Eastern Shore Episcopalian - Fall 2019

Agape Ministry
by Carrie Connelly
This summer 37 excited children arrived at Camp Wright
for the Agape session for children whose lives have been
affected by incarceration. The session began as campers
arrived on a bus from all over the Diocese and were met by
the enthusiastic Camp Wright staff and Agape volunteers.
We were happy to welcome twenty campers new to our
program.
The staff was wonderful in their welcome, engaging
everyone in games, and introducing them to new activities.
As the week progressed everyone tried new experiences,
and enjoyed different activities each evening. From sailing
and swimming to arts and crafts and Serendipity, the
children were encouraged to bond together forming new
friendships and reconnecting with old friends.
The bus and van bringing kids to and from camp is provided
by Agape Ministries, along with all the necessary supplies
a camper will need, such as bedding, towels, toiletries,
drawstring bags, and Agape t-shirts. Agape staff plans the
menu and prepares the meals and snacks during camp.
Volunteers collect stuffed animals for bedtime comfort.
This year handmade pillowcases and toiletry bags in fun
prints were donated for each camper.
Many parishes in the diocese collected for the Book Nook,
a favorite retreat for selecting something to read, having a
chat, playing a game or working a puzzle. This year many
of us watched a crowd gather round to watch one of our
campers defeat a counselor in an epic chess match!
There were some tears along with lots of hugs and smiles
as the week came to a close and new friends promised to
stay in touch and everyone looked forward to next year at
Camp Wright.
We thank you again for all that you do keep Agape
Ministry alive. We ask that you continue to support us
and that you give prayerful consideration to becoming
an active part of our program. We welcome new board
members, volunteers at our various events, new ideas and
new children to enroll!
For more information contact agapeministrymd@gmail.
com.
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