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Director's Log 2004

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Pilgrim Lodge Director's Log

2004

February 10, 2004

It's as if waking from a dream.  Two weeks before Christmas our house in Readfield sold.  The buyers wanted us out December 23.  We just laughed.  But we did negotiate leaving by mid January.  So we kicked the search for a new house into high gear and landed in Brunswick.  We moved out one day and in the next, on the two coldest days of the season thus far.  That was fun.  I had three weeks vacation saved up so I just took them to get us packed and moved.  After everything was safely inside the house, and the heat was turned back up, I turned my gaze to the camp brochure.  I usually am generating the brochure during early January so once we landed, I took an deep breath and dove in.  Three more weeks and here I am, just back from dropping off the final copy to the printer, surrounded by a sea of paper: drafts of brochure pages, half pages of scribbled lines, unread mail, nutrition bar wrappers, overflowing trash cans.  At home, of course it's all cardboard.  Most boxes are right where we left them during the move.  Is it really February?  What happened to January?  

I am hoping the brochure will go into the mail at the end of next week.  The actual creation took a little longer than usual because I chose to convert to a new computer program and the learning curve was pretty steep.  Great program though, very powerful.  I hope you see a difference in the quality this year.  You can get a sneak peek at the cover here.  

This has all put me quite a bit behind.  Now, after I slap myself around a bit, I will deal with the faulty septic system in this here farmhouse (did I mention how the furnace died in the fall?).  Then I will fix my site on staff hiring, so if you are on the fence, get off soon!  I will be contacting former staff and new applicants shortly.  If you are interested in applying for summer staff, check out the 'summer jobs' section, which includes job descriptions and an application. 

In spite of moving we threw everything into making this a magical Christmas for Eric.  He's three so he really is starting to get it.  My favorite part was his reaction to the reindeer nibbled carrot stubs and cookie crumbs by the empty glass of milk.  Proof!  The whole thing was magic.  New Year's is kind of a blur.  We closed on the house we sold late in the afternoon on New Years Eve, and the next day I think we just packed.  I never really got the significance of New Years.  I can get behind some genuine reflection and planning, but it somehow it doesn't seem the healthiest of holidays as it is now observed.  

Although I haven't really checked it out in detail, Brunswick seems like a funky little town.  After living out in Readfield we feel like we're living in the big city!  On Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday we woke up and, as in years past, wondered what we could do to celebrate.  The paper described a children's event beginning in 20 minutes at Bowdoin College so we threw on our clothes and made it in time.  I can't imagine that in Readfield.  It's a great area and we've got a great new house.  Still, it all happened so fast that I think Deb and I are missing our old home.  We really loved it there.  

Sunday was a wonderful celebration.  I was honored to give one of three charges to Rev. Sally Colegrove at her installation as pastor of Windham Hill Church.  It was so joyful and felt so right. Sally and I met at church camp 25 years ago and have a long and involved history of ministry and friendship.  It's great to have her here in Maine (she has served as a dean at PL for three years).  She's now on the OMC. 

 

I promised you an update on Alan Bartlett who joined the Marines at the end of the summer.  Here he is.   Are you as proud and impressed as me?  I present to you Private First Class Bartlett.  He is at Infantry School at Camp Geiger, NC.  And this time Alan, unlike when you were a middler camper,  I didn't even have to call your mother when you shaved your head!  I'm kidding.  You have the entire PL community behind you, keep in touch.  Vaya Con Dios Alan!

 

 

 

So onto staff hiring and the details of the office.  My PDA (which Jonathan Doughty call's "the oracle") was in very tidy order when all of the above started, now everything is in red and beeps at me randomly throughout the day.  "Get Trip Camp Licenses"  "register the truck" "document the adopt a cabin program" and it goes on and on.  So... I remind myself that the best thing about schedules is - we make 'em up!' So I guess I'll just make up a new one. 

Bundle up, remember, summer's coming. 

I close with words our church in South Freeport sings at the end of worship every week.

Go now in peace, never be afraid, God will go with you each hour of everyday.

Bryan

 

a March 17, 2004  b 

Can the thin veneer of snow outside my window help convince me that there is still lots of time between now and the start of the season?  Uh, not so much.  I'm trying to breath deep and be very Zen about the whole thing, and frankly, I am largely successful.  Still, there are moments when I look at my list, then I look at the calendar and feel less like Buddha and more like Chicken Little.  Now perhaps Chicken Little was, in fact a Zen Buddhist, and I certainly mean no disrespect.  After all you know how rumors work.  Maybe Ms. Little was sitting in meditation, calmly asking her students "What is the sound of the sky falling?" and the rest is just a big misunderstanding.  

By now you should have a copy of the camp brochure in your hands.  If not you can order one from Cathy.  It's always a good feeling to get that accomplished.  So far I've heard about one error.  In the description for "A Day At Camp" there is a reference to it being on a Sunday.  In fact that day is a Saturday.  It is sure to cause some confusion.  Ah, the perils of copy and paste.  

