The campfire was still crackling as strangers-soon to be friends-headed off to
hunker down for the night, tummies teeming with anticipation and s'mores. CedarS Director, Warren Huff greeted me with open arms and an absolutely beaming smile. "Ah, major signs of light already!" I thought. "Dwelling in the Light" being the theme, I found myself noticing it everywhere, even at 11 p.m. on the dimly lit gravel road Warren escorted me on, via golf-cart, to my room. "Sweet dreams," he whisper-shouted, and in that moment I knew that's exactly what I'd have.
The bright morning sun brought the images to light: vibrant greens, warm wood, sparkling water, and such light-filled faces. WOW! What provision! Now I was starting to get it; those who so selflessly see that others are nurtured are now being nurtured themselves! A beautiful exchange was taking place, and I was there to witness it.
On both sides of the pathway was a feast unlike any I'd ever experienced. Big griddles and baking pans over the coals, carefully tended by CedarS impeccable staff, offered up scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, country potatoes, bright green spinach, Texas Toast ... and who could forget the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, one of Gay Huff's specialties! As I moved along the path collecting delectables, I thought of this scripture from Isaiah: "O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires." How incredibly pampered all of us felt as we savored each morsel of food and friendly morning conversation.
Messages and beautiful manifestations of Divine Light permeated the place. From keynote speech, to workshops, to Dawn Lodge dining, the evidence of fresh inspiration, renewed resolve, and brilliant connections were everywhere.
Light-where there is no darkness
Light-our perpetual dwelling place
Light-that which includes the full-spectrum of joy and de-LIGHT
Light-which illumines the way to creative ideas and solutions
A meditative canoe ride, a daring wall-climb, a toe-tappin' line dance, and the horses-oh those beautiful horses-a hundred of them galloping to greet us by the trail: absolutely exhilarating!
Until then, I hadn't noticed that so many of the lyrics to my songs include the word "light". It was an honor to share the music with everyone in attendance-each person a beautiful point of light. It was a strikingly even exchange: light emitting light; in fact, I think we all felt simply immersed in Light as though there were nothing else. Hmm.... now there's a concept!
"Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day..."
1 Thess. 5:5
Something magical, something, absolutely perfect happened at CedarS Camps on September 16th-20th. Something tells me this is a common occurrence there.
Thank you ICSNC for inviting me to share in your luminous light.
Conference at CedarS Like a Big Family Reunion!
By Katharina Stockël
I loved having the Conference at the beautiful CedarS Camps. Unexpected
cheering greeted our bus from the airport as we rolled into CedarS. It was a pleasant surprise to have my suitcase whisked off to my room by the well-organized staff. I had to inwardly smile because the staff reminded me a few times of field Christian Science nurses as they quickly came up with creative solutions to needs that arose. They were so well-organized and Johnny-on-the-spot that we volunteers for the Conference had hardly anything to do.
For those of you who were unsure about coming because of the camp setting, let me assure you that all the amenities were there, plus all the fun that camps offer. The whole Conference at CedarS was like a big happy family reunion. CedarS Camps has a tradition of giving a quality award to each person at the end of a camp session. These awards literally are a recognition of spiritual qualities that individuals expressed at camp. This constant nurturing and recognizing of spiritual identity makes for an atmosphere where you truly feel nursed and cherished the entire time.
Driving a miniature horse (you read correctly: horse, not pony) with a two-wheeled cart was an unforgettable thrill. I was a little concerned that the
miniature horse would sense my lack of experience and really "take me for a ride". It was lovingly explained to us how to treat these little creatures so that they would not be afraid. After a training session, we were allowed to go around the courses several times. CedarS staff posted around the course gave me a sense of security. These incredibly little horses were so sweet, gentle, and very obedient. I felt like a little kid again learning something completely new, which also left me with a sense of accomplishment. This little adventure in itself made the long trip to the Conference worthwhile.
The two evenings with campfires reminded me of my very happy times at Girl Scout camp. I took the time to perfectly toast my marshmallows to a golden color for s'mores; I'd forgotten just how delicious these are! Lots of surprise meals were offered. We were almost overwhelmed with CedarS "traditional" trail breakfast. We walked through a path where from both sides the staff was cooking in giant iron skillets. The buffet included butter-sautéed fresh spinach, green asparagus, and mushrooms, with the most unexpected pineapple upside down cake at the end of the line.
