Oregon church offers music and art camp for kids

Event is in its seventh year

July 22, 2018

Peace poles are planted in a prayer garden in front of the church (Photo provided by R.O. Jewel)

Kenilworth Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon, held its seventh annual Music and Art Day Camp from July 16–20. Designed for children in kindergarten through third grade, the camp provides early exposure to music and art in an affordable, accessible way. 

“The camp has always been envisioned as an opportunity to share with community partners. We continue to explore what can be done with others that we couldn’t do by ourselves,” said the Rev. David B. Jewel, Kenilworth’s pastor.

The camp got underway in 2012 with two music faculty members and instruments from the Community Music Center, a city of Portland program one block from the church. The two artists were a parent from the church’s preschool and an elder from the congregation. Meals and snacks were served by church members and friends. Youth from Bethany Presbyterian Church in Spokane, Washington, along with pastor Paul Rodkey and other chaperones, came to assist the weeklong camp. The Presbytery of the Cascades provided a grant underwriting the costs of the camp for the first two years.

“A Tree for All Seasons,” a mural representing the four seasons, was created by artist Andrea Lawhead and decorated by children. (Photo provided by R.O. Jewel)

The camp’s first five years contained no religious component to the curriculum. As planning began for last year’s camp, the Kenilworth Session considered ways to incorporate religion and spirituality. “We decided that involving neighbors and friends of other faith traditions would be a good next step,” said Carol Garner, a Kenilworth elder and a resident artist for the camp.

“Peace” was chosen as the camp’s theme. The Rev. Yuki Sugahara of the Oregon Buddhist Temple, three blocks from the church, told campers how peace is understood in Buddhism. Hanan Al Zubaidy spoke of peace in Islam. Sacred Heart, a Native American group that meets at the church, led a drum circle that focused on peace from the perspective of Native American spirituality. Rev. Jewel spoke of how Jesus blessed peacemakers.

Five peace poles painted by the campers were erected on the front corner of the church property. The poles contain words of peace in more than 25 languages.  

The campers’ lunches are provided, and the children give thanks for the food and vote for their favorite menu items. A modest tuition, about one-third of the cost of other camps in the area, is received from those who can afford it. About one-third attend with tuition reduced or waived.

As a certified Earth Care Congregation in the PC(USA), this year campers also explored earth care from a variety of faith traditions. The campers completed the fourth panel of a mural called “A Tree for All Seasons” as well as other arts and crafts projects that focus on the care of creation.

Today’s worship service at Kenilworth will celebrate the camp, with students presenting music that they have learned. Refreshments and an open house after worship will provide time to view arts and crafts work and share stories and pictures from the week.

Rebecca Jewel, Communications, Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, Portland, Oregon

Today’s Focus:  Music and Art Camp for Kids

Let us join in prayer for:

Rev. David B. Jewel, Pastor
Carol Garner, Elder
Peggy Morgan, Elder
David Ramsey, Elder
Laura Schaefer, Elder
Sharese Williams, Elder
Rick Votrobeck, Elder
Carol Garner, Music and Art Camp Faculty
Myriam Gendron, Music and Art Camp Faculty
Kari Kjome, Music and Art Camp Faculty
Andrea Lawhead, Music and Art Camp Faculty
Gregory Dubay, Director, Community Music Center, Portland, Oregon
Hanan Al Zubaidy
Rev. Yuki Sugahara and the Oregon Buddhist Temple
The members of Sacred Heart Wellbriety group
The members and friends of Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, Portland, Oregon
The children and families served by the camp

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Michelle Schulz, PMA
Wilma Scott, OGA

Let us pray:

Creator God, we raise our voices in thanksgiving for the opportunity to plant seeds of earth care in our community. Be present in all we do as your ambassadors. Amen.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, July 22, 2018, the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

First Reading 2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Psalm 89:20-37
Second Reading Ephesians 2:11-22
Gospel Mark 6:30-34, 53-56