On March 5-7, we had a fantastic deans' retreat at camp Mechuwana in Winthrop.  If you haven't seen the pictures take a look.  I think you'll see that people appear to be engaged and having a good time.  Thank you to all who attended, it really was great to see everyone and feel so much enthusiasm for PL.   I really need to publicly thank the OMC, and in particular Pat Seaward and Joanne Barltett who worked on the organization of the event.  We had deans come specifically for the retreat all the way from Michigan, Arizona and California!  I think we are all excited and eager for the summer season.  

Prior to that I spend four days at a  board of directors meeting for the UCC Outdoor Ministry Association   It was a good meeting proceeded by a planning meeting for the next biennial Consult.  On the off years we try to have our spring meeting at the future Consult site which in this case is Silver Lake Conference Center in Connecticut.  This was the camp I attended and worked at for many years.  Not having returned in about 15 years was cause for some reflection.  In fact, I've written the experience up.  You can read about it here.   I am really hoping that some OMC members, or just lovers of PL will attend the Consult March 4-7, 2005.  

I've also spent time with the PL Vision Team.  Commissioned by the coordinating council we are meeting every two weeks to make a presentation to the council in May concerning recommendations for the long term future of Pilgrim Lodge and for the fiftieth anniversary in 2006.  It's a great group with people of divergent backgrounds.  More on this soon.  

I'm now in the process of hiring summer staff (and some year round staff).  It's a pretty involved process, if all continues to go well we will have another stellar staff this year.  Speaking of staff, Justin who served on  grounds and maintenance last summer was in a very serious car accident and is in rough shape in a Seattle hospital.  Yesterday he was again in surgery all day and into the night.  Please remember Justin and his family in your prayers.  

Finally, a reminder: Jump Start Weekend is coming April 23-34.  Getting camp open is a big job and I need your help!  It really is a community effort and a great way to volunteer for ministry.  Summer is coming.  Yee Ha!

Let the wild rumpus start!

Bryan

 

June 2, 2004

The staff is arriving; the supply trucks are delivering; the loons are singing and the weather, uh, lets skip the weather for now.  Summer is here!  I'm particularly excited about the beginning of our new weekend volunteer program.  This Friday and Saturday is the beginning of a project filled summer that I hope you will participate in.  We are going start by roofing the staff housing, Balbrook.  I went up on the roof to spray a massive hornets nest this Spring and almost went through.  That moved it up on the priority list.  I have no idea if we'll have just Don and my maintenance staff, or a huge crowd that will bang that job out in a day.  Please come up and help if you have the time.  And don't be deterred if you have zero roofing experience, we need people willing to work on the ground too. 

The biggest news since my last entry is the arrival of two staff members.  Janean Boutin is our new office administrator.  You can see a picture and story about her on our news page.  She started in late March and has whipped our office into amazing shape.  We are lucky to have her on our team.  Not only is she really good at her job, she is a lot of fun to work with.

Next, we started with a new seasonal maintenance supervisor, Steve Jones.  Steve has done amazing work, and lots of it.  He's already power sprayed the entire boardwalk (both sides of the lodge) and sprayed wood preservative on them.  In spite of all this rain, the boardwalk is NOT SLIPPERY!  With the help of newly arrived maintenance team member Artie Flanders, Steve also has the entire shower house painted inside and out.  There are before and after pictures of this little miracle on the news page as well.

As if that were not enough, just two weeks ago my summer assistant Ben Bigney landed directly from his gig playing jazz piano on a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico.  He has been prepping the place for the comfortable arrival of the summer staff.  Returning staff members already on site include Jessica Doughty: waterfront director and challenge director: notably Pilgrim Lodge's only double director, and Darci Locke who is being promoted from kitchen assistant to first cook.  Tonight I expect Ms. Sarah ecclesiopolitical - we can do it, whoop-this-world-into-shape' Bigney to arrive and begin working on this summer's mission program.

Now, you might be wondering with all this spectacular help, what have I been doing with myself?  WELL, let me tell you all about the Pilgrim Lodge Vision Team.  In March of 2003 I met with the coordinating council for a  standard check-in report.  I realized that there were a lot of things that I needed to discuss, including our approaching 50th year anniversary.  I couldn't squeeze it all in to my allotted time so it was agreed I'd meet with other conference staff, which we did last June.  The scope of the items I presented was such that we decided to form an 'ad-hoc' committee to look at some of these questions.  The matter went back to Coordinating Council and the short term, high energy 'Pilgrim Lodge Vision Team' was born.  This team met every two weeks from January to May to ask a series of questions about the future of Pilgrim Lodge.  I did my best to resource this group, answer their questions and not influence the direction of their conversation. The team consisted of yours truly and:

-Diane Bennekamper, minister of the church in Cumberland and former moderator of the conference;
-David Gaewski, Conference Minister;
-John McCall, pastor in South Portland;
-Mark Schussler, Conference Business Manager;
-Pat Seaward, geologist for the state of Maine, OMC member and member of the Winthrop church;
-Ian "Jack" Steeves, Interim Minister, honorary PL staff member and Outdoor Ministry Committee Member;
-Dick Thomas, director of Chewonki Camp and member of the Wiscasset church;

So, this mega-team made a two-part presentation to the Coordinating Council during a retreat at the beginning of May.  The presentation included three sections: what could and should be done to the maintain and enhance the existing site and program? What is the possibility and benefit of building a year-round facility? What could and should be done concerning the fiftieth anniversary?  To my surprise, the council voted to look at the feasibility of a year round facility and authorized a new working group to determine the cost of a feasibility study.  Once that information has been gathered, they will decide how to proceed. Stay tuned as the story develops.

Also on the horizon: my sabbatical.  I am very humbled and blessed that after seven years, the conference is offering me a three month sabbatical period.  I will be leaving August 8 and combined with accrued vacation, personal and study leave time, will be gone through the fall.  I am intending to spend a month in Turkey visiting early Christian sites along with a group being led by two scholars I have read extensively and admire: John Dominic Crossen and Marcus Borg.  I went to Turkey, and some of these sites about fifteen years ago, but to return with the study I have since done, and with these two professors is an amazing opportunity.  During my absence the camp will be managed by the aforementioned Ben Bigney.  Along with help from Janean and Steve, I am sure to get a good rest knowing that the program is in such capable hands. 

We had a little trouble with the website last week.  Sorry if you got hung up.  We are back up and running, but this glitch has prompted me into a long overdue web update.  Unfortunately, it's kind of like when the electric, septic and water systems get upgraded at PL.  If everything goes well, you just know you can still turn on the light and run the water.  This overhaul will be in the guts of the system to reign it in since it has spider-webbed (no pun intended) into quite a massive collection of files and links.  It'll keep me out of trouble. 

Outdoor Ministry Committee meets this Saturday at PL.

So here we go.  We are at the top of the roller coaster and getting ready for a fantastic ride.  Please keep PL in your prayers for a safe and meaningful summer. 

SEE YOU FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, and every week thereafter!

Yours,

Bryan

 

July 13, 2004

This director's blog entry is dedicated to Kristen Mitchell.  Kristen: med student, lover of PL, answerer of urgent pleas for help.  I found myself short a lifeguard and Kristen basically dropped everything to help out for a few weeks.  Thanks Kristen!

What a summer!  As fast paced as ever.  We have only a few (albeit amazingly gifted) returning staff members and lots of folks either new to staff or new to PL.  Check them out on the staff page that photographer Sarah Bigney put up on the website a few weeks ago.  There you will find a photo and profile for each of the gifted people here serving our campers this summer.  Speaking of Sarah the photographer, have you seen the photos this year.  She was so good last year that it doesn't seem possible, but she keeps getting better and better!  Sarah also is handling the mission program 100% this year.  She worked at Hogar Esperanza, an orphanage in Chile last year and has given everything she's got to make the presentation interesting and fun.  If you would like to contribute, send your donation payable to "Maine Conf. UCC" and marked "PL Mission Project" and send to Sarah Bigney, 103 Pilgrim Lodge Lane, West Gardiner, ME 04345"  Your money will go directly to the orphanage. 

We started with the tried and true Vintage Ventures.  It was a small group again led by Jackie Davidson and we all decided that next year we are going to get the word out to the masses since this over 55 years program is the best kept secret at PL.  Women in Wilds set new records for attendance.  Ann Withee-Heald did a bang up job with the program centered around the book The Red Tent.  We had a new record number of women.  Our staff was just coming in and we were all learning our jobs.  Then came a week of staff training followed by our first youth camp of 109 Sr. High campers.  The place was busting at the seams.  We had a few glitches getting into the groove but  the campers and counselors were very understanding.  With a home-written program by deans Tom Hancock and Pam Burnham, it was a great week at PL.  Next we had two smaller groups (I assume because of the fourth of July).  Thanks to Deans Kathy Dunklee and Deb and Scott Letourneau, as well as Tim and Irene Hall.

ALERT- just stopped typing because of state health inspection: we passed with very high marks - go PL!

OK, I'm back.  Now we're back to capacity with the sweetest third and fourth graders deaned by Allie and John Rimkunas and Rocky Ackroyd.  Talk about energy!  I think the photos tell quite a lot of the story.

Of course, there was also the tremendous SpiritQuest '04 on the island.  Jonathan and Jessica Doughty are just amazing.  What a huge effort, and all to allow twenty-five 7th and 8th graders a chance to camp and canoe and enjoy one another in God's presence.  Also Bill Walsh should be mentioned who provided all the food for the week.  (how's the arm Bill?).  Their indomitable spirit was not quenched by the pouring rain.

In addition to these fantastic deans, we've seen a huge group of volunteer counselors.  Last week (Celebration Sensation) the entire camp staff was from one church, All Soul's in Bangor.  What tremendous  gifts they give!  My hope is they receive as much. One dean wrote to me: "Let me tell you that one of our young counselors confided to us that he had quite a spiritual awakening during the week, and that another told us that the experience has given him a whole new sense of self-confidence.  The ministry goes on at several levels, doesn't it?  From my perspective, each week at PL is unique"  Pretty cool. 

We also have several volunteers helping out staff this week.  Betsy Robertson from South Freeport is here, painting, cooking, and helping out all over as is former staff member Karen Tate who is visiting from North Carolina with her friend Will Gray.

One of my great joys this summer has been watching my son Eric.  The staff and the campers are all so sweet to him and he responds in kind.  As a daddy who is very  busy all summer, I am very blessed to have regular visits from him (and Andy, his pal for the summer) and to play whenever possible.  He truly has become the morale officer.  I can't fathom that next week is his fourth birthday!

The weather has been just weird.  No real hot hot days yet, and it changes from blue sky to pouring rain in a heartbeat.  I know, I know, this is New England, but even for New England it's been changing like crazy.  L

I try without fail to be nothing but positive in this log, but I must express one true disappointment.  We really have pushed the Weekend Work Project Program and so far have had very little response.  Don Isham has been here every Friday and Saturday often with no volunteers (except Jack Steeves, my personal hero who comes every Friday, formal program or not).  So, please say a prayer and get yourself up here to bang nails and help out. Thank you to those who have in fact shone up to help.  We've also put a lot of money out for materials and had very little response to our plea in Mainestay with one very notable exception: Patco Construction of Sanford Maine is run by Mark Patterson and his brothers, who are all former campers.  They made a donation of $2000 toward the project.  Thank you guys, your helping us bridge the gap and boost our spirits.  That is not to say we have not had some other large donations, including some from churches.  Some of them may have been in direct response the MaineStay article but Patco was the only one that mentioned it in particular.

For those of you far away, or too busy to come up this year, PL is still astoundingly beautiful with golden light streaming across the lake at sunset, life-changing worship in the chapel, rude and hilarious choruses of the announcement song, tons of great energy, quiet moments of reflection and wonderful tremendous people exploring the presence of God together. What a blessing:

 Come and sit together in a circle of friends, be at home, be at peace, be at rest.

Yours,

Bryan

 

August 10, 2004

This is it.  Adios until Noel.  Yesterday I drove out the camp road with Eric and we decided to turn right instead of the usual left and we took the long way home full of experimentation and adventure.  Sabbatical is here, and this entry is my last official PL duty until my return at Christmastime.  Technically Sabbatical is three months, but those three are combined with other time off to amount to almost five full months away.

It was strange leaving as campers were arriving.  I think these next two weeks will be odd.  The logic of the personnel committee was that my family and I never get to spend any time together in the summer, which is prime family time for most.  So they wanted me to find out why Maine is called vacationland.  I am blessed that camp is in very capable hands.  The staff has gelled and under the direction of camp veteran Ben Bigney and I am already starting to let go.  Ben will be updating this page.  How often is up to him.

Thursday the staff threw a surprise party for me and my family.  Artie came to my cabin and told me Sarah had fallen through the floor of Balbrook due to an infestation of carpenter ants.  Nice ploy.  I was relieved that Sarah's leg was still intact as was the floor with nary an ant to be found.  They each wrote down something I was to do on my sabbatical and I am happy to report that today, on the first day, we have checked off the first item on the list: Eric and I went frog catching (we engage in a catch and release program).  We bought a new net just for the occasion and we did indeed catch some frogs.  The staff also gave us each homemade staff T-shirts, wrote beautiful cards and gifts, made a gorgeous and delicious cake and notably, every single one of them was there.  They also sang us a song, based on my proclivity for the Wizard of Oz, written just for the occasion:

Ding Dong, the boss is gone
Sleep 'till 10
& don't tell Ben
Ding dong, the wicked boss is gone

Flip all the brooms side down
Stay online,
all day long
Don't need your stupid radio

He's gone on sabbatical
Ho Ho, that fool that fool
So we're in charge
Let's run amuck now

Don't bother washing pots
He's not here,
so we don't care
Come on, the party's in S-1!

Ding Dong the boss is gone
We'll miss him, sure
don't mop the floor
Golden treats for all
the boss is gone!

I howled.  The whole evening was really quite touching and brought home for me the fact that I was leaving.

I must make mention of my deep gratitude to Laurie Shannon who has come on up to fill in for the last several weeks of camp on the waterfront.  I really appreciate her willingness to drop everything and with ease and grace enter a staff community that had already formed.  She has been a breath of fresh air for everyone.

I am pleased to say that our weekend work projects continue and will continue although the volunteer turnout has been minimal.  Thanks to all who did come.  We are currently working on the farmhouse roof so don't hesitate to come on up.  I have updated the volunteer page so take a look at what's been accomplished by our volunteers and staff on just two days a week.  Please come on up and help out.

Throughout the last week I pulled back more and more so as to allow a dry run.  As it happens I was able to focus on my presentation to the Cobbosseecontee Yacht Club.  On Saturday night they held a "Red, White and Blue Celebration Dinner-Dance" to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the club.  I agreed to host the event and scanned approximately 300 postcards plus miscellaneous ephemera I have collected from the last hundred years around the lake.  It was a lot of work, but it compelled me to get a project done I had wanted to do for some time.  The evening itself went quite well in spite of driving rain, a new leak over the piano, a lost bag of shrimp and a hummingbird that was trapped in the lodge.  Most of all, I was so very proud and impressed by our Pilgrim Lodge staffers.  From the kitchen staff which did a phenomenal job to those who stayed and worked extra with smiles and a humble welcome, I received more glowing comments about them than I can write here.  I just love them so.  You can see a few photos of the event here. The next morning as I ate breakfast and prepared to leave, we found the little hummingbird on the floor.  She was given up for dead.  I took her outside and placed a few drops of sugarwater to her beak and low and behold she responded with a chirp and a shake.  She sat up and within five minutes she flew away.  I felt it was an auspicious start to the sabbatical.

My plans?  First week, be a dad and husband here at home.  Second week: off t0 a cabin by a lakeside (hmmm now that sounds familiar) Third week, to Connecticut to see family.  Fourth: back to Maine and yet another cabin by yet another lake (can't get enough, this guy).  Fifth week: NOTHING.  Then it's off to the early Christian sites in Turkey with Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossen followed by ten days of wandering through Greece.  Then I come home and start the reflective part of the journey.  I hope to keep the house projects to a minimum and do a whole lot of reading and writing during this period.  I long for extended periods sitting in prayer. Through all of this I hope have some time of letting the fields run fallow. 

Truly this leave is a blessing.  I am deeply grateful to everyone in the conference for allowing me this most precious gift: time.  I hope to use it productively and to refresh so as to return to the ministry of Pilgrim Lodge that I love so dearly with renewed vigor and dedication.  It really is important work we do at PL, I wish I could convey to you all the heartfelt testimonials I am privy to each week.  God is indeed still speaking, and I am off to listen.

Thank you, and God bless.

Bryan

 

Acting Director: Benjamin S. Bigney

September 4, 2004

Greetings and salutations my dear cyber-campers!  This is Acting Director Ben Bigney sending a big hello from All-Family Camp (deaned by the energetic and fabulous Dan Hunter  and Kathy Walker Leighton), the last official camp of the 2004 camping season.  I find it hard to believe that it is already September and that most of you have already returned to your schools, jobs, and routines of normal life.  Our daily rhythm here has begun to slow down and we few who remain bask in the gift of a wonderful summer that each of you gave all of us here on staff.  Thank you all so much for the spirit, friendship, laughter, and love that made PL '04 a blessing for all of us on this side of the boardwalk.

As the fall approaches we enter into a time of reflection; the leaves will soon change color, the lake will be lowered to its winter level, the acorns will fall on cabin roofs, and quiet days will gift us with time for thought and reflection.  I hope that each of you may find a small part of that peace which fall brings us here.  I will continue to update this Director's Log through the end of our post-season; be looking for updates about our Weekend Work Projects, SYC Fall Convention, and the annual PL Fall Work-Day.  In the mean time please find the PL Website updated by the lovely and talented Sarah Ann Bigney, and continue to spread the love of God through your daily lives.

Yours in Christ,

Benjamin S. Bigney

 

September 15, 2004

Oh, hello!  There you are, my cyber-camping web-neighbor.  You surprised me there for a second, sneaking up on me like that.  Do remember that I get the jitters being by myself for long periods of time, especially out in the woods.

In all fairness I've been anything but alone these past few weeks.  Janos Meysar, Steve Jones, Artie Flanders, and Janean Boutin have all been here day in and day out, doing their work in keeping the PL ball rolling.  Recently Janos and Steve have been working on installing more showers in more cabins (yay!) and Janean has been busy pulling together a Very Big Mailing (Janean rocks!).  Don Isham and Jack Steeves have been here on weekends, most recently putting up a new set of stairs on cabin S-3.  A big shout-out and heartfelt thank-you goes to Sara Godfrey for volunteering on the morning of September 11, helping out Don and Jack with the S-3 stairs and on the waterfront as well.

