Spirituality and Dementia

One of my duties as a hospital Chaplain is to provide pastoral care for patients in the dementia ward. I have found that these men (no women so far) are incredible human beings who have lived unbelievable lives. In many ways, we as humans are a compilation of our experiences, which are stored in our memories. As these men and women lose their memories, they start to lose parts of their identity that make them who they are. We refer to this phenomenon as a “loss of self.” As those who struggle with dementia lose more of themselves, they start to be viewed differently by others including their healthcare team, friends, and family. This different view of those with dementia can sometimes lead to treating them with less honor and respect than they are due as our fellow brothers and sisters.

I believe that all people are created in the image of God and that image does not lessen with age or memory loss. I also believe that those who are worse-off in life are more blessed and favored in God’s eyes. We see this pretty clearly in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 in which Jesus proclaims that the poor in spirit, those in mourning, the meek, and even those who are persecuted are all Blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven. Our brothers and sisters who suffer from dementia are recipients of God’s special blessing. They are the forgetting forgotten in our society, the “least of these.” As God’s hands and feet on this earth, we as Christians need to be open to ministering in a special way to our dementia brethren.

I have searched through the most recent research being done in the medical field to see how people with dementia have been spiritually supported throughout the course of their disease. Though this information is geared toward the healthcare community, it can easily be applied to our approach with friends and family who have dementia.

There is currently a major shift towards holistic care in the healthcare industry. Gaudet and Kligler describe this approach as “radical”, and “a total rewiring of healthcare” (2019, p.S8). Instead of focusing on the patient’s specific problem, we now have the opportunity to examine the patient as a whole human being with all the complexities and dimensions that entails: mind, body, and spirit. This holistic approach is particularly useful in dementia care because caregivers are already caring for the mind and body due to the unique needs of this population. Adding the third leg of spirituality onto the three-legged stool of whole health is a natural next step.

Defining Spirituality

The word spirituality has an ever-evolving and widening definition that has come to mean much more than just religious belief and practice, especially in the medical field. McSherry and Smith define Spirituality as:

"Universal, deeply personal and individual; it goes beyond formal notions of ritual or religious practice to encompass the unique capacity of each individual. It is at the core and essence of who we are, that spark which permeates the entire fabric of the person and demands that we are all worthy of dignity and respect. It transcends intellectual capability, elevating the status of all humanity to that of the sacred.” (2012, p.118)

Clinical Chaplains have found that the act of providing spiritual care is one that seeks to bring value, meaning, and purpose in life (Daly & Fahey-McCarthy, 2014). These are at the core of the human experience and are terms that we can use when speaking with those of other faith groups.

Importance of Spiritual Care in Dementia

By broadening the definition of spirituality, it becomes much easier to visualize the intersection of spiritual care and dementia. The World Health Organization states that “Dementia occurs as a result of a disease process that increasingly damages the brain over time” (WHO, 2019, p.3). With a diminishing capacity in mental function, those diagnosed with dementia will no doubt struggle to express their spiritual needs as the disease progresses. Caregivers should not interpret this as a sign that their spirituality is no longer important to them.

According to Daly and Fahey-McCarthy, spirituality is at the core of who we are. People with dementia not only have a spirit but continue to have spiritual needs, and therefore require spiritual support from others (2014). In fact, studies support those spiritual interventions in the care of aging and dementia patients reduce loneliness, depression, and stress, as well as improves the quality of life (Toivonen, Charalambous, & Suhonen, 2018; Tziraki, Santana, Lausen & Lionis, 2013). It is no wonder that spirituality has become such a strong focus under the holistic approach. If we seek to serve patients well, then spiritual care must become integrated into dementia care.

Although a Veteran’s faith, religion, meaning, and purpose all remain important as they journey through dementia, these features may not appear explicitly, which can make providing or their spiritual needs difficult. Studies show that the following points are central to spirituality in dementia patients:

Positive attitudes
Communicating values
Engaging in faith communities
Practicing spirituality
Connection with others
(Daly & Fahey-McCarthy, 2014).

Those who felt most spiritually supported participated in prayer, spiritual discussion, reminiscing about past religious experiences, reading spiritual texts, listening to music, and felt a sense of being connected with their religious community (Toivonen et al., 2018).

