Art Camp 2023

This July, the ADNE Youth and Family team joined Dandelion Ministries as they hosted an art camp for local families. The campers and the leaders were met with God’s presence, even when, as was the case for many campers, they didn’t fully understand it. The camp included group art projects, t-shirt decorating, watercolor and acrylic painting, sketching, telling the story of the prodigal son, singing about God’s promises, and lots of kickball.

Throughout the three full afternoons, campers had time to develop or strengthen friendships with each other. Siblings who stuck close together on day one had found new friends they gravitated to by day two. Parents were able to see the kind of community that will continue to be present at Dandelion Ministries. Together, this allowed for greater trust to be built in a place with high potential of isolation, or as the prodigal son finds himself, a place where “no one gave him anything” (Luke 15:16).

Revs. Sean and Kate Norris, along with their daughters, welcomed others with the best of what they had. This meant that some children were excited about high-quality watercolor paint, while others wanted to spend an hour on the slackline/ninja course in the Norrises’ backyard. In turn, campers started to share their stories and questions with the team. As kids heard about the love of the father for the prodigal son, they shared about what made them feel loved. As they heard about how the son was lost and then found, they reflected on their feelings of being lost or found through their art. As they heard that this was a Christian art camp, they asked if the Norrises go to church.

Reflecting on an afternoon of painting, games, and storytelling with the campers, Anna Vickerman described it this way, “my word to summarize the day is linger. Nothing felt rushed or overwhelming and we were able to be with the kids as they worked on their art and shared about their lives.” Entering into that space of lingering and warm hospitality was felt by the team of leaders and by many of the kids. Before pickup at the end of the day, one kid proudly said that he had decided to stay there. This camper felt the hospitable retreat center that Dandelion Ministries offers, even if he didn’t yet fully understand why Dandelion Ministries exists.

You are invited to join us in prayer for the continued work God will do in Long Island. We know this is just one glimpse of the ways our churches are living missionally and we are so encouraged by the heart for youth and family that we are seeing across the diocese. As you minister to the emerging generation, may you have time to linger in God’s presence and receive from the Holy Spirit as you give to others.