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Written by Russell Mitchell-Walker
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Wednesday, 18 August 2010 14:02 |
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Did you know that the firefly is one of the only animals that produces its own energy? Camp fYrefly works to build on this image by providing sexual minority and gender variant youth with an opportunity to generate their own energy toward being a positive force in thier lives and the world. Through leadership development and building self confidence, this program helps move youth from feeling at risk to feelin reslient in their communities so that their own light can glow in dark times. Camp fYrefly took place July 30-August 2 at Lumsden Beach Camp and it was a privilege for me to be a significant part of it. It was wonderful to see the youth arrive, many of them alone, tentative and nervous, moving to being self-confident and surrounded by friends by the end of the weekend. I was struck by the power of connection and the impact the church's presence can have. There was a youth from Rainbow Youth Centre, which works with at risk youth in North Central Regina, who came with staff for the first day, but quickly decided he wanted to stay and needed to get permission from his dad. He knew me from our volunteering there, and asked the staff if I as "Pastor Russell"could talk to his dad to help convince his dad to let him stay. I was able to play a role in providing an opporutnity for this young person to have an experience and learnings that he would not have otherwise had. He had a great weekend and I look forward to seeing him next time we go to Rainbow Youth. We never know the value our presence has a church. Sunset's name was 'out there' through the Camp Fyrefly press conference being held here, and my involvement with Camp fYrefly. It is an important presence and witness to the LGBT community who too often have experienced rejection and hate from the church or from those influenced by the church. We have a lot to answer for as the church and being involved in Camp fYrefly is one step towards providing support and reconcilition to a community too often excluded from the church. We have been a very positive force through our involvement in this project and I am very grateful for the opportunty.
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Located in Regina, SK.
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