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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
April 2001 |
Reader's Viewpoints
Remembering Methodist Youth Caravans; searching for former caravaners for reunion
RE: "Summer Companies" article, March issue
I wonder if you're aware of its predecessor, the Methodist Youth Caravans. It came to mind especially now because Indianapolis will be hosting a reunion of that group this summer. We expect a couple hundred to attend.
Caravans were for college students and were active around 1941-1958. There was a training site in each jurisdiction.
My site was at Lake Junaluska in 1948. My team went to South Georgia. We committed ourselves to eight weeks after training. We were sent to a church which had requested us, and we spent one full week with intensive youth work.
There were workshops with local youth every day, worship and social events each evening. We stayed in homes of church members and our meals were provided by them, or group meals at the church. We also trained local youth in areas of leadership, worship, social witness, etc.
Wonderful stories came out of those weeks, including youth making decisions to follow Christ, others to accept God's call to ministries within the church, and even some weddings. We did not know until the last night of training who would be our team members or where we would go. The commissioning was an exciting time. Each team had four (4) members and a slightly older (out of college) leader of the team. We were from different states, backgrounds, etc.
Probably seven or eight years ago, Rev. David Sageser, caravaner, formerly from Ohio - now Florida - decided to try to get together a list of former caravaners, then to have reunions annually. Many names of caravaners you would know, including a number of bishops. We still don't have a full list, for it's been a matter of trying to locate them.
The reunion this summer will be at Butler University (using the Christian Theological Seminary chapel for worship) June 18-20. We will be joined by Rev. Rick Pickering and some "Summer Company" students as we seek to bridge the gap of year and generations. This should be exciting.
Dorothy L. Gerner
North UMC, IndianapolisEditor's note: If you are a former caravaner and would like to be involved in the coming reunion, you may contact Dorothy Gerner at 317/283-7175
Notes on Rev. Anne Girton in Liberia
The Hoosier UM News queried Operation Classroom Coordinator, the Rev. Anne Girton regarding reports of flare ups of civil unrest in West Africa. She responds in a recent e-mail:
We are fine. Things get hot and tense up North, we have had the people come back from Ganta for a few days only because they might get cut off for us to get them out if there was a problem. Monrovia is quiet.
Joe and Carolyn [Wagner] arrived Monday night [March 12] and we are having a great time. Our biggest problem right now is getting fuel for the vehicles. It is very high priced $4 per gallon and being rationed. With the gas guzzling van - I prefer to use the Jeep.Anne Girton,
Via e-mail from Monrovia, LiberiaRev. Girton's daughter, Kelly Holtman, e-mailed another update regarding her mother's ministry in Liberia:
Since many of you know her very well, the following news will not surprise you. The Bishop (in Liberia) has appointed her as Senior Pastor for a local church. Obviously, since she is Senior Pastor, there is an Associate pastor. His name is Agrippa. Agrippa will handle most of the preaching duties and Mom will preach as she is able. She is still busy speaking at many churches in the area and organizing the various teams who come over to work.
Many changes are taking place over in Liberia and Mom could use your prayers. She is very busy and working hard. But that's pretty normal for her.
Thank you for the many donations that were shipped over on the containers in January. They should be arriving in the middle of next month [April] and getting those unloaded will keep Mom busy for quite awhile!
If you have any questions or if I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me at kelly_holtman@hotmail.com
Kelly Holtman
Last updated January 14, 2004