When asked about what was most sacred to them, those with dementia reported hands down that relationships were at the core. These sacred relationships include God, the religious community, family/friends, and the self (McGee & Myers, 2014). In addition to these, “Enabling the discovery of meaning and hope through discussion and the expression of feelings” has been found to be an effective means of supporting spirituality (Wolverson-Radbourne, Clarke, & Moniz-Cook, 2010). If we can support these practices and sacred relationships, our Veterans will no doubt begin to exhibit the benefits of positive spiritual interventions mentioned above.

Challenges

Though supporting the spiritual needs of each Veteran is central to providing holistic care, there are many challenges in doing this well when it comes to dementia. Nursing staff have reported the difficulty of understanding what needs a patient has spiritually when they are no longer able to verbally communicate these needs (Toivonen et al., 2018). In addition to this, many nurses do not feel equipped to provide spiritual care in the first place (Ødbehr, Kvigne, Hauge, & Danbolt, 2015). These are probably the two biggest hurdles in providing holistic care that includes a focus on spirituality for dementia patients. Because of these barriers, regretfully, often those with dementia are not receiving the spiritual support that they desire (Daly, Fahey-Mccarthy, & Timmins, 2016).

The good news is that there are ways to overcome these obstacles in order to provide excellent spiritual care to patients with dementia. One study suggests taking time to learn the life story of each patient, either from the patient themselves (if they are capable) or family members and friends of the patient (McGee & Myers, 2014). The more care providers know about their patients, the better they are able to give individualistic spiritual care. For example, a nurse finds that one of his patients grew up going to church every Sunday and loves the old hymns they used to sing. The nurse could bring in an audio CD of the top 50 greatest hymns and sit with the patient and listen together. Or perhaps he could look up some well-known Bible passages such as Psalm 23 and read aloud to the patient. Relationships are key in spiritual care, and both of these examples demonstrate assisting the patient to connect with the transcendent, others (the nurse), and themselves (memories of their religious participation in childhood). The more one knows about the life of a patient, the easier it will become to provide care that is meaningful to him/her.

For care providers that feel incapable of providing spiritual care, caring for the spirit of a dementia patient can be as simple as treating them as a valuable human being and honoring their worldview (Toivonen et al., 2018). Some starting points could include letting nursing staff and other care providers feel comfortable in being open about their own spirituality. If a member of the care team has a common spiritual or religious background with a patient, they may be the perfect person to provide spiritual companionship to the patient. This could be as simple as sharing a memory such as their first communion, baptism, or Bar Mitzva. These could bring to the surface important spiritual memories for the patient and create an important sense of connectedness with others, which in turn can create a sense of meaning and purpose. Beyond this, it would not be hard to bring in a Chaplain to train the staff on providing basic spiritual care. This will increase the confidence of those providing care to feel they are empowered to give the spiritual care their patients are desiring. Studies show that there is a need for care providers and nurses to further their education and competence in the area of spiritual care (Daly, et al., 2016). Many hospitals have Chaplains that are prepared to provide such training for staff that request it.

Chaplains are a vital part of the interdisciplinary team covering the care of dementia patients. Chaplains are clinically trained to assess the spiritual needs of each patient and implement a plan for their spiritual care that is based on that patient’s unique spirituality. This includes assessing the spiritual needs of patients with dementia. In addition to assessment, Chaplains are able to provide direct spiritual care for those Veterans who practice the same faith as the Chaplain. They are also able to provide resources outside of their faith tradition that facilitates spiritual care for Veterans including contacting local faith leaders and clergy who could assist with the practice of specific rituals at the Veteran or family member’s request. As mentioned earlier, Chaplains can also be a valuable resource in training staff to provide basic spiritual care.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best way to serve every Veteran holistically, including those with dementia, is to embrace an intentional plan for providing spiritual care. To some degree, each member of the care team is able to provide spiritual care to their patients through the very act of treating these incredible human beings with the dignity and kindness that they deserve. Though Chaplains are the subject matter experts on spiritual care in the clinical setting, patients will often seek this care from those they know and trust most: the nurses and staff that care for them throughout their day. Staff members, family, and friends should be encouraged to pray, sing, read scripture, and listen to memories as they feel comfortable and competent to do so. Dementia patients can benefit greatly from this type of individualized care. They may not be able to express it, but their soul is being fed by this intentional and loving care for their spirit.

