Community responds willingly and generously to Camp Brookwood's needs
By Chris Hayes
Wow! When our Lord chooses to act through his people, he really goes all out.
Saturday’s (April 5) hastily called meeting to address some very serious Camp Brookwood concerns resulted in a 14-member board with a full executive and some new members as well as several committees struck, populated and ready to get to work on site next month. We hope by then we won’t still need snowshoes to get in!
Everything Camp Brookwood needs was made available through prayer, discussion, discernment and great generosity.
More than 30 willing people turned-out for the meeting (including Archdeacon Geoffrey Hall, the bishop’s executive assistant, sitting on the right side of the closest table in the photo to the left, taken as people were arriving for the meeting) and a further 20 willing souls unable to attend the meeting pledged their time, talents and energy to the cause. We also welcomed half a dozen young people, all of whom are presently connected to the camp. They were active in the meeting and it was important for us to hear their voices.
Plans were also made to prepare for a new concrete slab and foundation wall for Howlett Hall to be installed after the 2008 camping season.
This wonderful Saturday meeting at Trinity Church in the Parish of Andover made for a huge leap forward for Camp Brookwood's present and future. The response from committed people means Camp Brookwood can be what it was always meant to be –– a solid, stable ministry outreach to children everywhere.
Looking around the room on Saturday I saw many people who believe strongly that Camp Brookwood's mission must continue and be strengthened to provide the kind of ministry that youth deserve. I also saw and felt humility, grace, conviction, love, joy, generosity, and discernment. Speaking personally, the day was the most wonderful Easter gift. God can really overwhelm a person sometimes.
Watch for Camp Brookwood brochures in the next couple of weeks … let the snow go and let the camping season begin!
The Rev. Chris Hayes is rector of the Parish of Richmond and Regional Dean of Woodstock.
Diocesan Communications
08 April 2008
