What is Teen Camp?
Teen Camp is an awesome opportunity for youth ages 13-15 years old to experience the great outdoors, experience all that Wonderland Camp has to offer, and learn about Christ. The overall theme for all of the camps at Wonderland this year is “Mission Possible” and is based on Matthew 19:26: “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”  Teen Camp 2013 will take place from July 15-18.

Special Guest – Steve Fitzhugh
In addition to all of the usual fun Teen Camp offers, this year it will feature a special guest speaker as well named Steve Fitzhugh. Steve speaks to thousands of youth each year throughout the country and abroad. His talks help young people make positive choices in life. Steve’s message challenges the students on critical issues of today: from dropping out to academic leadership; from peer pressure to positive values; from alcohol abuse to freedom from the chemical culture. He encourages those students who have made positive choices. Steve’s style is fresh and humorous as he tells about his stories in the NFL (Denver Broncos) and his own personal experiences. He identifies with the youth of today. He sees what the students see; he feels what they feel; and he understands their situations.

How much does Camp cost?
The Camp fee is $50 per camper. The fee is waived if your Teen is an IL resident and a TXX Form 3 is completed & a current copy of your Mediplan card is submitted. See parent page for additional information.

How do I sign-up my Teen for camp?
Fill out the attached application and mail to: Wonderland Camp, C/o Camp Registrar, P.O. Box 222, 9241 Camp Lake Road, Camp Lake, WI 53109.

When are applications DUE?
Applications are due no later than 1 week prior to your child attending camp. Turn forms in ASAP to ensure that your Teen gets registered as there are limited spaces available.

For more information, and to apply, download the Teen Camp Application 2013 here, or go to www.wonderlandcamp.com.

From The Salvation Army’s UK and Republic of Ireland Territorial website:

I write to inform you that General Linda Bond is entering into retirement.

Following a period of personal reflection and prayer, General Bond has decided that she should relinquish the Office of the General with effect from 13 June 2013. The General’s decision to step down comes after 44 years of ministry.

As is required by our constitution, contained in the Salvation Army Act 1980, the Chief of the Staff will perform the functions of the General pending the election of a new General.

The Chief of the Staff will also shortly be calling a High Council to elect the new General. A further announcement regarding that High Council will be made in due course.

General Bond, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Education and a Master’s degree in Theological Studies, entered the training college in Canada as a cadet in 1967 and was commissioned as an officer two years later. She spent the following nine years in corps appointments, before being appointed first as a member of the training staff at the College for Officer Training in Toronto and then as Territorial Candidates Secretary. She returned to corps ministry, becoming Commanding Officer of the Kitchener Corps, before serving at the College for Officer Training in St. John’s, Newfoundland, as Assistant Training Principal, Divisional Secretary of the Maritime Division and Divisional Commander of the same division.

In 1995 she was appointed to International Headquarters in London as Under Secretary for Personnel. She remained in the United Kingdom, transferring to the UK Territory as Divisional Commander, Central North Division, in 1998. A return to Canada came just over a year later, when she was appointed as Chief Secretary, Canada and Bermuda Territory.

In July 2002 she was appointed to the USA Western Territory, where she served as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries. She returned to International Headquarters in 2005, as Secretary for Spiritual Life Development and International External Relations.

In 2008 she became Territorial Commander of the Australia Eastern Territory. She was elected to The Salvation Army’s most senior office in January, 2011.

We pray God’s blessing upon General Linda Bond as she enters retirement.

Yours sincerely,

André Cox

CHIEF OF THE STAFF

The Scripture that Pastor Harvey Carey is referencing in this talk is 1 Samuel 16:1-7.  Also, he kinda references Justin Timberlake.

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Summer is almost in full swing, and that means….METRO MUSIC CAMP!  If you are between the ages of 10-16, and want to grow in your music skills, then MMC is for you.  If you’re between the ages of 7-10, then Jr. Music Camp is the place for you.  Last, but not least, if you’re interested in growing not only in your musicianship, but also in your leadership skills (and are older than 12), then Metro Conservatory is for you.  Head over to the Music Department’s website to download the appropriate application and send it in ASAP!

WARdrobe is working on an awesome t-Shirt to accompany the new documentary film “Hard Corps” about The Salvation Army’s fight against human trafficking and the growing sex trade in Las Vegas, Nevada. Proceeds will go to support the Army’s fight to end human trafficking. Head over to WARdrobe’s Facebook page to show your support!

About a month ago we had our last Prayer & Praise Night of the 2012-2013 season. We wanted to share the pics from the night right away, but couldn’t because our photographer’s laptop got all jacked up. However, now we have them on our Flickr page for your viewing pleasure. Many thanks to Tabatha Anderson for shooting these and posting them!

To read about what happened at the Chicago Temple P&PN, click here.

