Saturday January  6, 2001

Greetings oh cybercamper of the new millennium!  I am sorry you have been neglected of late.  I will try to be more diligent about these updates which are supposed to be weekly!  I've even updated the photo of the month for the first time since October! 

Most important: I promised to have the schedule posted by the end of this week.  I am cutting it close but it's here!  It's listed in two formats this year so you can look at the whole season by date, or just go right to the grade level that you're interested in.  I will get the whole thing linked up to a database that will list deans, descriptions and photos but for now, you have enough to make plans for your trip to Florida to see Aunt Tilda while making sure nobody in the family has to miss camp!  The brochure will be out in about a month. 

On Christmas morning, our very own Eric C. Smith  came over to our home (it's a tradition you see) and brought the best Christmas surprise!  That morning, the Portland Press Herald ran an article about him as an emerging church leader in Maine.  The article is well done and Eric sounds even sharper than his usual articulate and contemplative self.  Deborah and I beamed while reading it.  You should too.  It's posted on the Portland Press Herald's site.   I don't know how he keeps all his jobs, classes, committees and national and conference work straight, but I'm grateful for all he does for PL and the leadership he shows us all.

You probably saw this already since I've had it on "recent news" a while, but I updated our history section to include a nifty article from 1950 about Balbrook Lodge.  I found it while doing some research on the area.  During my break I have been researching the history of Lake Cobbosseecontee.  One day (no promises as to when) I will expand the website to include my findings.  I'm having a ball with it.    Balbrook Lodge was the name of our site before the Maine Conference purchased it in 1956

Another new item to look forward to: A 7th and 8th Grade 5 day camp on Manitou Island.  Where's Manitou Island you ask?  It's one of our two islands that are a part of Pilgrim Lodge.  You'll sleep out there, cook out there, use the two out houses out there.  True camping!  What a blast!  It's limited to 25 so register early. 

The Outdoor Ministries Committee Meeting was canceled because of this morning's snow.  This is a shame because we've got a lot to get done.  But email and telephones are a great thing 

Our family enjoyed the holidays.  We went to see the extended clans in Connecticut and we rang in the Millennium with the Gaewski family at their home in Belfast along with Peter and Michelle Panagore/Miclette's family, (friends of ours for 16 years!)  A lovely evening with fireworks, carriage rides, good food and warm friends. 

An ebullient Epiphany to you all, and a happy New Year!

Faithfully,
Bryan

Thursday January 18, 2001

Mighty cold today.  The powers that be tell us we may have a very snowy weekend.  Bring it on! 

I fixed a few errors on the schedule.  Most notably the Island Adventure dates were incorrect.     It read "August 6-10,"   but in actuality it will be held August 8-11.  'K?   'K.    We finally found our last dean so "the unnamed camp" now has a name.  "In The Beginning" which seems an appropriate title for a 3rd and 4th grade half week.  I am very excited: this new dean is... well...  me.  That's right, yours truly.  I felt it would be a good way for me to see the program from a dean's point of view. 

And speaking of me (I seem to do that a lot, huh?), there is an article I wrote two years ago posted on the web.  The Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) of the United Church of Christ sponsors an event for camp directors and everyone with a passion for outdoor ministries every two years.  It's called CONSULT and this year it is at Camp Adams near Portland, Oregon.  If you go to the website you can read up on Consult XIII coming  March 16-20.  In any event, the last one was in Florida and afterwards I was asked to write an article on Consult XII as a newcomer.  Frankly, I'd forgotten all about it, but there it is posted on the the OMA site.  It was interesting to read it since I am in a completely different space now than I was two years ago.  We've turned a few corners here at PL and I could tell from the tone of my writing.  If you're interested in going to Consult, let me know and I'll get you some more information. 

Finally, a plea to old PLers.  Recently in my research work on the local area and Lake Cobbossee, I started to find old postcards of the lake.  I now have over 80 different postcards dating back as far as 1900 featuring Lake Cobbosseecontee. I also have been gathering old postcards and camp brochures from all the camps located on the Lake.  (You can find anything on eBay!)  Suddenly it occurred to me that there must have been postcards of Pilgrim Lodge before the current five we now sell.  When I arrived there were Seventy-eight gazillion of them, and we still have plenty.  But they were purchased by my predecessor Don Bizer.  I spoke with the director that preceded him, John MacDuffie, and he concurred that PL did sell different postcards ("and they were quite nice").  For the sake of the PL historical society (I am currently chair, secretary, treasurer and member at large), Do you have any of these old PL postcards?  Will you part with them?  If not, will you send them to me to scan?    I put a request out about a year ago for old staff photos and got quite a response (still need several years from the early 80's and everything prior to '79).  Old PL camp brochures are welcome too.

