One winter weekend, the Anglicans and Lutherans in New Denmark, NB, hosted a Survivor Weekend. The local media was contacted and the pastors were interviewed on CBC morning radio, challenging each other and their communities to fun competition.
Each parish set up an abode (tent) for their pastor, outside in the snow, for the pastor to live in for a whole weekend. CTV news took great care in having the pastors explain their set-ups and who provided the items used. The event started Friday around 4pm and ended Sunday morning when the pastors set off to their respected churches to lead worship.
Each congregation was to look after their pastor: bringing shelter, food, hot drinks, providing fire wood for the shared fire. One member brought warm bricks wrapped in towels for the bottom of the pastor’s sleeping bags. Kindness was allowed in that the pastors used the tiny bathroom in one of the churches.
Each hour an event was led by the pastors; small competitions between Lutherans and Anglicans. Events included: a scavenger hunt, snow sculptures, a snowball fight, fox in the hen house, a hymn challenge (all the hymns with the word love, go back and forth, with the side who gets the most winning the challenge – other words were also used); which congregation had the most scripture memorized, Bible trivia and/or pictionary, ask denomination specific questions back and forth, et cetera. For each activity points were given for participation, creative answers, and who had the most fun. In the evenings, many people in the farming community came and sat around the campfire, drinking hot chocolate, telling stories, and singing. For it being -20C, it felt warm. Hearts were made glad through fellowship and relationship growing. It also grew trust between the congregations and the pastors.
After worship services on Sunday, the event ended with a chili cookoff.