Hi all, 

Hasn’t 2021 gone by quickly?  It only feels like yesterday that I was getting my own kids ready for the school year and now we’re talking about what we might do for the July School Holidays! 

Speaking of which, Scripture Union are holding a camp during the School Holidays and I’ve attached the information flyer and registration details in this article so please take advantage of this opportunity as they are an excellent way for kids to meet new people and have a great time being involved in activities, that you don’t have to organise or think up yourself, to keep your children entertained for a few days over the holidays? 

Here’s the details:

The camp is for Grade 7 to Grade 9 students at Carnacoo, Paper Beach, from 3rd to 5th July.  The camp is based on the movie 'Ready Player One?' and the theme is 'Game On: Playing the Game of Life'. The main content of the camp will be about building positive relationships, positive choices and just enjoying the fun of being a teenager by games, camp-fire, craft and laser tag in the bush. There will also be some minimal Christian input which campers can opt out of should they not feel comfortable engaging with this.  

There is a flyer and a registration form attached but the easiest way to register is online at: 

https://www.trybooking.com/BQPIX 

If you would like to register but haven't got a credit card you just can enter one of the promo codes (below) at the checkout stage, the price will go to $0 and you will be allowed to finish registration.

Cash Payment: SUBeyond21Cash

Direct Deposit Payment: SUBeyond21DD

If you have any questions please contact the names listed on the flyer for clarification.  

Warren Kinman (0405 326 525) or

Stephanie Sebastian (stephanie.sebastian@sutas.org.au) 

Also, be sure to take some time out for yourself as the shorter days and cooler weather sets upon us for another season, because the fact is, people can get the ‘winter blues’. The following link is to a great article about this phenomenon. Seasonal affective disorder: Can winter really send you into a case of seasonal depression? - ABC News 

There has been a lot of focus on the area of self-care over the past 18 months and I’ve also had to make time for ‘me’ amongst all that has been going on.  I find a great way to destress or to stay sane is going for a walk to a favourite spot and taking in the sounds in a mindful way; what do I hear, what things are going on around me, is there a different flower in bloom or are there leaves on the ground, how does this make me feel? It certainly helps to view things in a calm way?

What’s your destress activity? 

If you’ve never heard of mindfulness and would like to explore this concept more, or check out some ideas for mindfulness activities visit: positivepsychology.com 

Take care and be kind to yourself and others. 

Paul Burton

Chaplain