My life is the brochure right now.  We are on schedule to bring it to the printer Monday morning.  It should be in your hands by the end of the first full week in February.  Cross 'dem fingahs!

Summer's comin'

B 

Thursday, February 1, 2001

I don't think I've experienced a snow covered winter since I was a child.  You know, the kind where the ground is covered all season.  I love it!  This is my fourth Maine winter but the first when the snow never receded to the ground.  Every few days or weeks we get a nice new layer on top.  Still, in spite of enjoying the crispness and the beauty of winter I occasionally long for those warm summer days.  Hence February's  Photo of the Month.  Taken by Sueli Gaewsky last July, it is just stunning. 

I dropped the finished brochure off at the printers.  The printer told me I had the weekend to make any changes.  This, of course, meant that I spent the entire weekend tinkering until late Sunday night. (Just ask my wife.) On Monday morning I drove back with the upgraded copy.  Good thing too: I found several errors in dates.  I am pleased with the final look.  It is very similar to the past two years but a little sharper.  This year, because our photographs were digital, we did not have to pay the $12 per photo fee to have them scanned and formatted.  That meant I was able to spring for a nice heavy paper for the cover.  The sketch on the front is a beautiful rendition of the front of the lodge by Judy Hubley of Hallowell.  Hopefully, I'll be picking it up Monday, and Cathy Croudis and I will get it in the mail on Tuesday.  I had hoped to have it for Saturday's OMC meeting. 

Things usually slow down in the winter a bit, but if experience is any indication, the wheels now begin grinding faster and faster until   BAM! campers are arriving!  I am meeting with my supervisors next week to go over priorities and projects for the year, after which I intend to put out a plea for volunteer help so keep your eyes tuned to this page and I'll let you know. 

I now have a few brochures for the Outdoor Ministries Consult in March (see below). If you're interested, let me know and I'll send you one.  Also, my plea for old PL postcards turned up two copies of a fuzzy boardwalk postcard (pre-burps).  Still looking for more!

"I can hold on fine, 'cause it's almost time for that sun to come 'round again."

Bryan

Tuesday February 13, 2001

The brochures were brought to the bulk mailing office in Yarmouth last Wednesday so if you haven't yet received it, it should arrive any day.  If you don't receive it by the end of the week, call Cathy at 846-5118. 

I've spent the better part of the last two days preparing to mail a bunch of goodies to the summer staff from last year.  These are things they should have gotten months ago, like the staff mix (a CD where everyone chooses a song), and a CD-Rom of all the staff photos, an 8 X 10 of the staff and a staff address list.  Each of these must be prepped and then packaged.  So it's ten PM and I'm hoping to be done by midnight. 

Speaking of the staff photo, it is posted on the previous staff gallery.  But here's a little PL secret (Eric would surely point out that something posted on the internet is not, in fact, a secret): There was no point this summer when we were able to assemble every member of staff at the same time.  SO, we took the photo in two separate sittings.  Then, I blended the two photos into one on the computer. I don't think you can tell by just looking at it, but now that you've been tipped off, see if you can tell me who is in each of the two sittings.  It's posted here.  How about a happy little informal contest?  The first person to email me with the correct answer will receive a free millennium bear.  Staff members and those 'in the know' already are not eligible.

Now it's time to start working on assembling a new staff for 2001.  If you, or anyone you know, would like to work at PL, email me.   I will be mailing out applications later this week. The deadline for returning them is March 15.

Stay warm, inside and out.

This little light of mine, I'm gon'na let it shine.

Bryman

Sunday March 11, 2001

Oh my goodness!  You poor Cybercamper!  It's been almost a month since last we talked.  OH SO MUCH TO TELL. I am rushing because Deb is patiently waiting for me to come home and help her pack for CONSULT XIII.  Tomorrow we leave for Seattle, visit some great pals, and then I leave for Oregon and Camp Adams to confer, converse, and otherwise hobnob with the other UCC camp directors.  It is our chance to go to camp!  I am also on the sponsoring board: The Outdoor Ministries Association.  Read about it here...Consult XIII .  That means meetings before and after Consult.  I am very anxious to see my friends and colleagues.  I'll be back in two weeks.

