Conference Minister's Corner 7.15.26

Conference Minister’s Corner

Associate Conference Minister, Linda Hirst, 7.15.26

While driving my youngest son and a couple of his friends to Pilgrim Lodge for a Middle Schooler week (Pilgrim Lodge is Maine’s counterpart to Horton Center), they were excitedly talking about camp and who they’d see again and all the great stuff they were going to do. 

I said something like, “You guys really like PL don’t you...” And all three laughed and said, "Yep! At Pilgrim Lodge we’re the cool kids!” Middle school is tough for all kids, but especially for anyone a little "different." 

In this case these three boys liked music, sang in the choir, and participated in school musicals. So yep, they were different! And while they didn’t really care, they certainly noticed…so much so that it was apparent to all of them (and me) that church camp was a place where everyone was “cool” and being different was not just ok but encouraged. 

Who wouldn’t love a place like that? 

As I get ready to be a counselor for Middler School Mix-Up (my first time at Horton Center!), I'm looking forward to meeting all kinds of kids and helping them know how loved and valued they are for exactly WHO they are. And yes, it’s a place where not only kids but adults can be different and cool too. 

Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, who was the Lutheran Pastor of the church: A House for All Sinners and Saints, recently said on a podcast (and I'm paraphrasing here) that it’s important to be able to be our WHOLE selves and then share our whole selves with those around us. Finding that place is a gift.

I hope you have that kind of place…whether it’s with family, friends, church, or even church camp. We all need a place to be who we are. I’m looking forward to seeing some of your kids—or you—at Horton Center next week!

See you in church,

Linda