St. Mike's Was an Enriching Experience--As Always!

St. Michael's Youth Conference--Southwest, a six-day Anglo-Catholic spiritual retreat for twelve-to-twenty-year old youth, concluded yesterday at Camp Crucis near Granbury, Texas. It was a wonderful experience for the kids and for the faculty and counselors. I was a Bible instructor again, teaching the required "Receiving the Word of God" survey class and an elective on the Revelation to St. John. This was my third time to teach at St. Mike's, so I received the coveted St. Michael the Archangel Medal that all three-time Michaelites receive in accordance with custom.
We all met daily for Morning Prayer, a Solemn High Eucharist, Evensong (that is me above officiating at Evensong on Thursday evening), Compline, and on Wednesday night we stayed for Benediction as well. Every day the kids all took three classes taught by clergy on a variety of subjects, including Scripture, Theology, Ethics, and Liturgy. There were also several meaningful discussion groups every night, as well as plenty of fun activities. The week ends with "The Pageant of Salvation," a dramatic presentation of Scripture readings put on by the young people. Each year I am especially moved by the Blessed Virgin Mary carrying the Pascal candle into the church as a symbol of the Incarnation.
We had kids and faculty from all over North Texas taking part, both from within ACNA and from traditionalist parishes still within TEC. We even had a priest, two kids, and a counselor with us from the diocese of San Joaquin, California! Keep your eyes peeled for information about next year's St. Mike's.
BTW, the whiteboard above was "left behind" after one of our numerous evening discussion groups. Can you guess what the topic was?