Spring 2019 CRM Xenia Newsletter

Xenia News

the newsletter of Upper New York Annual Conference Camp & Retreat Ministries • The United Methodist Church

xenia: Xenia is the Greek concept of hospitality - or generosity - and courtesy shown to those who are away from home. It is often translated as “guest-friendship” because the rituals of hospitality create and express a reciprocal relationship between guest and host.

Issue XV

SPRING 2019

Camp and Retreat Centers as Holy Ground In my research I have found that the phrase “holy ground” is found only twice in the Bible, once in the Old Testament and once in the New. God first identified the area in which God met with Moses on Mount Horeb (Sinai) as holy ground. It was there that God commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand that he let the people go from bondage to Egypt. At the moment Moses came upon the burning bush out of which God spoke to him, God gave him two commands: don’t come near and take off your sandals. Both commands were to impress upon Moses that he was standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). I also found that Joshua 5:15 describes a similar incident, but the phrase “holy ground” is not used.

I don’t believe that the actual ground on which Moses stood was holy; rather, it was the presence of the holy God that made it holy. The direction to Moses to remove his shoes was consistent with what was well known to Moses, having been brought up in Egypt, he would have known that the Egyptian priests observed the custom in their temples. Moses responds by not only removing his shoes, but also by hiding his face, a sign that he understood he was in the presence of the glory of the divine Majesty and was conscious of his own unworthiness. In fact, Moses was so aware of God’s holiness that he was afraid to look at God (Exodus 3:6).

In the New Testament, the event described in Exodus is reiterated by Stephen as he was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ before the Sanhedrin. He recounted the history of the Jews and their dealings with the God of their forefathers (Acts 6-7). He reminded them of the incident of the holy ground on which Moses stood and spoke to God (Acts 7:33). The holy ground was rendered sacred by the presence of God, who is the very essence of holiness. The lesson for us is that we should enter the sanctuary, the place set apart for divine worship, with reverence in our hearts. Solemn awe and deep seriousness are appropriate for coming into the place set apart for the worship of God, for wherever the Lord is constitutes holy ground.

Our centers are places set apart, places where our guests experience awe and dive deep into the significance of God in their lives. We encourage individuals to come into the presence of the Holy by creating environments that welcome all. In the welcoming of all persons to the natural beauty of our centers and the intentional spaces and programs led by faithful fellow travelers toward Christ, we, in contrast to Moses, encourage one to look at God and know that God loves them.

These remain challenging times, but critical times for camp and retreat centers to provide places for guests to learn that there is a God, that God loves them, and God wants a relationship with them. We thank you for your involvement and support and invite you to continue to be a part of the ministry on these Holy Grounds.

In Ministry Together,

Michael D. Huber

Aldersgate Brantingham, NY 315-348-8833

asbury

casowasco

sky lake

skye farm

CRM Office

585-237-5262

315-364-8756

607-467-2750

518-494-7170

315-898-2026

Silver Lake, NY

Moravia, NY

Windsor, NY

Warrensburg, NY

Liverpool, NY

Staff Updates JOAN NEWLON RETIRES AFTER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Camp & Retreat Ministries thanked Joan Newlon for her 20 years of service at a luncheon at the Upper New York Conference Office on June 20 prior to her June 30, 2018 retirement. Mike Huber said to Joan, “Thank you so much for all you’ve done and led, your passion for ministry, not to mention all the donors you have nurtured, and all you’ve been a part of within Camp & Retreat Ministries. You have served God with a full, loving heart.” Joan shared at the luncheon, “I have so enjoyed the work that I’ve done. I have loved each one of these sites and I’m going to miss the work and the people.” In retirement, Joan looks forward to spending time with her family, time traveling, and time in her garden. We wish Joan well and thank her for her dedication to CRM.

nEW aDVENTURES FOR Shari mudge

Since joining the Camp & Retreat Ministries leadership team in early 2015, Shari Mudge served as the Site Manager at Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center. She cared for the physical site at Aldersgate, overseeing many upgrades to the facilities; and built relationships with our neighbors within the Brantingham community, leaders and participants within churches and retreat groups, and staff and volunteers. Shari joined her husband, Rev. Bill Mudge, in ministry when he was appointed last summer to Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church. Thank you, Shari, for your hard work, passion for God’s work through the ministry at Aldersgate, and your continued support.

CCRM MEMBERSHIP CHANGE

Camp & Retreat Ministries wishes to thank out-going members Rev. Hoyt Brown, Stephen Ranous, Carmen Vianese, and Stuart Williams for their dedicated service on the Committee On Camp & Retreat Ministries as they ended their term in June 2018.