References

Daly, L., & Fahey-McCarthy, E. (2014). Attending to the spiritual in dementia care nursing. British Journal of Nursing, 23(14), 787–791. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2014.23.14.787

Daly, L., Fahey-Mccarthy, E., & Timmins, F. (2016). The experience of spirituality from the perspective of people living with dementia: A systematic review and meta-synthesis. Dementia, 18(2), 448–470.

Gaudet, T. & Kligler, B. (2019) Whole health in the whole system of the Veterans Administration: How will we know we have reached this future state? The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2019 25(S1), S7-S11.

McGee, J. S., & Myers, D. (2014). Sacred Relationships, Strengthened by Community, Can Help People with Mild or Early-Stage Alzheimer’s. Generations, 38(1), 61–67. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih&AN=94912228&s…

McSherry W., Smith J. (2012) Spiritual Care. In McSherry W., McSherry R., Watson R, eds, Care in Nursing, Principles, Values, and Skills. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Ødbehr, L. S., Kvigne, K., Hauge, S., & Danbolt, L. J. (2015). Spiritual care to persons with dementia in nursing homes; a qualitative study of nurses and care workers experiences. BMC Nursing, 14, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-015-0122-6

Toivonen, K., Charalambous, A., & Suhonen, R. (2018). Supporting spirituality in the care of older people living with dementia: a hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry into nurses’ experiences. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 32(2), 880–888. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12519

Tziraki, C., Santana, S., Lausen, B., & Lionis, C. (2013). Spiritual Care in the Integrated Care Paradigm: A Road Map for Physiological Aging and Chronic Illness. International Journal of Integrated Care (IJIC), 13, 1–3. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=her&AN=97570564&site=ehost-live

Wolverson Radbourne, E. L., Clarke, C., & Moniz-Cook, E. (2010). Remaining hopeful in early-stage dementia: A qualitative study. Aging & Mental Health, 14(4), 450–460.

World Health Organization. (2019) iSupport for dementia. Training and support manual for carers of people with dementia, 2019. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO

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Lexington and Concord at 250

By Steven Longenecker • April 23, 2025

By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood, And fired shot heard round the world. “Concord Hymn,” Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1836. This is true. The American Revolution was transformative. One hundred years later, poet James Russell Lowell celebrated the modest span as “era-parting.” As the Concord militia ran across the bridge chasing retreating redcoats, they ran from one era into another. This is also true. The United States was the first government founded on the principle that “all men are created equally.” To be sure, this noble concept was very imperfectly implemented, but nobody else, certainly not European monarchies, even pretended to believe it. On April 19 we rightly celebrate the 250th anniversary of Concord, the beginning of a war that led to American independence. But there’s more. The first shots were not fired across Emerson’s “rude bridge” but on Lexington Common. Here three British companies faced the village militia. Major John Pitcairn, the British commander, ordered the Massachusetts men to disperse. The militia captain, John Parker, seeing that his men were significantly outnumbered, ordered them to break ranks and leave. But before they could, somebody—we still don’t know who—shot, and the British spontaneously responded with heavy fire. Then, again without orders, they charged, shooting and bayoneting, including the wounded. Historians disagree over whether British officers encouraged the melee or futilely screamed for order. Almost certainly, however, redcoats cut down fleeing militiamen. It was more massacre than battle. This atrocity, not Emerson’s “shot heard round the world,” inaugurated a lengthy, difficult, brutal war. The War for Independence lasted eight years, the longest conflict in American history until Vietnam and now fourth behind Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam. Civilians were targeted, casualties high, and prisoners, when taken, treated inhumanely. Lexington wasn’t the only time in the war when wounded and surrendering soldiers were assaulted; both sides did it, but more often the British. As people of faith remember Lexington and Concord, they can find three takeaways. 1. Injustice creates conflict. Identifying wrongs inflicted upon us comes naturally, but the call is to recognize injustice felt by others. The colonists had legitimate grievances: They were unrepresented in Parliament and taxed without their consent, a fundamental injustice. Logically, they demanded self-government. For ignoring American complaints, Imperial leadership lost some of its most valuable colonies, and its military endured high casualties. The lesson is that release for the captives and freedom for the oppressed are both the right thing to do—"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”—and pragmatic because of the problems they solve. 2. Similarly, bad things happen when people stop listening to each other. Mostly, this falls again on the British. Even a few months after Lexington and Concord, independence was still not mainstream among Americans, who probably would have accepted something short of full sovereignty. How might the history of the British Empire evolved if it had listened and applied the Golden Rule? Tone-deafness cost the British severely. Likewise, may we remember that most arguments have two sides. The Empire’s anger over the extensive property damage caused by the Boston Tea Party feels legitimate. Refusal to concede that the other side has a point or two often has significant practical cost, in this case further widening the breach between the Empire and its seaboard colonies. This is not to say that Jesus compromised his values, but he lunched with tax collectors and sinners and, presumably, listened. 3. Wars are easier to start than to stop. This includes labor (strikes) and trade wars. The great conflict that started on Lexington Green lasted much longer than anybody thought. In fact, there was little deliberation. Tensions escalated and anger boiled until violence erupted, and once the floodgates of war opened, it took eight years and rivers of blood spilled before they closed. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are not only the children of God but, in practice, they rescue society and, especially, innocents from the suffering of war. In the long run society is best served by peace (and justice). Do justice, listen, and make peace: Put together, these lessons from Lexington are foundation stones of Christian behavior, and they equip Brethren to be the salt of the earth in tumultuous times. Steve Longenecker is Professor of History, emeritus, at Bridgewater College (VA). Photo by Donovan Reeves on Unsplash