This week is another week of goodbyes for us here at Pilgrim Lodge (clap clap).  This past Sunday Artie Flanders left for the fall, off to work on a fishing boat until the new year.  Thank you, Artie, for your hard work, witty commentary, and jovial congeniality during the summer and fall.  This coming Sunday will see Janos Meysar head for Michigan to spend time with friends before heading back to Hungary in early October.  Janos has been a blessing to us all at camp this summer, and will be sorely missed by all his Pilgrim Lodge family.  Thank you, Cool Man, for all the hard work, laughter, and spirit you gave each of us this summer.

And the news you've all been waiting for: our fearless leader, Rev. Bryan S. Breault (Director of Outdoor Ministries), departed for his sabbatical trip to Turkey on Monday, September 13th.  He arrived safely in Turkey on the evening of Tuesday the 14th and, after a meal with his fellow pilgrims, got a good night's sleep.  In the coming weeks the group will be traveling in Turkey with noted scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossen.  During this time we send Bryan all our love and keep Deborah, Eric, and the Breault family in our hearts and prayers.

Well, there you have it.  Please check out the updated Weekend Work Project page for information about upcoming events.  Do remember to take a little time out of your day for a prayer of thanksgiving - I suggest singing the "Adams Family Grace" at the top of your lungs whilst sitting at your lunch table or in your cubicle... or even just for fun when you read this.

Until next time I am faithfully yours,

Benjamin S. Bigney, Acting Grand-High-Poohbah

 

September 28, 2004

Well, my friends, here we find ourselves at the end of September.  Its a cold, rainy day today on Cobbosseecontee, but we have prepared for such days.  The wood is stacked in the woodshed, our roofs have been repaired, and we look not back at a bygone summer but to hot apple cider and good books on blustery evenings.

Today I'd like to say a big thank you to all those who visited our Pilgrim Lodge (PL) table at the Maine Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) annual meeting this past weekend at Sunday River (SR).  It was such a joy to see old friends like camp nurses Margie Bartlett, Pam Precourt, and Bob Kirton, as well as a myriad of campers, counselors, and deans who all took advantage of our Pilgrim Lodge chocolates (thank you, Bryan!) and our sing-songs in the hallway.  I must extend my heartfelt thanks to Janean Boutin and Michelle Scribner who worked tirelessly at our table - thank you both!  Also thanks to Outdoor Ministries Committee (OMC) friends Joanne Bartlett, Peter Godfrey, Kevin Pleas, and Allie Rimkunas for answering questions at the booth and acting as PL Store Staff Pro-Tem.

I'd also like to take a moment to salute and extend personal thanks to Steve Kimball, Pat Seward, and Kevin Pleas who have just finished serving their current terms of service on our OMC.  Steve is a long time staff member, counselor, and dean; Pat has served on OMC, attended Vintage Ventures, and lives across the lake from us; Kevin has served on OMC and as dean of the White Mountain Adventure Camp.  Thank you all for your time, hard work, and spirit while serving Pilgrim Lodge and all of us in the Maine Conference.

Well, dear Cyber-Camper, I must abscond for the evening.  A walk up the road to my new abode at the Farm House calls, as well as a warm supper and retreat from the chill West Gardiner air.  Thanks to the Creator for friendship, fellowship, and the joy of time spent together.

Yours in Christ,

Benjamin S. Bigney 

 

October 5, 2004

Hello my Pilgrim Lodge friends.  Today's will be a short, concise, and, with any luck, eloquent entry into the director's log.  (Please note my use of the Oxford comma.)  A few things to note: the Recent News, Mission Project, and Photo Of The Month pages have all been updated today.  Thank you to my Constant Reader with hawk eyes for spotting pages which needed attention.  Thank you as well to my technical guru for today's service call.  A note to PL Staff 2004: the Staff Mix is almost finished and will be along on short order... thanks for your patience!  Also, a very hearty welcome home! to Bryan S. Breault, who arrived safely back from Turkey on 1 October 2004.

Here's sending warm thoughts out to everyone in Maine on this (very) chilly Tuesday.  I hope you've found some hot apple cider and a little bit of the Spirit this day.

Yours in Christ,

Benjamin S. Bigney

 

October 14, 2004

Greetings to all of you out there in cyber-camp; I hope this reaches you well and in good health.

Just now I had the very good fortune of walking down to the lake at sunset.  I actually couldn't tell if it was sunset or if the sun had gone already because the sky was mostly covered by various splashes of gray.  In some places clouds were thick, in others thin; it seemed that clouds were slowly creeping their way in from the South.  As I walked down the steps to the dock I noticed the very low level of the lake - for those of you who have never been here in the fall, by this time of year you can easily walk between the islands.  I also noticed, again, how empty the dock area looks without the boat dock there.  (Please see Boat Dock for more information.)  The patchwork of green, yellow, and red leaves all woven together on our shore and down the lake made me feel like I was wrapped in a quilt of autumn.  I breathed in a deep draught of the air filled with the patient contemplation this time of the year brings us.  Out on the lake I saw a few remaining loons puttering along, and noticed a bird (at first I thought probably an Osprey) winging its way around Pinkham Sound.

