stories and photos submitted by Pr. Derek Hoven, Conference Dean and pastor at Salem, Orlando.

Thirty kids and their adult leaders shared a Friday evening of games and worship. Saturday morning the kids shared time with a teacher from Killarney Elementary School in Winter Park. Twenty-five percent of the student body at Killarney is homeless and the entire student body is on free and reduced lunch. The group was able to hear about the sorts of situations these homeless families live in, the stress of homelessness, and the interventions the school has developed to make the school a safe and supportive environment. This conversation was surprising for the kids. One student, Isabella, shared that she learned that “we should always help people in need.”


This lock-in grew out of ongoing cooperation between the congregations who have been sharing trips to summer camp and confirmation gatherings for several years.