We are now well into the second half of 2020. Many aspects of our daily lives have changed dramatically. What was once thought impossible or challenging, has become reality. We often use one or more virtual platforms now to communicate with each other or to work remotely. For those of us within the Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL) community as well as our local youth and family ministry... it's Zoom!
Over the last four months our younger community, ages 4-12, have been meeting at either 10 or 11am on Sunday mornings. With summer in full swing, there has been a significant decrease in attendance. So much so, that I've decided to take a break during the month of August to re-imagine what our youth program will look like going forward. Stay tuned and feel free to reach out to me via email at susan.robinson@cslsr.org with any questions or if you would like to set up a one on one Zoom meeting.
Our teen group is still going strong! We meet every Sunday from Noon until 1:30 or 2:00 depending on how deep our conversation is. This group serves our 13-18 aged teens and is supported by three adult advisors and one Jr. advisor.
Speaking of teens, on July 13-16 approximately 140 CSL teens and advisors, from all over the US and Canada gathered together in Zoomland, for the first ever Virtual Teen Camp. Our camp theme was "Healing with Change" providing us a platform to move through this year of change in healthy ways. Santa Rosa was represented by 6 of our teens and myself. The photo above is one screen shot of what it looked like to be together in this way. Just as in person camp, our daily schedule was chock full. Many of the activities were optional giving each participant the choice of going where they felt called to be.
Below is a list of a few of the activities that were available:
CSL Trivia - Yoga - Zumba - An in-home Scavenger Hunt - Grief and Loss Support - Dungeons and Dragons Experience - Book Club on The Four Agreements - American Sign Language (ASL lesson) - Getting Crafty - Talent Show - CSL Teen Business Meeting, an amazing workshop on Developing Racial Consciousness and more! There were many silly jokes, music, an impromptu dance party and celebrations for our graduates (we call them Padawan's) as well honoring our outgoing teen leadership team and welcoming our new incoming teen leaders.
One of those outgoing international teen leaders was our very own Dylan Jansen! Dylan served as both a northern Ca. regional winter camp co-director and as a member of the international teen leadership over the last two and a half years.
He has attended multiple work shop planning events, camps, virtual and in-person CSL conventions, numerous calls and has created many social media posts to promote CSL teens. Thank you, Dylan. Your dedication, perseverance and leadership has been an asset to our local teen group and CSL teens globally!
Even though we are not able to be together in person just yet, remember you are an expression of Love! We are always together in heart and Spirit.
Much love and abundant blessings,
Susan
