Director's Log

January 22, 2012

A Tale of Two Camps

In line at the store today everyone seemed caught up in his or her own affairs. I turned around and the man behind me, about twenty years my senior, looking pretty grim and impatient, lit up with enthusiastic recognition. That’s when he pointed to my sweatshirt and exclaimed “Pilgrim Lodge! I went there as a kid!”

Thus began a conversation full of warmth and memory. We figured out he’d been there a few summers around 1958. I heard stories of singing and campfires, swimming and friendship. Enthusiasm and excitement kept projecting from his previously careworn face. The last thing he said to me with a faraway twinkle in his eye, was “gosh, every kid ought’a go to camp.” This kind of encounter is not an unusual event in my life. Such is the power of outdoor ministries.

All across the country, I’ve been blessed to witness the transforming power of church camp. At each camp there is something special and unique, and yet there is a unity that binds us all together. There is an ineffable quality to every camp’s culture and yet a kinship that we all feel.

Such uniqueness, beauty, and kinship are no more powerfully witnessed than at Horton Center on Pine Mountain. If you haven’t heard the big announcement about the partnership between the New Hampshire and Maine Conferences, take a moment and read about it here.

Exactly five minutes upon my return from sabbatical (yes, thank you, it was wonderful) I received a call from Maine Conference Minister, David Gaewski. Having worked with David for almost 15 years I could tell immediately that something was up. And then he shared with me the kernel of an idea that would soon take root and grow. He and New Hampshire Conference minister Gary Shulte had engaged in one of those ‘what if’ conversations. David offered, “what if we worked together.” Often, that is the extent of such conversations. Not this time.

I’ve spent the last two months researching, meeting people, and looking deep into the New Hampshire Outdoor Ministry history. Here are a few things of which I am certain: The New Hampshire Conference has a rich chronicle of Outdoor Ministry. People’s lives have been changed for the better. There is a community of people deeply dedicated to this ministry. Lifelong friendships have been formed. The Holy Spirit has been made manifest. Chapel Rock is sacred ground.

Sound familiar? Some who are reading this might know a similar sense from Pilgrim Lodge. And yet, those who have been involved a long time will remember that there was a time when PL went through some serious growing pains. A time when our camp community looked so deeply inside our own circle, that we didn’t notice the culture, and the church had evolved around us. It was a time when I often found myself looking into frustrated eyes and saying, “change is hard.”  Those changes were hard. In what was an important process, toes were occasionally stepped on; mistakes were made (I made some fine ones). And yet, I believe that we retained what was sacred about PL, while moving it through a kind of metamorphosis. It was the same, but it was different. A paradox.

We worked together on priorities and goals. We learned about family systems and how they can hold us back. Pilgrim Lodge benefited from the changes. We kept our eye on the ball and made it through stronger. That’s not to say we’ve created utopia. We are the very human church, yearning for connection to the divine.

In gathering myself for the work ahead, my deepest appreciation goes to two colleagues and friends: Gregg Pitman and Rob Vodra. In 1988, Rob and I served on camp staff together at Silver Lake Conference Center, the Connecticut UCC camp (it’s true!). Rob is one of the most sincere and genuine people I know. And without the direct and consistent support of my friend Gregg, I don’t think I would have made it through those first PL growing pains. Gregg and I spent 6 years together on the board of the UCC’s Outdoor Ministry Association. At least twice a year, we’d go to a UCC camp together somewhere in the country. Gregg directed Horton Center for 24 years, and Rob took over in 2008. Thank you both for years of service, hard work, passion, dedication and spiritual leadership.

New Hampshire Conference Members, I approach the task before us as sacred work. I know it’s not easy to convey a sense of call but that’s what I’m feeling. I’m excited. And yet, there is humility in this experience. Horton Center has some of the same issues with which PL struggled; different manifestations to be sure, but similar roots. Change is hard. But that is what I’ve been asked to bring. I’d like to say “that sound you hear is our collective sleeves being rolled up,” but in truth, sleeve rolling doesn’t make much sound. Still, we’re doing it. And you are invited to roll up with us.

I know there are deep waves of shock and sadness for many at the news of a year without program at Horton Center. It is a sadness born of devotion. Sure, we could have pulled it off. We could have gotten the gears in motion, business as usual. But that would have been all we would have done. It is a consuming task and it demands focus, after which there is a short recovery period. Trust me, a recovery breath happens in the fall like it or not. And then, we’d be right back to getting another year on. This is the year to stop, get our bearings, take inventory, and move forward intentionally. It will be a fast year, but together we’ll look at:

• Traditions and what they convey
• The content of program
• The logistics of running a camp and being responsible for children in today’s world
• The strengthening of the NH conference volunteer base
• What it means to be a church community
• How the camp experience both supports and enhances local church ministry

We want to make sure we run a site that is financially stable, meets industry standards, always errs on the side of caution about safety of every kind, and works through its issues honestly and faithfully.

Sure, we could put camp on this summer. But if we just keep on keepin’ on, we will continue with the same results we’ve had of late. Some great personal moments, yes, but also – struggle. So take heart. There are fun things in store too! Please be a part of the physical camp work we intend to achieve. Up in the air, Junior Bird Man! And once our ministries have gotten acquainted, the things we can do together!

Finally, thank you to everyone who has offered prayer, support and concern throughout this process, and after the announcement. My email, voicemail and Facebook page are stuffed with kind words and wishes. If you know me well, you know that I thrive on new challenges. The Maine Outdoor Ministry Committee (OMC) has been particularly supportive and I am very grateful to them. And the excitement from the New Hampshire Outdoor Ministries Board (OMB) is palpable. Ultimately this is much bigger than one person. I’m just the guy whose job is to insist that we keep our eye on the ball. It’s up to all of us to make this work.

If we each do three things, we can help assure a Spirit led future: love God; love self, and love each other.

Faithfully, with rolled up sleeves,

Bryan

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ"
-Galatians 6:2

January 3, 2012

Thank you seems so inadequate but so very accurate.  Thank you to the Maine Conference, the OMC, and the summer staff at Pilgrim Lodge.  And of course, to Acting Director Mollie Landers.  I missed everyone more than I imagined possible, but it was an important time.  It was a great gift.  Thank you for sabbatical. 

September 17, 2011   Acting Director Mollie Landers

I love Friday nights here at Pilgrim Lodge. The week flashes before me in a dazzling array of photos. I see campers in smile after smile, jumping off the dock, preparing and participating in worship, making new friends, and just being in the Spirit of Pilgrim Lodge. It warms my heart to hear cheers for each picture, as a name is called out and campers don't hold back their love and support for whoever is on the screen. Voices blend together in the lodge, combined with the PL CD to make sometimes off-key joyful noise. I see the progression of friendship from our photographer, Laura's lens. It's hard to remember that the energetic community of Friday was a slightly timid and quiet group on Sunday evening. After the slideshow, which always makes me tear up, the talent show commences. Group after group, this summer has been talented and supportive in a way that gives me hope for our cynical and hard world. Support and love embrace each camper who bravely faces their peers.  

This night of joy, support, and community includes a worship service, capped off with communion. A week ago I was walking down the boardwalk with the elements when a camper exclaimed, "We're doing communion? I love communion!" It's in movement like those when I wish everyone had the opportunity to work at a place like PL.  

It has been an incredible privilege to be the Acting Director and Acting as Bryan this summer. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, the staff and I had a support system to rely on. Oh and this years staff - lugging water to the boardwalk when we lost water (twice), worshipping with the campers, sneaking into the back of the talent show to watch and smile, washing dishes and singing the whole time - they deserve more thanks than I can give. The hundreds of volunteers who come down our dusty lane- counselors, Deans, and others who came at a moments notice to help enact God's love here continually amaze me. And of course, the campers - surprise moments, loving moments, and moments of singing, laughter, and being fully present. I will take these moments I was privileged to witness and sometimes be a part of and carry them with me. 

Now we're almost done for the season, but the seeds have been planted. As I wrap up my duties here at Pilgrim Lodge, I am continually reminded that, just as in my faith tradition, I have played a small role in a much bigger picture here. Thanks be to God.

JUNE 1, 2011   Sabbatical time - in the summer?

