Regional News

May 2, 2020

Hello Christian Church in Oklahoma,

This was our prayer: that there was a responsible way to offer summer camp this year and effectively mitigate the health risks of the coronavirus.

The Commission for Children, Youth, and Young Adults, our Summer Camp Directors, and Rev. Michael Davison have ingested a lot of information.  We have talked with youth leaders, listened, consulted with the sites that host our summer camps, read diverse medical opinions, reviewed CDC guidelines, and State Health Department guidelines.  We have prayed together.  What we’ve discovered is that there is more unknown about the coronavirus (Covid-19) and its transmission than what is known.  No matter where a camp or retreat is held, our first responsibility is the physical well being, safety, and care of campers, their families, and our adult volunteers.

With all that we know and, more importantly, what we don’t know about the coronavirus, we have decided to cancel summer camp this year.  We are grieved, as we know you must be, about this decision.  We lament with you and for you, but this is the best reasoned and faithful way for the Region to do its part for the common good of Oklahoma, and ensure that summer camp returns in 2021.

You may be thinking, “There is uncertainty and risk everyday.” While that is true, what we knew as “normal” life before February of this year, with its acceptable risk and comfort with uncertainty, didn’t just happen overnight.  It grew through years of lessons learned (sometimes the hard way), and advances in medicine and social sciences.  We don’t think it is responsible for our intentional Christian community to be a medical experiment this year, as well as a place to play, pray, worship, study, and serve.

In the absence of physical summer camp, Michael is working with camp directors and the Commission for Children, Youth, and Young Adults to reimagine camp and offer Camp Bytes.  This digital experience will be age appropriate for campers just like the summer camp program.  Parents of younger campers, Discovery and Junior age, are welcome to participate.  This is one way to remember that there are many ways to be “in-person” to support, comfort, and learn together as followers of Jesus.  We know that congregations are thinking about how to offer Vacation Bible School and maintain physical distancing to support everyone’s health.  Using this same online portal, the Region will offer a digital VBS program this summer.  More details about these interactive digital opportunities will be posted to our website and social media platforms on May 22.  Through the generosity of donors to the Region’s endowments, there will be no fee for Camp Bytes and VBS.

As we monitor the news and guidelines about the coronavirus this summer, we are planning for an active second half of the year.  We know you will have many choices as schools, sports leagues, and clubs have postponed their events to this fall, and there is always college football.  We have two weekends planned for you to gather with siblings in faith around the Region.

• Family Camp, September 5-7
  Camp Christian near Chouteau
  Families of all sizes and kinds are invited to attend this new camp as we design a weekend specifically for families.  Registration will open June 8.
• Qahal/Koinonia Campout, October 16-18
  The Regional Youth Council will lead a weekend retreat for Chi Rho & CYF in the great outdoors!  Get out your camping gear (tent, flashlights, lanterns, and sleeping bags) for an unplugged weekend of hiking, games, some study, and a chance to slow down.  More information will be available in July and registration opens August 15.

This is our prayer, O Lord, that your goodness and mercy will surround the helpers, low wage essential workers, warehouse employees, delivery people,  decision makers, leaders, and teachers.  Be present, O Lord, to the sick and dying, the homeless, the hungry, and the lonely through the work of our hands and the voices of our neighbors.  We remember graduates and their families.  We trust that your mercies, O Lord, are new every morning and embrace us as we love and serve like Jesus, who we call Christ, and in whose name we pray.

We look forward to seeing campers at Camp Bytes in June.  Remember, Disciples, you are a blessing.  Keep on being a blessing, even from a physical distance, until we can gather in-person again.  Stay centered.

Sally Wheeler, Co-Chair, Commission for Children, Youth, and Young adults

Rev. Bill Hemm, Co-Chair, Commission for Children, Youth, and Young adults

Rev. Michael Davison, Associate Regional Minister

The Regional Board recognizes this extraordinary time of COVID-19, and concurs with the Commission for Children, Youth, and Young Adults in the very difficult but wise decision to cancel Camp and Conference for 2020.  We are unwilling to risk or compromise the health of any of our young people or the adult volunteers who serve them.  We are deeply grateful for the commitment it takes and all the preparation which has taken place in leading up to the 2020 camping experience.  We also offer our support for any alternative experiences that certainly will not take the place of summer camp, but can continue to enrich the faith of our young people.

Rev. Tom Stanley, Moderator, Christian Church in Oklahoma

Rev. Pam Holt, Regional Minister