Southeast Shares and Celebrates at Regional Gathering

By Scott Soden • April 23, 2025

On Saturday, April 5th, churches and representatives from across the Southeast Region of The Brethren Church gathered at Windhaven Church in Mount Jackson, VA, for a powerful day of fellowship, prayer, and storytelling. Over 75 attendees, including 25 enthusiastic youth from several churches, came together to celebrate and share inspiring stories of how God is transforming their communities and responding to the urgent need for hope, love, and connection in these divided times. The gathering was a flurry of activity. Here are some of the highlights: During the morning, the youth poured themselves into a community service project; they assembled water bottles with socks, other essential items, and snacks for local homeless shelters. Chyann Mackey and Laura Waldron (Both of Mount Olive Brethren Church, McGaheysville, VA) shared their excitement about preparations for this summer's camp, now under the new name: Kairos! Their palpable enthusiasm left attendees eager to witness how God will use this initiative. Pastor Don White (St. James Brethren Church, Fairplay, MD) shared a powerful message about the importance of experiencing God's presence and living in both spirit and truth. St. James is growing and actively engaging in local ministry initiatives, primarily through the Women's Missionary Society (WMS) groups from collaborating churches—truly a remarkable story worth sharing. Sara Moore (Saint James Brethren Church) emphasized Brethren Academy's vital connection to the region and showcased current and former students who now serve as mentors or in ministry within their local churches. Looking for ways to grow your youth in Christ? Check out Camp Kairos, Engage Youth Conference (both this summer), and Brethren Academy this fall! Valerie and Micah Ceary from the Gathering Church (Hagerstown, MD) and Joe and Katie Turner shared updates through videos about their new church plants in Maryland, which are advancing in unique ways throughout the region. Pastor Lee Reams (Compass Community Church) highlighted his church's summer sports outreach they put on in cooperation with Eukarya Christian Academy in Stephens City, VA. Read more about it at https://www.brethrenchurch.org/compass-community-wraps-up-summer-sports-outreach . Pastor Todd Crowder and the team at Maurertown Brethren Church (Maurertown, VA) are inspiring witnesses through their work with inner-city kids. Hearing Todd's journey—starting with one child in his truck and expanding as kids sought connection and fellowship—was uplifting. Pastor Kent McKay (Canvas Community Church, Winchester, VA) discussed the importance of vision and mission in the recent merger. Canvas Community Church was formed from the merger of Canvas Church, a local non-denominational church, and our own Grace Community Church in late 2022. Now, less than three years later, a full one-third of the new congregation are new members to their congregation and were not part of either Canvas or Grace Community. This remarkable statistic is a testament to the efficacy of their outreach and the work of God in Winchester. Pastor Brad Reaves showed a video highlighting the impactful work in Guinea-Bissau, where they partner with One Child to use the Bridgely App to fund children's schooling. Additional highlights included a recap of the recent Regional Women's Retreat, celebrated as a resounding success, and updates from the Gathering Church in Winchester, VA on their substantial outreach to local homeless shelters as they celebrate their fourth anniversary this Palm Sunday. Pastor Simon Flint spoke about their Toddler-Time outreach at Muskoka Community Church in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, which positively impacts mothers and families during the cold winter. Pastor Dave Stone shared in a video update how Sarasota First Brethren Church is recovering after Hurricane Milton damaged its building (read more about that at https://www.brethrenchurch.org/nappanee-brethren-repair-hurricane-damage ). During that same update, Dave Stone noted that their facility is used by seven Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous groups every week. What an extraordinary array of stories! God is surely at work, using the Brethren Church in remarkable ways. Please share the good news of what God is up to in your church and community at our MemoryFox page . We look forward to sharing more inspiring stories from your region as well!