From the porch of S-1:

The chipmunks are chattering, the loons are giggling and the sunset is sparkling a golden light on the water that flickers against the forest canopy.  From this vantage point, the sunset isn’t quite yet placed between the islands, I take great joy in the anticipation and knowledge that it will continue its relaxed but relentless march toward its picture perfect center stage placement as we slide into full summer mode.  Camp is quiet after our first program event. The Rainbow and Alumni Camps got us off to an auspicious beginning.  The pre-season staff morale is high and right at this moment, the weather is at perfection:  low humidity, low bug content, the temperature at 74 with a gentle breeze to accent the radiant sparkle in the trees. For me this begs the question: “why would anyone want to be anywhere else in the summer?”  I’m having a hard time answering.  

The question, however, is pertinent.  On July 1, I am leaving on sabbatical.  “Leaving? - In the summer?  You’re kidding, right?”  Such were the incredulous words of many these past few months, including some of my own colleagues.  It is counter intuitive, isn’t it?  “After all, isn’t the summer when you do most of your work?”  Well, yes, and no.  

When faced with the looks of disbelief, I try to imagine both a professor and a local church pastor.  The professor is being told “Congratulations, you are being rewarded your sabbatical!  Just be sure not to miss any classes.”  What?  Next, I imagine a parishioner working to understand why pastor would ever want to take a Sunday off.  “Doesn’t a pastor only work on Sundays?  And besides, doesn’t our pastor love leading worship on Sunday?  Why would she want to miss one?”  Of course, your pastor works a whole lot more than Sundays, and yes, loves your church, and God, and worship, which is why she takes time to refresh and re-connect with God. The irony is not lost on me: retreat from the world to refresh, renew, and return with a fresh vision is what we do here at PL. It is time for me to live out that call.  
 

My busiest time of year is from January to June.  Some of this is the ever increasing pace of tending to a bazillion details, but also the dichotomy of maintaining family life in the midst of it all. Once we hit summer, my job becomes my life. I frankly can’t imagine being away during the foundational elements of staff hiring, promotion, volunteer training, and set up, to return and try to run the summer. I’ve spent the year building this program, and now that’s it’s on the launch pad, I can watch it fly with confidence without being in the center seat.   

And so when I was approached about sabbatical, I began to realize that while I thrive on it, I am in motion all the time in the summer.  My wife Deborah is a pastor and so works virtually every weekend, and the remaining time is when our son Eric is in school.  There really is no extended time for us to simply be a family.  We are always on the move and on opposite schedules.  Deb slows down, I speed up.  Christmastime is work time for a pastor. This year even the fleeting spring week-off from school was Holy Week.    

Our son will turn 11 this summer.  He’s spent every summer of his life at PL.  What a joy!  He’s having a very hard time thinking about not being here. But it’s time that I spend one summer of his childhood, focused on him, and on Deb. I hope when he is an adult, that he will treasure his time at camp, but I also pray he will remember that one summer, Dad was able to give all his time to him, and not to a thousand moving and demanding worthy details. 

I have no idea how long my call to Pilgrim Lodge will be.  I stay open to the possibility that God may have yet another chapter for me. But should my destiny be to finish up my career here, then this summer would be about the mid-way point for me.  

Early on in my tenure at PL the thought of missing time in the summer was just unthinkable. Even five years ago I couldn’t have done it. But the fact that I’m leaving the camp in capable hands is a sign of growth, both at PL, and in me. (side note: we've always had great staff members). We are now an American Camp Association accredited camp with codified policies. The staff understand their roles and the culture is positive and healthy. I believe we run a very professional, safe and yet, flexible program. It will be very difficult to drive up the camp road on July 1, but I’m remembering the words of one very wise staff member during my very first PL summer.  “PL is not about one man.”  He was right. 

A second common reaction to the sabbatical question is: “Great!  What are you going to do?”  Hmmmm.  Doing seems to be my strong suit. I am hoping this sabbatical time will be less about doing and more about being.  Sure, we are hoping to engage in lots of fun summer things for which Maine is famous; activities don't usually get to enjoy because of the life we’ve chosen at PL. But mostly it’s about being together and being relaxed, and enjoying one another’s company.  

Once Eric goes back to school I do intend to focus on reading, resting, meditating, exercising and yes, some travel.  I hope to visit some of the biblical cities in Greece that I’ve not yet experienced.  And I have lots of projects on my list.  But my promise to myself is to do what gives joy and connection, and not to let projects become habitual deadlines with achievement and completion as the goal.  

Right now I’ve got a month to enjoy a truncated PL summer. I’m here to train the staff, to live with them through the first couple of sessions, to make sure they know what is expected of them, and to incrementally relinquish authority to our Acting Director Mollie Landers who is backed up by our three conference ministers and the conference business manager. My reluctance in leaving is about my love for this work, these people, and this place, not a lack of confidence. My promise to myself, and to those I engage with in this ministry on so many levels, those who make this sacred time possible, is to return ready to dive in with enthusiasm, focus, and commitment.  

In the time it’s taken to write this, the chipmunks have quieted down, replaced by peepers, crickets and owls. The loons have transitioned from laughing into their soulful chorus of boisterous creative love songs, and the sky has changed from a brilliant white ball of fire, to bands of striking orange and cobalt blue with Pinkham sound reflecting a combination of the two as a soft but radiant pink.  During the year, away from PL, I can always remember that the line between the human and the divine is profoundly thin in this place. I am acutely aware of how many of us need to rely on such memories of PL, perhaps from a single week or less each summer.  Remembering, however,  is always different than experience.  And somehow, every time I return to summer at Pilgrim Lodge, I am startled and awed by its majesty and power.  Surely, the presence of the Lord is in this place.

With gratitude,

Bryan

NOVEMBER 30, 2010

As I scraped the ice off my windshield this morning I thought of how long ago it seemed the we said good-bye to the summer.  It was a fantastic season: I really had a hard time letting this one go.  The staff was so dedicated, loyal and genuinely into creating the PL experience.  And things went smoothly with the program.  Registration was up by about 5% in a year when most summer camps felt a sharp decline.  I attribute much of that to the hard work of the Outdoor Ministries Committee and the PL Jumpers (Local church contacts) who each ran a campaign of their own throughout the spring.  Before I jump into the 2011 campaign (which will also be intense, but tweaked based on all we learned this year) I am taking the month of December off.  Last night I made a list of all the personal projects and tasks I've been thinking I'll accomplish and it went off the page.  Therefore - I am going to try to temper the list with some Sabbath time.  Wish me luck.

So the day after summer ended I spent two days packing the house before the movers showed up.  Deborah was duly installed this autumn as the pastor and teacher of the Falmouth Congregational Church.  (Go Deb!) As such we sold our Brunswick home (closed Nov. 5!) and moved to the parsonage next to the church.  We do hope to return to owning our own home, but for now this is a good way to transition.  It's a wonderful old house with a two story attached barn. I've had to come face to face with the mountain of possessions that I have somehow accumulated.  Even though we had the yard sale and threw out much, one of the items on my December list is to continue to purge.  Afflluenza.  Eric is making the transition quite well.  He really enjoys his new school.  The move does mean a longer commute for me, which will probably mean even more tele-commuting in the winter.  I miss Karen already.  She really helps hold the whole thing together.  I'm not sure how I functioned before she arrived.  She is a dedicated and committed partner in ministry.

Speaking of partners in ministry, a Steve update: you probably heard that Steve injured himself this fall whilst removing the docks.  Something just gave way in his knee when and he went down.  Luckily, I was about ten feet away and there were lots of people from the State Youth Council around.  He went to the hospital via ambulance where he had emergency surgery stayed for two days.  This was on October 23 so it's been over a month.  He is recovering slowly.  He had a full-leg hard cast on until recently, now he's transitioned to a hinged gizmo.  As you might guess, he is really having a hard time sitting still.  Cards, letters and emails can be sent to camp and we'll forward them.  The doctors initially said it might take six months for full recovery.  Anybody even remotely involved with PL knows that Steve is a tireless worker, a skilled craftsman and is dedicated to Pilgrim Lodge.  We all wish him a full recovery and sanity through this long winter.  Most of all - DON'T OVERDO IT STEVE.  Try some Zen meditation.  Yeah, that should do it.

This has been an autumn of travel for me.  Great stuff.  In September I represented the UCC at the National Council of Churches' Outdoor Ministry Summit.  The trip was paid for by the UCC Outdoor Ministries Association (not PL).  Five representatives from each denomination no more, no less (there were 9 churches represented).  That evened out the playing field.  The event was at a camp in the middle of the Colorado Rockies.  Gorgeous.  It was very well put together and we worked hard.  Small groups, each with a variety of denominations looked at issues that are affecting all church camps, suggested actions or solutions and then as a large group we distilled the best ideas.  One full day was set aside to look at the curriculum used by most churches, including PL. The curriculum is produced by the National Council of Churches so it was a great opportunity.  They were open to what was suggested.  The event was very encouraging with great spirit and no sense of competition or territory.  I've always loved finding our place and learning from the church camps of the wider UCC, but this helped me see the importance of our work as reflected by by a much larger circle.

