new church life: september/october 2015
The Student Perspective
Brent van der Merwe
B.A.S.S. is always a highlight of my year. I look forward to going back as
soon as I leave. I have attended B.A.S.S. six times and every year is completely
different from the last. For that I am so grateful.
Even though it is only two weeks, you end up making friends that you feel
like you have known for a lifetime – sharing stories and growing spiritually in a
safe, confidential environment. We are motivated to explore and ask questions
about our faith.
The diverse lessons every morning open new thoughts and ideas that lead
onto new questions and later discussions. The discussions at B.A.S.S. are by
far one of my favorite aspects of the two weeks. It can be just sitting in the
conservatory at night, playing a game of Uno, and then spontaneously starting
a conversation that lasts several days. Learning and understanding other
people’s views on topics is always refreshing.
There are activities to suit all tastes – Capture the Flag, badminton,
football, pool, table tennis and many more. We always enjoy Sports Day which
included the “Lemonade Relay,” “Dizzy Lizzy” and an egg toss this year. Sports
Day always culminates in a shaving cream war which is brilliant, messy fun!
Our day trips this year took us to Trentham Gardens and StratfordUpon-Avon. The highlights of Trentham included seeing the monkey park,
walking through the Italian Gardens (and finding fairies!) and putting our
newly acquired photography skills to the test. At Stratford we were able to see
Shakespeare’s birthplace and we enjoyed motor boating on the river Avon.
Spiritual growth is happening all the time, whether you’re thinking about
it or not. In the relaxing atmosphere of Purley Chase, open minded and willing
to learn, you are bombarded with knowledge and information and it is up to
you whether or not you want to retain it. I have always found the bonfires
and candlelight services to be really special times of self-reflection. Everyone
sitting in a circle, mesmerized by the warmth and glow of the fire, sharing
poems and readings from the Word, bringing us all closer together.
Let’s start the countdown for B.A.S.S. 2016!
(See photos on page 531.)
expanded leadership in general church education
(photo IMG 4898: Scott and Rebekah Russell with daughter Jennica)
Rebekah Brock Russell, long-time educator in the Glenview New Church
School and current Principal of that school, has been hired by General Church
Education in Bryn Athyn as Assistant Coordinator for New Church Schools.
The Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss Jr., who is Head of General Church Education,
explained how this position came into being:
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