Discussion:
Reading: Acts 16:31-34 Reflection: Have you ever seen the classic "The Wizard of Oz?" Because it has been run on TV each year for who knows how many years, I would have assumed that everyone on the planet has seen it. But I am wrong. I know someone who has never seen the film. He got a taste of what it was about one summer while I was working at camp. We developed an All-Camp Activity around the Wizard of Oz. We had staff members dress up like characters from the movie and the object of the game was to go around collecting items from them. But beware of the flying monkeys- they could come and take your items from you. Everyone seemed to enjoy the game except for a few people who were disturbed that we were using the Wizard of Oz at a church camp. They had a problem with having something associated with witches and warlocks being done at a Christian church camp. Being young at the time and since this was all my idea, I was taken aback. I thought it had worked out well and the kids and counselors had a good time doing the activity. It hurt me that someone did not like it and refused to participate. Looking back at it now, I can see that those individuals were just standing for their principles. Perhaps they did have a problem with witches and warlocks and did not want young campers to go home with a message that those types of things were alright. We, of course, were not trying to promote the ideals of witches and warlocks, but you know how impressionable young children can be. I guess I should have admired those people for standing up for their beliefs rather than being upset that they would not play our game. What strength they must have to be able to stand up for what they believe in! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Pray for those who are persecuted for their beliefs.
1 Comment
Heather LeBlanc
3/2/2013 12:43:35 pm
We share a mutual German friend who also had never seen this movie in his thirteen years in the U.S. Just before he left our church, the youth and I held a movie night and watched this from beginning to end. None of us had realized how many cultural references are in this movie, and its deep moral messages were appreciated in a way missed when we had viewed it simply for entertainment. A wonderful classic, especially if the magical references are appreciated as symbolic. Not to denigrate the feelings of those referenced in your memory above.
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