Then in November I flew to Cleveland for the UCC Outdoor Ministry Professional Gathering.  Yes, it was indoors.  Yes, it's ironic. This an event held once every two years, between the larger "Consults."  Consult is for everyone involved in Outdoor Ministry, where as this event in Cleveland is designed specifically for camp directors.  A great program this time, again dealing with the changing cultural environment.  And there is no other group quite like a gaggle of camp directors.  Nice job OMA. 

Then two weeks ago I did something just for myself.  The Maine Conference (again, not PL) sponsored my trip to a weekend seminar in Atlanta with the Biblical Archeology Society.  It was great.  Like being in seminary but without those pesky tests and papers. Five lectures a day from world renowned authors, many of whom I've studied over the years.  The hardest thing was choosing which lecture to attend as often there were two very interesting topics going on at the same time.  Biblical archeology has made some amazing discoveries in recent years helping us put together a picture of how our faith traditions came to be.  Fascinating stuff, and I'm very grateful to the conference for allowing me to attend.

Oh, yes, and I've been working on camp as well.  The schedule for next year is posted.  It's still a bit tentative but the major pieces are pretty secure.  I didn't want to wait for it to solidify completely because I know there are mom's and dad's already trying to make plans for next summer.  I'm very excited about the fourth of July week.  We're trying a new concept.  A family camp that goes from Sat. afternoon through Monday (the 4th of July) Afternoon.  This way you can get home on Friday night, relax, and pack then head on up late morning Saturday and spend the rest of the long weekend at PL.  More to come on this later as details are fleshed out.  Also, in light of the overflow of Sr. High we're trying a second, smaller camp that's just for the younger half of Sr. high.  Kind of a transition camp from Middler to Sr. involving those going into 9th and 10th grade.   Much more on all this in January.

And don't forget the annual appeal.  We really depend on it. If you didn't get your letter this year, you can read it here.  Really, help us out people - we promise, we'll do good work with the gift!

Finally, I posted an email from Paul Rudenberg about the conditions in Haiti and his response to them.  Paul was a  staff member this summer and brought his family from Haiti with him.  It was a much needed respite from all the earthquake relief work.  This fall with the hurricane and now the cholera outbreak we have been holding the Rudenberg's, and the people of Haiti in our prayers.  This is a country that needs our help, but we need people like Paul and Maggie to help us learn what the is the proper way to be the most helpful.

And that's the news from Lake Cobbossee; soon to be covered with ice and snow.  I hope all the PL faithful have a wonderful Advent season as we prepare for the divine to break through to the human realm once again. 

Tidings of comfort and joy,

Bryan

July 30, 2010          Adam: This one's for you. 

After a day of moving logs, working on camper names, holding the broken hearted, explaining policy to parents, giving staff reviews, laughing: a lot of laughing, answering email, helping track health forms, working on multiplication tables with my son during bunk time, explaining theology, cleaning body fluid spills, a quick game of ping-pong with a camper, working out a cabin issue with a counselor, writing last week's incident reports, updating the Outdoor Ministries Committee and picking up the red PL truck from the shop (new ignition) - I walked down the boardwalk and celebrated communion at sunset with our Middler campers.  Afterwards as we sang "Spirit" the wind shook the trees and raced through the crowd, as if on cue, on the line "when you blew through your people, on the rush of the wind."  I looked up at the swaying trees flickering in the sunlight reflected off the lake and heard myself whisper "this is too easy."

After sitting in that grateful state a while I started to think of the compounded series of events that took place to create that easy moment. Behind the scenes sort of things. Things involving jumpers, and councils, and professional printers, and training, and curriculum, and committees, and temperature charts, and interviews, and orders, and meetings, and statistics, and cleaning, and budgets, designing posters, and website maintenance, and permission forms, and tears, and more meetings, and certifications, and licenses, and product designs, and re-recording lines for our video, and preaching, and manuals, and accreditation, and letters of recommendation, and PowerPoint presentations, and hard decisions, and promises and prayers.  None of that took away from the moment.  In fact, it made it all the more poignant.

Last week was Sr. High Camp.  It was just delightful.  We crammed in as many campers as we could.  I feared.  We prepared.  And it turned out to be such a wonderful event.  It seemed all week that the campers had a sense of being here as a privilege.  Most had been campers for years and even our two new campers seemed to exude a sense of gratitude.  They treated each other with respect. I received an abundance heartfelt, look-me-in-the-eyes 'thank yous. They got it.  And all that stuff it took to get to that week, and this summer, suddenly felt both important and somehow - light.

 The import and the lightness are all around.  In tonight's talent show where children for the first time find the confidence to risk standing before their peers because of the net of safety and trust that they've built throughout the week. In the eyes of the camper who is beginning to realize that there is more to the contents of the Bible than fantastic and hard to believe stories.  That superheroes are fun to pretend at, and often have deeper meanings behind the fun, but that real heroes are all around and within us.  That living life as Jesus would have us live it is a worthy path to follow.

And then there's the staff of 2010.  Talk about heroes!  This is a well oiled machine with heart.  Things happen on time, safely, and without undue stress.  They are spirit-filled and revel in both their work and play; though the lines between work and play are often hard to define.  Thank you staff.  I'm honored to be a part of this community.

Soon summer will be over and I'll be back to worrying about bottom lines and annual appeals, moving the office and interfacing with rental groups.  But I'll carry this summer with me.  Its importance and hopefully, its light.

February 10, 2010

It's been a long time since my professional life has been so full. We are on the precipice of a campaign to get the word out to the Maine Conference about the treasure in their backyard.  It's been a lot of fun so far, but like a play, as opening day approaches there are a myriad of elements that must be complete on their own, and then come together with the proper timing to create a powerful synergy of intellect, emotion, artistic expression and technical perfection. 

I enjoy that energy.  It makes me marvel all the different roles Jesus took on, and were taken on in his name after he was gone: healer, teacher, mystic, story teller, inspiration, justice seeker, conduit to the divine.  Each of these elements combine to create a whole so much greater than the sum of its parts. 

A little background: the coordinating council, which is the governing body for the Maine Conference, decided that PL should begin putting money away for future needs.  Bravo!  This is good.  Without any financial assistance the question remained, how will these extra funds be generated?  In many conferences, and at many church camps of other denominations, the wider conference pays for the director's package, and may also give a financial subsidy toward the camping ministry. At Pilgrim Lodge this is not the case.  Essentially, the campers, rental groups and donors make up our entire budget. 

Over the last few years, we have seen a small decline in registrations. Given the times, this in and of itself is not really a surprise.  What is more concerning however is that most of this decline has been in the younger set.  The youngest campers have not been showing up as strongly as in years past.  If that trend continues, as the years pass, each successive grade level will see a smaller enrollment. There are several factors.  This is not based upon empirical data, but rather on observation.  The economy is of course a factor.  Another is the fact that the churches themselves are smaller.  Many churches simply do not have as many children as they used to.  Since 90% of our campers come from those churches, this just makes sense.  Parents are more reluctant to send kids away overnight than they used to be. (This is understandable but also sad. PL has a tremendous track record and a week outside a local summer camp is so important for social and spiritual development.)  Children are trending toward indoor, electronic activities (Read The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv for an excellent exploration of this phenomenon); and finally there are a variety of new options such as local day camps, sports camps, and specialty camps.

Not to panic: PL is not in dire straights by any means.  But we do need to let our membership know what is at stake and how powerful this ministry can be.  It is not just a one way phenomenon: children, youth and adults come back from PL excited about church and their faith. Once a critical mass is reached, it can have a transforming affect on a church. It is my experience that many churches could use a burst of energy right about now.

There really are only two ways to increase revenue.  1. Raise prices.  2. Fill the camp.  The council suggested option one and I worked really hard to let them know why I thought that was not a viable plan.  It took a lot of good dialogue, number crunching, and committee work but we came to conclusion that we could give the second option a good solid effort. That's where you come in.  As it happens, the OMC and I were already planning for a major campaign.  The original impulse was simply to spread the word about PL, which of course is a backdoor way of wanting to spread the gospel.  The kingdom is here friends.  We just have to open our eyes.

