Church Life: Regional Ministry - April 2008
With New Facilities, Fowler Forges into the Future
A centerpiece of the master plan for Fowler Camp and Retreat Center in Speculator, New York, is nearing completion. Workers constructing the new dining hall/kitchen facility—to be called Fenimore Hall—were kept busy through the Adirondack winter. The log cabin-style structure is slated to be finished in May, to be ready for the spring and summer seasons.
Dedication is tentatively set for June 1—approximately one year after the project broke ground.
Fenimore will be able to seat 200 guests comfortably, a significant increase over the former space in Suits Hall. The “green” building features a working fireplace, radiant heat tubes embedded in the floor, a composting toilet system, and a new, energy-efficient kitchen. There is also a massive wraparound porch that will be a natural gathering space for campers and guests.
The huge timber logs (12–16 inches in diameter) used to build the facility were harvested from “standing dead timbers” in British Columbia. They were matched for “fit” there before shipment to the Adirondacks.
A worker helps guide a log into place during construction of a new dining hall
at Fowler Camp and Retreat Center.
The master plan directed the new facility to be built in the center of camp, to assist the kitchen crew in feeling more a part of the activities.
Meanwhile, Fowler staff members are creating a “village green,” removing the road through the center of camp to make a vehicle-free area. The road near the boys’ and girls’ cabins will be improved.
Other projects include the renovation of the former kitchen/dining building (Suits Hall) into a nature and arts center. Two prayer cabins are being built. A new wilderness outpost area is also getting workers’ attention.
More than 85 percent of Fowler’s $2.4 million capital campaign has already been raised to fund the improvements.
All this is in addition to Fowler’s regular programming of summer youth camping and special opportunities such as the annual couple’s retreat (April 25–27) and young adult pilgrimage (May 18–23). This year Fowler will continue its successful summer day camp program, partnering with churches to help them reach out to their neighborhoods through “camp” in new and creative ways.
—the Rev. Kent Busman, director
Fowler Camp and Retreat Center
Regional Reports
Canada: In Wainfleet, Ontario, something special happens each year on Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent is celebrated at Maranatha Reformed Church with a breakfast in the fellowship hall followed by a Lenten program in the sanctuary. Over 100 women attend every year from various churches in the Niagra, Haldimand, and Wellandport areas. “This year was the thirty-third anniversary and it’s still going strong,” reported Maranatha pastor Emile Schmid about the event. “We wanted to share this with people to encourage them to uphold Lent by celebrating what Christ has done for us.” (www.reformed-church.com)
Far West: Canyon Lake Community Church in Canyon Lake, California, has instituted a Risk Prevention Program (called RiPP) for the protection of minor children involved in church activities. Before working with children in church-related programs, a volunteer must fill out an application, be fingerprinted, and submit to a background check. So far more than 200 persons have done so. Check-in stations where children are dropped off for programs or in nursery are also being implemented. “This has been done because children are valued at Canyon Lake Community,” read an article in “The ConnecXion,” the Canyon Lake church newsletter. (Web site currently under construction.)
Great Lakes: Spring Valley Community Church in Allendale, Michigan, was named by the local Chamber of Commerce as winner of its Community Service Award for 2007. Spring Valley’s community work includes weekly coaching sessions for the unemployed, distribution of discounted groceries, free minor home repairs, support groups for those wrestling with addictions, and an annual “Free Fair” offering everything from hair cuts to computer advice. In addition, individual church members are active volunteers in area schools and in a local chapter of Love in the Name of Christ (Love, Inc.) that assists churches in meeting community needs. (www.rcagl.org)
Heartland: Central Iowa Classis has hired the Rev. Jesus and Mabel Serrano to lead a multiplication movement within the Hispanic population of Texas. The developing congregation utilizes a radio outlet (owned by Jesus’ brother and partner, the Rev. Andres Serrano) and strategic need-based ministries that develop relationships of trust within the community. The church also offers cells and worship services in multiple locations. In the last eighteen months LaSenda de Pittsburg, in Pittsburg, Texas, has grown to more than 200 people, with a few neighboring communities waiting for the church to start more cell groups with mobilized and trained leaders. (www.heartlandsynod.org)
Mid-America: Despite a snowstorm the previous evening, about 125 women from south-suburban Chicago came together for a night of fellowship and worship February 1 at Crete Reformed Church in Crete, Illinois. Worship included a blend of hymns and praise and worship songs, and a short meditation was offered. Some comments heard: “In the middle of winter, we needed a night out, a night to simply be together and worship the Lord.” “This was wonderful; we need to do this again.” Following worship the women gathered for refreshments hosted by the church. (www.midamericasynod.org).
Mid-Atlantics: United Reformed Church in Somerville, New Jersey, has a unique mission partnership with New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS). The church has granted $2,000 of outreach funds for household furnishings for South African native the Rev. Dr. Rothney Stok Tshaka, who has a new three-year teaching term in the seminary’s Global Scholar program. The Tshaka family is living in a home on the NBTS campus. A church member has donated a 2005 station wagon to the seminary for family use during the appointment. The Tshaka family attended worship at United Reformed on February 3 to say thanks for this partnership in mission. (www.rsmat.org)
New York: The Executive Committee of the Regional Synod of New York (RSNY) has set aside the year 2008 as a “year of listening” in which it intends to listen closely to the voices of its seven classes and 150 churches. The synod wants to hear the challenges and problems facing classes and local churches in order to plan ways to better help them. “Our denomination is extending great effort to revitalize churches and start new ones,” said RSNY executive minister the Rev. Jon Norton. “Our synod wishes to assist our churches within the context of their environment to accomplish these great goals.” (www.nysynod.org)
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