Hello Blog Friends!
I’m pretty sure that some of you are not familiar with the Feast of Candlemas, so do check the link to find out more. My favourite part about this Holy Day is that, historically, it marked that end of the Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Season and so, if you observe Candlemas, you have the perfect excuse to keep your Nativity Scene (and even your Christmas Tree) up, until February 2nd!!
This evening we will be hearing from Team Alumnus, Anna, about Roman Catholic observances around Candlemas, as she is our Team Gathering Speaker. Last year Brenda, another alumnus and an Anglican, shared from that perspective so I’m looking forward to learning about similarities as well as differences, having just recently observed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. But the Team Gathering is yet to happen, so let’s take a look at the week just ending.
The week began with the arrival, Monday, of more content for the 2025 Day Camp Program Manual. Joshua sent in the Explorer and Pathfinder Small Group materials. It was great to read them over and see all the cool “grabber activities” he has designed, which will surely capture the interest of even the most reluctant, 10-12 year old camper! With that section of the manual in hand I was able to return to my work on the massive supply list. It is important to have that document completed, as it is part of the Acceptance Package, which will be shared, in Mid-February, with the host churches that have already applied.
A good bit of work has also been done on creating posters for both the next season of the Day Camps Cook-Along and the Alumni Lenten Mini-Retreat. After taking a poll of alumni who regularly attend our various programs and events, it was clear that the majority were interested in a one-off Mini Retreat rather than the type of weekly program we had during Advent. Sharon, a member of the DC committee, and I have met and exchanged some emails and are narrowing down the details so, this evening at the Team Gathering, I can at least give out a date for the Mini-Retreat and some initial info.
The messages I have sent out, so far, about the next season of the Cook-Along have produced some good suggestions for themes but, as yet, no one has offered to be a chef. Having three chefs in place is a pretty important starting point so, this evening, I shall be appealing for volunteers and praying I get at least one or two. I will still go ahead and send out a poster to families who usually participate, just so they can pencil in dates (does anyone actually use a pencil any more to put dates in a calendar??).Worst case scenario we could send out an update if we had to cancel, but it is still far enough ahead that there is a good chance it will come together.
All in all it has been a pretty productive week, rounding off, yesterday, with our receiving the third Day Camp Application, this time from a community in Ontario. It is encouraging to be seeing activity in January and I am hopeful we might meet our goal of ten Day Camps in 2025.
This evening’s Team Gathering is starting at 6pm ET as our speaker is in Halifax, where they are one hour later than Québec, so I think it is time to wrap up this post and start my (early!) supper prep! One night this week I made a tasty fried rice dish. Here is the recipe:-
Shrimp and Mushroom Fried Rice
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 cup sliced Cremini mushrooms
- 1 cup small, frozen, cooked shrimp
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely sliced
- 2 Tbsps. olive oil
- ½ a large red pepper, julienned
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tbsps. Tamari
- 2 Tbsps. Asian Oyster Sauce (or Vegetarian substitute)
- 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
- Chopped cilantro and sesame seeds to garnish
Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok and stir-fry the onion, garlic, peppers and mushroom until lightly browned. Add the cooked rice and shrimp and toss until heated through, breaking up any clumps of rice. In a small bowl, beat the eggs with the Tamari, Oyster Sauce and Sesame oil. Pour the mixture over the rice and toss with a wide spatula, until thoroughly cooked and well combined. Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and cilantro. Serves 2-3.