We welcome to the committee Tim Barnes, Rev. Anna Blinn Cole, Karen Feliciano Morris, and Rev. Kim Reed. We are excited about the talents, gifts, and graces that they bring to CCRM and are thankful for their willingness to serve in this way.

IN MEMORIAM: JIM KRAGER LEAVES A LEGACY

Jim Krager passed away July 3, 2018.

He shared over 45 years of his life with the Sky Lake community before his retirement in 2015. He modeled what it looks like to be a committed follower of Jesus, servant to others, and steward of God’s creation. A celebration of Jim’s life was held July 7, 2018 at Sky Lake and those who gathered in honor and memory of him were campers and their families, staff, volunteers, church leaders, and community members. Many shared memories and stories of time spent with Jim, his smile, his gentleness and faithfulness, the influence he had in and on lives as an encourager, a mentor, teacher, leader, and example. Many contributions to Sky Lake’s Campership Fund have been received in Jim’s memory. Jim is missed and fondly remembered by the Sky Lake and the Camp & Retreat Ministries community.

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Your Donations @ Work New Outdoor Chapel at Asbury

Alex Kaforey, an Eagle Scout from Orchard Park UMC, created an outdoor lakeside worship space with benches and a new cross. Alex designed it, solicited materials, and coordinated volunteers on three Saturdays and a Sunday as his Eagle Scout Project. Many guest groups and Asbury programs were able to enjoy its use last summer and a local church used the space for their Sunday worship as well. We are thankful for Alex for thinking of Asbury, his time in preparation, planning, and execution so that guests have a new location where they can meditate, sing around a campfire, worship, and experience the beauty of God’s creation on the shore of Silver Lake.

Casowasco’s Yurt Village Expands

The Highlands, our outpost camping site located across route 38, benefited from construction of a new Yurt Village in the Spring of 2017.

Upgrades have continued to this facility. The largest of the 3 yurts was fully outfitted prior to Summer 2018 programming with bookshelves, couches, cabinets, a foosball table, and a ping pong table. Additionally, a fourth yurt was constructed to give the site more flexibility, able to accommodate additional campers or staff depending on needs from week to week. We are thankful for the donors who contributed to help with these projects.

New Rabaska Canoe for Skye Farm

A New Rabaska Canoe was purchased in 2018 thanks to many gifts, large and small, from faithful donors. The old wood Rabaska Canoe was retired, refinished by Terry Lasher, and has been hung in the dining hall for all to enjoy. The new canoe was delivered during 2018 staff training with many hands carrying it down to the water. Many campers and staff were able to take a ride in and paddle the new canoe during the summer season.

We are excited for it to be used this summer in a new program - ADK Island Canoe Trip. In this canoe, youth will experience the Adirondacks by canoeing up rivers and on lakes, making camp, exploring, and relaxing among the trees and waves. We hope that future, intentional donations, like that of the canoe, will allow us to build the offsite trip offerings that campers have enjoyed in the past, so that youth may adventure in the Adirondacks for countless summers to come.

SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS HELP TRANSFORM LIVES

Thanks to the generous financial support of many—including staff, volunteers, alumni, parents, families, churches, and local businesses across the conference—Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries was able to collectively award over $50,000 in scholarships to campers, families, and retreat participants in 2018. You, the donors, made it possible to offer full or partial assistance to 192 individuals, allowing them to participate in activities, meals, small group time, worship, and more at Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Sky Lake, and Skye Farm. This is in addition to the many churches and agencies which also provided scholarships for campers and guests. These campers and guest participants were able to discover our places where lives are changed and learn or grow deeper in their understanding that there is a God, that God loves them, and that God wants a relationship with them through the person and work of Jesus. Thank you! Information on how to contribute to the CRM Scholarship Fund can be found on page 7.

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aldersgate

Aldersgate Plans for New Welcome Center Prior to 1948, the King family would arrive at their farm by driving directly to the main farmhouse. Since 1948, firsttime guests have not had a clear entry point onto the property and returning guests have found the office and welcome area in at least four different locations. For all our years of ministry, we have worked diligently to be a good neighbor and member of the greater Brantingham/Greig community but have had only limited ability to partner with and/or host community groups and events.

As discerned in the Master Plan for Ministry, the Committee on Camp & Retreat Ministries and leadership team have determined that a new Welcome Center is needed at Aldersgate. This energy-efficient, year-round, multi-use facility will provide an accessible, welcoming, professional, and community-friendly space that will be used by many local groups and families to hold gatherings and events. A large welcoming foyer, river-rock style fireplace matching those in Fellowship Hall and the Dining Hall, large multi-purpose room, administrative offices for the director, program staff, and volunteers will allow for diverse use. The new facility will focus the main entrance of the site to the corner of Brantingham and Winthrop Roads with new parking area and windows looking out over much of the site.