Upon closer examination I realized that the bird flying - now with companions - was in fact a smallish loon, and those who had been on the lake were now practicing their take-offs.  Soon there were three, four, then five small loons all congregating around one tree down by the dock: as they approached from far away their flapping sounded like the swishes of a helicopter, and as they stretched their wings wide to slow down and land it sounded as if (quiet) fire crackers had just launched.  Eventually three or four loons settled on high-up branches while the others continued to fly to the South end of Manitou, wheel around in great graceful arcs, and then join us once again.  At one point a very bold one landed on the same branch with another, forcing the seated one off and into flight for a lap up towards Edna's Point.  Eventually there were six of the birds in one tree, all up in the top, listening to the low hum of the crickets and the passing of trucks up on the road.  A seventh soon took off from the water and flew West across the lake.

It occurred to me while watching this entire display that this is not unlike what happens with us, here at camp, during the summer.  We come here as campers, as counselors, as deans, and as staff members to test our wings a bit in flying around this beautiful sound, landing in shared space, and learning to live with one another.  Just as the young loons today, we test our wings and hope that, when the time comes for our own migration, that we will have the strength to continue all the way There and Back Again.

As you all are There this day I send prayers out with the hope that you will be Back Again soon.  I send a prayer that each of you whose wings have grown stronger in this sacred place have flown farther and higher this fall than in the past, and that your flights of wonder inspire others.

Faithfully,

Benjamin S. Bigney 

 

October 18, 2004

Hello there.  A quick note to extend many thanks to many people.  First, HUGE thanks to all the participants and chaperones at the Maine Conference UCC State Youth Council Fall Convention (see pictures here) which took place October 15-17.  A list of service projects these marvelous folks accomplished:

  • Removed the swim dock from the water

  • Moved non-freezable goods up to the Farm House to stay warm during the winter

  • Moved picnic tables in front of the lodge and up at the picnic field

  • Stacked wood in the shop

  • Stacked wood in the wood shed

  • Moved a section of the boat dock to be used in construction behind Balbrook

I'm not quite sure when they had time to do all the SYCing during all of this, but they managed all this and a rocking dance to boot.  Thank you all so much.

Next, big thanks to returning summer staff members Darci Locke and Michelle Scribner who cooked and did dishes all day Saturday and Sunday morning.  Thank you to Jessica C. Doughty, who not only acted as chaperone for SYC, but served as Picnic Table Stacking Co-ordinator (PTSC) and, most importantly, Dock Removal Consultant (DRC).  Also, special thanks to Pam Burnham who helped us in the dish room all weekend and who baked up 13 mean key lime pies.  Next time you see Pam ask her to make one for you... you won't regret it!

As I pointed out to the SYC folks this weekend, ten years ago the Fall Convention theme (as evidenced by a banner in the Big Room) was "I am the vine, you are the branches."  SYC continues to be a vital branch of the ministry of the Maine Conference.  When you see your young people at church next weekend pat them on the back for a job very well done.

Faithfully,

Benjamin S. Bigney

 

October 31, 2004

Greetings and Salutations.  How the time flies when you're busy as a bee.  Already its Halloween!

Today I'd like to extend my gratitude to all of the volunteers and hard workers at yesterday's Fall Cleanup Day.  Thank you volunteers!  Without your help we would have not been able to get PL ready for the Winter.  Special thanks go to Steve Jones for organizing all the workers and running the jack-hammer; to Don Isham for organizing the destruction of two more of our historic chimneys and the dump-truck removal of the stone; to Jack Steeves and Peter Godfrey for putting the new back on Cabin 7; to Karen Choate for bringing the wonderful pot of chowder you can see here; to Michelle Scribner for spending yet another day in the PL Kitchen; to Betty Applin for getting paper products, fire extinguishers and smoke alarms out of the cabins and hauling wood; to Allie Rimkunas for hauling wood, stone, and good conversation in the truck; to Pat Seaward  for helping out all over the place; to all the other wonderful volunteers who helped us out this weekend hauling wood, carrying stone, raking leaves, moving furniture, and being a part of the end of the season at PL.

The sun is coming out, its a crisp last day of October, and we're all packed up for the winter.  Thanks again everyone!  See you all at Jump Start Weekend next April.

Yours in Christ,

Benjamin S. Bigney

 

November 1, 2004 - Pilgrim Lodge Annual Appeal

Hello there PL parents, counselors, deans, nurses, and staff; hello all adult friends of Pilgrim Lodge.  It has only been a day since my last entry, but I hope that I have accordingly piqued your attention.  I'd like to take a minute and talk about the first Pilgrim Lodge Annual Appeal.

