St. Columba’S Newsletter n July 25, 2011 1

SeedsIn our three-year cycle of Sunday scripture readings, July of year A is often called “the month of seeds.” We are currently in year A and if you’ve been at church this month you know what I’m writing about. We’ve heard several parables that mention seeds. There were the seeds scattered helter-skelter on good and bad soil, on rock and in bramble. There were the seeds of wheat and weeds that grew together—an enemy having sown the bad seeds while it was dark. With their secret enemies and uncertain outcomes, there is no small amount of anxiety in these. And, right now, there is no small amount of anxiety in our public discourse and national psyche.

In these parables Jesus seems to be encouraging a wider awareness, a more conscious awareness, if you will, of the troubles that beset us and the hope that sustains us. If God is sowing the seeds of justice and peace, every one of us has a respon-sibility to provide the fertile soil of a maturing faith and an open heart.

What are the spiritual practices that support your growing aware-ness of God’s activity in your life and in God’s world? Is Sunday worship a priority? Is some form of regular prayer a pattern in your life? Is your generosity a random expenditure or do you carefully determine how much of your energy and resources you will devote to God’s work? Do you work for peace and reconcilia-tion in your life, even in small ways?

RemembranceOn Sept. 11 we will observe the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country. I’m guess-ing that most of us will avoid air, train and maybe even car travel that day. Osama bin Laden may be dead and his network of terror may be crippled but it’s hard not to be just a little afraid. Bomb-making materials are available and there are websites that provide directions. Many of us were deeply affected by the events of 9/11/01. Many lost loved ones and all have lost at least some naïveté. The heightened security of our era and the naming of threat levels have become routine matters for our children. Do you remember how we flocked to church, synagogue and mosque on Sept. 11 and after-ward? Human beings need to gather in community. We know that we have the choice to form communities of hope or hate.

At St. Columba’s we will resume our regular Sunday schedule on 9/11/11. Our worship and music will not only call us to remembrance, faith and hope but also to action. May we be the seeds that grow to maturity and become food for peace and justice in the world. We need to be together on 9/11/11. St. Columba’s is here for you and for our community. Be with us.

n Janetjvincent@columba.org

St. Columba’S EpiSCopal ChuRCh

4201 Albemarle Street NW Washington, DC 20016

202-363-4119 fax 202-686-2671

Columba.org

The Rev. Janet Vincent, Rector Anne M. Stone, Director

of Communications

Vol. 54, No. 7July 25, 2011

Newsletter

Seeds and remembrance

human beings

need to gather

in community.

We know that we

have the choice

to form communities

of hope or hate.

St. Columba’S n 202-363-4119 n Columba.org2

I’m fond of a quotation by John Donne (1572–1631) where he describes his almost comic frustration during times of prayer:

I throw my selfe down in my Chamber, and I call in, and invite God, and his Angels thither, and when they are there, I neglect god and his Angels, for a noise of a Flie, for the ratling of a Coach, for the whining of a door . . . a straw under my knee . . . So certainly is there nothing, nothing in spirituall things, perfect in this world. (Donne’s Sermons: Selected Passages, Oxford University Press, 1919, p.131)

It’s easy to relate to the distractions described by Donne and to agree that there is nothing perfect about the way we pray. There are, however, ways to minimize distractions as we seek to focus more of our soul, heart and body while in prayer.

During the summer months we’ve been inviting the congregation to sit rather than stand or kneel during the Prayers of the People. For most of us, sitting is a more comfortable position for quiet praying. We can set aside hymnals and bulletins, open our hands, bow our heads and focus on the petitions being offered and our responses to them.

We suggest this posture as a way for us to become more comfortable with the brief silences that intersperse our prayers and to be at ease in a communal setting. Prayer is loving conversation with the author of life. Get comfortable, open your heart and hands and feel yourself in communion with God and in solidarity with those we pray for and with. The clergy staff is interested in your feedback. Let us know how sitting helps or hinders your prayer.

n Janet Vincentjvincent@columba.org

Welcome those who have completed newcomer cards: Katie Basile and Whitford Remer of Silver Spring; and Eurae Muhn of North Potomac.

Bid Godspeed to those who have transferred out: Robert, Caroline and Ralfe Hickman, to St. John’s, Norwood.

Rejoice with Donnale Payne for the birth of Iszarah Payne, May 26; and with Ginni and Jeff Gorman for the birth of grand-daughter, Tabitha Riley Smith, June 13.

