Pilgrim Lodge Director's Log

2005

Monday Jan 17, 2005                                                               Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!  

Yes, it was fabulous.  I am so very grateful to everyone involved in the Maine Conference for the opportunity to take my first sabbatical.  And as magnificent as it was to have the time I am pleased to tell you that is also wonderful to be back.   Coming back was smooth as silk thanks to Ben Bigney ,  Steve Jones  and the Outdoor Ministries Committee who kept things chugging along.  And speaking of Ben, did you follow his director's log entries?  I was charmed, amused and often inspired by his insight, wit and -who knew?- pastoral reflections.  Thanks Ben!   I've taken far shorter breaks and come back to chaos and overwhelm, making me question the value of being away.  Not so this time.  The camp was closed up tightly, the office was humming and I was able to pretty much start on the new season as soon as I got back on January 3^rd.

By now you've probably noticed that the 2005 schedule is up.  It's pretty set although there may be some tweaking involved so check back.  The OMC has been busy and there are some exciting new opportunities I'll explore in a future entry.  You should also note that the photo of the month is updated and the recent news page has some other items to check out.   Once the web is up to date I will be focusing on the design of the new camp brochure.  Then it's on to staff hiring (if you're interested, or know someone who is,  please log onto our updated summer jobs section).  Next I'll focus on work for the Outdoor Ministries Association Consult which is being held this year at Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, Connecticut (see Homecoming).  It's my sixth and final year on the board of directors and this year I am on the planning committee for the Consult.

So, you ask, what did you do with all that time?  First, my family and I went to a friend's cabin in Vermont for some decompression time.  It was beautiful and peaceful.  We then enjoyed some nice down time as a family at home which included reading, playing and some small house projects.  Eric is growing so fast.  He's four and half now and his imagination is blossoming.  We're having a lot of fun and not a day goes by that I don't thank God for bringing Eric to us.  

However, the time wasn't all fun.  There were some challenges to Deb's professional life that impacted our family during the past year.  I can tell you this: I have never been more in love with Deborah than in walking with her these past months.  She is an amazing person and a gifted pastor and she has taught me a great many things about relying on God and practicing faith especially when it gets tough.   I'm so fortunate to have just celebrated my fifteenth year of marriage with her.  I'm very grateful  I was able to spend time with her this fall.

The central point of the sabbatical was my Pilgrimage to Turkey. I have written an entire page on this incredible opportunity so if you are so inclined please take a look.   It took me a long time to process all that I learned and experienced.   Shortly after the trip, John Dominic Crossan, one of our group leader's book "In Search of Paul" was released.  I spent a lot of time savoring and digesting it.  It was the perfect companion piece to the trip itself since we'd just visited many of the sites discussed in the book.  Being able to study at will was an amazing opportunity. 

I returned home to visit my family of origin several times.  Deb, Eric and I were able to be with our families on Thanksgiving and, for the first time in years, Christmas.     Early in December we were treated to a family vacation at Disney in Florida.  I'll never forget the images of Eric melting into the arms and belly of Winnie the Pooh.  It was a vision of comfort and security. We really did have a great time. 

In the past four months I have had time to read, reflect, pray, think, relax, connect with friends and family and work on projects long on the back burner.   All of this allowed me one further blessing, and that was to gain some perspective on Pilgrim Lodge.   To step away for a period allows me to re-embrace this ministry from a fresh perspective.  And isn't that what sabbatical is all about?

Thank you,

Bryan

Sunday February 20, 2005

Greetings Cybercamper!  I am just back from a fantastic deans' retreat.  We have a great year ahead.  Thanks to all the deans and OMC members who came.  Our good friends over at Mechuwana were as hospitable as always.   There are photos posted already.  

Wednesday Janean, Cathy, Eric C. Smith and I worked to get the brochure mailed.  If it hasn't arrived in your mail box, it will shortly.  Maine Conference UCC churches were mailed a bunch too so ask your pastor or church educator if you need one.  Those of you who care about such things will notice the layout is completely different this year.  I felt a need to be creative, plus the printing and mailing costs were significantly less.  A few parents have told me their camper wanted to put the poster up and asked if they could copy the registration form so as not to cut it up.  'Yes' is the short answer, but it might be easier to just print one from this website.  I have a few copies that are on higher quality paper and rolled if you would like one for your church.  Just email us.  Also on the website are applications for scholarships, and this is way cool, you can now print out a camper health form so if you have an appointment at the doctors before your registration is complete, you can print this out and get it taken care of at your next wellness check.  Also note the news that each camper needs a new health form signed every year from now on.  We are gearing up for accreditation by the American Camping Association so you might see several policy changes in the near future. 

So I'd say we're off with a bang.  The juxtaposition of the deans' retreat and the brochure mailing make this season officially begun (in my brain anyway).  It's been quite a push this month to get both these things accomplished but here we are.  I am now going to take a few days off, then be back a bit to say farewell to Jean Alexander who is leaving her post as Conference Minister to pastor a church in Massachusetts, then I'm off to Consult.  "Consult?" you ask, "what's Consult?"  

Well!  Every two years the Outdoor Ministry Association (OMA) of the United Church of Christ holds a Consult at one of the larger camps.  All camp directors and lovers of outdoor ministry are invited.  This will be my last event on the OMA board of directors and this year I am part of the planning committee so it's eleven days away.  It is very much like putting on an event here in the summer.   I am sure I will come back both scattered and exhausted and at the same time, centered and energized .  Ironic, eh?    It's a great group of people and this year it is being held at Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, CT, where I spent some time as a young person.  (take a look at the piece I wrote after visiting there for a planning meeting last year).  Janean will be joining me this year at Consult.

Then it's back to Maine for a meeting or two and I am off again to the New England region conference staff retreat.   Except for her stint in Connecticut, and a few days rest, Janean will be keeping the office and the program moving. I will be available via email if you have anything to communicate.  So, act one and two are wrapped up and I'm off to camp.

Take care and stay warm,

Bryan

Tuesday April 26, 2005

Sophie, our new chocolate lab, and I just finished walking the site.  And what a beautiful day for a walk.  Sandwiched between two major rain storms it is a gorgeous oasis gem of a day.  There is work being done all over.  The plumbers are getting the water on; excavators are repairing the road; finish workers are re-finishing the floors of the lodge; the gas company is safety checking the equipment; the fire equipment company is cleaning the kitchen hood.  It's almost as if there will be people here soon. 

Ah yes!  Jump Start Weekend is just days away.  Just after the coming rain storm (he wrote confidently), there will people here doing all sort of things to help us open for the summer (he wrote, again, confidently).  I know of five youth groups coming Friday night and lots of adults who've made the commitment to anoint Pilgrim Lodge with  some holy elbow grease.  Please come and help us out. 

What a crazy ride its been.  I spent early March at the Outdoor Ministries Consult in Connecticut and on the New England Regional UCC staff retreat in Massachusetts.   Both were inspiring and encouraging events.  The first is my opportunity to go to camp with my UCC brothers and sisters who engage in this ministry all over the country.  We laugh, we share, did I mention laugh?

I assume you have the camp brochure in your possession by now.  A lot of people asked me about the change in format.  Well, first of all it was cheaper.  It was actually more work, but I enjoyed it.  My hope was that it would be an informational piece but also be able to be used by churches.  I also think it helps to change the format every few years to keep people from going 'yeah yeah yeah' and perhaps take notice.  And, it was a challenge, for which I was feeling a need.  (I was kind of going 'yeah yeah yeah' at the thought of producing the same old thing.)  Some people loved it, some didn't.  Some said it was too hard to keep flipping it over to use the registration form, others said they threw it away because it looked like junk mail.  (I can hear you gasp from here).  Whether you liked it or not, it will not be repeated next year as I would like to create a nice piece for our fiftieth anniversary edition.  (I know, I know, I take this WAY to seriously)

Speaking of the fiftieth anniversary, there are two dates to put on your calendar right now.  One of them is December 3, 2006.  We are planning a kick-off celebration in Waterville to commemorate the vote taken by the conference too purchase Pilgrim Lodge (December 1, 1955 in Waterville).  The second is June 10, 2005 at Pilgrim Lodge when we mark the opening of camp (June 9, 1956) .  There are more things in the planning but those two major events are our touchstones.   Two committees are working on this, one on celebration and one on plans for the next fifty years. 

In order to help us document the camp (and program) history we need the help of long time Maine Conference members (and their children and grandchildren).  Do you have old photos, postcards, brochures, memories, mementos, store items,  or other items we can scan and return for our archives?  In particular I am interested in the long photos of camp before Pilgrim Lodge such as the one seen here.  These date from 1926 through 1955.  If you know someone who has photos from these camps, or from PL in the early days, ask them to send them to me.  They might be marked "Manitou" or "Akita"  I'll handle them carefully and scan them into the computer and then return them (unless they'd like to donate them to the PL archives!)

We still need a few staff members for summer staff.  If you know someone 18 years old or older who'd like to serve in the kitchen or as music resource tell them to check out our 'summer jobs' page.  We also have two weeks open which are in need of a nurse.

The Outdoor Ministry Committee is working hard.  We are hoping to get the new PL songbooks out for summer.  Eric Sawyer has been working diligently on that project.  The women of First Parish in Gorham made a very generous donation to that effort.  We are still in need of a major donation to get the project finished.

There have been a few updates of the website.  Most of them are available on the news page. I have tons of fun stuff I want to put up but the catch up from being away has made the web a lower priority.  I should mention that I am very very blessed to have both Janean Boutin, and Steve Jones working with me again.  They have made this one of the smoothest years thus far in spite of my absence last fall.  I am really very a very blessed man.

As we stand on the cusp of another season of ministry at Pilgrim Lodge, I am briskly aware of the growing  importance of experiences in living together in the midst of God's tremendous outdoors.  We are a nation and a people who need to talk with one another.  I am deeply committed to the work we do here and humbled by the  tremendous support and enthusiasm showed by those who have been touched by it.  Please keep PL in your prayers for a safe and meaningful summer.

I'll see you this weekend!

With great anticipation an enthusiasm

Bryan

Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Two weddings and a baptism

What a wild ride it's been.  The spring was full of ups and downs and the summer has been as well.  Each year I am sure that THIS is going to be the season where everything will flow smoothly and easily and summer will just ease on in like a favorite pair of trusted slippers.  Each year I'm wrong.  Which is not to say that there isn't something positive about the adrenaline rush necessary to stay ahead of the ever growing jumble of tasks and details.  However, sometimes a look over the shoulder reveals that jumble about to roll right over you.  Through this internal struggle and many late nights somehow, we do manage to get it together and by the time campers are here the stage is set, and we are ready to welcome everyone in to this amazing, beautiful, majestic, awe-inspiring and holy place. 

Jump Start Weekend was a huge success.  Thanks to everyone who showed including several youth groups who worked really hard to give us that first shine of the season. It feels as if it was years ago! 

Staff hiring was a challenge but we were able to fill all our positions with domestic staff this year, except one (and that's because our dear Janos (Yόn-owsh) wanted to come back and we were delighted to oblige!).  There were a few last minute hires but God always seems to provide.  Speaking of staff, I must take a moment to tell you of the truly amazing and inspiring young people working hard day and night for the benefit of our campers.  They work SO hard and every single one of them has an attitude that is a church camp director's dream.  Just tonight, after a long day one of our lifeguards, Scott, walked up to me and said "Now that dishes are finished is it OK if I go down and paint the dock for a while?"

 "uh, sure."

Last week we had a special camper that needed a little extra help and I told the staff that they all had extra duties in addition their already packed schedule. Not one of them looked cross eyed at me, or rolled their eyes or hesitated in any way.  In fact it was clear that if this was necessary to help a camper be successful, that that was what they wanted to do.  And what do you know? That camper had a GREAT week.  They get it.  Our staff photographer and web queen Sarah is working on the annual page of staff photos and bio's to be posted within the next week.

In the midst of the craziness two things happed that kind of pushed me to the edge. In the Spring my office help had to leave suddenly about three weeks before planned.  At the same time my laptop, which is the computer I use for everything, died. Yes, just about everything was backed up, but those of you who have been there know it's a huge deal anyway.  My calendar, my contacts, my task list, my web sites, music, documents, photos, programs and configurations all gone.   These two events started a wave that seemed to grow exponentially as summer careened at me at record speed.

It was just about at this point that I was to board a plane to North Carolina to co-officiate at the wedding of Karen Tate, my friend and former Pilgrim Lodge staff member, to Will Gray.  While I'm still searching for the sunny side of the computer fiasco, I will say that it helped me to be present to the happy event.  I assumed I'd be huddled in my hotel room hunched over the now deceased laptop trying to catch up every moment I wasn't involved in the festivities.  Instead, I was able to have some down time, enjoy the sun (which was incredibly scarce in Maine last spring), the beautiful countryside, and frankly, I was amazed at the amount of time I just slept. 

The wedding itself was a very classy affair.  It was outside at Karen's house, which she has been slowly but steadily working on for the past twenty or so years.  The bride looked radiant.  While Karen is a beautiful person all the time, I was actually stunned when I saw her in her mothers' wedding gown.  The food was an amazing Southern feast and I found a group of boys, including the grooms son, to play Frisbee in the field behind her house.  The service went off without a hitch (once we found the rings) and the rain even held off.  My co-officiator was Jack Zappulla, a friend and colleague from my Connecticut days, so that was lots of fun too.   If you click on the photo to the left you will find some photos from the wedding.  If you really want a full spread of the whole affair from rehearsal through the honeymoon in Belize you can click here to link to the official Tate-Gray wedding site.

Camp has gone very well. During our staff training week we hosted a retreat for the Conference Staff (the Yarmouth crew) and a meeting of the Coordinating Council.  I was away for Women In The Wild but by all accounts, a grand time was had by all.  Many thanks to new deans Kathi Smith and Linda Kimball. Jackie Davidson returned once more for Vintage Ventures where we played with both returning and new campers in a week that's always like no other.  One new program we started this year was an overnight event for our counselors-in-training (CIT).  We had twenty young people here with a great attitude and desire to learn.  Eternal thanks to OMC members Joanne Bartlett, Sally Colegrove and Allie Rimkunas who worked hard to make this time well spent.  Jump over the to photos page to view Sarah Bigney's pictures of all these events.  She is a true artist who somehow manages to keep those pictures fresh year after year.  We started putting those photos up during camp several years ago as a courtesy to parents.  Now, if there is not a batch up by Tuesday morning we get emails and voice mails from parents who want to know why we're slacking here at the office.  We'll work on that.  The OMC members help during the CIT event allowed me to sneak out during the afternoon to attend yet another wedding of a long time Pilgrim Lodge staff member.

For many years the friendly, booming voice of Jonathan Doughty could be heard floating throughout the camp.  Jonathan was a camper, then spent seven years on staff working as a lifeguard, on the maintenance staff, and as the waterfront director.  It was Jonathan who first showed me Manitou Island where he shared with me his deep love of Pilgrim Lodge.  Over the years I was able to articulate to Jonathan that he embodied the spirit of this place.  In June Jonathan was married to Anne Wilder, who has also served as a counselor here as well.  The happy couple chose to celebrate their nuptials in fine style at the Wilder's family farm.  The wedding party and about a third of the guests were dressed in medieval garb.  At first it was a bit jarring and I felt a little out of place dressed as a twenty-first century man.  But after taking the charming walk through this working turn-of-the-century farm and experiencing the easy delight experienced by all who participated, one could not help but be drawn in to the experience which was all-encompassing, charming and enchanting.  Click on the picture or here to check out the photos I've posted and you will see just what I mean.  Great job Jonathan and Anne, it was a day everyone who attended will remember with fondness and joy.

I returned to finish up the CIT training event which led right into Senior High Expectations, which frankly, was one of the nicest weeks I've ever experienced at PL.  Such a nice group of young people!  I didn't hear an unkind word all week.  Together we worked through issues of substance and explored the faith traditions of the three religions that descended from Abraham.  The program was designed by deans Pam Burnham and Tom Hancock.  The program beautifully dovetailed with the mission focus of Seeds of Peace camp which is also being presented (all summer) by Tom.  The young people were respectful, interested and engaged. They built a labyrinth from sticks and stones up in the woods that we're using all summer and they helped the summer staff plow, prepare and plant an organic garden (literal seed planting) to help feed our late summer campers.