Tucson First Brethren Celebrates Retirement of Roger Stogsdill

By Dan Acker • April 15, 2025

A Legacy of Faith and a New Chapter: First Brethren Church Celebrates Pastor Roger Stogsdill's Retirement and Welcomes New Leadership

Pasadena Centro Crista Celebrates Baptism

By Dan Acker • April 15, 2025

Joyful Celebration as Pasadena Centro Crista Welcomes Daniela Escobar Through Baptism

Cay Pombo Brethren Church in the Philippines Celebrates First Anniversary

By Scott Soden • April 9, 2025

On Sunday, March 23, the Brethren Church in Cay Pombo, Philippines gathered as usual to lift their hearts and hands in praise and worship to God, their Father. Yet that day was far more than a typical Sunday; it was a joyous celebration of God’s goodness and all He has accomplished in the church during its first full year of ministry. “As we celebrated our 1st anniversary, we're reminded that God has a plan to prosper us and give us a hope and a future. We're excited to see how He will continue to work in the lives of many through the JOFF (Jesus Our Firm Foundation) Cay Pombo Church. We've seen God move in amazing ways. We've witnessed lives transformed, relationships built, and how Jesus moves in everyone's lives, and yet, we know that this is just the beginning. We're trusting God to guide and direct us always. To God be all the glory! Happy anniversary, JOFF Cay Pombo! As we celebrate this first year of ministry and Kingdom growth, may this moment inspire the church here in the United States and around the world to boldly witness for Jesus in our neighborhoods, communities, and nations. Amen!!! Scott Soden Coordinator, Brethren Global Partners

Relaunch of ChristCore Brethren Church

By Paul Lattimer • April 9, 2025

Hey everybody! It's been a couple years since ChristCore Brethren Church went on hiatus, and I wanted to share a brief but exciting update. I've felt the Lord stirring in my heart over the past year to try starting it again. ChristCore went on hiatus and we downshifted heavily after Alexander Stillion, one of our members, passed away in a motorcycle accident. Quite honestly, I was depressed and didn't want to keep doing this plant without my friend. During this time, Terry Hofecker and Josh Coffee, pastors of Agora Church in Columbus, Ohio, were gracious and gave Micaela and I a "landing place" while ChristCore paused. Now, we sense the Lord is calling us to pilot the ship once again, and I am excited to both share and ask for your prayer support as we relaunch ChristCore! We held our first new gathering on Friday, March 2 and hosted 7 adults and 2 kids (OTHER than Micaela, myself, and our kids). During our time, we had a Bible study on part of Matthew 5, lyric discussion of the Christian Metalcore song “Immortal” by War of Ages, and shared prayer requests and praises and prayed with each other. Thank you for your prayer support!!! Praise the Lord! Paul Lattimer Pastor, ChristCore Brethren Church

Brethren Church in Lima Peru Celebrate Four Baptisms

By Scott Soden • April 1, 2025

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the small congregation at the church in Lima went to a local beach for a very special time of transformation and celebration. Here is what Pastor Luis Angel has to say about the day's events: “Our church recently celebrated the baptism of four members. Franz and Bertha, who have been part of our congregation for several years, had not previously been baptized due to various circumstances. Leslie, Franz's girlfriend, and Luca, a young leader in our church, are newer members who decided to take the step of faith during their discipleship journey. Initially, Luca's baptism was scheduled for July 2024, but due to my motorcycle accident we had to postpone the ceremony. We decided to reschedule for the summer when the weather is more conducive. Franz and Leslie joined the discipleship program during the waiting period, followed by sister Bertha a month ago. All four will continue their discipleship classes, deepening their spiritual roots and developing their gifts for service.” Let us joyfully celebrate the incredible work God is doing through our partners in Peru and across the globe! Scott Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners

Baptisms in Chile - A Day for Celebration and Transformation!

