July 11, 2017
Dear Ohio Conference Members:
On this date, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors prepared a report to present to the Board of Directors at its meeting August 25:
It is proposed that funds resulting from the sale of a camp site be used as follows:
- Pay off an outstanding loan of approximately $262,000 entered into several years ago for the purpose of covering losses at that time from the operation and program of both Pilgrim Hills and Templed Hills;
- Establish an endowment fund which will be invested to generate income to support Faith Formation throughout Ohio Conference, one component of which will be outdoor ministry programs as specified in earlier actions of the Board (a target goal for this endowment is $1,000,000); and
- Set aside the remainder of proceeds for major maintenance and capital improvements at one camp site.
In addition, the Executive Committee reviewed requests from persons interested in reversing the decision to sell Pilgrim Hills. They advocate instead the sale of Templed Hills. The Executive Committee reviewed the reasoning of those individuals, and also considered additional information which has been developed by the Camp Operations Team since the Board’s decision in February, 2017 to sell Pilgrim Hills and rehab Templed Hills.
In response to these requests, the Executive Committee is planning to make a presentation to the Board that will include these requests as well as the information that the Camp Operations Team has gathered.
Work at Templed Hills continues. The Board of Directors will provide further instructions based on their discernment at the August 25 Board meeting.
Rev. Mindy Quellhorst, Moderator
Rev. John Gantt, Interim Conference Minister
I'm in tears, as my heart aches for Templed Hills. While I'm sad to see either camp be sold, I was very excited to see Templed Hills - the place where I basically grew up - reopen. To hear that people are considering selling it again is just terrible. Please keep Templed! The rolling green hills, the hiking trails, the open space - please bring it back!!