SPRING 2018
THIS IS OUR LUTHERDALE! THE REFORMATION TREE PROJECT
There is a quote that has been attributed to Martin Luther that says, “Even if I knew that the world would go to pieces tomorrow, I would still plant an apple tree today.” This quote brings to mind a sense of higher calling and living a purposeful life, regardless of what the future might hold. At camp, we often find ourselves planting seeds without ever knowing what the harvest will be. We can in good faith know that the seeds of faith that are planted during the Bible studies, the seeds of perseverance planted at the high ropes course or the seeds of community planted around the campfire will grow and multiply because we are the harvest of seeds planted generations ago. Lutherdale was started in 1944, when a few pastors walked around a piece of land that was too hilly
and rocky for farming, and they decided it would be a good place to plant some seeds. Last year, 13,000 people came out to Lutherdale to enjoy the grounds, participate in programs and hear the good news about Jesus because of those seeds that were planted over 70 years ago.
We continue to plant at Lutherdale, both figuratively and literally. This past year there were three separate tree projects that took root at Lutherdale during the 500th Year of Commemoration of the Reformation. In April, the camp purchased 100 saplings: 25 oak, 25 maple, 25 fir and 25 spruce. They were planted in an on-site nursery for future transplantation on the grounds. In May, the ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod provided 15 burr oaks. Those
have been planted on the northern lot line of the campus.
From February through August, the Reformation Tree Project collected $10,000. These funds helped purchase 90 spruce which were planted along the East lot line on US Hwy 12 in September. Then in October, 14 hardwoods (elm, maple & linden) were planted at various locations on the campus where trees had been removed. Like the inspiring wisdom found in this old Chinese proverb says: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” At Lutherdale we are thankful for those who did the planting throughout the years, and we are honored to be part of the planting that is taking place right now.
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING DONORS AND CHURCHES WHO MADE THIS PROJECT A SUCCESS: Ruth Ann Copeland Steven & Carol Ekblad John & Nancy Gardynecki Thomas & Lynn Kevern Dorothy Lockard Shirley Solberg Tim Somers Calvary Lutheran Church, Chicago Capron Lutheran Church, Capron Christ the King Lutheran Church, Delafield Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mount Horeb
First Lutheran Church, Lee First Lutheran Church, Janesville Grace Lutheran Church, Libertyville Lake Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee Living Faith Lutheran Church, Racine Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Schaumburg Luther Valley Lutheran Church, Beloit Messiah Lutheran Church, Twin Lakes Women of Messiah Lutheran Church, Twin Lakes Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Seneca Plattville Lutheran Church, Minooka
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Racine St. John’s Lutheran Church, Evansville St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mendota St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Greendale St. Mary’s Lutheran Church, Kenosha St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Palmyra St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Streator St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Janesville Trinity Lutheran Church, Durand West Koshkonong Lutheran Church, Stoughton Williams Bay Lutheran Church, Williams Bay
SPRING 2018 | 262-742-2352 | www.lutherdale.org