We would encourage you to join us in this project. Please visit AldersgateNY.org or call 315-898-2026 for additional information or to become involved.

CASOWASCO

Galilee Expansion Project On The Horizon Galilee Lodge, the iconic centerpiece of Casowasco’s shoreline, has served retreat guests and campers at Casowasco since it opened in 1946. The time has come to complete the renovations and expansion of this piece of history and preserve its legacy while shepherding in its future as a prime retreat facility for decades to come.

Our vision for the future of Galilee is ambitious, but we know that it can be achieved with the generous support of dedicated individuals whose lives have been transformed at Casowasco. With your help, we plan to bolster the aging foundation of the West Wing; renovate the bedrooms in Galilee’s back wing to add private bathrooms; add additional first floor bedrooms to better accommodate guests with mobility challenges; update the existing HVAC system to allow for individual room control and to incorporate air conditioning; and provide guests with an attached multipurpose meeting space with picturesque views of Owasco Lake. Our objective is to preserve the historic nature of the building while continually modernizing the accommodations it provides. To this end, the planned additions to the building will reflect the classic architecture of the original structure.

You are invited to be a part of this project. Please visit Casowasco.org or call 315-364-8756 for additional information.

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ASBURY

Asbury Receives Willmott Foundation Grant Asbury is the recipient of an $85,010 grant from the Willmott Foundation to be disbursed over three years. The first phase, begun in 2018, is an exterior upgrade of Willmott Lodge. A new steel roof and new vinyl siding to replace the decaying wood siding is nearing completion. In 2019, the focus will be on replacing the sidewalks surrounding Willmott Lodge. This will include a patio with a fire pit, allowing our guests an option for relaxed seating in the sun and evening campfires complete with s’mores. In 2020, projects will include paving parking lots adjacent to Willmott Lodge and the addition of outdoor lighting. Asbury is excited about the new look and upgrades for Willmott Lodge and what that will mean for retreat guests joining us in the next year and beyond.

We are thankful to the Willmott Foundation for their support of Asbury and our vision in the giving of this grant.

sky lake

Founders’ Lodge Receives a Fresh Coat of Stain Last year, a months-long project was undertaken to restore the exterior siding of Founders’ Lodge. While dedicated staff and volunteers had lovingly cared for portions of the exterior since the facility was opened in 2003, Founders’ Lodge is massive. Thanks to previous donations for capital improvement projects, we were able to contract Richard J. Woloszyn Painting to fully restore and stain Founders’ from peak to base. The first phase took place in the weeks leading up to summer camp. When the first campers of 2018 arrived, the portions of the building facing Underwood Lodge and Riley Lodge were completed. Phase two commenced after completion of summer camp programming. Because of copious amounts of rain, phase two took a bit longer than anticipated, but the end results were worth it—Founders’ Lodge looks amazing and will continue looking so for years to come.

skye farm

New Maintenance Facility Constructed A new maintenance facility has been constructed this past autumn thanks to generous donations received from some key Skye Farm supporters. The new building, located by Eagle Cabins, is one bay larger than the old shop, allowing us the space to store vehicles and equipment out of the weather year-round, especially in the winter. It will also allow us to complete additional projects throughout the summer due to the increased space. The Thursday Crew, made up of committed volunteers, is currently working inside the new building finishing insulation, electrical work, drywall, and more. We will have a move-in day later in the Spring and will need additional volunteers to move the tools and equipment remaining in the old shop to their new home. If you are interested in helping, please contact Brandi in the Skye Farm office. The goal is to have the move-in completed before summer, allowing us ample time to prepare an organized, efficient shop in which staff can easily find the tools they need to make Skye Farm look great and provide spaces where lives can continue to be transformed.

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Xenia News is Going Green!

We desire to model good stewardship for our campers and guests. As we prepared this edition of Xenia News, we considered the impact the amount of paper we use to print this newsletter has been having on creation. We have explored alternative methods of distribution of Xenia News which would also allow us to be even more fiscally responsible, thereby fully maximizing every generous donation we receive.

We are excited to share that beginning with the next edition of Xenia News (scheduled for Autumn 2019), we will be greatly scaling back the number of printed and mailed copies. There is still some need to be able to share physical copies of Xenia News in our facilities, with churches, and with all those who specifically request it, but we anticipate noticeable cost and environmental savings.

Past and current editions of Xenia News are available at unyumc.org/about/crm-xenia-newsletter. Upcoming editions will continue to be available at that address and will also be posted to each camp and retreat center’s individual website. You may opt to subscribe to receive Xenia News directly in your email by: • completing the online form at unyumc.org/about/crm-xenia-newsletter • adding a request to your next donation • sending a request to info@campsandretreats.org If you do not have internet access and prefer to receive a hard copy, please call Betsy at 315-898-2026.

Opportunties For Giving Back to Our Sites Volunteer Work Days Scheduled

Our sites have been blessed by the adults, youth, children, and families who come to give back during Volunteer Work Days. Projects large and small are completed in the spring in preparation for summer programming and in the fall to help be sure all is packed away before the snow and cold arrives. A variety of projects for all ages and abilities is available and may include clearing trails, cleaning and opening/closing cabins and program spaces, setting/cleaning up program equipment, raking, organizing, and more. Bring your family, friends, and a servant’s heart ready for work. Lunch will be provided. Please contact the site directly with any questions and to let them know your intent to join in on the Volunteer Work Day experience.

Sky Lake: May 4 Aldersgate: May 18, June 1, October 19 Skye Farm: May 18 and October 19 Summer volunteers needed Whether you have a week, a day, or even a few hours, our sites could use your help this summer. There are plenty of volunteering opportunties beyond being a volunteer counselor, dean, or chaplain. Are you particularly good at gardening? Are you able to safely use a hammer or saw? Or maybe helping to hand out shirts to arriving campers is more your pace? Your time will have an impact on the lives of our campers and guests.

Contact us to see where your gifts are most needed this summer.

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CAMP & RETREAT MINISTRIES SCHOLARSHIP FUND ___$1,000 ___$500 ___$300 ___$150 ___$75 ___$50 ___$25 Other $_______ ___I’d like to transform a life by sponsoring one camper for one week of camp ($545) Please use this contribution to help a camper at:

____Where Needed Most

____Aldersgate ____Asbury ____Casowasco ____Sky Lake ____Skye Farm Name____________________________________ Phone_____________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip_______________________________ Email_____________________________ Check No____

Credit Card (circle) Visa MasterCard Discover AmericanExpress

Exp Date______ CVC______

Card Number________________________ Name on Card (print)___________________________ Cardholder’s Signature___________________________________________________________ Please make checks payable to “UNYAC-CRM” and mail to 7481 Henry Clay Blvd, Liverpool NY 13088 Give Online at: www.campsandretreats.org/crm/assist

Honoring the Saints Thank you to those who gave donations in honor or memory of friends and loved ones in 2018.

Gifts were given in honor of: Yvonne Ablan; Patty Brewster and Ryan Healy; Susan Hardy; Ronald Harris; Valerie & Ed Melin; Allen Russell; Peg Shields; Norb Sylor; Rev. Barbara Snyder of Beach Lake UMC; and in honor of all those who impact lives at Sky Lake.

Gifts were given in memory of: Justin Arnold; Jim Augenstein; Andrew Barden; Rev. James Barrett; Kevin Dunn; William Emblidge, Jr.; Harry & Peg Hebbard; William C. Heck; Mr Robert Hill; Walter Hoyle; Jim Krager; Janet Lang; Tom Larmondra; Nicole Mathewson; Brian McNulty; Peter Moses; Rosalie A. Smith; Larry Spooner; Linda Swisher; Marian VanEseltine; and Louis Yeakle.

What a blessing to receive gifts in memory of these family, staff, volunteers, and church and camp leaders.

Come Visit During Our Upcoming Open House: Day at Camp Events One of the best ways for a new camper, family, or guest to feel at home is to visit ahead of time to run, play, create, participate in activities, meet our staff, tour our facilities, and learn more about us. Visiting one of our camp and retreat centers will give a taste of what a camper, family, or guest will experience. New and returning families, alumni campers and staff, friends, and neighbors are all welcome to connect or reconnect with us. The events are FREE. A meal may be available at a modest cost for donation. If you cannot join us, we are always happy to schedule a private tour! Just give us a call.

Sky Lake May 19, 1:30-5pm Casowasco June 16, 2-7pm Skye Farm June 1, 1-6pm Asbury June 30, 1-4pm Aldersgate June 15, 2-7pm

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Aldersgate

Brantingham, NY

Asbury

Silver Lake, NY

Casowasco Moravia, NY

Sky Lake Windsor, NY

Skye Farm

Warrensburg, NY

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