Welcome the newest members of Christ’s Church, baptized July 10: Brooke Frances Allan, daughter of Natanya Holland and Scott Allan, Jr., and Taylor LeMercier Dresner, daughter of Meredith Mazza and Jeremy Dresner.

Pray for those who have died: Bruce Hohl, father of Bob Hohl; and Judith Halsey, mother of Judy Halsey, July 4.

We encourage any parishioners who are ill, injured or hospitalized, or who have a joyous event to send an e-mail to pastoral@columba.org if they would like their names to be listed here or on other parish prayer lists.

For other ways to connect with St. Columba’s in times of joy or need, please see page 7 of this newsletter or visit the Pastoral Care & Prayer section of our website, Columba.org.

n n n

transitions

please be seated . . . to pray

St. Columba’S n Rich in Worship

Summer Services

Sundays (in the church nave)

8 am EucharistWith homily and without music. Coffee follows.

9:15 am Eucharist for familieswith preschool children Story-style telling of the gospel and songs children can sing. Coffee follows.

10:30 am EucharistWith sermon, hymns and the healing rite. The Summer Singers sing (rehearsal at 9:45 am). Coffee follows. Child care is available in Room 236 for children 4 and under, 10–11:30 am.

11:30 am Coffee HourGreet newcomers and catch up with one another over coffee, iced tea and lemonade.

5 pm EucharistA smaller service with a sermon, hymns and the healing rite.

Weekdays (in the chapel)

Morning Prayer8:45 am Monday–Friday

The Eucharist7 am Wednesday, followed by breakfast 10 am Thursday, with the healing rite

holy baptism

For information on baptismal preparation and registration, contact the Rev. Rose Duncan (rduncan@columba.org; 202-363-4119, ext. 212). Forms are due six weeks prior to baptism. Upcoming date: Sept. 11, 11:15 am (church nave and Great Hall). Preparation classes: Sept. 1 and 8.

St. Columba’S Newsletter n July 25, 2011 3

St. Columba’S n Open in Spirit

Martin Smith offers thanks for our celebration of the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, and Mikey Funston bids us farewell as she returns to Kansas.

Many thanks to all who made the parish celebration of my 40th such a joyful event and to those who have written letters of congratula-tion. I have been so touched by everyone’s enthusiasm and warmth. My students in the Doctor of Min-istry program at Sewanee, where I was teaching earlier this month, arranged for the actual anniver-sary date, July 4, to be memorable indeed. They decorated a red convertible, which conveyed me in great style in the splendid parade down University Avenue. Our “float” won third prize!

My birthday came just after my scheduled ordination dates, so that I was younger than the mini-mum age stipulated for ordination. The Archbishop of Canterbury had to issue special dispensations to make it legal. This means that

there is probably no one in the Anglican Communion of my age who has been ordained longer than I have.

I was ordained in the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St. Alban, in the diocese that covered the counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire in England. This great Norman church was built by monks using bricks from the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Verulamium. I practiced the gospel in the ruins of the actual amphitheatre where St. Alban gave his life as Britain’s first martyr, probably in 209 AD. It is a great joy to remember the ordination service that inaugurated my ensuing decades of ministry in a place that so vividly reminds us that baptism forges us as links in a living chain of witness going back to the apostles themselves.

n Martin Smithmsmith@columba.org

I look back on my two years of ministry at St. Columba’s with wonder and gratitude. I have found

so much joy in leading the young people of this parish in their faith formation. After every youth event, Sunday morning J2A, youth outreach fundraiser and mission trip, I have been amazed by the time, talent and tithe each of you was willing to give in sustaining this ministry. I have been overwhelmed by the many adults ready and willing to lead our young people. I am thankful for the many youth who decided to try something new, whether it was Bible study or a mission trip with people you hardly knew. I will remember the many conversations in which you opened up and shared your faith. I filled e-mail inboxes with messages, and I am thankful for your generous responses. St. Columba’s welcomed me for who I was, including my silly jokes, my flare for jumping up and down and my inability to read D.C. road maps. I have been formed by this community and will carry you all in my heart wherever the road leads me. Thank you, St. Columba’s. God’s peace.

n Mikey Funstonmikeykfunston@gmail.com

St. Columba’s Diary

jay t

re

ad

we

ll

ma

rtin

sm

ith

jan

et

vin

ce

nt

St. Columba’S n 202-363-4119 n Columba.org4

St. Columba’S n Deep in Faith

Remembering madeline peelerOn Dec. 26, 2009, my friend Mad-eline Peeler passed and I am still at a loss for words to describe how much I miss her. Sixteen months ago I missed the opportunity to attend Madeline’s funeral, pay my respects and tell her three daughters how for-tunate they were to have Madeline as their mother and how grateful I am to have shared her friendship.

