Gene Montterestelli (of APeX) has been telling me I really need to be a part of this experience in the Washington DC area.

It seems Tom Hild, of St. Rose of Lima Parish, (seen here with his wife Julie)

was talking with other youth ministers 9 years ago about how the workcamps they were going to were really great but why were they having to go away to serve and work for justice?

I was so impressed to be with over 300 teens and adults for 2 nights as they worked in over 26 sites across the metro Washington DC area…anything from advocacy on Capital Hill with legislators to working with orphans, Hispanic outrach, people with cerebral palsy, senior citizens and children.

Most of the teens were from the DC/Va/Baltimore area though there were groups from Boston and Marietta GA there.

A high value in this week is teen leadership…I was impressed with the animators who led discussion groups. I really loved the teen house band who really pumped up the crowd every night.

There is a strong flavor of both service AND justice in this experience. I offered some challenging words about Catholic social teaching, one that stretched me as a presentor as well as many who heard the remarks.

I had a lot of fun with the leadership of the event. Tom is tenacious about teen empowerment and is great with process and relating with teens. He plays a mean guitar and drives in a most interesting manner.

Anne Marie Cribbin was my hostess—

she is witty and fun to be with and a fashonista in every sense of the word. She is very gifted in so many ways and I am glad she works with teens.

Justin Russell (below with his back to the camera)

was the programming designer for this year’s content; I am impressed with his ability to be clear as well as his ability to keep a straight face as Anne Marie, Tom , Tammy Everard (another speaker) and I became the percussion section as he led singing at many residences.

Ann Gradowski had logistics and I marveled at how she oversaw the details for meals and site coordination and more. Justin’s wife, Meg, led prayer with energy and depth and got teens into early each morning.

We were housed at the University of Maryland where there are sculptures of their mascot, the turtle, everywhere–

Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets was big here (alum???) and I loved this morphed “Kermit meets terrapin”.

I felt blessed to be given this opportunity. Thanks to all for a great few days and welcoming me into the Encounter Family.