AUMYShelby.com

Summer Time!

aaron — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:22:57 +0000

Summer is finally here. We are going to have a great summer full of fun stuff. We leave for CCC in less than a week from now.

On June 28 we are going to ATL to cheer for the 1st place Braves against the Washington Nationals. The cost is $12 and is due by June 20th.

On July 13 we are going Whitewater Rafting at the National Whitewater Center. There is lots to do and is going to be a great day. Cost is $40 and is due by June 20th.

On July 30 will be the second annual great nerf war. We all remember how much fun this was last year, this year should be better. We are working on improving things for an even better time. One of the changes is the sign up sheet in the hall outside the senior high room. While there is no cost for this event, if your name is not on the list before July 28, you will not be able to attend.

On August 20-22 we will be going to a camp called Spiritus. It takes place at Ft. Caswell, which is an amazing place. Its on the beach and this is sure to be a fantastic weekend. It is a little costly, the total cost is $120. The first deposit of $60 is due July 7 and the second payment on August 4 of $60.

As always, there is scholarship money available and if you want to participate in anything but money is presenting an issue, then we can work that out. Please do not let costs be the reason you cannot attend.

I’m very excited about this summer and I’m looking forward to the great times.

CCC and Summer Recap

aaron — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:14:51 +0000

Jump

So I know CCC was a while ago, but I feel like I should at least say a little something about how it was. It was awesome!! It was a little different this year because it was in a school, the very place most people are desperately trying to get away from. I was a little concerned because I didn’t know if it would really feel like camp. In some ways I was right. It turns out it was a great thing though because it rained most of the week and we had a roof and air conditioning! That was pretty amazing. The people we worked for were absolutley wonderful as usual. Campfire this year was very good. Over all CCC was a great camp, and in the words of Emma, “This was the best camp ever.”

In other news bible study is going really well. I think everyone who has came so far has really enjoyed it, and we’re learning a lot. You can join us on Thursday nights at 7:00pm.

Here is some CCC photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/aumyshelby/

Church Community

wpadmin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:04:47 +0000

It seems community is changing rapidly through social media and online gaming. Even churches now have internet campuses that are doing very well and reaching a large number of people. I have also noticed a somewhat disturbing trend in at least in my church, that may be due to the new community. In my undergrad, I did some statistical research on Job Loss and church attendance. Turns out conventional wisdom is right, and church attendance does go up when job loss rates are higher. Funny thing is happening right now though, job loss is up and church attendance has not. In some churches, it has even gone down.

In hard times, people look for support and hope, they turn to churches for both religious assurance and community. If people are finding community else where, they may feel less need to turn to churches.

I believe the church has to step up and offer real community. Mega churches attempt to offer this through small groups and traditional churches through Sunday school and the like. I think more is needed. In Acts we see believers hanging out all the time, sharing all their meals, and being in constant community. Churches need to be the social hub for people to come, and share who they are. The good and the bad. Churches need to offer community if its hanging out in coffee shops, or invading congregation members houses, or figuring out how to find jobs for others. Churches have to become more interested in people for people to become more interested in church.

Photo by Photo2217