Madeline and I were friends for more than seven years. Our friend-ship was rooted in respect for our differences. Madeline was a Christian and I am a Muslim. She was born and raised in New Jersey; I am a Palestinian by birth, an American by choice. She was direct and clear; I am a Semite who speaks volumes to convey my simple thoughts. She was a quiet activist choosing the colorful threads for the church kneelers for St. Columba’s, contemplating care-fully the meaning and story behind each design. I am an active protester calling attention to the plight of my family I left behind in Palestine, writ-ing and advocating on their behalf. She was a gardener who knew her flowers and carefully selected each, planned ahead and planted and watered her flowerbeds in daylight; I am a midnight gardener. She was a great cook who faithfully collected recipes, and I cook without measure or count.

We were friends of my neighbor, Sally Comiskey, who invited us to join her book club. Every month we met to discuss a book and share our latest news, struggles and family stories.

I remember exasperating book club members with choices centered on my heritage, religion or history. While some complained, Madeline asked questions that conveyed her interest and desire to understand my perspective, challenging me to explain and elaborate on my position. Never once was she dismissive.

I looked forward to the annual three-day book club rendezvous in Ocean City, where Madeline and I shared a room in a small cottage courtesy of Sally. While alone after a long day of shopping at the local outlets, Madeline shared with me her love of her three daughters, Grace, TJ and Christine, and husband Lee. She shared her needlework progress and challenges, her interest in books, the Sumner Garden Club and her preparations for the next National Cathedral Flower Mart, where she volunteered. She was always warm and interested in my four children and family here and abroad. She offered advice on how to choose the best school or college for my children, listening patiently and sharing her unassuming insight with great wit.

When Madeline was diagnosed with cancer, she went through treatment without complaint. She endured chemotherapy and lost her sense of taste. I began delivering Palestinian lentil soups and Mujadarah, leaving each package at her doorstep. On several occasions she wrote to tell me how much she appreciated finding lentils at the footstep of her house. She soon started e-mailing, asking about my plans for the next American Palestinian Women’s

Association Bazaar, promising that as soon as she felt better she would attend and maybe even help. I waited for her to speak of her illness or to comfort me with news of her recovery, but Madeline chose to bear her cross stoically.

A few months before her passing Madeline told me she had made several donations in my name to St. Columba’s annual Bookfest. I was moved, but never asked why or what books she had chosen. Recently, I visited the Craig Eder Library, where I asked a librarian if she could help locate a few of the volumes. To my surprise, she walked to a shelf and pulled out Karen Armstrong’s book on Islam. I felt a swell of emotions. I was struck by Madeline’s gesture of friendship and simple kindness. Tucked away in the library of her beloved church, she had left a little bit of her and a little bit of me. While the librarian looked for the next book, I walked upstairs to the sanc-tuary and knelt on the most beautiful kneeler. In silence I wept and prayed.

Sixteen months after Madeline’s passing I got the opportunity to thank my dear friend in the sanctuary of the church she chose to attend, where her daughters sang in the choir and where she received her last communion. I thanked her for her grace, her calm affection for family, friends and community. I thanked her for her subtle imprint and for the gift of every thread and stitch offered in the kneelers she had designed for St. Columba’s, communicating her love for every faithful worshiper kneeling in prayer, including her Muslim friend. I told her I loved and missed her, and I thanked her for the thoughtful acts of kindness she had left behind for me in due time quietly to discover.

n Mai Abdul Rahmanmai.abdulrahman@gmail.com

pee

ler f

am

ily

St. Columba’S Newsletter n July 25, 2011 5

St. Columba’S n Deep in Faith

Last week, the Church and Syna-gogue Library Association (CSLA) held its annual conference here in Washington. On Tuesday, 70 confer-ence attendees visited St. Columba’s Craig Eder Library, one of four exemplary congregational libraries showcased on a city tour. And at the conference’s closing night banquet, our fellow parishioner Margaret Lefever (pictured below at right) was honored as the CSLA’s Outstanding Congregational Librarian of 2011.

Margaret has been in charge of our library since the late 1980s, but her appreciation of books, especially spiritual literature, dates back to childhood. She was the daughter of an Iowa Methodist pastor. “My mother was a natural scholar,” she remem-bers. “We had very little money, but somehow she found those Barclay reference books for the Bible. How she did it, I don’t know.”

