On September 8, we will observe Camp Genesis Sunday with guest preacher Deacon Kim Crecca from St. Matthew’s in Tucson, who is also the diocesan Prison Ministry Convener. There will be a call to action to support children who have a parent in prison at all three services. Camp Genesis, held at Chapel Rock Camp and Conference Center in Prescott, AZ, addresses the special needs of children ages 8-13 who live under the stigma of having an incarcerated parent, allowing them to be kids among peers who understand their experiences. The camp occurs during the summer and lasts a whole week. While at camp, they worship and grow together, hike, kayak, conquer the climbing wall, and zoom down the zip-line. They get to enjoy being kids and form a community through a Christ-centered learning environment.

Approximately 176,000 children in Arizona have a parent in jail or prison+ and without intervention, are five times more likely to be incarcerated themselves. Most of the kids that attend this camp live in foster homes or with grandparents or other relatives who are struggling to make ends meet. That’s why Camp Genesis is offered at no cost to the camper. The only way these kids can participate in this experience is through the generous support of donors. The cost to send one camper to Camp Genesis this past summer was $480. As a church community, if we all donate a few dollars, together we can help a child attend Camp Genesis.

We will Pass the Plate for Camp Genesis on September 8. All loose cash in the offering plate or checks with “Camp Genesis” in the memo line will go towards Camp Genesis Camperships. Online donations can be made from September 3 - 10, 2024.

+www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov