At the same February meeting in which the Ohio Conference Board of Trustees made the decision to focus future camping activity at Templed Hills, it also directed that a Task Force be formed to develop a strategy and business plan for outdoor ministries. Vice Moderator Cathy Green (Christ United Church, Olmsted Falls) agreed to organize this effort.
The Task Force will reimagine outdoor ministry, retaining the best from the past and building a vital, sustainable program for the future. It will research what is working in other places and borrow where appropriate. Ultimately, the Task Force will estimate projected revenue, identify necessary staffing and other expenses, and develop a three-year pro forma budget.
Twelve individuals who have been selected for the Task Force and are named below. The first meeting is scheduled for March 31. Interim reports will be submitted to the Board at its May and September meetings, and a report will be made at the Ohio Conference Annual Meeting on September 16, 2017.
The work of the task force will be integrated with that of other groups that are also developing plans. Recommendations from the task force will provide direction to the Operations Committee that is being formed to oversee the repairs and improvements to be made at Templed Hills. The Outdoor Ministry Task Force will also integrate its work with that of the broader Faith Formation Task Force.
Please keep the Outdoor Ministries Task Force and its members in your prayers over the coming months. Any questions or suggestions may be directed to Cathy Green at green.cjm@gmail.com or 313-580-8072.
Task Force Members:
Bobby Burtt, Chair, Division of Outdoor Ministries
Cathy Green, Vice Moderator, Ohio Conference Board
Kim Heimlich
George Voress
Robert Duncan
Jennifer McGuire
Shirley Weyrauch
Cathy Green
Joyce Oyler
Morgan Wickizer
Gary Halstead
Nate Taylor
Terry Williams