The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Camp Washington to hold Weekend of Hope
MORRIS – Camp Washington, a summer camp and retreat center for more than 100 years, is offering a free event, Weekend of Hope and Transformation for middle and high school youths.
The group will gather at 6 p.m. May 13 for an evening of engaging conversation with keynote speaker Shane Claiborne, a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author, followed by group art projects and talk around the campfire.
The larger community will gather from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 14 for singing and prayer, shared words by victims and survivors of gun violence, thoughtful conversation around mental health, safe gun storage and suicide prevention. Claiborne will offer words of change and a call to action. The day is open to all, of all beliefs and ages.
Claiborne worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He leads Red Letter Christians, a movement for those committed to living "as if Jesus meant the things he said”, according to a statement.
“He is a champion for grace which has led him to jail advocating for the homeless, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. Now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty and help stop gun violence,” according to the statement.
Claiborne's books include “Jesus for President”, “Red Letter Revolution”, “Common Prayer”, “Follow Me to Freedom”, “Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream”, “Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers”, “Executing Grace”, “The Irresistible Revolution”, and his newest book, “Beating Guns.”
According to the statement, Claiborne has been featured in a number of films including “Another World Is Possible” and “Ordinary Radicals” and his books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. He speaks more than 100 times a year, nationally and internationally. His work has appeared in Esquire, SPIN, Christianity Today, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal, and he has been on everything from Fox News and Al Jazeera to CNN and NPR. He has also given academic lectures at Harvard, Princeton, Liberty, Duke, and Notre Dame and regularly speaks at denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe.
Registration for both events is free at campwashington.org or call 860-5679623 for details. Camp Washington is located at 190 Kenyon Road, Lakeside, Morris.
This event is supported by grants from the NW Region of the ECCT, Swords to Plowshares Ministry Network of the ECCT, St. James's Episcopal Church-W. Hartford, CT, St. Paul's Episcopal Church -Fairfield, CT, Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, and friends and donors.