Here are some pics of our family at Peace Camp. We had a wonderful time and would like to express our gratitude to Jamie, Ray and Jazzy for their hospitality,hard work, before, during and after the event. Three of the newer UU families had a chance to bond and get to know each other. Lot’s of discussion on many topics. Respect and boundaries among the adults didn’t have to be discussed. People who have boundaries automatically respect the boundaries of others. That is one thing our family likes about the Marquette UU Congregation, nobody impedes on others, we are allowed to invite you in. We have great guidance for our children with Jamie and her understanding of what has happened to Amber and our children’s culture both past and present and it makes us a little more at ease knowing someone, “Get’s it” that discrimination is real in Society and it’s not a fabrication of our imagination and doesn’t minimize it. The Harrington’s have been loving and gracious to us, as you can see Jason giving Dylan his, “First” boat ride in the Kayak. Boyana and I were the Oldest and Youngest of the Peace Camper’s.

There are a lot of things in our society that need addressing and we each have our own reason’s for doing and believing what we do. Mainly, folks really need to get along and not hurt each other and that includes taking care of Mother Earth. Without her, we have nothing. The dedication service of our children was living and real to us because we can’t do it on our own. We are only stewards of them for a short time and it is comforting to know that the youth of our congregation can teach us lessons by their actions. Like, when our kid sneaks out the door to be with the other’s, he is OK with them. I seen Dylan stuck half way down a sand hill, to weak to make the climb back up and one of the kids went down, picked him up and carried him up the hill to the top. They have our family’s back making “Me” mostly realize that I don’t have to be a helicopter! And, the wisdom of the older generation who can humbly laugh with their experience to ease the fear of the younger without saying a word (Sari showed up for a bit with a delicious salad). Not forgetting to mention Teri’s non-pushy approach but, when asked, teaching us spot on when we are befuddled by the behavior of a youngster. We are blessed… Peace!
Billy Mercer