Margaret followed the learning life into college and then a stint working as a Methodist missionary in Alge-ria. As a young bride, she and her husband lived in New Haven, Conn., where he was a Yale Divinity School graduate student. The scholarly community welcomed her and she was able to take some classes and explore the beautiful library. Little wonder that a few years later, as a Chevy Chase housewife, her cho-sen volunteer work was at the local elementary school library.

Here’s where the story takes an interesting detour. In 1968, she was recruited by the Hubert Humphrey presidential campaign to coordinate volunteers in the Midwest (she knew Humphrey because her husband had worked for him). She set off for the Democratic Convention in Chicago, eager to introduce her young sons and parents to her exciting new political career. However, “exciting” was perhaps an understatement.

The tear gas, police barricades and all-out chaos drove her to resign from the campaign, gather up her kids and head home early.

Back in Chevy Chase, she did something that surprises her even today. First thing Monday morning, she headed to Catholic University, asked around until she found the library science program and talked the dean into letting her enroll. “They didn’t know me. I had no credentials. I was desperate! I was so fed up,” she recalls. She started with a couple of courses and by mid-semester she was granted official status as a master’s student. Following graduation, she had a satisfying career in the Montgomery County school system.

Meanwhile, longing for a more liturgically oriented church, Margaret tried St. Columba’s on the recom-mendation of friends in the early 1980s, and has been here ever since. At that time, the parish “library” was just 50-odd books on a couple of shelves. But in the late 1980s, when plans went forward to build the Albemarle wing, then-rector Bill Tully decided to carve out space for a library. Margaret volunteered to lend her professional skills in getting that library set up properly with the Dewey Decimal System and some

careful acquisitions. Two decades later, our collection has more than 6,500 volumes. A children’s book about the life of our patron saint is titled The Man Who Loved Books, and St. Columba himself could hardly have done a better job building up our library.

In 2006, Margaret was honored as St. Columba’s Layperson of the Year, but she hasn’t rested on her laurels. In recent years, she secured grants from the Columba Fund for digitiz-ing the library catalogue, which is now available via Columba.org. She oversees a dedicated and talented team of library volunteers and chooses new books to squeeze onto our crowded shelves. When there is simply no more room, she makes careful decisions about what to weed out—and tries to find good homes for outgoing books in other parish libraries that are not quite as well stocked as ours.

Most importantly, she still delights in helping parishioners discover just the right book. “Everybody who walks into the library is a seeker,” she says. “Oftentimes they don’t know what they’re seeking. That’s what libraries are all about. It’s endlessly different. I just love the process!”

n Elizabeth Terryelizterry@gmail.com

the woman who loves books

wa

yn

e c

. fo

wle

r

St. Columba’S n 202-363-4119 n Columba.org6

St. Columba’S n Active in Service

In 1994, St. Columba’s began a partnership with 73 kindergartners at Truesdell Elementary School, offering tutoring, life skills workshops, summer programs and other enrichment opportunities organized by volunteers.

The St. Columba’s-Truesdell Educational Partnership (STEP) later affiliated with the national I Have a Dream Foundation and promised to see the 73 STEP Dreamers through college, adding a tuition assistance fund to the ongoing guidance and encouragement.

On June 5, we celebrated the first of these students to graduate from four-year colleges and other post-secondary programs. The morning included a forum hosted by Ray Suarez, recognition of the graduates at the 11:15 am service and a luncheon afterward for graduates, their families and volunteers.

Over the years, the program has provided significant one-on-one support. College coaches started working with individual Dreamers in 10th grade. STEP hosted sessions on financial aid and hired a consultant to help fill out the forms. Dreamers visited schools on bus tours and had access to computers for the applica-tion process. Academic coordinator Susan Laing set up SAT and ACT prep classes, as well as writing ses-sions to support Dreamers as they developed their personal statements.

During the college years, Susan visited campuses, helping Dreamers find resources: financial, academic and otherwise. Volunteers sent care packages. College coaches gave Dreamers rides to and from school and visited the students, providing the occasional meal and face-to-face guidance. STEP also started a sum-mer internship program, working with the D.C. Mayor’s Initiative to help provide work experience.

At the June forum, Dreamers praised Susan for her tireless efforts. “She was on my speed dial,” said one Dreamer. Several Dreamers spoke of former project coordinator Chip Jardelezza, who developed especially close ties with the male Dreamers. (A backpacking trip that included camping under the stars was a memorable and important experience.) Dreamers thanked their college coaches, the volunteers who did so much more than prepare Dreamers for college acceptance. And they expressed gratitude that STEP had eased financial stress and allowed them to stay in school.