The first deans retreat was a great success.  I wrote all about it on a new Deans Retreat Page so I won't repeat that here.  It was great though.  I think in some ways, a very important turning point.  I loved seeing everyone for a cozy weekend in the off season: A great crowd.

I am really excited about this months "Photo of the Month" You must be patient and let the photo download three times for the nifty animation to work.  So click on the link and then go get a drink of water and some Cheese Doodles.  This is especially true for we who are bandwidth impaired.

I had hoped to get the new mission program page up before I left but... that ain't gon'na happen.   See you when I return. 

"I, your Wizard per adua et alta, am about to embark upon a hazardous and technically unexplainable journey into the outer stratosphere!  To confer, converse, and otherwise hobnob with my brother (and sister) wizards.  And I hereby decree that until what time (if any) that I return, Eric C. Smith, by virtue of his highly superior brain, shall rule in my stead assisted by David R. Gaewski by virtue of his magnificent heart, and Mark Schussler by virtue of his courage!  Obey them as you would me.  Thank you."        -The Wizard of Oz (sic)

B

Thursday April 5, 2001

OK, first of all, the quote at the end of the last entry (March 11) was from The Wizard of Oz! Several of you out there told me you 'didn't get it.'  My my my!  On that subject, I just finished reading a great book (for adults I might add) called "Wicked: The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory MacGuire.  It's the L. Frank Baum's Oz story told from the witch's point of view.  Poor misunderstood Elphaba!  I loved it.  It's a great allegory, an insightful look at the problem of evil and of moral relativism. 

Those of you who have been following these pages will remember my enthusiastic embrace of the great snowy winter we've been having.  I'M OVER IT!!  Several things are now at risk: mission camp, the effectiveness of Jump Start Weekend, getting the camp open on time, my mental stability, and (as a result of longer school schedules) our first couple of youth camps.  Don't forget, it's not just the melting of the snow, it's also the firming of the road.  I have a meeting with the OMC on Saturday where we will perform some painful programmatic triage. I'll get back to you on the results.  Luckily OMC member Ron Tracy thought about this while I was away and using an excavator, cleared much of the snow off the road.  Thank you Ron! Of course since then we've had two more feet of snow and the ground is too wet for a plow truck.   I am about ready to go out there with a reeeealy long extension cord and a hair dryer. 

Right now I am most concerned about Jump Start Weekend.  We need your help!  Please go to the JSW page, print it out and post it at your church.  Make announcements from the pulpit, put it in your bulletin and newsletters; rent a plane and skywrite it over your church on Sunday morning; buy local TV time; perform a "Jump Start" interpretive dance on Main Street; walk around town with a sandwich board; remind people how every little bit might help them get into heaven; paint the dates on your body at sporting events; randomly walk up to people at restaurants and ask what they've done for Jesus lately; go take a Home Depot course in roofing; insert subliminal messages into your family's CD collection; carry signs that read "Blessed are the Jump Starters for they shall rake leaves;"  write and produce a Jump Start opera; ask the guy who greets at Walmart to hand out flyers; convince the local pizza guy to place all pizza toppings in the form of "JSW;" organize a Jump Start parade; tell your church you're going to fast and sit on top of a flag pole until they've all registered; start your congregation in a chant, quietly at first and increasing to a frenzy "jumpstart JUMPSTART! JUMPSTART! JUMPSTART!" 

Well?  Git goin'!

The Outdoor Ministries Consult in Oregon was wonderful!  I connected with other camp directors and lovers of outdoor ministries (including Karen Tate, our challenge/mission staff person of the past two seasons).  The keynoters, were great as were the workshops.  Most of all the opportunity to give and get support from others who are at UCC camps all over the country was really empowering.  As an Outdoor Ministries Board member I was dubbed photographer.  Some of the photos I took are posted on the OMA site so I won't repost them here.  Just follow the yellow brick roa.. I mean follow the link above.

Get workin' on that JSW PR oh fellow lover of PL.  Thanks, Oh, and if any of the above activities cost you anything, just be sure to submit receipts to the conference office and write "Rockcraft" on them  - just kiddin' Dave! :)  

B

Thursday April 19, 2001

Ah spring!  I look out my office window and see.... SNOW.   We had to cancel this year's April Vacation Mission Camp since we can't get the water on.  When I wrote about trail maintenance in the brochure I didn't really envision beginning by shoveling snow off the trails.  It makes me sad; we had strong co-ed registration.  Perhaps next years mission camp will be a summer experience.  I think Jump Start Weekend will be a go as the next few days are predicted to be clear and warm.  I just hope we can get the camp road open by mid week.

