The theme for this years camp is In The Making and its an apt phrase for both Highway and us as individuals.

The team behind the camp spend the whole year planning (in the making) for all the components to come together just as God spends a lifetime shaping our lives for his purpose. He connects all our parts to form a whole being and uses us to connect with others to bring his good news. To be a good witness to the Lord we need exude the nature of God. Our very actions, words and deeds should be a shining light to Gods Love, Grace and Truth. It should be in our DNA, after all, God made us in his likeness. You will hear Andy speak of Highways DNA and this is exhibited in our interaction with the community.

Our camp this year is an extension of the year round interaction in the various communities we live and work in. we have connections with young people through Football and Velocity, families through the Baby store and the Marriage and Alpha courses cater for those seeking to learn and improve. At the camp you will hear of some of the exciting projects that serve communities outside of of scope. We will also be encouraging you to bring your not yet Christian friends so that they amy experience the love and fellowship that our Highway spirit can bring. The success of Velocity has shown us the way and we have much to learn from the format.

This year the camp will be bigger as we extend the invitations to youth and families who have yet to know the Lord. I challenge you all to become the Disciples we need to be and make a positive difference to that friend you have been meaning to talk to about the Lord.

Keep reading as we lead up to the camp.

God Bless

Dave

As I awoke to snow this morning , the third morning in a row, my thoughts immediately went to this years Highway Summer Camp. NOT.

However later on today, and after several prompts from Susie, I realised that I had indeed neglected the blog and should rectify that asap. So here I am in front of the computer with a blank page.

Firstly we have now pretty much set the theme for this years camp and, although I can't reveal it today, as we still have to decide on the artwork, it follows logically from the other camps. Can anyone remember the previous 3 years themes? I can.

Once the artwork is approved we can start to publicise the event and Susie is working hard to pin us down on colours, text and of course program of events.

My role is to coordinate the event and as such I don't really do much more than make sure the teams have the right equipment, space and resource to make the weekend fun, inspirational and well fed. Ruth heads up the catering again this year and I'm sure it will be up to the same quality and quantity as last years.

At this stage the Admin team start to kick in producing flyers and handouts and getting ready to receive bookings and, on that front, I think that the on-line system worked reasonably well last year. If you have any comments on that please post them here. However we will improve on the on-line format of the booking form to make it even easier to understand and use.

As per normal the Camp will be the last weekend of August, 27th-30th. It may even include the bank holiday like last year but I'm not sure on that point.

Look out on this blog only for the Camp 2010 flyer.

Now for Love Bicester.

I'm really excited about Love Bicester as there are so many events going on that can really attract our "not yet Christian" (NYC) friends and put them in front of the Lord. All of the events are listed on the back of the Highway newsletter each week so please have a good look and decide who and to what you will invite them to. There are a few I'm particularly looking forward to, "The God Debate" (commonly known in the team as "grill a Christian") where Michael Green (http://www.theocca.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=45) will debate with an atheist and "Robots, Avatars and Humans a practical demonstration and discussion about Artificial Intelligence in Robots. And yes there will be a Robot there to see!!!

I'm sure the Rugby Dinner will appeal to all the sport loving men in Highway but it is open to all, including women, and features Jonathan Webb (ex England International full back). And no he is NOT the one that Lomu ran over during the 1995 RWC. That was Mike Catt!!! If they had invited a Scottish rugby player I may have gone to that.

As Highway's representative on the Love Bicester Task Force I see first hand the level of commitment and work that all are putting into this 10 day mission and the team from Oxford, headed by Michael Green, are very impressed by how well the 9 churches involved are working together.

Of course we can't do it alone and we need help from members of all churches to help facilitate the events. We have a good core of people in Highway who have already signed up to help but we can always use more! If you feel you can help please contact me asap.

In particular Highway have responsibility for the Film Night, Cafe Youth and the Youth Rally and these will take a certain number of people to support so please help.

Must sign off now as I am meeting the Sehlstedts to look at the new flyer for the Camp.

Blessings DG