So my time since Christmas has been spent making posters and brochures,  copying the new DVD, re-working the website, (thanks for your expertise and help Phil Hilton - take a look!) strategizing "bring a friend" & "give the gift of camp" programs, writing liturgy materials, updating the camper guide, prepping online registration (with the help of our administrator Karen who does so many things, not the least of which is make me laugh), working with the Outdoor Ministry Committee (who have just been giving it their all - really dedicated and amazing people who I am blessed to know) to create a network of local church ambassadors - fittingly called 'jumpers;'  and working with the good people of the Saco church to reach out in new cutting edge way to our churches in the furthest reaches of our conference. We are one.  

The jumper trainings start Saturday and continue through early March. If you look at the list of jumpers you can see who to contact in your church.  If your church doesn't have one, then you have to help us find one.  (It is a moral imperative-I'm just sayin') The neurons will be firing like crazy, but if you don't have any receptor in your church, there will be silence.  This saddens me for three reasons: One: because we need you.  Two: you need us.  Three: Needing each other is part of the enduring and unending walk with God. 

The silence that we experience from some churches is a signal, a symptom, that something is out of balance.  Be a hero and reach across the synapse to join the feast. 

Be a hero.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-12

With great love for this ministry, and all those it touches,

Bryan

September 22, 2009

There are many ways to measure the success of a season at Pilgrim Lodge: the number of campers; the percentage increase or decrease from the previous year; a balanced budget; the degree and scope of building and maintenance projects; the overall arc told by camper evaluations; the number of trips to the doctor (1!).  I suggest that the true measure of summer is the answer to this question: "How well did we live out the mandate of Jesus to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourselves?"  Jesus didn't make that up of course, we find it in Leviticus.  But it was clearly central to the message of Jesus: the saying turns up in all four Gospels (and that's not common), in Paul, and even in the opening sentences of the Didache, dating from the first century - an instruction book on how to be a Christian found deep in a monastery in Istanbul (sorry, Constantinople) in 1883.   It's this kind of multiple attestation that scholars use as one of the tools to parse out the sayings and deeds of the historical Jesus, as opposed to those attributed to him later. 

Not that those attributed later are somehow invalid.  We take the Bible as a whole.  And yet, somehow pealing back the layers to find the man of Galilee, the "pre-Easter" Jesus as Marcus Borg puts it, speaks to me in a manner too deep for words.  So when I find a command that by all accounts most certainly was spoken by Jesus to his small band of followers, I find it significant.  I'd say it's the heart of the gospel.

By all measures we did quite well this summer. And by the measure laid out above I think the summer was exceptional.  The staff worked hard.  Our challenge this year seemed to be to integrate the new staff with the returning staff and instead of shying from that task we took it head on, living out the covenant that we all agreed to abide by.  There was a sense of the Holy. I think that sense is always present, but somehow it's easier to be aware of at PL, and this summer it was everywhere.  Sure, I can write about all the rain and the behind-the-scenes work to be ready for swine flu (which thank God, made no appearance at PL this summer), but that's not where my heart is.  These past few weeks, I've walked the camp in the crisp late summer sun and known that sacred work is happening here. 

I hope to see many of you at the annual meeting this coming weekend.  It often feels like a family reunion to me. Now that the Conference has made the decision to sell Rockcraft, the future of Pilgrim Lodge will be a hot topic of conversation. I urge you to think about the role this ministry has played in your life and to enter the process of deciding the next steps. How can we be sure to keep this ministry strong and vibrant into the future?  Last week I sat at Rockcraft during the celebration of the ministry there and remembered all the sunrises over the lake I'd been a part of on the Rockcraft porch and how at Pilgrim Lodge, its the sunset with which we are blessed.  There was a symmetry that seemed like bookends as the sun set on Rockcraft.  While my heart delights in the beauty of Lake Cobbosseecontee, Sebago Lake reminds me of the Sea of Galilee. Friends, don't ever think PL will simply always be there - we need to plan the future of PL carefully.

Love God with all your heart, and all your mind, and all your soul, and your neighbor as yourself. Whether on the shores of the Sea of Galilee or Sebago Lake it's the heart of the Gospel.

Peace,

Bryan

May 5, 2009

If you're paying attention you probably noticed the front page of the website has some changes.  The PL website was built in 1999 by Jeremy Zanzig.  Jeremy was a member of the youth group at my last pastorate in Everett, Washington.  I realized pretty quickly that a website was sorely needed so I flew Jeremy out to PL for half the summer.  He was amazing.  He set up the basic logo on the front page and the templates for each of the sections.  By the way, did you know that you can click on any section of the logo in the upper left hand corner of each page and it will bring you to a page for that section?  Nifty.  Jeremy also gave me basic lessons in web maintenance.  I've been relying on those skills ever since.  In 1999 I thought we were pretty cutting edge.  In 2009 I often feel my skills are sorely lacking.  Web 2.0 is what Ben calls it.  No more static pages; it's bells and whistles, video and flash.  Over the years this site has grown and expanded.  There are pages upon pages.  Still, the basic logo has never changed.  I've put things around it and changed the background color, but the contents of the lists were the same because changing it was just outside my grasp.  That's why it still read "new property" in referring to the purchase we made ten years ago, or why it still listed a capital campaign update for a campaign long gone.  One exception was in 2006 when I managed to get the logo itself to show as our 50th anniversary logo - but I was just guessing and lucky I could figure it out.  Through the years I've wanted to change the contents of the logo but was always too busy or too afraid of messing it up.

Enter Phil Hilton. Phil just joined OMC and hearing my tale of woe he sat down and recreated the front page with a technology that didn't even exist in 1999.  No more java - whatever that was.  I spent the day with him as we added content and he gave me a lesson in how the thing works.  It was hard for him to try and teach me on MS Frontpage, which is the only tool I know how to use.  I could tell it made him feel a little dirty.  I guess they don't even make that program anymore.  Soon I'll have to move to something new.  I am considering going to one of the newer intuitive blog sites to continue this, now sadly occasional, narrative.  When I started this little blog, the word blog didn't even exist.  Best of all Phil has given me the tools I need to change the logo options at will.  Free at last! Free at last! 

Phil's been a busy boy.  In addition to being a PL dean, and a State Youth Council advisor, Phil has agreed to help me with the new PL promo video and he is hosting the recently adopted PL Facebook group.  I've chosen not to be part of the Facebook revolution at this time.  I just don't think I could stand the distraction.  The group was started by a former camper who graciously allowed us to commandeer it, instead of starting another (thanks Josh).  There are lots of PL groups, one dedicated to PL sweatpants, another for theatre campers from the 80's, it goes on from there.

We are at the top of the roller coaster folks; Here comes the wild ride.  Karen has been doing an astounding job managing the PL registrations in West Gardiner this year (but we miss you Cathy!).  The second year of online registration is going much smoother and registration is very strong this year.  The first session to fill was Grandparents 2 and I expect you'll be hearing about more very soon.

While registration is overall very strong (ahead of last year at this time) I am concerned about two sessions: Men's Weekend and Edna's Points (Young Adults).  They were both cancelled last year.  If they don't fly this year as well I think that may be the end of those events.  It makes me sad that there are people out there who are waiting to see if the events are going to fly before they sign up.  If they would just jump in, the weekends may well take place. 

One year ago I was celebrating with Janos and Gabriella in the Ukraine and getting ready for Israel.  I haven't even sorted and posted the Israel trip yet!  Life does seem to be moving at a pretty swift clip.  In one month I'll be moving into S-1.  Photo of the month is updated, or as Phil put it rather spot-on today "Photo of the quarter."

I trust that as the leaves burst open around us, our hearts will soon be bursting with the Spirit in the place we all cherish. 

Peace Cybercamper.

Bryan

February 26, 2009

Crescendo.  That's the word for right now.  The music is building and the swell is about to sweep us away in a fit of power and beauty.  I'm excited about year two of the online registration program.  We learned a lot and I think we've simplified the process.  Parents registering returning campers should find it particularly easy.  Let's hope I don't decide go back and delete those words next week.  Saturday is the day.  The camp brochure was mailed today.  (it's posted online too) The brochure has really become a description of the program sessions and lots of fun pictures.  I've divorced it from all the important information and rules and forms and created a companion parent and camper guide.  Last year was an awkward first attempt but I think we got it this year.  This frees up the brochure to be light (both in tone and weight) and puts all the serious stuff in one place.  The guide has all the forms for off line registration and scholarship applications. With so many online now it's so easy to download a pdf file that it saves us lots of money and trees in printing and postage. If you don't have a computer don't feel left out, we can print and mail you a copy (and whose computer are you using to read this anyway?) The tricky part is that parents really have to read the guide for all this to work.  This year's guide is simpler.  It contains a front section with all the general information that is the same for everyone (ie: directions to PL) and then has shorter sections for each of three types of camp (children & youth, families, and adults).  Then there's the online registration program itself.  We did a trial run today and I think we're just about there (again, I tremble at the fate-tempting going on here). 

I won't kid you, it's been a relentless couple of months.  The changes in the Department of Labor regs are seismic for PL.  I know I put out an all points bulletin about how it affect prices.  I just wanted people to know we didn't just arbitrarily decide more money would be nice in the midst of the fear and trembling that surrounds us.  So much so that one of my stalwart OMC members took a look at the guide to help me proof it, and saw the explanation of pricing changes front and center there too.  He told me, in a very polite way, "enough!"  He was right.  I'm done.  It is what it needs to be.  The changes, however, don't stop with the price.  The administrative load of tracking hours at PL is a challenge and the staff that have (God bless them) nurtured a community where everyone pitches in now has an odd set of rules about who can do what, when.  I think I've worked it through though and I've talked with all the 2008 staff. Although it will be a new day, I am confident we are up to the challenge.  The presence of God at PL is strong and we'll figure it out.  

theological aside: the presence of God is strong everywhere.  For some reason beyond my imagination, God is not more present in the world when I'm at PL, but I am more present to God.

Next weekend is our Deans' Retreat at Camp Mechuwana.  I really do look forward to that event.  It's fun and I get to go to camp with some truly remarkable individuals.  So this week we finish the administrative launch and next week we start the program launch.

Sorry I've been rather negligent on all things web.  See above.  But the website has had a face lift.  There is definitely a time to honor the spiritual, inspiring and artistic at PL;  but much of the time PL is just fun.  I hope the brochure and the web reflect that.

Don't let the two miles of snow outside fool you: we're off and running.

Bryan

November 12, 2008

I downloaded Google gadgets the other day.  Now, as I'm working throughout the day I can watch the stock market plummet in real time, see what time it is on a good old clock like the one that hung on my grade school wall way back in the days before digital clocks, see what the weather is or the phase of the moon without having to actually get off my butt and look, see my latest email and the news headlines and all sorts of fun stuff.  Stuff that probably means disaster for someone as focus-challenged as me.  But there is one little gadget that I've really been taken with.  It's simply a little viewer that shows a constant slide show of photos at random from all over my computer. In the age of digital photos, sometimes I get so many at once I never really have time to look at them.  And other times I take a whole bunch of photos of the same thing and so no one really stands out as I look at the whole set.  Time and again a photo comes up on the little viewer and I think "wow! that's on my computer?" So I click it to make it bigger and then think "oh right, I remember that."  I've found some really nice stuff that I either never really looked at, or dismissed right away.  This month's photo of the month is a good example.  It's a spider web catching the sun on the front of  S-1.  There are hundreds of these all over camp but this one caught my eye at the right moment. 

As I mentioned in my last post, it's interesting how some things in our life just kind of blend in.  How we don't notice people and situations that are right in front of us. We dismiss them or never really take a good look.  If we can just stop ourselves and take in the moment...most any moment.  There is beauty, wonder, humor, grace, and things that deserve our attention, admiration and awe.  PL helps me to remember that.  All around me I am surrounded by beauty and peace.  It's up to us to soak it in, or to close our eyes.

The 2009 schedule is posted.  It's coming along nicely.  A few big pieces still up in the air but that is the way of it.  We do have some cool new things going on. For the first time kids going into 3rd grade will be able to attend (for the half week camp); we've added a second Women's weekend; we've put in a new weekend for LGBTI adults; there is a new Confirmation week that will be for 8th and 9th graders.  I'll be working on communicating the details to pastors as campers will come through their church programs for that one.  And we are going to give Men's and Young Adult's one more shot.  We've moved young adults to a weekend slot this year in hopes more alum can make it.

This will probably be my last update for the year.  I'm leaving Monday morning for Cleveland to attend a meeting of UCC camp directors.  When I come back I'll be on vacation for the remainder of the year.  No big plans but catching up with things around the house and time to soak in the goodness of living.  I have a Maine Youth Camp Association meeting tomorrow and Friday will be at the office pushing paper to get ready to go.  I have that "oh my gosh I'll never get it all done" feeling and I'm starting to come to peace with it. 

I hope everyone has a safe and has a rich holiday season.  Happy Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas, Kwanza, and New Year. 

Bryan

October 21, 2008

The newest David Wilcox album has a song about how we often miss the things right in our own backyard.  Last weekend Deb and I walked to the Bowdoin College Museum of Art.  I was stunned.  I knew it would be cool but it was just awe inspiring. As I stood looking at 5,000 year old reliefs from Assyria and works from the Roman Empire I was struck at how I've traveled all over the Mediterranean coast to see things such as these.  And it's free!  I was also moved by the contemporary displays which is not always the case. As I walk around Pilgrim Lodge looking at the splendor of Autumn I am reminded of how we in the Maine Conference have one of the most beautiful spots on the planet right here in West Gardiner.  A colleague of mine who is a UCC camp director from Texas is spending a few weeks of sabbatical rest here and seeing the site through his eyes has been enlightening and reminds me of how we are so richly blessed.

Right now I'm spending one hour a day going through the thousands of photos from this summer.  It is great to relive moments that went by too fast and to see things that were going on while I was in the office or somewhere else in camp. I'm struck by the joy and relaxed comfort I see on the faces of our campers, counselors deans, and staff. I'm pulling out the best photos for the 2009 camp brochure and for a new promotional DVD we're working on.  Great job behind the lens Becca, really top notch.

I'm also working with OMC to get the schedule together for next year.  It's always such a integrate dance.  I'd hoped to have the schedule up by now but I'm still waiting on a several OMC members who, I assume, are waiting on prospective deans and such.  My new goal is to post the schedule right after the next OMC meeting scheduled for November 1. 

Karen, Steve and I are getting ready to move the office up to the Farmhouse (sigh).  This past weekend was the State Youth Council's Fall Convention.  It was a smaller group but a good weekend.  I had a lot of 2008 staff who came, many of them volunteers for the weekend. (And thanks to Alan B. too!)  As a result we got quite a jump on closing up camp. Thank you guys!  Not that we don't need your help for the Fall Work Day this weekend, we do!  And soon the water will be turned off and it will be time to move up the hill.  Again, as I look at this ministry and all the people who give so much of themselves, I am encouraged and warmed, ready for the winter and all the behind the scenes work that needs to take place for a 2009 blossoming.  Thanks everyone. 

B

September 24, 2008

It's kind of ironic that the web address for this page is "thisweek."  I suppose it should be "thisquarter."  There was a time when I updated every week.  How did that happen?  I'm going to start with what's up now and then go into a review of the summer. 

I'm working with the OMC on setting up the 2009 schedule.  I hope to have that posted on the website by mid-October.  We're working on a few new programs.  Possibilities include an event for couples,  moving the young adult event to a weekend, a second women's event in the fall, a weekend for GLBTI individuals, and maybe even a confirmation event that would include conferees and mentors.  All of that is tentative of course but you heard it here first.

Next, Karen and I are getting ready for the annual appeal, which we've moved from December to October in hopes of delivering the request while the summer buzz is still fresh in the hearts and minds of campers and parents.  So look out for that appeal letter while you plan your 2008 gift to Pilgrim Lodge.  All gifts over $10,000 get a free bumper sticker!  You'll be able to donate on-line too!  Just be sure to write "Pilgrim Lodge" in the designation box. 'K?  'K.

My work on the board of the Maine Youth Camp Association continues.  The organization is now called the Maine Youth Camp Foundation.  The Maine Youth Camp Association is now the name of the newly formed sister organization that is set up as a 501 (c)(4) which means that the new organization can lobby for Maine summer camps in a way that the parent organization cannot.  From conception to execution in a year.  I had nothing to do with that particular process but way to go

I've been asked to speak on a panel at the Governor's Conference on Children and the Natural World on October 2 at the Augusta Civic Center.  It's an all day event trying to encourage parents to encourage kids to get outside.  My role on the panel is to address how children being outdoors is important from a spiritual perspective.  Hmmmm.  Never thought about that one.  I'm looking forward to it.  I just wish that it wasn't the day after the Dar Williams concert in Portland.  Yeah Dar!  Love the new album. 

