by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service
This summer camps of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) will employ 40 Lutheran young adult counselors from 19
countries around the world. Many of the counselors, ages 18-30,
are university students or young pastors who will help campers
learn about the Bible, participate in worship and engage in arts
and crafts, music, nature studies and more. International camp
counselors will attend an orientation session May 17-20 in
Chicago. Camp counselors, including counselors from across the
United States, undergo staff training at their respective camp
site.
As part of the ELCA's "church to church" relationships with
Lutheran churches overseas, young adults from Africa, Asia,
Europe and elsewhere have been invited to serve as camp
counselors to gain international experience and exchange ideas,
said Mark D. Burkhardt, director, ELCA Outdoor Ministries.
International camp counselors are invited to share their culture
with campers, such as where to find their countries on a map,
pictures of their homeland, food and dress, said Burkhardt.
"Whenever possible, counselors are placed in camps where the
(ELCA) synod shares a companion church relationship with the
counselor's home church," he said. Funding for the International
Camp Counselor program is provided by ELCA Outdoor Ministries,
camps, ELCA World Hunger Appeal and Program, and many of the 65
synods of the ELCA.
LINKS:
camps
http://www.ELCA.org/camps/search.asp
ELCA Outdoor Ministries
http://www.ELCA.org/camps
companion church relationship
http://www.ELCA.org/companionsynod/index.html
ELCA World Hunger Appeal
http://www.ELCA.org/hunger
65 synods of the ELCA
http://www.ELCA.org/synods
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
