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Outdoor and Retreat Ministries |
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Also in this newsletter: Ministry Jubilee Shirt Photo Supporting the Ministry Core Foundations of Camp and Retreat Ministry |
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United Methodist camp and retreat leaders across the United States have committed ourselves to seven core foundations that undergird our ministry. These values emerged from several grass roots gatherings, with broad and inclusive discussion throughout our United Methodist camp and retreat leaders’ network. There is wide agreement through United Methodist camping that these are important aspects of our ministry that we will seek to implement in an intentional way. This powerful statement of shared values has inspired us, and we would like to share them with you. The seven foundations (not in order of priority) are:
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In each newsletter, we will share how we are implementing one of these foundations. This time we focus on “Collaborating with United Methodist Churches and Agencies”
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Collaborating with United Methodist Churches and AgenciesOne of the most fruitful and vital dimensions of United Methodist camp and retreat ministries is our participation in a covenant connection of United Methodist congregations and organizations across the Detroit Conference and beyond. We partner with United Methodist churches agencies in a combined effort to nurture faith in God and to reach out to meet true needs in the world together. We earnestly believe that we can accomplish more together than we can individually – both as church members and as ministry organizations with the whole. We support one another in a common mission that touches local communities far beyond the boundaries of our camp and retreat center sites. We bring the unique gifts of camp and retreat ministries as an asset in support of what local communities of faith are trying to do. We partner by listening, understanding, and supporting the major ministry goals and priorities of local churches, the Conference, and United Methodist agencies. This takes multiple forms, from designing faith-based programs that help members grow in Christian faith and service . . . to hosting discernment and ministry planning retreats . . . to jointly providing experiences and services that directly transform the lives of people and communities served by United Methodist churches and agencies. |
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Lake Huron Retreat Center is a site utilized by many United Methodist Churches as a place to gather as the body of Christ for worship, study and renewal. Men and women come to the lakeshore to experience fellowship with one another and closer moments with Christ. |
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| Finally, we make available to all clergy the opportunity to come to the retreat center for a personal time of rest and renewal. In 2009, over a dozen clergy have spent two-three days at the center for personal time. This opportunity is shared with clergy groups, boards and agencies whenever they are on site. We hope to further extend this offer through information in our newsletter, website and personal invitation. As we partner to provide these opportunities to clergy in the Port Huron District and the Detroit Annual Conference, we assist in the building of our local churches. We ourselves are strengthened as well. To God be the Glory – Great Things He Has Done! |
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Partners in MinistryWhen churches are united in an organization such as an annual conference, they are able to create opportunities for ministry and outreach that the individual churches could not provide on their own. Camp and retreat ministries are one example. Conference camps offer opportunities for children and youth to learn experientially what it means to follow Jesus. Campers participate in an intense but short-term living/learning community. They have the opportunity to put into practice the Christian teachings they have been learning in Sunday School throughout the year. They learn about Christian living by doing Christian living, as well as through worship and Bible study that is developmentally appropriate and is able to accommodate various learning styles. This is an ideal complement to the churches’ on-going Christian education program, which is well-suited for cognitive learning and continuing relationships. |
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| Fred Elmore, the director of Camp Kinawind tells this story:
”While writing an article about how camping partners with local churches, I noticed that a Kinawind camper was active on Facebook, so I clicked on CHAT, explained my topic, and asked, ‘Got any ideas?’ The response from this 16-year-old camper was first, ‘hmmmm…’ and then a little later, ‘Camping keeps kids involved in church. I probably wouldn’t go to church at all if it wasn’t for camp.’ Somehow a connection in a local congregation got this camper to Kinawind so we could be in ministry together. Somehow the camp experience has encouraged this camper to continue attending and thus enabled the local congregation to continue its ministry with her. Isn’t that what it is all about?” |
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A team approach to ministryPartnering with the nearby congregation of Byron First United Methodist Church, Myers Lake offers an annual Vacation Bible School experience that allows the church to reach far beyond its traditional walls to minister to those in the nearby community and travelers from distant communities alike. This collaboration between the camp and the local church has allowed each of their ministries to grow, each contributing to the success of this program, and each extending the reach of their ability to make disciples for Christ. |