Next with the help of deans Kathy Dunklee and Deb Letourneau, we welcomed 60 sixth and seventh grade students (about half full, which is par for the Fourth of July)  full of energy and enthusiasm.  The place was buzzing and staff and counselors worked together to make Divine Discovery a hugely successful camp.   The summer staff was particularly challenged with people away in Honduras, at General Synod, away on leave, one ill, and a couple pulling double duty as counselors.  Still, not one complained and everyone worked with joy.  Our staff counselors both thanked me for the opportunity to work more closely with kids.  You just can't do any better than that!  At the end, staff and volunteers were all tired, but satisfied.  Thanks to our deans and counselors for working so hard for the benefit of our campers.

During the United Church of Christ General Synod in Atlanta, several of us at PL were glued to the live webcast of the event.  I particularly enjoyed watching my friend, partner and wife, the Reverend Deborah Tate Breault, play the frame drum for several worship services attended by over 3000 people.  And the talk of the town (both Atlanta, Georgia and West Gardiner, Maine) was former PL camper, counselor, dean, and staff member Eric C. Smith who served as vice-moderator and oversaw some of the most sensitive issues before the Synod with grace, humor and aplomb.  Eric had a tiger by the tail and he tamed it and made it look easy.  It was as though he was born to this task.  I sat in the office sometimes with tears of joy, sometimes pride, and a few times trying to pick myself up off the floor from laughing so hard at his wry 'take no grief' manner.  The man has a gift.  He did all this after riding his bike from Freeport, Maine, stopping at UCC churches along the way to discuss the issues to be addressed at Synod.  Throughout the trip he kept a weblog and sent the entries and photos to his trusted assistant (yours truly) to be updated on his website designed just for the trip.  The fact that I was diligent in keeping his website up to date for all those who were following his trip is one reason why this blog entry is the first on my own site since April.  If you haven't taken a look, Eric's site is still up with several entries still to be written.  Take a look at comelisten.org

Following Divine Discovery we entered a new program.  We added a second Grandparent camp this year and managed to get Ben and Betty-Ann Haskell back into the active PL fold to dean it.  We had a nice crew, not too full but just about one family in each cabin on the llake.  For me the highlight was getting to watch my son Eric, who has been at PL since his birth five years ago, be a 'real camper' with my parents who brought Eric's cousins up from Connecticut. Eric moved out of our cabin and onto the other side of the boardwalk.  Grandparent's camp is really very sweet and relaxed.  I really believe it creates lifelong, treasured memories.  The camp culminated with the baptism of Keenan William Innes Campbell (grandchild of the deans - how appropriate) which was one of those ineffable moments in time that helped us all re-affirm our own baptism and our commitment to Christ and this church. It was an honor to officiate at the event.  I am so richly blessed.

Well, that left us a half week, the perfect chance to introduce our youngest campers to PL: "Faith Foundations." So under the amazingly organized and high energy combination of Cindy and Jim Wright, the half week camp went as smooth as can be.  Lots of fun, joy, and singing.  They created a "Faith Garden" that still stands in the lodge with flowers made with camper's photos right in the center.  Later they added other flowers as a way to discuss diversity and tied it into our mission theme on a level appropriate to third and fourth graders.  Thanks guys, great work.

Throughout Grandparents Camp and the half-week camp we had an Island full of middle schoolers.  Due to an over the top administration week, I only made it over there three times, but every time you could see why this camp is so loved by campers, counselors and the dean, Jessica Doughty.  In fact, there were four CIT's for 22 campers.  I think perhaps its because these CIT's just can't stand the thought of not going to Manitou Island, at Pilgrim Lodge on Lake Cobbosseecontee for a week each summer.  That's a great thing.  My final trip was to bring and celebrate communion with the island camp and I could tell from the sincerity in the campers eyes that it had been a transformative week for them all. 

So now we are in our second day of "Follow the Call" a full week camp of third and fourth graders.  I'm sitting on the lodge porch and from all directions am hearing the sounds of active and engaged campers in their family time.  Between me and the waterfront is a huge wall built of rope that, during the week, will be transformed into a bridge.  Again, our mission theme and our biblical theme are being creatively woven together. This time by experienced deans Allie and John Rimkunas. 