The Outdoor Ministries Committee decided to keep the rest of the schedule the same, recognizing that we may have smaller registration for some of our earlier camps due to extended school days.  We have a new OMC member: Sarah Bigney joined us last Saturday.  Sarah is a Junior in High School in Bangor, the secretary for the State Youth Council, a former Coordinating Council rep, a dyed-in-the-wool PL camper and all around great person.  Welcome Sarah!

The Carpenter's Boat Shop in Pemaquid took one of our six prams to be refurbished for the season.  Sneezy has been given new life!  It's just beautiful.  It's almost too nice to put in the water!  (don't worry, I'll get over that).  The Boat Shop built the prams originally and two summers ago Lisa Casey from the Shop volunteered to work at PL refurbishing them.  It is so beautiful I have decided to make a webpage about it.  Take a look!  It really is a work of art!  By the way, the six prams are named after six of the seven dwarfs.  Can you figure out the dwarf that is left out and why?

Mr. Eric C. Smith keeps doing us proud.  He was given a major award, ("you hear me? A MAJOR AWARD!") for "Outstanding Contribution to Community Service" by USM Portland Student Life.  If you're a good cybercamper you can see it by clicking the link above.  He was also a featured speaker at the awards ceremony last Friday, April 13. 

I have updated the summer jobs pages to reflect the few positions I still need to fill.  If you know someone who might want to be camp nurse for a week, head chef (working with our Kitchen Manager), nature education director, or maintenance person.  Please send them to the site!

Finally, thank you to OMC members Jack Steeves, Ron Tracy, and Peter Godfrey for spending last Friday cleaning up the shop and working on the road.  We are blessed by people who care! 

Clap your hands!

       (or paws)

                       (or anything ya' got now)

Bryan

Monday May 1, 2001

"To live my life beyond each death,

from this deeper well of trust.

To know that when there's nothing left,

You will always have what you gave to love. "

-David Wilcox

Saturday May 12, 2001

This log entry will be fast, random and somewhat unfocused.  Kind of like me right now!  Getting the camp open from the late start (I saw the last bit of snow on May 6th!) without a maintenance person has been a challenge.  That plus Eric taking a much deserved break has put me a bit behind.  But not a minute more can go without saying  THANK YOU JUMP STARTERS! What an awe inspiring weekend.  We got so much done and with such good spirit.  I put up a Jump Start article and some photos so you can read the details.  I also put up an new Photo of the Month which is a great group shot of the jump start crowd.

Next, check out the page about the first ever, fast and furious, everything must go, get 'em while their hot Pilgrim Lodge Yard Sale!  You can only imagine how much stuff is sitting around here, including lost and found items that were never claimed. If you're a pack rat, dumpster diver or tag sale connoisseur, head up to West Gahdna on May 26 from 8-1 for treasures galore. 

The rental groups are here and seem to be having a great time.  Everything seems to be coming together for the summer.  Remember the counselor training June 2 in Hallowell if you're interested.  Our summer staff is 95% hired. 

The leaves are out, the weather is amazing and the Spirit of PL is alive.

I hope I see you soon!

Bryan

Tuesday May 29, 2001

Rushing once again: 'tis the season.  First, our PL email is down.  It has been for about a week.  Can't figure out the problem, but we have established that it is the server.  Until we get it back up, please call us if you have any information to get or give.  The yard sale was great, got rid of old stuff, made a little money and found a few treasures in the process.  I'll be writing more about the last item later.  Single Parent Family Camp had a five families and from what I saw, it was a great success.  Thank you to deans Carol and Helen Booth!  I will get pictures on the site of the weekend as soon as possible.  Our staff arrives next week and things are moving along for the summer.  Sorry I have been neglectful of the log.  Time seems to have hit some white water of late. 

I'll update again soon... promise.