At Youth Councils 2013, our special guest speaker, Pastor Phil Jackson, challenged us with many things throughout the weekend, one of which was to pick up our Bibles, and commit to reading Psalm 119 for a period of time, and Psalms 120-134 after that. Here’s how it broke down: Psalm 119 has 22 sections. Commit to reading one section every day for a week, two times each day. That will take us 22 weeks (until September 13). After that, we’ll focus on Psalms 120-134. Read one Psalm ever day for a week, two times each day. That will take us 14 weeks (until December 13).

This week we started section 5 (verses 57-64). Read the below Scripture, and then use the SOAP Bible study method to apply it to your life.

ח Heth

57 You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

Scripture
Read the verses for this week. Don’t rush through them, and try reading them two or three times to bring out the meaning.

Observation
As you read, ask yourself what Scriptures stuck out to you. Why did it grab your attention? What was interesting, meaningful, hard to understand, or difficult to swallow?

Application
How can you apply what you observed so that it affects your life today?

Prayer
Ask God to open your eyes so that you can see ways in which you can apply the Scripture today. Take the Scripture that you read and turn it into a prayer. Personalize it when possible, and it will become all the more real to you. As you do this, you are hiding the Word in your heart (Psalm 119:9).

Young Adults!

At the 2013 Family Congress young adults (ages 18-30) are invited to participate in a one-of-a-kind group exercise called the Young Adult Soapbox with the General. With an informal vibe, this intimate Saturday evening event will bring General Linda Bond front and center, answering questions from the Army’s future leaders—you!

Here’s what you need to know…
1. Space is limited to the first 200 young adults (ages 18-30) who RSVP for the event. Be sure to invite your friends!

2. If you haven’t done so already, please RSVP via our Facebook event.
(If you do not have a Facebook account, please RSVP by emailing uscyouth@usc.salvationarmy.org)

3. This event will take place at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis At The Arch – Grand Ballroom D (4th floor) from 5:00-6:00pm on Saturday, June 8th.
(The address for the Hyatt is 315 Chestnut Street, Saint Louis, Missouri 63102)

4. FREE Dinner will be provided for those who RSVP.

YOUNG ADULTS REPRESENT!

At Youth Councils 2013, our special guest speaker, Pastor Phil Jackson, challenged us with many things throughout the weekend, one of which was to pick up our Bibles, and commit to reading Psalm 119 for a period of time, and Psalms 120-134 after that. Here’s how it broke down: Psalm 119 has 22 sections. Commit to reading one section every day for a week, two times each day. That will take us 22 weeks (until September 13). After that, we’ll focus on Psalms 120-134. Read one Psalm ever day for a week, two times each day. That will take us 14 weeks (until December 13).

This week we started section 5 (verses 49-56). Read the below Scripture, and then use the SOAP Bible study method to apply it to your life.

ז Zayin

49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

Scripture
Read the verses for this week. Don’t rush through them, and try reading them two or three times to bring out the meaning.

Observation
As you read, ask yourself what Scriptures stuck out to you. Why did it grab your attention? What was interesting, meaningful, hard to understand, or difficult to swallow?

Application
How can you apply what you observed so that it affects your life today?

Prayer
Ask God to open your eyes so that you can see ways in which you can apply the Scripture today. Take the Scripture that you read and turn it into a prayer. Personalize it when possible, and it will become all the more real to you. As you do this, you are hiding the Word in your heart (Psalm 119:9).

On behalf of the Band of Survivors Application Review Committee, it gives us great joy to announce that the following people have been accepted to Band of Survivors 2013! God has an intense month of mission and discipleship in store, so congratulate them and pray for them as they get ready for this summer!

Students
1. Adrian Barron (La Villita)
2. Future Brown (Kroc Center)
3. Vernoica Brown (Rockford Temple)
4. Eduardo Castillo (East Chicago)
5. Mackenzie Cox (Oakbrook Terrace)
6. Pierce Cruz (Kroc Center)
7. Alexis Felt (Oakbrook Terrace)
8. Marilyn Gonzalez (Irving Park)
9. Eddie Kang (Mayfair)
10. Iridrian Landero (La Villita)
11. Pedro Lara (Waukegan)
12. Nayeli Manzano (Elgin)
13. Navidad Marquez (East Chicago)
14. Isaiah Morales (Irving Park)
15. Kelsey Strand (Elgin)
16. Jimmy Torres (Des Plaines)

Leaders
1. Johnny Kent (Oakbrook Terrace)
2. Jasmine McCoy (Gary / Merrillville)
3. Nivia Paredes (East Chicago)
4. Rachel Vogeney (Des Plaines)
5. Sam Yoder (Norridge)

Interns
1. Sam Arias (Irving Park)
2. Dave Shay (Irving Park)