Consecrate The Memories
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“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
I lifted my eyes to the hills of Camp Otterbein, and I was flooded with memories of this sacred place. I first viewed these hills when I was in college and worked two summers on staff. I slept in a tent one summer as support and kitchen staff, and the next summer I was an outpost counselor. Camp Otterbein was the beginning of my ministry. I led The Walk to Emmaus at the camp. I led work camps, church camps and youth retreats and lived in the cabins. The Camp was part of the foundation of my ministry along with several other United Methodist camps in Ohio.
I made my public confession to follow Jesus at Camp Wesley and confirmed my call into ministry at Camp St. Mary’s. Church camp was a vital part of my Christian faith journey. I attended Church camp as a camper for seven years. Even my first college roommate was a friend I had met at Church camp. The camps were sacred places in my Christian walk.
On this day though, I was present to celebrate the life of Camp Otterbein and also grieve the ending of its life as a United Methodist camp. I was attending a funeral – the death of a camp. The service was called a “Deconsecration Service.” To consecrate is to make something sacred, to bless, make holy and set apart. It is to dedicate to God. To deconsecrate is to transfer from sacred to secular use. The camp had been sold to a private investor and would no longer function as a Church camp.
I walked that day before the service up the hill to Vesper Hill. It is an outdoor worship place overlooking the hills. I sat on one of the wooden benches worn by use and age and looked up at the large homemade wooden cross that had graced this worship space for years. I looked out into the hills, the trees, and looked up to take in the beautiful blue sky and white fluffy clouds. I thought of all the times I had sat here with youth and adults and prayed, shared God’s Word, rested from the climb and sat in silence taking in God’s majestic beauty. I thought of all those who came before me and committed their lives to Jesus on this hill. The land is sacred and no matter who owns it, the land with remain sacred because the land is God’s creation.
As I walked down the hill and was headed to the lake one last time, I heard a voice call my name. Out of the woods emerged Tom and his wife, Karen. Tom was the Outpost Director when I worked as an outpost counselor. It had been years since our paths had crossed, but this funeral brought us back together in this holy place. As we hugged, I remembered the love and fellowship we shared together. I had lived at camp on this holy ground. It was part of who I am and who Tom and Karen are. As we talked, the memories just flooded our hearts.
At the service there were others I knew from my camping days. Stories were shared. The service was a celebration of the life of the camp. The history was shared, memories were expressed, songs were sung, and for a sacred moment we were all united in the love of God. God had used this holy land to bring so many youth and adults closer to Him. In those moments we all remembered and gave thanks.
Nobody can take away the memories that I have and all those who loved Camp Otterbein have. The memories and how God used those moments are what are sacred and set apart as holy. The memories are associated with an actual place, but you take those moments with you no matter where you go. They are always within you, and the emotions and feelings connected to them are part of one’s foundation.
In the loss of a loved one, the person is no longer physically present, but the love and memories are always with you. Nobody takes them away. They are part of your foundation and your sacred place in your heart. We can pull out those memories anytime we desire.
While I am sad that Camp Otterbein will no longer be a Church camp, and future young people will not have the opportunity to experience life changing moments on this land, the land is forever sacred because it is God’s land and because of all that happened on those grounds. The sacredness remains in the hearts of all the campers and staff. The sacredness of your loved one remains in your heart too.
You are standing on Holy Ground -
“We are standing on holy ground, and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in His presence on holy ground.”
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