Bry

Friday June 8, 2001

I just finished updating all sorts of things!   There are photos of Single Parent Family Camp, Vintage Ventures and the Yard Sale. I'm writing this from my happy new office. ("yipee")  and I wrote about the new beverage area  and it's working out great.  The staff is coming in slowly.  It looks to be a great summer.  Vintage Ventures just left.  What a nice group!  Thank you to Dean Jackie Davidson. I shared my rather odd Cobbosseecontee collection of stuff with them.  It is so good to see this place cranked up once again.  One sour note, our email is still down.  I am working on getting a new server, but in order to use our domain name in the email address, it is turning out to be more difficult than I thought.  We are on the road though.  I guess our old emailer "mailroom" just vanished overnight and pulled the plug.  

I made lots of changes in the site, but still have to get the new mission page up as well as a page about Cobbossee.  Tomorrow is another day.  

Check back in soon, 

Bryan

Wednesday, July 11, 2001

Well we are in full 110 camper swing!  The staff is finding its groove and the campers and counselors are having a good time in spite of this week of daily rain and thunderstorms.  Both the volunteer staff and the summer staff are pulling together to make this a memorable camp for the kids.  We have been updating the photos page about twice a week (though in our rush we sometimes forget to change the date it was updated).  I just updated photos of this weeks camp: Make a Joyful Noise!

Well, we finally have new email addresses.  They are posted on the recent news page.  One note of clarification: when sending email to a camper, you actually write the word "camper" in the email address (camper@pilgrimlodge.org) and the name of the camper and cabin number in the subject line.  Some people are writing the proper name of the camper and then @pilgrimlodge.org. Incorrect.   We tried to set it up to be simple but the confusion is understandable.  

Unfortunately, we are having trouble switching our email server.  This site is full of nifty scripts and little programs written by designer Jeremy Zanzig two summers ago.  The new server is not as sophisticated as the old one so we are needing to "dumb down" the site a bit.  Therefore for the time being when you log on you go to the new server with a link that clicks you back to the old one.  Sigh.  We're working on it.  If you are used to going straight to pages you've booked marked, you will probably have trouble so just enter through the front door and then click to your destination.  

The CD-Roms of camp photos are selling like hotcakes.  Last week we offered over 400 photos on a disc.  One note of clarity: The discs simply contain the photos as individual .jpg files.  There is no software on the disc to view them.  Most operating systems including MAC and windows have picture viewing software built into them.  If you want more than that, try the program we use at Pilgrim Lodge, called Thumbs Plus.  It is available at www.cerious.com.  If you want a disc of photos from a 2001 camp or from last year, just send your name and address and a check for $16, with the NAME AND YEAR of the camp you want to PILGRIM LODGE PHOTO CD, 103 Pilgrim Lodge Lane, West Gardiner, ME  04345.  We'll get it to you ASAP.  Parents can preorder CD's at registration for $15, to be ready on Saturday morning or order them at pickup for $16. 

Thanks to Sally Colegrove, Eric Smith, Amy French,  Jim Verrill and to this week's deans Diane Tinkham and Stacey Mulrey for great leadership.  Deb, baby Eric and I are in S-5 this summer and loving living in the midst of the community and on the lake.  And for those that are waiting with us... no there is no hard news on the status of our adoption, we are still in the midst of legal battles.  Thanks for your good thoughts and prayers. 

One for the little-bity baby!

Bryan

Thursday, August 16, 2001

A month?  Over a month!  Sorry dear cybercamper, been busy dealing with those flesh and blood campers.  And we have had a wonderfully full camp.  Over a hundred campers every week.  This is our last full week of camp.  On Sunday we are having our first ever "Day at Camp" for little ones (K-2) and there parents.  It will be lots of fun!  After that we move into our first ever Grandparents/Grandchildren camp.  That camp has totally filled up, which is very encouraging!  

The staff is in the midst of saying their good-byes.  The first to leave will be on Thursday night.    Most will be here for a good-bye party on Saturday and then be on their way after that.  A few will remain for the two camps described above.  Then silence.  It's a little eerie, a little awe inspiring and very conducive to reflection on the whirlwind of the spirit just passed.  

While I have been neglectful of this page during the summer, we (meaning me and my trusty office staff Eric and Jacob) have been very good at updating the site with photos from the various camps.  I hope you have been following along. 

The new "Manitou Island Adventure" Camp was a great success in spite of the hellacious heat they endured.  Next year we might try a whole week.  

