Thoughts for the Adventure
May 23, 2013

Last Friday night I was blessed to camp out for a night with our Cub Scout pack. Over the last few months we raised enough money to plant thirty 10-15 foot Spruce and Aspen trees. We worked with the Forest Service and it was suggested that the spot with the greatest need was the Silver Bell Campground not far from the Maroon Bells.

While more showed up Saturday morning, 15 boys and their dads drove up the road late Friday afternoon to camp out. We were given a key to the gate, which blocked the road to the Bells and the campgrounds, which was closed until early this week. The Forest Service was happy to have us stay ahead of opening because of our project. The night was cold, breezy, and perfect for telling stories around a campfire. A bit after 5 AM, several boys decided it was time to get up, long before the sun rose. While we all could have used a bit more sleep, it was a good thing we got an early start as a frigid cold front along with snow and high winds came into the valley in the early afternoon. As I stumbled around in the pre-dawn hours, I thought of one of my dad's favorite sayings decades ago, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

Planting the trees required careful planning, heavy equipment, knowledge about how to properly plant each tree, and coordination between young boys, dads, and forest service folks who showed up in the morning to provide some help.

After back breaking hard work and a lot of hours, the trees were all planted. The boys clearly felt proud of the project and could see the tremendous difference they had made in that little spot in the world.

The trees, like the boys, will be shaped over the course of time by things outside of themselves. Each season will affect what those Spruce and Aspen trees look like five, ten, and twenty years from now and beyond.

As we took pictures, what hit all of us was that one day the boys will be grown, just like the trees. What struck me is that while we may not have much control over the elements the trees are exposed to, we can exert a lot of influence over what those boys will experience as a result of being in our presence. The same can be said, of course, for all people we encounter.

Like forces of nature in a forest, those around us as a result of our actions, words, and attitudes, can be affected for the better or for worse. The shape and destiny of those with whom we are closest, is dramatically impacted by who we are. Each moment with another we can scar or heal, nurture or deplete, drain or build-up, facilitate growth or diminish, add to or take away from, and help or hinder.

Just like the elements leave marks on the trunks and branches of trees, we do the same with those who are part of our day-to-day lives or those we simply meet once. The question for each of us with each interaction, is, "What kind of mark shall I leave?"

Robert +

Kids & Families

I just wrapped up a four-week parenting course here at the Chapel and one of the most powerful messages I share comes from the book Redirecting Children's Behavior: all children want to feel valued, listened to, important and loved; and that parents' real "power" comes in their connection to their kids. I've been preaching that message for a dozen years, and now, as I sit flipping through an interview in O magazine with the wonderful Brene Brown, I see the same message reinforced! Brene is a professor of social work and researcher who made her mark at Houston's TED conference (her talk has been viewed online by 9 million people!). In the O interview and in her new book she reaffirms what we've been teaching parents for years: "Love and belonging are the irreducible needs of men, women and children. In the absence of these there will always be suffering…Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued." Here's to creating homes (and work places, and schools, and relationships…) where everyone feels a connection!

Charla

Children, Youth & Family News & Events

Chasing Authentic Success
Corey Ciocchetti, professor of ethics at the University of Denver, spoke to a packed house of students and then another full crowd of adults last week at Aspen High School. The event was sponsored by Snowmass Chapel's own Project 18! Click here to watch the full presentation. Just awesome!

Get Fit as a Family
Kids and families ages 6 and up are invited to join us for a beginner triathlon training and race!! We meet at Snowmass Chapel at 10:30 AM each Sunday to train together (kids under 12 with an adult). An at home training schedule is provided for you to complete on your own throughout the week.

Race is in Eagle, CO on July 13. Quarter mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run. Shorter versions for kids ages 6-12. Bring your running shoes this Sunday. Contact Kara for more info. Race link: http://www.lgtri.com/

Family Camping. Join us 6.22.13!
On June 22, 2013, thousands of people across the nation will gather in their backyards, neighborhoods, communities and parks to take part in a one-night free event that is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. The event is called the Great American Backyard Campout and encourages an experience for all generations to connect with nature.

Save the date and please consider joining us as a family for campfires, stories, s'mores, and a place for families to set up tents together. Then we'll go to church together. :o)

For more details and to RSVP, email: Kara@snowmasschapel.org

Mountains of Faith - Mountains of Fun!
Our half-day VBS-style "Mountains of Faith" camp is July 8-12 and we will need plenty of volunteers to make it happen! More than 75 kids attend from 9-Noon each day, for stories games, crafts, music and more. Please contact Charla if you can help lead or assist with one of our groups. Thank you!

Chapel News & Events

Spring Clean-Up at the Chapel – DATE CHANGE
Join us after church on Sunday, June 2nd, to wash windows, spruce up the Chapel and do a little spring cleaning before summer arrives!  All you need are some work clothes, cleaning supplies (if you wish) and a SMILE!  Thank you.

Save the date: 3rd Annual Ladies Luncheon
Ladies, mark your calendar for the return of the fantastic ladies luncheon on June 5th at 12 noon. More details to come!

This Week at the Chapel

Thursday, May 23

AA Meeting 12:00 - 12:45pm "Lunch Crunch" meeting in the Fireside Room

“Sparks” after-school program 4:00pm at the Chapel

Friday, May 24

Multi-generational Movement Class 11:30am in the Creekside Room

Sunday, May 26

Triathlon Group Training 10:30am in the Creekside Room

Thursday, May 30

AA Meeting 12:00 - 12:45pm "Lunch Crunch" meeting in the Fireside Room

“Sparks” after-school program 4:00pm at the Chapel

Birth and Death Announcements

Please join the Chapel in prayer as we give God thanks for the birth of:

Scarlett Stirling Gleason
born to Shawn and Catherine Gleason on December 22nd

Zoe Paige Goodman
born to Raymi and Rachel Goodman on April 19th

Mae Fabel Baker
born to Michael and Ellen Baker on April 22nd