What are You Doing this Summer?
As this post is being written we are surrounded by layers of snow and temperatures in the 20’s. Spring is on its way, but on a day like today it can’t come fast enough for many. But, the tradition of summer camping for youth is alive and well in the United Methodist church and it’s never too early to start planning for the 2014 season.
Pinelands Center
The greater New Jersey Annual Conference organizes a summer long slate of programs for youth ages 7-17 at its two camps (Pinelands Camp in Browns Mills and Aldersgate Camp in Swartswood). The Pinelands Camp (officially known as “The Pinelands Center at Mt. Misery”) is about an hour away from Pitman off of Rt. 70 East.
The camps have released their 2014 schedule which consists of weekly programs for youth in July and August. Click Here to download the schedule & Brochure. Copies of the brochure are also available in the church Narthex.
Why in the world do they call it “Mt. Misery”???
Any Methodist who lives in South Jersey has probably asked themselves this question. A Retreat Center or Camp is supposed to be a fun place to go to! “Misery?”… really?
Grace is an unmerited gift from God. We don’t do anything to earn our salvation or any other gift from God; He gives it to us generously out of the wealth of His immense love. Food, shelter, friends, and even a time away to reflect upon God, are all gifts from God’s Grace.
So what’s that got to do with Mt. Misery?
As unfortunate as the name may seem, “Misery” is a shortened form of the word “Misericordia” which is the Latin word for “Grace”. Click Here for the Wikipedia article.
So the next time you hear of the name “Mt. Misery,” picture a journey to a “mountaintop experience” for a dose of God’s amazing Grace.