Thanks to  Deans Tom Hancock², Paula Smith, Mike Seavy, Susan Gilpin, Laurie Elian, Laurie Mooney², David Gaewski, Mark Precourt, Steve Kimball, Karen Clancy, Ron Tracy and Karla Swanson for their leadership.  And of course, thanks to the hundreds of counselors who gave us a week of their precious time.  It's a big part of what makes this program so special.  

I need volunteers to come up after lunch on Monday, Labor day to take out the docks.  Please call at 742-3200 if you can come at about 12 noon for lunch and then help out.  Why are we taking out the docks so early? Because after Labor Day weekend, the Cobbossee watershed district is going to drain the Lake two vertical feet below the usual fall level.  It will essentially be back to its natural level, which it hasn't been in many years.  Why is this, you ask (you are inquisitive today!)  So that repair work can be done on the lighthouse at the north end of the lake.  I intend to put up a page about this work.  If your church or group is coming this fall, you should get quite an unusual view, although the docks will be out.  I am hoping to get work done on our boathouse and waterfront area while the water is down.

Tomorrow is the last full day of summer camp.  Zowie

Monday, Sept 18, 2001

I sat down to write last week and found nothing came.  It seemed frivolous to write about this and that at camp when the whole country was trying to grasp the events of September 11.  I was personally affected very deeply.  It seemed that more words about it were not appropriate since all we have heard since the tragedy is words words and more words.  It seemed a time for silence.  

In the silence I have discovered a sense of patriotism that I never knew existed before.  It doesn't come from loyalty to a particular government, or pride at feeling unbeatable.  It comes from a sense of family, common loss, and gathering emotional strength from one another.  I am flying the American flag at my house for the first time in my life (usually opting to see myself as a world citizen first).  It is also flying from the farmhouse and the Pilgrim Lodge sign.  It is not about nationalism, it is about support and unity.  

The talk of war does not make sense to me.  Of course I want the perpetrators brought to justice, but I think of the word 'war' to mean having a definable enemy.  We've declared "war" on one guy in the desert we can't ever seem to find.  This is beyond me.  

I am focusing my prayers on the victims at all three sights, those still trapped in the rubble; families and friends who wait, and who grieve; our country's leaders, and the rescuers.  I also pray for Muslim and Arabic Americans and those ignorant enough to harass and abuse them.   If ever there was a time to ask "what would Jesus do?" it would seem this is it.   

Peace, not as the world can give,
sweet peace, that makes us want to live
with God, for God alone can give the peace
I pass to you.

riday, October 5, 2001

Most important: Our "Pull the plug" Fall Workday is scheduled for October 27th.  Click for more details.

Last weekend I attended the Maine Conference annual meeting in South Portland.  It was a lot of fun.  I spent way too much time putting the PL booth together, but I was pleased with how it came out.  I was a little disappointed that my laptop decided to stop reading CD-ROMs so I only had about three camps to show on the display.  We passed out buttons that read "Think Pilgrim Lodgically," a phrase coined by dean and OMC member Tom Hancock.   The planning committee, the conference staff, and Jean and David did a great job. (and a huge job it is!)  I enjoyed seeing everyone and catching up.  I also enjoyed worshipping in an actual church, although the advantage to Sugarloaf is that everyone must walk by the display area.  People had to intentionally seek us out.  Bryan Sirchio was inspiring (as always).  

I have yet to mention how well our two new end-of-the-summer programs were received.  A Day At Camp was a lot of fun.  I got lots of glowing emails from parents afterwards.  It was a gorgeous day and the K-2nd graders got to have a taste of all the fun stuff we do.  About 10 of the summer staff stayed to help out and they really rose to the occasion in spite of being exhausted.  The next day we started "Grandparents and Grandchildren" camp.  We had twenty two families, including seven grandfathers.  It was a lot of fun thanks to deans Sara and Nancy Godfrey.  I'd say it was a huge success and we learned a lot for next year.

Rental groups have been here ever since.  They bring a whole different energy to the place.  They are usually very good to the camp.   Our water cistern (reservoir), which is God-only-knows how old, began leaking this fall.  This is actually pretty well timed as we are planning an overhaul of the water system to accommodate the new showers in cabins.  One system after another has given up the ghost here in the past few years, and we are very blessed to have been able to meet all these challenges.  

I have lots of changes and upgrades planned for the website.  Often web maintenance takes a back seat to other matters.  In the meantime, however, take a look at our new truck donated by the Camden church, at our new wood boxes, at the updated mission page, and at a few photos from the summer staff, not to mention the new photo of the month.

