Call

What time is it? It’s CAMP TIME! As we begin a new calendar year, many of you are making plans for summer vacations and looking for enriching opportunities for your children this summer. How about including a time to enhance your faith?

My kids, Mary (4^th grade) and Jonah (2^nd grade), are reading the Lutheran Camping Corporation brochure seeing which week they want to spend at Nawakwa. Jonah is set for a few days of mini-camp … same as classic camp, just a half week. And Mary is torn between Survivor Nawakwa (where no one is voted off the island … there is no island) and Night Owls (where late nights are spent looking at nocturnal animals and star gazing). Maybe one of your kids would like to go at the same time Mary and Jonah are going.

Of course, as usual, my family as a whole will attend Family Camp II from August 5–11. At Family Camp your family (blood relatives or your group of favorite people) can stay in a cabin or in one of the lodges. Food is provided, activities are planned, plus worship (camp style) and Bible Study are part of every day! There is a little something for everyone. Can’t commit to a whole week, come and visit your pastor and her family—we’d love to see you!

Are you looking for a job this summer? Look further into this edition of The Call to check out employment opportunities at our summer camps.

Again, this year we are happy to have Phyllis S as our camp person. As our liaison to our outdoor ministries, Phyllis has plenty of information on the variety of activities that are sponsored by our camps for adults, youth and children. This also means that we will enjoy the “Camp Person Discount” that is given to every member of this congregation because of Phyllis’ position.

Council Highlights
December 12, 2011, Council Meeting

R The Pastor reported that a congregation member has given the church $5,000 to be used to bring a Youth Director on staff. Council spent significant meeting time discussing the process to be used to select a person for this important staff position. Work is beginning on a job description and expectations that we can share with candidates.

R Pastor also reported that Al Dailey will be attending a Mission Breakfast on January 29, 2012, at 10 am. He has organized teams to travel to Guatemala through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. He will be sharing his experiences and recruiting for an August 2012 trip

R The Treasurer reported that as of the end of November our income was higher than projected for the entire year. To put that in specific terms we budgeted for an income of $146,000 for the year and on November 30 we had income of $148,234.

R The Property Committee reported that on November 12, 2011, an outdoor work day was held (it snowed on the original October 29 Fall Clean Up Day). Leaves and debris were cleared, the lawn was cut. Special attention was given to drains and places where water collects to ensure that water does not run into the building. Also during November a coat of primer was applied to the Youth Room.

R The Stewardship Committee reported that it is attempting to get an estimate of the number of recipe books and calendars that we could sell. A posting will be placed outside the chapel and the nave soliciting interest.

If you want more detailed information on council meetings, the minutes, once reviewed and approved, are available from the Church Office. Alternately, you may ask any church council member for more information.

—Randy Breon

HELP Ministries
Through the Giving Tree, Good Shepherd generously provided gifts for 21 individuals in December 2011 for the HELP Ministries Holiday Help-a-Family Program. Money donations for Giant gift cards totaled $550. Our participation aided almost 150 individuals during the Christmas season.

Ecumenical Food Pantry
Thanks to everyone who donated items to the Food Pantry throughout 2011. Sixty-eight bags were delivered.

Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month (February 5), but donations are accepted any time in the hallway grocery cart, opposite the public library.

Want to really make an impact on the world? To share God’s word while growing closer to Him yourself? To enjoy a summer in the outdoors, learning skills and making friends that will last you a lifetime? Then let God use your gifts this summer to serve as a staff member for Camp Kirchenwald or Nawakwa.

Camps Kirchenwald and Nawakwa are part of the Lutheran Camping Corporation, an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to providing meaningful outdoor ministry opportunities for children, teens, adults, and families. From late June through mid-August, weekly summer camp programs are offered, led by trained staff. The rest of the year, facilities are available for rent by church, family, and community groups. Some in-house retreats are prepared as well. Both camps are certified by the American Camping Association.

Camp Kirchenwald is located on 340 acres of undeveloped timberland, adjacent to 4,000 acres of State Game Land, in Colebrook. Pennsylvania. The camp averages over 400 campers a summer, focusing on adventure trip camps and growth through challenge. Campers travel to the Black Forest, the beaches of Assateague Island … or enjoy the ropes course, lake, and sports activities at the camp itself.

Camp Nawakwa has been serving the Central Pennsylvania and the Lower Susquehanna synods since 1929. Located ten miles north of Gettysburg, the camp draws in over 900 summer campers to an outdoor community experience unlike any other. Nawakwa’s 131 acres, and the surrounding area, provide opportunities for overnight hiking, cookouts, hayrides, biking, and the popular electives program—featuring street hockey, water polo, photography, and miniature golf.

Each camp uses the summer Bible study theme endorsed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and tailors its programs to enrich God’s message.

Kirchenwald and Nawakwa have summer positions available for high school and college students.

Hiring, Hours, & Recompense: High school, college-age, and adult summer staff are hired for positions based on experience and ability. The camp is an equal opportunity employer. Check with directors for current salary positions. Room and board provided as well. Employment time lasts from early June (training period) through mid-August. Most weeks run from Sunday at 2:00 pm to Saturday at 11:00 am.

All applicants should be faithful, mature, and committed to living in an outdoor Christian community. Lutheran heritage and work experience are helpful but not required. Cabin counselors should be high school gradutes and 18 years of age or older. Applicants for other positions should be at least 15 years of age.

Applications are available at www.lutherancamping.org or by calling the Camping Office at 717-677-8211.

From the Pastor