Moving to the front burner is the production of a new promotional video for Pilgrim Lodge.  It's long overdue.  I'm combing through the summer's photos in hour long spurts.  This search will help with the new brochure as well. 

Steve is keeping busy at camp working with the rental groups.  He and Don Isham recently cut a hole in the old reservoir/cistern.  The plan is to move the water system back up the hill.  The current watershed is made of wood and the tanks sweat all summer long. Wood and water - no.  So what was once an open water reservoir will now be the building to hold the tanks and pump. "All my life's a circle, sunrise and sundown"  -Harry Chapin

I'm also aiming for yet another web overhaul.  We'll see.  I would like to spend some of my spare time putting up a webpage about the trip to Israel.  I came back from the Ukraine/England/Israel and hit the ground running at camp.  Now that summer is over I'm slowly inching back into looking at photos and reading notes from the trip as well as just trying to make sense of it all.  I know everyone says that time seems to go faster as you get older but come on!

Through all of it the Next Generation Process, as it has come to be called, continues to percolate.  I added a link from the PL front page to the conference web page about it.

On to a summer review:  Family Camp was really nice this year.  Splendid weather and a full camp.  Amanda and Mary Anne worked really well and followed the curriculum quite closely.  Grandparents (2) camp had 105 campers! What a great program.  We were so full I had to move the men of staff out of their cabins and up into the farmhouse (which is at least 20 miles up the road!). Ben and Betty Anne were so sweet to be flexible and move the second session.  Little did they know they were quadrupling their number of campers.  They handled it with grace and joy. As throughout this summer everyone had a fantastic attitude and acknowledged it was a good problem to have.

Sadly I missed Lighten Up.  I'd love to be there but I have so little family time in the summer it seems as though the adults can probably make it without me.  I miss them though.  During that time I performed the wedding of Rachel Burnham who was a staff member as a child back when Mom and Dad worked at PL in the 90's.  The service went off without a hitch and the reception was great.  Papa Bruce got to actually be Papa. 

Speaking of nuptials, a few days later I was honored to perform the commitment service for Alice Tuck and her partner Betsy.  It was in the Vaughn Woods in Hallowell (a Hobbit like park; a favorite of certain staff members).  It was a small service but really very moving.  Alice of course worked for several years in the kitchen in the late nineties. I'll post pictures as soon as I get them off Deb's camera!

A Day at Camp was small but fun.  I think we had more staff than campers but we all had a great time.  I hope we enticed some young ones to become campers!

Arts Alive went well.  Lots of creativity flowing; from drumming on a wheelbarrow to creating robots in the yard.  I was sitting here in the office when I heard music and assumed it was a recording when suddenly it occurred to me that it was the campers playing music.  Really good music it was.  And the photography group took some truly inspiring photos.  Good work everyone, and thanks Rachel and Sally.

Before that it was Fertile Ground and the joy of watching two pros blend their styles and gifts.  One dean, Eric, infusing deep theological meaning into virtually every act; the other, Tom, with a powerful commitment to keeping his team focused on the campers.  What a great combination.

And that followed the inimitable Middler Spirit.  This camp is run by deans who are convinced that if they just take enough notes, and act upon them year after year, one can build the perfect camp.  And ya' know, they just might!  It's fun, it's meaningful and keeps the campers and the adults on the move.  Yes, Laura and Amber, Jesus does, in fact, rock.

Building and Caring for God's Creation (or as I think of it 'Bill-den and Karen 4GC' ) was a frolic.  Karen finds nuggets of fun from the curriculum and is willing to try all sorts of new thematic programs and Bill, well, he's Bill.  Laugh a minute 'That's so Funny!!!' Bill.  How can you go wrong?  And that was simultaneous to Wilderness Awakenings.  Judging from the Log Book and the photos I can only imagine what a great trip that was, in spite of being the rainiest week of the summer (and we had quite a few!).

I didn't witness Wilderness Awakenings but by all accounts a grand time was had by all.  Corrie and Mike, thank you! If you would like to check out their 2008 log book take a look here. And speaking of unconventional camps, the Island Adventure, under the direction of Rocky and Gregg seemed really fun. I got over there only twice but both times the group seemed to be bonded quite well.

Senior High Camp had a very gentle, nice energy about it.  The campers just seemed really grateful to be here and really to enjoy the week.  The deans Pam and Joan brought in some really great speakers and programs (remember the wild animal guy) and just ran with the theme "handle with care." 

Then there were the little ones.  They're so sweet!  Former campers/staff Liz and Sarah who just took to it like ducks to water.  Very graceful, capable and delightful ducks, er, swans.  Really.  The styles complimented one another and the combined experience as former staff members - how sweet it is!

New deans are so much fun.  Earnest.  Kim and Phil you pulled it off like pros.  It 'aint about numbers guys, it's about the carefully intentional experience you gave to those at God's Bubble Wrap. 

And that brings us to the beloved half week camp.  Talk about having it down!  Cindy and Jim have a rhythm that flows like Gershwin. 

Now we never really did find volunteer deans for Grandparents 1. As such, the honor was bestowed upon two staff members.  Mollie, who was new not just to deaning but the Pilgrim Lodge, and Tina who took it with glee ran with it. The group was small, but that was kind of nice too.  I think people were afraid it would be canceled and so signed up for the aforementioned 105 of GP2.  

Tip of the hat to Pat and Nancy for Vintage Ventures.  Nice work!  And Women at the Well is so blossoming that we may need to add an additional session.  Stay tuned. And kudos to Anne and Deb.

All summers fly.  This summer seemed to fly with the speed of the space shuttle.   There is no question that everyone on staff was tired by the end of the summer.  You could see it in their eyes.  And yet, it only caused me to love them all the more as they gave one final push and brought a great PL experience to those gathered.  We ended our time with a night worship in the labyrinth, followed by a traditional viewing of photos from throughout the summer.  Now that our summer has past, I am aware there are a few things to be worked out, but that's the stuff of ministry.  "The prize is always worth the rocky ride."  -indigo girls.

I'm still trying to get a web page up about the solar panels.  I'd like the info and learning from them to live long after this summer.  And yes, I'll change the photo of the month.  Funny, as the rest of the world seems to be tending blogs and their on-line presence more and more.  I find myself going in the other direction.  Ah, the ebb and flow.

Ran into all kinds of PL folk at the Common Ground Fair.  Somewhere out there is a photo of a good chunk of us.  Taking some vacation time between now and the end of the year.  I'll break it up.  No big plans except exorcising the basement of many piles of thneeds.  Yes, thneeds.  

One more month of rentals, and then the FALL WORK DAY on Sat. Oct. 25.  Can't wait to see 'ya.  'Nuff said.

July 4, 2008,

Happy Independence Day!  It is a picture perfect blue sky dry summer day. Sweet.

It's been quite a ride! Travel, a new database and systems, the sudden loss of a camp cook, a shower of napkins, solar panels and the beginning of a wonderful summer. Let's take these one at a time, shall we?

Travel: I left on April 30 for the city of Budapest.  Atilla, Janos' roommate, met me at the airport and helped me navigate to Janos and Gabriella's hostel.  I slept for 11 hours and then we took a cab back to the airport to meet Scott Harris and Matt Alden and pick up my newly found lost luggage.  We boarded the van that Janos had hired for us and began the 7 hour journey across Eastern Hungary and the border into the Ukraine.  The van brought us to the restaurant where the reception was to be for the next day's nuptials of Janos and Gabriella.  Janos met us, got us settled in our hotel and then we joined Arthur Flanders, Liz Charles, Steve and Sherry Jones and the bride and groom themselves along with a few other guests and began decorating the hall.  The celebration went late but we were all primped, coiffed, and on time at the home of Gabriella's mom and dad at 11 the next morning.  We were welcomed most graciously and served food and drink while waiting for the groom to arrive.  And arrive he did in fine style.  The best man, sang to the bride's parents asking for her hand on Janos' behalf.  After a traditional attempt to pass off another family member the deal was struck.  It was a most charming and delightful first stage of the day.  After more food we were off to Janos' village for the ceremony in a 500 year old church with beautiful music and heartfelt vows; we didn't understand a word but we all felt it and there was not a dry eye in the house.  Then it was off to a 12th century castle for photos.  I looked up the history and was fascinated to find out that its origin is lost to antiquity.  Beautiful photos were shot and the party moved to the restaurant.  Such a feast!  Such a celebration!  OK so I almost tripped while dancing with Janos' mom and I did fall on my behind during the limbo but hey - it was the limbo!  We had a blast.  I think my favorite moment was Janos and Gabriella's first dance. They floated across the floor!  It was so romantic - I texted Deb. I spent about an hour or so deep in passionate talk with Artie and was surprised when Steve and Sherry drove me home to find out it was not 11:30 but 2:30 am 

The next morning came fast but we were up at a reasonable hour. Liz and Artie had been there a week so we said goodbye to them as they began the journey home. I spent the day with Steve, Sherry and the newly married Janos and Gabriella.  Steve, who is an excellent driver, rented a car.  We went to Gabriella's parent's house first.  They were delightful and offered us gifts and food and drink. Gabriella's dad showed me his wine making cellar and we moved on to the local town where we visited the market,  a church and toured the city.  In general I was struck with how much one can still feel the Soviet presence.  In monuments, and in the people's eyes you could see this was an area that has seen its share of joy and hardship.  I'm guessing you have already seen the photos I posted but just in case you can check them out here.  And this is where you can link to the photos of other guests.  Finally we ended up back at Janos' village where I had a very spirited talk with his Grandmother.  She is a beautiful and spirited woman.  What an honor to meet her.  Then we continued on to Janos' parents and had yet more wonderful food with them and Janos' younger brother.  All the stories I'd heard were suddenly so real.  What a treasure to meet them and tell them face to face how much I love and admire their son.