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The annual VBS program takes place in mid-July each year and has grown to about 150-200 participants. With the primary focus of teaching children from pre-school age 3 through children who have just finished the 5th grade lessons about Jesus and his invitation to follow him throughout the rest of their lives, this VBS ministry also ministers to the volunteers, parents, and siblings of those in attendance. Throughout the year leading up to the VBS week, teachers, helpers, volunteers, camp staff, and organizers work together to plan the week-long VBS experience. What was once simply an “out of the box” curriculum for a few kids in the summer months at the church has now grown in to a week long experience for the participant’s entire family and the Byron UMC congregation. The VBS program has grown over the years to include not only the children of the Byron United Methodist Church but children from other nearby churches, neighbors, campers, & travelers, some of whom may not attend church regularly. The beauty of our collaboration is that many who might not ordinarily feel comfortable going into a church or going to a “different church” than the one they regularly attend will come to the camp to participate easily in this VBS program because of the camps intentional outreach to all Christians through its program. Special focus is put on drama, missions, and story telling through the use of the church’s puppet ministry and volunteers to take the curriculum to a new level. Additionally, a newly added component to this VBS ministry is a hospitality area for parents and campers where volunteers share baked goodies, coffee, and their time to get to know parents who may be getting a much needed break while their children are enjoying the lessons and activities the week offers. Special attention is given to ensuring that the parents at this hospitality area are cared for and are aware of opportunities of the United Methodist Church, and more specifically, an invitation to experience worship and the Christian community that Byron First UMC has to offer. Renewal and respite are also goals of our collaboration with churches. There is a time for the church family to experience a campfire together, a to grow and learn through recreation and living together within a Christian community, a time for church leaders to rest and relax with their church, or perhaps a time for church leaders and their families to escape the rigorous pace back home and enter a time of renewal in the beauty of the campground setting. Myers Lake strives to be a place of family fun, hospitality and encouragement where people can pray, renew, and walk with God. |
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What does it mean to collaborate?What does it mean to collaborate? Here at Judson Collins it means to work together in creating programs, teaching leadership, and listening to the needs of our UM church. The Urban Methodist Youth a program that has launched a new initiative into the Detroit Conference contacted JCC last year about the possibility of working together on a summer camp program. |
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| Through our partnership 118 urban youth and many volunteers gathered at Judson Collins. During the week many pastors and speakers encouraged the youth to grow in their faith, build leadership skills, and to be strengthened to share God with the world. Several of the youth stepped out of their comfort zones and in to a world filled with God’s creation and new experiences. Several of the new experiences were a challenge for many of the youth, such as the High Ropes course and canoe trips where self-confidence, faith and trust is built. The time spent at JC this year was not the only time that programs are being offered to the urban youth of the conference but just the beginning of programs and activities that are reaching out and lifting up the youth of today. We are proud to be a part of making it happen. | |||
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Ministry JubileeMany churches have been asking for more information on Ministry Jubilee programs. In 2009, Outdoor and Retreat Ministries has 19 programs in Ministry Jubilee. This area of the newsletter highlights an Outdoor and Retreat Ministry MJ program so that you can learn more about them. MJ 1104 International Camp Staff Support In the summer there are hundreds of children and youth that come to camp, they have new experiences, challenges, and many teachable moments. One of those experiences is living with someone of a different culture and country. Every year international staff members come to camp because they have a desire to serve the Lord, teach kids about God, and experience a little bit of American life. |
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As a counselor from New Zealand in 2008 puts it “I love to participate in camp because I love working with kids, especially at camp! I’m a leader at my youth group and I love just getting involved and serving people.” This is exactly the positive experience that we want our children and youth to walk away with. Taking the abstract thought of God’s love for a person who lives half way around the world and translating it into a reality that our campers have the chance to see, talk with, and learn from that person in the flesh.
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Where is your shirt?
Your camp shirt, that is! We want to see photos of you wearing your camp shirt. Send us a photo of you in your camp shirt from Camp Kinawind, Judson Collins Center, Lake Huron Retreat Center, Acorn Camp or Myers Lake. You could be at an interesting vacation spot, working on a service project, or hanging out with friends you met at camp. All submissions with a correctly completed entry form will be posted on our website. Photos with inappropriate content will not be posted. The most interesting submissions will be placed in our newsletter. Enter your camp shirt photo; for contest rules and form go to http://umccamps.org/shirtcontest.htm |
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Supporting the Camp and Retreat Ministry How can you support Outdoor and Retreat Ministries? Visit www.umccamps.org and click on “Support Our Ministry” There you will find:
Other ways to support Outdoor and Retreat Ministries:
o that you can make a planned gift or estate gift to camp and retreat ministries? o that good things would result from a gift? o that assistance in gift planning is available?
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