So we're off an running.  And with the marvelous staff and with a fresh influx of campers, counselors and deans each week, I know we'll run the course true through to the end.  I know that disturbing things are going on in the world, and I am grateful to be so busy and isolated in this beautiful little bubble without the constant chatter of the media picking every detail to absurdity.  But in the face of a world tattered and torn, I send you news of hope from a campground in Maine.  We're sowing seeds of peace here this summer, in lots of different ways.  Like all seeds, we can only do our best to tend and water them and then trust that God will see fit to make them blossom and grow in God's time.  The path of faith is not always easy, but it is always worthwhile. 

Blessings to you.

Bryan

Saturday October 15, 2005

HELLO! ('LO,   'Lo    'lo)

Is there anybody out there? (there,   there,      there)

I can't say I blame you for being gone.  It's been an unprecedented absence.  Not for want of writing but rather for lack of time.  And even now it's going to be a rush and jumble.  That's just the way of it.

So far fall has been hectic but nice.  Every time I jump in the lake I keep thinking this is going to be the last time this year.  It wakes me up and keeps me going for the rest of the day.   Perhaps the swim last week was it.

It was a great summer season with a phenomenal staff.  There was a bit of a glitch in the beginning, but we rallied and by mid July we were back and rode strong.  All glitches remained behind the scenes and the camps had a great experience throughout.  Right now the State Youth Council is here and it's pouring so we will not be getting the docks out this weekend.  It's really nice to have the SYCers here though.  Their love of this place and its work keeps me going.  And thanks to ad hoc staff Ben, Darci, Artie, Liz and Michelle.

Pulling the docks will probably happen when you are here.  You know for the Fall Work Day on October 29.  We really appreciate the help and are grateful you are the kind of person who cares so much and has such admirable priorities.  Our hats off to you!

Last year the OMC, (in particular Eric Sawyer) and I, worked like crazy to get the PL songbook revised and re-printed.  It was scheduled to be ready for the start of summer but as fate would have it, due to printing issues, it came out the last week of summer.  Sigh. Even then there were a bunch of copies that needed to be returned (and have been and are repaired and just fine)  The good news is that the cover is designed (by Allie Rimkunas) in conjunction with the anniversary so it's ready to go for next summer's celebration.  It was 15 years since the last revision and we were running pretty short.  We are all set for a while.  It is the same book but with 14 of the 95 pages updated from songs we don't often, or ever, sing to songs we sing regularly.  (Don't panic, "I'm A Nut" made the cut).  I was amazed at how much time it took but I am very pleased with the product.  We have a large number for the camp store.  I'm not really pushing sales over the winter but they're available if you want one.  With postage they're $12.50. 

Speaking of the store, I assume you read about our commitment to sweat shop and child labor free products.  If not, read about it here.  I'm behind it a hundred percent although I had no idea how difficult it would be to ensure those qualifications.  It has been quite an education.  Kudos to Sarah Bigney who was the driving force behind this switch.  We continue to serve fair trade coffee and are thinking of switching to the UCC related Beneficio brand. I encourage you to get your church on board.  It's a small thing but it makes a huge difference.  It's the decent thing to do.

A few weeks ago I attended the annual meeting of the conference at Sunday River in Bethel.  That is always like a huge Pilgrim Lodge family reunion.   I gave an address on Friday night and hung out at the PL table where we were pushing the 50th anniversary celebration and the archival project.  I had a ton of undated photos in binders with sticky notes and people seemed to have fun identifying them. 

The 50th committee is working hard.  We're planning two parties.  Please contact your PL friends and plan a reunion during the day on June 10, or even for the whole weekend. Check out the details here.  There will be some fun little PL mementos in relation to the event.   Not much has happened on the 50th campaign but there was recently some movement on that front as well. Hopefully you've seen my page on the archival project.  I've discovered some real treasures.  My frustration is that cataloging, scanning and making good use of all this great stuff is extra time.  Both the web and the archives are on the top of my fun list, but not quite so much on the top of my priority list.  During the summer I looked into a box of files and found it was actually a box of old camp brochures, all the way back to the thirties and forties.  In addition there were several boxes of slides, organized and labeled from the forties and fifties.  I've sent them off to be scanned since I knew I would never be able to do it all.  I am hopeful that they will be back soon to be utilized in the anniversary.