The lake is lower than I've ever seen it and getting lower everyday as work proceeds on the Cobbosseecontee Lighthouse.  I'll get some photos when it's at its lowest point.

Peace to you dear cybercamper,

"Whether we're many, or only a few, we are a part of the family."

Bryan

Saturday, October 27, 2001

"Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!
The strife is o'er,
The battle done;
The victory of life is won;
The song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!"

-Latin 17th Century;  Tr. Francis Pott

 Dear Friends,

With great joy and relief, Bryan and Deborah Breault are thrilled to report that at  2:15 pm yesterday, October 26, 2001 Judge James E. Mitchell of Kennebec County signed the final papers legally declaring Eric Christian to be our son: Eric Christian Breault!

This is a delightful twist of events.  Previously our best hope for finalizing was the first of the year.  However, the events of last Monday surprised us all.  Testimony finished after 11 hours at about 9 PM.  Our lawyers had told us not to expect a ruling for several weeks or even months, after which we could proceed with the process of terminating our birthmother's rights.  Then, we would be able to schedule a date for an adoption hearing.  

However, the judge looked out and announced "I'm ready to make my ruling."  Deb and I clutched each others hands.  I was sure one of us would draw blood.  The judge announced that due to several factors he did not think removing Eric from a stable home would be in his best interest.

Eureka!

THEN came the next big surprise: the judge said he would be willing to stay and accept our birthmother's waiving of rights: a whole different hearing.  

AFTER WHICH (at 9:45 PM) he told Deborah and I that if we wished he would clear the courtroom and hold our adoption hearing!  Essentially this judge understood what we had been through and acted with both humanity and compassion.  

Because Maine State law requires a three day waiting period after birthmother's sign off, during which she can change her mind (been there!) the judge waited until this afternoon to sign the official paper.  We took Eric down to the court house and he ran around the court room while the judge signed the paper.  We took some pictures and went out onto the steps of the court house and just cried tears of joy, disbelief and release.  

Eric is 15 months old and has been with us since birth.  He started walking at 9 months and now runs, sings, and dances spontaneously.  He has a great sense of humor, is trying hard to talk (and is often very frustrated that he can't quite do it yet).  He CAN say Mama, Dada, Chakra, (our dog) ball, bath, buffalo (?), uh-oh, bye bye, hello, Buster (Deb's sister's dog), bottle, and (thanks to his Brazilian auntie) agua.  And as Deborah testified in court: he's doing very well with his animal sounds.  He is extremely gregarious and seems to have little fear of strangers.  He is affectionate as can be and he embodies joy.  Recently he has been testing us a bit with some defiance, which we figure is right on schedule.  

Deb and I are eternally grateful to all our friends for constant support, prayers and help.  We simply could not have made it without you.  To be honest, it still hasn't sunk in completely.  It's been hitting us in waves.  You will be hearing from us about celebrations soon.  Thanks be to God, thanks be to you and Thank God for baby Eric.  

In awe, surprise and humility,

Bryan and Deborah

click for Eric pics

Friday, November 2, 2001

The leaves are past peak, but it is still gorgeous here.  The lake looks like it is beginning to fill up a bit, but very very slowly.  

Last Saturday we held our annual "Fall Workday"  I have posted photos and updated the workday page.  A thousand thank you's to everyone who participated.  Again the Bethel church was here in force, with Don Isham leading the charge.  They roofed half of the program room of the lodge as well as the ping pong porch.  This only leaves one section of the dining hall to be roofed and several dormers to be rebuilt.  Also participating were youth groups from Farmington and 2nd Congregational Newcastle.  We achieved a lot of close up work in anticipation of the winter, cut, split and stacked wood, and Laurie Mooney and Jane Primmer scrubbed the kitchen!  We are so richly blessed!  Thank You!

Last Sunday I took the New PL truck to Camden to show it to the congregation who donated it.  I also worshipped with them and offered the children's sermon.  What a welcoming congregation!  I also was supposed to be the speaker that afternoon at the Kennebec Valley Association meeting, but some important theological and process oriented dialogue took center stage, so I am rescheduled for spring.  

Already work is well underway for the coming season.  I am hoping to post a tentative schedule very shortly.  This Saturday the OMC meeting is at my house, after which I will attend a local church dinner designed to raise funds for PL scholarships.  On Sunday I am preaching at my home church, Old South in Hallowell.  