A Dreamer who had been an honor roll student at Benjamin Banneker High School said, “Even though we heard about college through STEP, I thought I would get my high school diploma and get a job at CVS. If I did, I would have achieved more than anyone else in my family ever had.” This student received scholarships and honors at Elon University. She traveled abroad, both for service and for study. She has been accepted to Washington University in St. Louis for graduate school in social work. And yet, she says, “When my college coach sug-gested grad school, I told her D.C. people don’t do that!”

Another Dreamer, who received a scholarship based partly on his

basketball skills, described the begin-nings of the STEP soccer program. “In 5th grade we didn’t win one game, but then in 6th grade we were champions. That was my first success in sports, and I got confidence.”

One Dreamer summed up the impact and reach of the program: “STEP was already part of my life before I realized what it meant.” Two others shared the extent to which they identify with the program: Jenny Celin, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Greens-boro, displayed her mortarboard, on which she had written “73.” Joy Okeke, who graduated from the University of Maryland, had “STEP” emblazoned on her cap.

STEP continues to work with Dreamers who are enrolled in com-munity colleges or other programs of study and with those who may need an extra boost to get there. We have also begun a new monthly peer support group and regular career coaching sessions to help the new graduates as they head into the job market. It’s all part of honoring the commitment we made 17 years ago.

n Denise Terryterry.df@gmail.com

For more about STEP/I Have a Dream, including pictures and audio from the forum, visit the Sunday Forum page on Columba.org.

Congratulations, graduates!

da

nie

l k

im

St. Columba’S Newsletter n July 25, 2011 7

Vestry notes

At its meeting on June 27, the vestry:

n Reviewed a recommendation from Buildings and Grounds to repave the parking lot.

n Shared views on encouraging healthy conversation and communi-cation within the parish.

n Was updated on the search for the new Director of Youth Ministries.

budde elected next

bishop of Washington

At a special convention on June 18, the Diocese of Washington elected the Rev. Dr. Mariann Edgar Budde as the ninth bishop of Washington. Budde was chosen on the second ballot by an overwhelming majority of both clergy and lay people. She will succeed the Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, who will retire this fall. Her consecration is set for Nov. 12, pending the required consents. (A majority of bishops and standing committees in the Episcopal Church must consent to her election within 120 days of the election.)

Budde has been rector of St. John’s, Minneapolis, since 1993. She holds a Masters in Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary. She is fluent in Spanish and has served in a variety of national, diocesan and local church ministries.

For further details about Budde, including her résumé, responses to questions asked during Walkabout Week and other materials that will help you get to know our next bishop, visit the diocesan website, www.edow.org.

parish life

St. Columba’S n Open in Spirit

CalendarSummer office hours are Mon.–Fri., 9 am–4 pm.

Summer Singers, Sundays, 9:45 am, Music RoomAll adults and youth with singing experience are invited to sing at any 10:30 am summer service. No vestments, no fuss, no commitment. Join us! Warm-up begins at 9:45 in the Music Room.

Mothers’ Group Summer Potluck, Tues., Aug. 9, 7 pm Come meet new friends and connect with those you haven’t seen in a while! All mothers are welcome, even if you have never attended the Mothers’ Group before. To RSVP or request directions, contact Susanna Barnett (susannabarnett@gmail.com). A-D main dishes, E-J desserts, K-O drinks, P-Z appetizers.

42nd Street Fellowship Brunch, Sun., Aug. 21 Gather in the Common after the 10:30 am service to walk up the hill to Guapo’s (4515 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-686-3588) or meet the group at the restaurant around noon for brunch. Coordinators: Lois Herrmann (202-333-4678) and Rosemary Ryan (301-805-6789).

We need YOU . . . to teach Sunday School Nine more teachers are needed for Unit 1 (Sept. 18–Oct. 30). You don’t have to be a Bible scholar; you just need to like children. Pattie Ames provides the curriculum, training and all supplies, and you work in a teaching team. Please call or e-mail Pattie (202-363-4119, ext. 222; pames@columba.org) and help make this a great year of Sunday School.

The church office will be closed on Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 5.