The next day we said goodbye as Scott, Matt and I took the van ride back to Budapest.  I tagged along for the next day staying at the hostel they'd reserved.  We spent the next day walking all over Budapest; and I mean all over. My legs were so very sore by the end of the day.  I was able to visit a lot of places I'd missed when I went to visit Janos in 2006.  These included an ancient church built into a cave by Eusibius, a monument to freedom built above the town at an old fortress and the most sobering 'Terror Museum.'  It was a monument to two eras of torture and oppression. Since much of it was in Hungarian I bought a book to be able to make sense of what we saw.  I still haven't been able to read it. Still, it was very powerful. On the whole though it was a free flowing joyful day.  As Matt and Scott got ready to go out for the night life, I realized that my flight was at 5:30 am and I was not, in fact, in my 20's.  So I said good bye to them and ordered a cab for morning. 

I had a few days to kill before my tour in Israel was to begin and since I was going via British Air, it was no more expensive to spend a few days in London.  Scott was gracious enough to accept my request to take the bulk of my stuff home (story there) and Deb was bringing a second bag to Israel so I was very light. While it was no more expensive by way of airfare: London itself has become amazingly expensive!  It was my fourth trip to London so I was able to focus on some particular things I wanted to see.  Some ruins from the Roman period and several museums.  I also continued to walk everywhere.  I had three glorious days.  (Arriving at 9 am Wed and leaving at 10:30 Friday), the weather was picture perfect. It was good for my soul to have some time to myself.  I was torn between being outside and being inside the museums.  I spent a whole day in the British Museum and a few hours in the national gallery.  I went to the half price booth and bought theatre tickets for both nights.  The first night was a musical version of The Lord of the Rings. It was a bit over the top but I enjoyed it.  The effects were amazing.  I of course had gotten up at 4:30 in Budapest and it turned out to be an almost four hour show.  I was whooped by the end.  And the characters all seemed angry all the time.  The music was entirely forgettable  The next night I went to see Spamalot, which is the perfect show to see in London.  I don't think I'd ever gone to a comedy by myself before.  I laughed so hard even though I knew almost all the jokes from my Monty Python days. I spent the last day walking around, visiting St. Paul's.  Yes, I climbed all the way to the tippy top. After which I boarded the tube for the airport.

I was getting ready to board my plane when the woman in front of me was stopped.  Her USA passport was to expire within the next six months.  Turns out you can't enter Israel with a passport that has less then 6 months left.  Who knew?  I handed my passport over and the flight attendant began to count on her fingers.  I was seized with a moment of "OH NO!"  My passport was soon to be expired too!  She looked at me and said "this passport expires six months from today.  You can get on the plane but in an hour and half from now you could not."  I was meeting the group in Tel Aviv and if I had been with them, I would not have made it into the country.  I got in without a further hitch although we went into the West Bank several times and I sweat every time we crossed back in.

Israel, the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem were life changing.  So much so that I'm still processing the whole trip. Of course I hit the ground running when I got back so I've not done too much in the process department.  I intend to write up an entire webpage about this leg of the trip (much like I did for the Pilgrimages to Turkey and Rome) so I will not write about it now. That will probably not happen until early fall.  In addition to processing that trip, I need to integrate all three experiences.  Something new is being born in me.  More on that later. 

The Return: Deb and I spent a nice long weekend with my parents and re-connecting with Eric.  And then it began.  The next weekend was to be the Men's retreat. I was so very sad that we did not engender enough interest to make it fly this year. In fact, registration is down quite a bit.  The Young Adult camp and one trip camp have fallen to low registration. My take on it is two fold: 1. the economy is, well you know.  2.  If you drive down Main Street in any Maine town and go to the Congregational church on the green, more likely than not there will be very few gathered for the children's time, or at least less than there was 10 years ago.   sigh. 

Napkins and Panels OK, I admit it.  I was dubious about the whole 'cloth napkin' thing.  But I'm a convert.  I love them.  They add a little class and gentleness to the dining hall.  And man did we get a great response.  We've got napkins from all over Maine. It's so fun to find out which napkin you'll get since we have quite a variety.  Eric is very picky.  Rocky Ackroyd is working on a gizmo that hooks up three old bicycles to an old washing machine.  It's not quite there yet but the campers are eager to hop on and wash those napkins without leaving a carbon footprint.  Speaking of lowering our footprint,  Cabin five is now equipped with Solar Panels thanks to the same Rocky and a troupe of friends.  The panels belong to him but he is helping us by loaning them as part of our environmental education program.  We'd love to buy them but this year's budget is pretty skinny so that looks unlikely.  Allie, our nature director, has developed a program to help campers learn about how much energy we use, and how much we generate.  I've learned a lot this summer!

Speaking of Allie, one of my greatest joys this summer is watching her with campers.  She has been our Arts and Crafts director for two years (not to mention back in the 80's as well), a camper, a dean and currently is an OMC member.  In all those roles she brings her jubilant enthusiasm and passion, but as nature director she is truly in her element.  I keep looking between cabins, or behind huge rocks, or deep in the woods to find Allie crouched down with a gaggle of campers wide eyed and fascinated to see the snake, or frog, or mushroom, or spider, or plant that Allie is describing in fine detail.  There is learning happening here and it's infectious. 

New Tech: The database switch has gone better than we thought it would, although it's not without complications. We're all still learning and it's not exactly an intuitive program.  But most parents love being able to register and pay online.  We're a little slower on changes and unusual requests, but we're getting it.  Probably the weakest part of the program is the reporting end, which parents never see.  But I understand the company we're working with is improving the program all the time.  The photos and emails have been great.  We have saved SO much staff time with the easy uploading of photos and the once a day email report.  There have been a few parents that are upset that something they used to get for free now has a charge to it.  I can understand that.  But I explained in a letter that is posted here that it really came down to stopping the services or having them pay for them and most agree we made a good decision.  And the fact that we upload photos virtually everyday with as many photos as we use to have in a week has delighted many parents.  The bunk notes (emails) are kind of funky too.  Some parents are choosing to throw in funky borders, or photos, or even puzzles. That caught me by surprise, and the kids seem to love them.  I will agree that going with an outsourced company has made the online feel more commercial, but it has not affected the experience at camp.  Anyway, most parents understand the change when it has been explained, a few are still upset, and most are really supportive.  (I posted one of the supportive notes on the front page.)

And speaking of the front page, I finally decided to go just a little Web 2.0 and jazz up the front page.  I have always liked the simplicity of the logo with the options but there are a a lot of things parents want to know and I'm hoping I've made it a little easier to find that stuff.  I like the banner across the top, particularly since I don't really know what I'm doing and I'm using an ancient web program. 

Hungry Camper: Oh yeah, that whole cook thing.  Darci was scheduled to cook for us again this summer but at the last moment she couldn't join us. We love her and she went with my blessing.  We hope she'll come visit soon.  The mad dash was a little daunting.  It wasn't so much that I minded doing a last minute search, it was all the things I wasn't doing because my time was spent on the search.  After two false starts I looked up and realized how great the meals had been.  "The two Ryans" both former campers, both first year staff were working like a well oiled machine, putting out great meals and using their heads with leftovers and 'making do.'  Ryan Millian is now our head chef, with weekly supervision by Pam Burnham (who dropped everything and helped us out in the interim along with Tina Phillips who just stepped in and did what had to be done) and Ryan Petherbridge is 'First Cook.'  We're also lucky to have Miriam Rimkunas in the kitchen for a second summer. Ryan M is going into his second year as a Hospitality major at UNH, and it shows.  What could have been a hugely stressful time (ok it was) was made manageable by the tremendous, hard working and caring staff.