By Scott Soden • March 19, 2025

Sunday, March 2, 2025, was a very special day at Bet-El Church (Brethren Church) in Santiago, Chile! Your partners celebrated together the act of faith and renewal in baptisms, where six brothers and sisters took an essential step in their Christian walk. It was a time of joy, excitement, and spiritual fulfillment as we saw Jesus’ mandate, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” fulfilled. The day of transformation continued through the afternoon as the congregation celebrated all that God is doing in their community through the love and sacrifice of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Follow this link to see the video recap of the event, which relives the most significant moments of this special day. Thank you for being a part of this community of faith and the Brethren movement worldwide! We especially thank and pray for Pastor Carlos Quiroga and Pastor Zulema Zagal, who shared the blessings of this amazing moment in the church with us! Scott Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners

Praise, Prayer, and Provision in India!

By Scott Soden • February 26, 2025

Praise, Prayer, and Provision in India! The Brethren Church in India has been very busy these last few months with the ongoing work of the ministry. Although it doesn’t snow in India, this time of year brings rainy weather and cooler temperatures. Thanks to your generosity, Nirmala was able to purchase blankets, towels, and other necessities for the children at the orphanage. These gifts mean more than you can imagine to those who possess very little. Now, the children can feel assured of staying warm and dry during the cooler months. Sudhir has been making trips around the region to meet with many Brethren, pastors, and congregations. He and his wife, Latha, often bring words of encouragement and love during their visits. In Rajahmundry, Nirmala and the leaders held a special day of praise and prayer on January 26th. Many from the community joined in the event, singing and worshiping the Lord for His provision, mercy, and grace. Prayer filled the church throughout the day, with many people on their knees. These prayers were not only for the church and the local community but also for you! They prayed for the awakening of the church worldwide, for repentance, and that everyone would find hope and life in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. What a testimony to all that God continues to do with and through His people around the world! Scott C. Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners

Camp Kairos Winter Retreat

By Laura Waldron, Chyann Mackey • February 19, 2025

The first annual Camp Kairos Winter Camp, held at Potomac Park in Falling Waters, WV, from January 17th to 19th, was a resounding success. Attendance exceeded expectations, with over 120 attendees in 3rd through 12th grades representing six different churches (Compass, The Gathering, Oak Hill, St. James, Liberty, and Mt. Olive). New friends were made, old friends reconnected, and everyone looked forward to a wonderful weekend together. Camp Kairos’s theme was "ONE," based on Philippians 1:27, how we are one mind, body, and spirit in Christ. This theme was the thread that tied the weekend's activities and worship services together. Amanda Carriere and Brandon Hartle (both of St. James) shared messages with the campers, and Lee Reams (Compass) and the Compass Youth Praise band led the camp in worship. Afterward, our elementary campers would dig deeper into the message with a Bible video and discussion. Campers were divided into small groups for hands-on activities and games that reinforced the Bible lessons. The weekend was jam-packed with fun and fellowship. Camp kicked off with a pizza party, worship, and brownie sundaes. The weekend was filled with fun activities including a marshmallow snowball fight, snow globe craft, gingerbread contest, snowman building contest, and an ultimate small group competition. Other favorites from the weekend included tubing down Slippery Slopes, playing basketball and soccer in the indoor gym, enjoying ice cream at PERKS Coffee Shop, a campfire with smores, and a glow dance party. Meals were great and special accommodations were made by the Potomac Parks chef for those with allergies. Chyann Mackey and Laura Waldron, both of Mt. Olive, organized the camp and served as its Co-Directors. They led a small army of volunteers who made the Southeast Region’s winter camp possible. They included Morgan Sterling (The Gathering), Avery Zimmerman, Nancy Zimmerman, Marty Dearing, and Lucy Johnson (all of Mt Olive); Drew Fox, Ronnie Helton, Kelly Helton, Kim Butner, and Tricia Haynes (all from Oak Hill). A big, big THANK YOU to all of the folks who made Camp Kairos 2025 a huge success! It was an amazing weekend, and we are excited and expectant to see the Lord move in huge ways as we continue planning summer camp. Thank you for all of your prayers and support! Chyann Mackey and Laura Waldron