When that's all over I am taking a two week break to study and spend time with my family.  It is just starting soak in that our adoption worries are over (see below).  If you call you will be forwarded to the Pennell Center.  Check out the new Photo of the Month.  I have more photos of the lake at record low levels and will post them when I get back. Adios amig(o)(a)!

Bryan

Monday November 19, 2001

Chakra Breault
January 8, 1991 - November 16, 2001

"Love knows not its depth until the hour of separation."
                        -Anonymous

"I believe in love surviving death into eternity"
                      -D.Hayes

Thursday December 5, 2001

First of all dear cybercamper, I hope and pray you had a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.  Mine was lovely replete with family (who came to Maine!) and tradition.  As you might imagine, the holidays have special significance for our family this year (It's been quite a year!).  

In the last weeks I took some time off for study leave.  I read, among other things, Paula Friedrikson's "Jesus Christ, King of the Jews."  It was heavy reading but well worth the time spent.  During that time I went to Pennsylvania for a board meeting of the Outdoor Ministries Association.  The meeting was at Mensch Mill Retreat Center.  What a great site!  It is made up of really old stone buildings and has a very unique history.  They have the oldest woodstove in the country there as well as a great old mill house for their dining hall.  They are in the midst of a 4 million dollar capital campaign to keep their site fresh for future generations.  The meeting itself was productive.  Among other things we started planning the next Consult for 2003.  I also got to spend time with the great folks on the OMA board. 

The UCC has some great outdoor ministries sites! Earlier this week I was at another: Craigville Conference Center is located on Cape Cod and was the site of New England Conference Staff Retreat.  David Gaewski, Mark Schussler, Jean Alexander and I all jammed into David's vehicle and met Annette Mott and Cheryl Tibbetts along with UCC conference staff from all over New England.  Beautiful place, beautiful people.  And the birds birds birds!  There, I got to spend time exchanging ideas with old and new friends and to exchange ideas with other OM folks.  (a speedy recovery Dana, we missed you)  Both RI and NH were represented, both of which just built brand new large program buildings on their sites.  It is a fertile time for Outdoor Ministries.  

Meanwhile, I am moving along with the OMC's help, on the 2002 program.  Lots to pull together by the end of the year.  (If you are a dean, get those program descriptions in!)  If you are longing for a little Christmas snow, take a look at the newly posted photo of the month.  Keep your loved ones near, don't be stingy with smiles or hugs and remember that every day is a gift from God.

Stay warm.

Bryan

Sunday, December 23, 2001

Merry Christmas Cybercamper!

Here in the Pilgrim Lodge office we are just full of...  of... CHEER!  That's it, Christmas cheer!  (I knew we were full of something!)  And in case you should doubt this, take a look at our front page at www.pilgrimlodge.org   Can you guess who is impersonating Santa in the canoe?  It's a PL staff member who was here this summer.  Send your guess to me at bryan@pilgrimlodge.org and if you're right you'll get, uh.. you'll get.... AN EMAIL BACK FROM ME TELLING YOU YOU'RE RIGHT!!!  Yahoo!  But don't hold your breath, I'm going to see the family for a few days.  We've got lots to celebrate this year!  I'll post the answer in a few weeks.

This Christmas cheer is so profound it can't dampen our spirits even in the midst of the total breakdown of our main computer.  (I'm writing this on a laptop).  You know all those hokey emails that give those dire warnings of viruses that "will destroy your entire hard drive?"  Well I always poo poo them.  NO MORE.  We got a virus (and yes dear, our anti-virus software was indeed up to date) that in fact destroyed the information on our hard drive and damaged our motherboard and processor.  HO HO HO!  But luckily I had backed up documents about a week before.  I did lose all my email though so if you're waiting for a response from me, please accept my apology and resend!  (yeah, that's it, it was the virus, that's why)

In case you missed it, the PL 2002 schedule is now posted.

The lake is only now icing over.  Did you hear that this was the warmest year in 160 years of records?  And what, pray tell, was the next warmest year? - Last year.  About this global warming stuff I say ---  more studies!   BUT ENOUGH SARCASM it's Christmas!

I hope you get to be near those you love and that you are truly able to celebrate the season of light from darkness, where the divine breaks into the human realm.

Peace to you and yours, and special blessings to those touched by 9-11, families, friends, firefighters, police, service men and women, and aid workers.

From peaceful PL, 

Bryan

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