For details on these and other events, visit Columba.org. While you’re there, why not log in to our secure member portal for members-only features such as an up-to-date online parish directory, an interactive calendar, easy and secure access to credit card payments and your personal giving history, and more? You can also update your home address, e-mail address, phone numbers, preferred contact and other information straight from the member portal—and that helps us better communicate with you.

pastoral careThere are many ways to connect with St. Columba’s in times of joy and need. To request any of the following, contact Rob Boulter (pastoral@columba.org; 202-363-4119, ext. 245). For emergencies outside of office hours you may reach a member of the clergy through the pastoral on-call phone (202-669-4856).

Sharing your news: We encourage you to let us know when an illness, death, transition or joyful event occurs in your life. You may request that events be shared with prayer lists and in the newsletter prayers.

Ongoing pastoral care: Stephen Ministry is our one-to-one caregiving ministry, consisting of lay parishioners who meet with people who have experienced a loss, crisis or difficult life transition.

Home communion: If you are unable to attend church services and wish to receive communion, Stephen Ministers and clergy are available to provide this service.

St. Columba’S n 202-363-4119 n Columba.org8

A WElCOMiNg

CHRiSTiAN COMMuNiTy

THAT SEEkS TO BE

OPEN iN SPiRiT,

DEEP iN FAiTH,

RiCH iN WORSHiP,

ACTiVE iN SERViCE.

Mailed July 25: Dated material. Please deliver promptly.St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle Street NW, Washington, DC 20016

Periodical PostagePaid at Washington DC

these kids just keep coming back

Many things wind down around St. Columba’s during the summer. There are fewer evening meetings. We shift to a more relaxed schedule of Sunday worship services. The nursery school goes on summer break. But every year, one thing gears up for the months of June and July: our day camp for children ages 3 to 8.

Visit the courtyard during camp and you’ll see children splashing in the sprinkler and wading pools, playing soccer on the newly installed artificial turf, tearing around in games of tag—or, as on one recent day, singing and dancing in a semi-choreographed, camp-wide re-creation of Bollywood. Inside, classrooms ring with the summer sounds of children at work on arts and crafts, aides reading stories aloud and counselors teach-ing science lessons, music classes and more. The point of camp is to have fun, maybe learn a little, and develop bonds of friendship in a loving and caring community.

Some campers have enjoyed their summers here so much that they come back for more, returning as Counsel-ors in Training (CITs) or, after a year or two of training, as aides—paid staffers who assist the adult counsel-ors and help lead groups of between 12 and 18 campers. A few have even made the final step to counselor, notably art instructors Kate Welsh and her predecessor Grace.

This year’s aides include St. C’s parishioners Jack Guenther, Maryann Deyling, Christine Morris and Annie Dayton, who were all campers and CITs. The current crop of CITs includes Sam Guenther, Charlie Hawkings, Patrick Mulderig and Calvin Wagner, who are also parishioners and former campers. They all have strong memories of their time as campers.

Jack recalls a flowing hose hanging from a tree limb in the courtyard for campers to run through. “It was our waterfall,” he says. Annie loved the Water Field Days, especially the time she sat in a chair and a huge soap bubble rose up around her.

Patrick remembers faking injuries so he could go to the nurse, who always gave two gummy bears to each “injured” child. His counselor started keeping bandages in her pocket to head him off, but he had so many “booboos” that she kept running out. He claims that this kind of resourcefulness was one reason he was accepted as a CIT.

Calvin has the distinction of being the only camper ever to escape the confines of St. Columba’s. At age five he took off down Albemarle Street with his aide hot on his heels. Calvin lives only two doors down the street. The aide eventually corralled him in his living room.

And all of them still love eating the “freezies,” or frozen juice pops.

But something more than just the stories and food has brought these former campers back. They are drawn by the sense of community.

Christine likes to see children from camp at church. “I actually got a cou-ple of babysitting jobs with families who remembered me,” she says. And when Charlie started as a camper, he already felt comfortable because he knew the classrooms from Sunday School and nursery school. Now he is a familiar face to various little folks who recognize him from church and other gatherings.

Annie and Maryann attended nursery school and Sunday School at St. C’s and were in the Girl Choir for years. Maryann has since moved on to the Gallery Choir, and Annie may not be far behind—at least if choir director John Hurd has his say.

It is these kinds of deep connections that make St. Columba’s a haven for our children and youth—and a big part of why campers, CITs, aides and counselors all keep coming back.

n Tim Welshstcolumbasummercamp@

yahoo.com

Camp registration opens in January. Applications for CITs and aides are accepted on a rolling basis. Prospec-tive CITs and aides do not need to have been campers to apply, but they must love working with children!