After our superstar concert, CedarS surprised us at the campfire with an incredibly delicious blackberry cobbler. I'm sure everyone was pleased with the daily large salad bar, and my only problem with the meals was that I really had to make an effort to pull back; everything was so tasty.
And what a treat it was to have Désirée Goyette at the Conference. She is such a shining light of beauty, joy, and consecration. Her dynamic concert was truly moving and healing. I think a favorite of her songs for many of us was, "Let it go". Désirée also generously offered a workshop to help us become better acquainted with the new Christian Science Hymnal Supplement. She even prepared a worksheet for us about "singing your prayers". I loved her comment, "When we sing our prayers we are expressing faith not fear. Singing in the face of whatever the claim seems to be conveys the confidence that 'all is truly well'".
The Mother Church was well-represented at the Conference. The live question and answer telephone conference with The Mother Church Board of Directors expressed loud and clear their appreciation and love for Christian Science nurses. The Committee on Publication office at The Mother Church provided us with up-to-date information for each US state and reminded us that we need to prayerfully support the Church Manual office of Christian Science nurse. It was very interesting to hear Linda Kohler's talk about what's going on around the world with Christian Science nursing and how to support Christian Science nursing for this next century.
We really had outstanding speakers for this Conference. I loved their interactive approach. The time zoomed by. Madelon Miles' workshops on leadership, ethics, and her Bible talk were outstanding. They opened new thought channels for me. I especially thought it was interesting to hear the different emphasis on healings in the Gospels. We learned that the Synoptic approach was, "Show me a healing and then I'll believe that God is good and present". But the Gospel of John has an attitude of, "I know that God is good and present and that is the healing, whether the physical evidence is seen at that moment or not." I was so engrossed in Kathy Fitzer's closing talk that I couldn't believe the hour was already over. She gave us a list of questions to consider as we examined together several New Testament healings.
I appreciated the practical workshops. The people that gave them were well-prepared and gave generously of their know-how and experience as well as helpful information sheets. Another plus for me was getting to chat with folks on the bus going back to the airport that I'd only briefly seen during the Conference. This helpful exchange continued with others as we waited for our flights. I think we all went home filled with grateful hearts for the enrichment of new ideas, tips, fun at camp, the making of new and re-finding of old acquaintances. THANK YOU to the CSNCN Board for all your countless hours of selfless love to bring us this Conference.
The Conference Experience Ripens
By Olaf Bremer
Dear CSNCN Board,
Excuse me please that I respond so late. Of course I am already back in Europe
after this wonderful Conference and our trip to New York City, the White Mountains (starting Indian summer!) and Boston (my first visit to The Mother Church). I am not at home now, but working at Le Verger in Switzerland. So I have finally time to answer.
Yes, Marili and I enjoyed the Conference, and it has become even better after some time. For example: when I filled out the feedback form on the last day, I wrote, that I wouldn't have needed the CedarS activities, but the experience had to ripen. Now it is still hard for me to believe that I was really horseback riding! I already wrote the CedarS staff member an e-mail, that I loved his introduction to be aware that there is only one Mind. So I could remind myself, that there is no extra horse mind! And that took away a lot of anxiety.
Also I took a lot of ideas from the workshop for mental needs ("Bathing Without a Battle"). We had some wonderful experiences on our USA trip and for me it was a result of the enlightenment from the Conference.
I want to share one remarkable experience:
I went with my family through New York and we were near Ground Zero. I cannot remember when it was, but the thought came to me, that when I come to someone that needs help, I will not ask him, "Are you all right?" Instead I would assure him, that he is all right.
Suddenly we came to a slowly growing crowd of people on the sidewalk. A young woman lay there and obviously something had just happened. Another woman tried to talk to her but her eyes were closed and she did not respond. I went directly to her and I told her, what I had to say: "You are all right!" She opened her eyes, looked at me and said: "I know!" I helped her get up and we went on with our sightseeing trip. Just before sleeping this evening I thought once more about the situation and I thanked God for this clear thought that came to me-so I just could repeat, that she is still all right.
Thank you once more for all the love you spent for the Conference. Marili and I felt really snug (German: geborgen) and now I have an idea, what's behind the words and pictures of your invitations and also of CedarS Camp. I think this place was a good choice.
With lots of love and greetings from Marili,
Olaf
