Hello, Summer! We’ve been getting ready for you! Camp directors and counselors have been especially busy in recent weeks since the first Ohio Conference camps of the year begin this coming weekend. In fact, if you’re not already registered for one of the camps this summer, there is still room in many of the camps. Click HERE for more information on available camps. If you have kids or grandkids in grades 2-8 be sure to check out two new options that are being offered this year. Explorers Camp is for grades 2-5 and Faith Adventures for grades 5-8. Time will be spent exploring God’s world through swimming, crafts, vespers, outdoor cooking, field hikes, and much more! We will explore our faith as we explore a new place with new friends!
Templed Hills “Grand Re-Opening” – You may also want to come visit! Join us this coming Sunday, June 10, for the “Grand Re-Opening” of Templed Hills at 5734 Durbin Rd, Bellville, Ohio. Buildings will be open for touring from 3 pm to 5 pm so you can see all the improvements that have been made. You will be free to explore on your own, or we will have guided tours throughout the afternoon. Dinner will be shared at 5:30 pm and there will be a brief recommissioning service after dinner before we send you on your way! There is no fee for this event, but please REGISTER so we know how many to plan to welcome at dinner.
A big THANK YOU! You will be amazed when you see all that has been accomplished at Templed Hills over the past year, ever since the decision was made to focus all our outdoor ministry resources at this location. There isn’t room to thank everyone who has assisted, but there are a few that deserve special mention:
• Jim Ditzler – For more than a year, Jim has been the chairperson of the Operations Team which has identified and prioritized the numerous projects to have Templed Hills ready for the 2018 season. Jim has been the tireless point person with contractors and volunteers, coordinating the work at camp.
• Brent Westover, family, and friends – The Westover Team has spent countless weekends at Templed Hills over the winter and spring. A (very) incomplete list of their accomplishments are new wagon wheel chandeliers in Heritage Hall, new siding on the pool house, enclosures for two bathhouses, and many electrical projects. Brent has done inspections, developed lists of projects – big and small – that needed attention, and then worked away at getting them done.
• Ed Karges and Keven Gehres – These two also spent many weekends at camp working on a variety of projects including new drywall and paint in lower Skipper bedrooms, new ceiling tiles and paint in the kitchen, and refurbishing the swimming pool.
• Jeff and Carolyn Thompson – Getting camp ready for the summer season is stressful in the best of times, but this season has been especially challenging. The Thompsons relocated to Templed Hills in a bitter cold December and have worked to get their family settled at the same time that they were helping to get camp in shape.
There are many other churches and individuals that have helped in so many ways! I very much appreciate the efforts of everyone that has helped plan and prepare for a successful camping season at Templed Hills.
Annual Gathering – September 28-29 – Well, it won’t still be summer by the time of this meeting, but the planning team, led by Dan Doty, will be putting finishing touches on the plans throughout the summer. Besides, this is going to be a meeting you won’t want to miss so I couldn’t help including it here. We have two special guests. Songwriter and musician Ken Medema will be with us throughout the two days and will give a concert on Friday night. You can get a taste of his talent by checking out this video invitation. On Saturday morning, Rev. Starsky Wilson will give a keynote that will get you out of your seat! Starsky is the President and CEO of the Deaconess Foundation in St. Louis, Mo. You can read more about him HERE. The principle business of the Annual Gathering will be hearing and discussing the recommendations from the Vision Team.
So you can see that it’s been a busy spring and will be a busy summer! I thank God for the sustenance of the Holy Spirit and for the many volunteers that have made these things possible.
Peace,
Cathy Green
Moderator, Ohio Conference