COMPANIONS IN THE MIDST OF PLAY  

by JJ Ripsam



2018 Celebration leadership did a wonderful job preparing an environment of fellowship, worship, pray, learn, rejoice, celebrate, play, and the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit  was generously share in the sacraments, service projects, and most importantly, having well prepared meals!


As we journey down our paths, we need to come together to experience ALL of these things in unity. In this busy world we sometimes forget to play together. It's so easy in our lives, and at Celebration, to find reasons not to.


Amazing things happen as we play!! Young and old together learn about ourselves, others and the world around us through play.


At the 2018 Celebration, Jeff and Shara set the body up for times of play,

at the pool, campfire, with evening snacks, and the inflatables.


Imagine 6 people of varying ages slipping into a bubble where only their legs are sticking out. We had 6 bubbles filled with both young and old, bouncing into each other, falling and rolling around. Some were running and bouncing off another bubble-clad person and as they ran into each other, the instigator was the one to fly backward to the ground. All were having such a topsy-turvy fun time!


Now, just for a moment, imagine that iconic movie moment when Indiana Jones is running from that giant boulder, about to be crushed. With that thought in mind, enters the GIANT beach ball at the Celebration, but little Sammy had no fear of that 6' tall beach ball rolling over him! Even for me, it was a very wide arm grab to pick this rather large ball up and send it through the air for the kids to chase (see pictures).


I found great joy watching as the children played, but there was a greater joy that I found in seeing adults getting into the midst of the fun, laughing and playing with the next generation of CCM leadership.


Click to view a slide show.