit, juice, coffee, muffins, bagels, cereal and the like greeted the still slightly sleep-deprived group. After packing the trailer with luggage we finished our trip up to Graceland, with stops in Bethany for lunch and Wal-Mart.

We arrived on campus in a short but plentiful downpour. Campers were herded into the appropriate sleeping quarters, given arm bands that allow eating and participation in activities, and the first day of SPEC began. Due to the wetness the grass plans had to change for the group picture, the opening celebration, and the very loud and energetic musical group that rocked the Shaw Center from 9 until 11; accompanied by smoke, laser lights, and singing, swaying, campers and a few hearty staff.

Campers in the dorms at 11:30, devotions, and day 1 came to an end. Later today classes, and sports begins – the first full day of activities. So until then remember, the One we follow was a revolutionary. He challenges us daily to live our personal discipleship, and to proclaim the peace of Jesus in revolutionary ways. May God bless us as we do.