Blessings. It has to be said: I have an AMAZING staff this year.  Now before you say "you say that every year," let me say "I know - and it's true."  EVERYONE is enthusiastic, helpful and understands this ministry.  All but two are former campers.  One of them, Mollie Landers, joins us from her experience on staff at Hartman Center, a UCC camp in Pennsylvania.  She's our Resource Coordinator. She will be attending Wesley seminary in the fall hoping to prepare for a career in Outdoor ministry.  Every one of us feel as if we've known her for years.  And speaking of knowing each other for years, many of this group came up together as campers.  On the first day of staff training, two staff members told a story of how when in third grade they heard me say that someone from their group would be a staff member someday. They knew at that moment it was them.  Seeds planted; fruit borne.  It warms my heart.

The other not-a-PL-camper is John Rimkunas, my assistant this summer who came in after his teaching job ended and immediately starting  juggling and hasn't stopped.  He's figured out what needs to be done and taken care of it. My leadership team is rounded out by Becky Muller, now the "Sr. Staff Member" on the waterfront.  There's something that happens to those Colby women!  It's confidence, and passion and competence.  And thank God for Steve and Karen! There will be more staff members to tell you in future entries for sure.

So here we go.  Beauty all around us, surrounding us and filling us. God present in the trees; in crouched campers surrounding spiders; in the swaying trees and singing raised in the chapel; in scripture read by 8 year olds; in nervous deans wanting to give the same meaning they took in as children; in the nightly loon concerts, in lifeguards happily chopping carrots and in the eyes, and hearts of everyone who gives to this ministry.  Amen.

April 8, 2008

Steve started back to work yesterday.  It's a week later than he usually starts and still the snow is about up to the boardwalk railings.  I'm guessing we'll have snow in some wooded spots on June 1.  Usually the ice is out by now. Of course in 1862 it didn't go out until May 5.¹ What a whacky year that was, huh?

I've been project hopping since returning from vacation last January. I hope you've seen some of the results.  As mentioned previously, the brochure is out, and for a lot less money than in previous years.  The cover is dark, but I kind of like the look of the light shining off the labyrinth such that you have to look twice to see it.  As promised none of the rules and legal jargon were in it.  Instead they've moved to the three guides that are now available online.  I think it was a good move as parents and adults can access those at will and we didn't need to pay to print and mail that information 4000 times. 

Next is was on to online registration.  The research as to which company to go with was done in the fall.  Now it was getting PL's registration up and running.  We'd advertised the date of Saturday, March 15 and lo and behold I worked all week before, and all day and night on Friday and hit the send button at 11:57 PM.  Three minutes to spare and we had our first camper registered 20 minutes later.  The system has been working very well and we've gotten lots of positive responses from users.  Only one has written with issues, and we were able to take care of it fairly easily.  Thanks for all the feedback.

As soon as the kinks were out (not that I don't expect more) I jumped into the Deans' retreat which was the weekend after Easter.  It's always fun to share time with the deans in one space.  The OMC worked hard to set a festive atmosphere. We cut the retreat down to one night which felt quite short to me.  We squeezed quite a bit into those 24 hours together.  Photos are posted.  Our theme this year "Handle With Care" refers to the creation.  I think everyone is excited about the possibilities this offers.  The OMC is prepping some ideas for the further greening of Pilgrim Lodge.  Some of them are pretty whacky (in the fun sense of the word) so we'll see what transpires.

Speaking of updated photos, it occurred to me while uploading the new photo of the month ("Jonas & the Serpent") that most of the old photos of the month were still on the website, but with no way to access them.  If you take a look at this month's photo you'll see a new feature: a button that scrolls through all the older photos, or at least all the photos still on the site.  Some go back as far as 2002. 

Last week was to be my big catch up week.  The day after the deans retreat, it hit.  The flu that my doctor tells me is "rampant."  Deb had it and missed the retreat.  Man it's a long recovery!  I'm still not at 100% but at least my brain is off the frying pan a bit. 

Throughout all of the above, with Karen's help, I was working to get the summer staff hired.  Letters have been sent and soon we should have some announcements.  Looks like a tremendous group this summer.

Now the goal is to get the camp open enough for Jump Start Weekend.  Usually that is not an issue but the aforementioned snow load is heavy on my mind and on the PL boardwalk.  Here's the thing: Steve will work to get us open and be there on Saturday of Jump Start and then Sunday, he and his wife fly off to Hungary and the Ukraine, along with Artie Flanders, and Liz Charles.  The following Wednesday I fly out, followed by Scott Harris and his friend Matt. We are all off to the Transcarpathian Mountains to a little village just over the Hungarian border to witness the nuptials of PL staff members Janos Meysar and Gabriella Barta and to dance at their wedding!  How I am looking forward to that!

Now some of you dear readers will remember that four years ago I travelled to Turkey with Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan.  Then two years ago I continued that trajectory of study on my own in Rome. Well, the final chapter of this lesson plan is happening next month.  Borg and Crossan are leading a group through Israel: from the Galilee to Jerusalem. I'll fly from Budapest after the wedding, and spend a few days in London then meet Deborah and the group in Tel Aviv.  The timing is just awful in many respects, but I decided that this trip, with these scholars may not happen again and I moved heaven and earth to get a seat on the bus.  I'm very humbled and very grateful by the opportunity.  The Maine Conference and the UCC are both helping me with continuing education scholarships.   For most of my adult life I've studied the historical Jesus and the birth of Christianity so to go where it all happened, and with my two favorite scholars is a tremendous opportunity.  I did not intend this to be so, but the three steps of the journey are: Paul, and the spread of earliest Christianity (Turkey), Rome and the study of the empire to which Jesus' ministry developed in reaction against, and finally to the Holy Land itself.  I am truly blessed to be able to explore my passion. 

The difficult part is that I will be gone for much of May.  When I return the first event, (the Men's retreat) will be a week away and it's a roller coaster after that.  But I know we can do this. 

Do remember to sign up soon, some of the camps are already nearing full!  We are so richly blessed.

Peace and blessings to you,

Bryan

February 7, 2008

This was going to be an easy year: no anniversary celebrations, no ACA accreditation, no fire, no ice, no major systems failure, no big changes. What is that echo I hear through the forest?  Why it's, yes, it's divine laughter!

Most of November was spent researching on-line registration companies which turned out to be interesting, but time consuming. I had vacation time that was to be used up so I had a nice break in late Dec and early Jan.  Upon return I felt a need to re-visit the 2008 budget based on numbers from last year.  Since the 2009 budget will be due soon I submitted that as well.  Now I'm onto the brochure and staff hiring albeit a bit behind the calendar on both.  Since it looks like we will in fact move to on-line registration I need to be setting that up as well.  No lack of winter tasks to be able to bring about PL 2008.  Thanks to the web, the schedule has been posted since November so mom and dad can make their summer plans. 

The brochure will be lighter this year.  Without the registration stuff (yes, there will be a way to effect paper registration) and due to changes in size to keep mailing cost down it will be smaller document.  At this point I'm looking at early March. 

The OMC has several policies born of feedback and long discussion.  I've posted those on the news page along with an explanation of why these policies have come about.  There is also an announcement about pricing for next year which will see a larger than average jump (about 10%).  This is because of rising costs of operation and the fact that we've now used all the capital funds from the last few campaigns.

You heard is first here news: this summer will feature two new camps, a second CIT training event held in March at Rockcraft retreat center and "Rainbow Family Camp" for families with members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

I assume you saw the note about the passing of Mr. Barnes, PL ice cream man for half a century.  His son Dick does not intend to keep the business going although he did not rule out the possibility of some occasional treats from the magic basement. Still, it was the end of an era.  Rest in peace Mr. Barnes.

On a personal note I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dan Fogelberg.  I've spent many hours listening to his music over the past 30 years. In an odd coincidence (if you believe in coincidence), my wife Deborah, who I've never heard play his music in 18 years of marriage, picked out a DF CD to play one afternoon over the break.  That very night we heard to news of his passing earlier that day. Fogelberg died after a long battle with prostate cancer at his home in Maine on December 16, 2007 at the age of 56. Thank you Dan.