The Pilgrim Lodge Annual Appeal is a new, year-end request asking you to consider a donation supporting Pilgrim Lodge.  At the above link you will find a letter, from Director of Outdoor Ministries Bryan S. Breault, explaining the origin and purpose of this request.  This letter has been sent to all current parents, counselors, and deans - any adults involved in the program in the past three years.  If you've already received this letter and sent your contribution, I thank you.  If you have not received the letter, or are still considering your donation, I ask you to take a minute and think about what, exactly, Pilgrim Lodge is to you.  Maybe you are a parent and you bring your child here for a week of intentional Christian community.  Maybe you are a 20-something whose faith journey began at Pilgrim Lodge.  Maybe you are a long-time counselor, dean, general hanger-on, or PL groupie who understands what we do here and why our work is so very important.  Maybe you are a grandparent whose children, and now grandchildren, have experienced the loving, caring, sacred space that is Pilgrim Lodge.  No matter who you are or how PL has touched your life, I ask you now to take a moment and consider a gift of support to Pilgrim Lodge.  This gift will go directly to the Pilgrim Lodge 2004 budget to help replace the former Maine Conference direct allocation; the allocation was eliminated this year due to a decrease in giving to the Conference.

As I write this we are putting the finishing touches on closing up camp for the winter.  The water has been shut off, and tomorrow we will drain the pipes.  Our summer phone lines have been turned off, and this is the last week of work for Steve Jones, our 3-season maintenance director, and myself.  This is truly a time of rest for a place that has given each of us so much.  As you consider your year end donations, I ask you keep PL in mind; while most of us spend our time at PL in the summer, it takes an entire year to make those 10 weeks happen.  Even in the cold winter months Bryan and Janean are preparing for next summer; for the next season of swimming, boating, crafts, and nature; for a new batch of 4th graders at their first week of camp; for a group of seasoned 12th graders saying goodbye to their time as campers; for all the meals, all the songs, all the chapel and vesper services; for every heart and voice lifted in Spirit not only for one week, but for a month, for a season, for a year - or for an entire life.  To help us continue this work, to continue this ministry, I ask you to participate in our 2004 Pilgrim Lodge Annual Appeal.

Today is All Saint's day.  In our Congregational community we are all called to minister to one another - we are all called, at one time or another, to wear the hat of Saint for another.  Might you consider wearing the hat of Saint for Pilgrim Lodge?  Thank you, in advance, for your contribution.

Yours in Christ,

Benjamin S. Bigney

 

December 15, 2004

Greetings friends.  I can hardly believe that it is December 15th, that the end of the year is fast upon us.  I hope that the autumn treated all you well and that this cold week will not dampen your holiday spirits.  While my official tenure as Acting Director finished in early November, I want to take this chance for one last log entry before our captain returns to his vessel, before I'm off in search of adventures on other seas.

For the past few years my favorite song for Advent has been "Here Comes The Sun," by George Harrison.  It was written during a dark time in his life, the break-up of the Beatles.  While there are no direct references to Advent, it is a song full of imagery which speaks directly to the heart of this season.  During advent we look to the coming of the Son, and also the sun.  We look to the great gifts that God gave us in Jesus: the spirit of Christ, and the warm love that fires each of our hearts.  We look to the coming of the sun as we reach our farthest distance away from it and, at the winter solstice, start our journey back toward the life-giving explosion of its nuclear furnace.  While we still have most of the "long, cold, lonely winter" head of us, we have the blazing heat of God's Son and God's sun to keep us warm.  Even with the cold all around we can feel the "ice is slowly melting," if only we can listen to the call of Jesus in our lives - a call that melts the ice around our heads and around our hearts.  This Advent season I encourage you to look for the Son and the sun in your life; find ways to let the love and warmth of both into your life during your parties, your shopping, and your opening of presents.  Sun, sun, sun... here it comes.

I'd like to take a minute and say a few self-indulgent thank-yous.  First, I'd like to thank those who supported me the most during my tenure as Acting Director: Janean Boutin, Steve Jones, and Eric C. Smith.  The three of you helped me with advice when I needed it (especially when I didn't know I needed it), as well as picked me up and brushed me off each time I stumbled.  Thank you.  Thanks to the OMC, especially Joanne Bartlett and Karen Choate for your support and assistance in the summer and fall.  Thanks to Sarah Bigney, who has been my technical consultant and web guru during this time, teaching me everything I know about maintaining this web page.  Thank you to Deborah Breault for thinking of me up here all by myself, especially for the turkey dinner and your phone call on the night of the eclipse.  Last, and certainly not least, thank you to Rev. Bryan S. Breault for such an amazing gift of trust.  It has been one of the great privileges of my life to be caretaker for this sacred place.  Together we've all managed to keep things going while you've been gone.   The lamps are trimmed and burning, waiting for your return. 

And that's it, my friends.  Keep each other safe and warm until next summer.  Soon enough we'll all be back here and can again learn how to love ourselves, love each other, and love God.

Here comes the sun.  Its alright.

BSB Jr.

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