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. . . a place apart
NOVEMBER, 2013
Benefits of Camp: A Pastor’s View By Rev. Allison Unroe River Road Church
My first summer working as a counselor at Camp Hanover was between my Rev. Allison Unroe junior and senior years in college. When I went back to school I was that camp kid who couldn’t stop telling camp stories. In my stories I often referred to “my kids.” About halfway through fall semester one of my classmates said, “How many kids do you have?” That was the first of many times that I would explain that I have no biological children, but, as a youth worker, I do accept responsibility for helping bring up hundreds of children and youth in their faith. As a Youth Pastor (and as a Christian living into the baptismal covenant) I take the responsibility of contributing to the faith formation of children and youth very seriously, and I know that faith formation is rooted in loving, intentional relationship. Because I love “my kids,” I believe that the greatest gift you can give a Youth Pastor is to love their kids. It is the greatest gift because none of us is perfect. “My” youth need to have role models in faith beyond me and their parents. They need to see and hear from people who interpret scripture differently, who live into their call uniquely, who relate to God distinctively. The more diversity they experience in a life of faith, the better chance they have at forming their own unique authentic deeply rooted faith in Christ, and isn’t that what all of us want for our kids? That is what being a Pastor in Residence at Camp Hanover is about. Pastors in Residence accept that responsibility not only for the hundred plus campers with whom they work, but also for the large staff of young adults who
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h process involving a treover Ministries Board of Harry Zweckbronner has mp’s continued growth in his new position, Zweckperations of Camp Hanoping retreat programs and Hanover experience as a Harry Zweckbronner & Family Christian hospitality. ummer camp as both camper and staff member played a er has served for the past ten years as Program Director at he summer camp and year-round retreat programs. Harry Camp and Conference Association and is a Standards Visi-
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serve with them. Here are a few ways that relationships fostered by the Pastor in Residence program at camp benefit so many. Evangelism. When a pastor spends a week (or two) at camp on behalf of their church, hundreds of campers and staffers become familiar with them and the mission of their congregation. It is a great opportunity for a pastor to plant seeds in the community and start relationships that could grow in the future. Service. When a church sends their pastor to camp they are serving the larger church by giving of their resources and time, which lives faithfully into the servant-leadership to which God calls us and sets a good example for our congregations. Witness. Pastors in Residence are essential to the quality of program that camp can offer. They support staff and campers alike through ministries of presence and pastoral care. They plan and lead Bible studies and devotions. They help campers plan and lead vespers. Pastors in Residence strengthen the faith forming witness offered by Camp Hanover to their staff and campers. Renewal. Serving as a Pastor in Residence provides a pastor the same place apart for renewal and growth in an environment of Christian hospitality that attracts so many campers and returning staff each year. It is an opportunity to spend some time in God’s creation with a unique group of people doing distinctive ministry that almost always challenges pastors to grow in ways they may have long since thought they’d finished growing. The relationships in which a pastor invests during their time at camp are deep and meaningful and nourishing. Pastors in Residence usually leave feeling spiritually energized, renewed and hopeful. Summer of 2013 was my second summer serving as a Pastor in Residence at Camp Hanover. It was a time of learning, growth, great joy, meaningful connection, and spiritual retreat for me that I sorely needed in the context of a busy, bustling programmatic year. My church was generous in their support of camp, investing in the strength of camp’s programming and witness by sharing me with camp for two weeks. I know that was a sacrifice for my congregation, and one that I am deeply grateful for their willingness to make, since I truly believe that we all benefit from such graciousness within the body of Christ. When we share our resources (be they money or things or time or talents or people power) we are all stronger for it, and the kingdom of heaven is made manifest in our cooperation and sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. So I challenge you: how will you support Camp Hanover this year?
Tuckahoe Youth Helps Camp Care for Creation Becoming a model of environmental stewardship and teaching othGus Beane ers to care for the creation which God has entrusted to us is a Camp Hanover core value. Thanks to Gus Beane of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church and the members of Boy Scout Troop 770, Camp Hanover has expanded it’s recycling program and is making an even larger impact in our earth-care efforts. As part of his Eagle Project, Gus coordinated a group of scouts as they constructed five attractive and sturdy recycling bins for the collection of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, paper and cardboard refuse. The colorful bins are located outside of Wise Lodge, Koinonia Lodge, Knoxwood Lodge, Kirkwood IV and the Picnic Pavilion. Because guests who use Camp Hanover for retreats during the year now have highly visible, practical and easy -to-use recycling receptacles, there has been a three -fold increase in the amount of material that Camp has been able to collect and recycle, items which were winding up in landfills before the bins were installed.
You’re Invited . . .December 13 & 14
A Hanover Christmas
A candlelit trail winds through the woods, transporting you back in time. Along your journey, meet other travelers, shepherds, kings and angels. Immerse yourself in the greatest story ever told... You are cordially invited to join us for a candlelit stroll through the woods, sharing in music and drama to celebrate the birth of Christ. The first annual “A Hanover Christmas” takes place on the evenings of December 13 and December 14 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. This free event is open to the public and is suitable for all ages and physical abilities. More than “just another live nativity” you’ll experience interactive dramatic re-enactments, enjoy performances by local musicians, a cappella groups and area church choirs, and fellowship with others as you relax and sample some tasty treats. The evenings are meant to be “come and go as you please” outings, so you are welcome to stay as long as you like. For those traveling from afar, overnight accommodations are available. The event also provides opportunities for service. Roles for individual or groups of volunteers include:
Greeting and Parking Making Costumes Baking and Serving Refreshments Singing and Musical Performances Playing a character along the candlelit walk Lighting Candles. Lots and lots of candles Decorating and stringing up the lights Publicizing and Promoting the event around town Making Christmas Ornaments for use as a Campership Fund Raiser Cleaning up after the event.
For more information, or to get involved with this program call (804) 779-2811 or visit www.CampHanover.org