Here's some things you will be hearing more about soon:

• Our new office administrator Karen who started two days ago (Welcome Karen!)
• The 8 or so Lodge postcards I've dug up that will be added to our postcard page.
• Some fruits of the archival effort
• The 2006 camping season (the schedule should be posted by the end of the month)
• Copious web updates.

Sorry for my absence (I know I promised no more apologies but this one was an exceptionally long time). Greetings to all of you out there.  Thank you to the OMC, Camp Staff, Campers, Counselors, Deans, Anniversary Committee, Working group, Coordinating Council, Commissions, Conference Staff and everyone who helps keep this ministry thriving.  Prayers to our world during a rough tsunami, hurricane, earthquake, war-ridden, year.  God be with us. 

Blessings,

Bryan

PS. you can vote now at your town office. 

Friday December 9, 2005

You know that wobbly sound a cartoon character makes when it shakes its head really fast trying to snap itself back to the moment?  That's sort of the sound I'm hearing.  Let's go back (wavy lines starting to increase and fade into two months ago) to the last entry.  Right after that entry  I started to work on our annual appeal.  Thanks to the help of Karen, our new office administrator we got those letters out and the responses have been coming in slow but steady ever since.  Thank you so much to those of you who responded, or intend to respond to our request for help.  I know there are many such requests at this time of year and it's an honor to be director of such a well loved program. 

As soon as that was over I dove into that annual ritual known as the camp brochure.  I enjoy this creative process although my personality is such that all other responsibilities (deskwork, correspondence, eating, bathing, that sort of thing) go out the window as I become singularly focused.  "Why so early this year?"  Well I'm glad you asked.  I realized that this spring is going to be busy with anniversary plans and the new promotional DVD we hope to get into churches so I wanted the brochure done early.  "Doing the brochure" is really a euphemism which represents not only producing the physical booklet you hold in your hand, but organizing the entire program year replete with volunteers (which the OMC was incredibly helpful with I might add).  That included designing two new camps, one of which you can read about on the new webpage dedicated to it.  Once I got into my head that the brochure would be earlier than usual I thought, 'well wouldn't it be fun to be able to hand out the thing at the anniversary party in December?'  Thus began the somewhat artificial deadline two and half weeks prior to that (yes, do the math, Thanksgiving) in order to give the printer adequate time. 

It had been a while since I designed that particular style.  You'll remember last year was a fold out poster which was met with mixed response.  I loved the creativity of designing something new, and most liked the poster itself, but using it as a tool to register was a bit unwieldy, or so I'm told.  Not being what people expected a few said they threw it out as junk mail.  After we mailed this year's I became concerned that it would get lost in the glut of Christmas catalogues.  ("Hark the herald angels sing, order now, we need more things") But since I usually glance at the titles before tossing them into the recycle bin on my way in the door I decided not to worry too much about it. I assume word will get out that they are available.  This is the first year you can download the brochure in its entirety, so it will be interesting to see if we get significantly less demand for hard copies. 

After the 2006 brochure was put to bed I turned my attention to the  December party.  Remember those slides from the forties and fifties I sent off to be scanned?  Well they were do back around Thanksgiving but as the result of some technical difficulties they didn't arrive back until the day before the anniversary.  Just as the brochure was fun, but a bit consuming, so was prepping this affair.  But also like the brochure it was well worth it.  I've written up what went on that day on the anniversary page so I won't repeat it here.  But I do want to thank everyone who pitched in and helped pull it off.  I thought it was a really nice event and a grand way to kick off our  jubilee year.  I've posted pictures although I wished I had a few of the incredibly well done wooden representations made by Cat's Meow that we sold as a fund raiser.  There's the lodge, the bell and the chapel.  I'll try to put some photos of them up soon.  And the new Mr. Barnes Ice Cream, Pilgrim Lodge Cobbosseecontee Crunch which debuted at the celebration:

 Fabulous.

So this week has been kind of a shake-my-head to that wobbly sound week as I go through neglected mail and email and muse with a sort of satisfied glee over the accomplishments of the last two months.   Next week I attend the New England regional conference staff event, start the year end financial work and leave for a good two week Christmas break.

Enjoy the remaining days of advent, the snow, your family and the amazing birth of divine light in the darkness.

Yours,

Bryan

Top              Current Entry            Director's Log Splash Page