Invitation to all Stakeholders of Camp Lutherwood Ministries -
A letter from the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Friends and Family of Camp Lutherwood!

As you know, in August we celebrated Camp Lutherwood’s 50 years of ministry to youth and young adults, and congregations in Oregon and southwest Washington. As we celebrate all the amazing things that have happened through Lutherwood’s ministry over the past 50 years, we are also focusing on the future of the camp and what we will look like for the next 50 years. We find ourselves at a major cross road and where we go from here is a decision we all need to make together.

The Camp Lutherwood Board of Directors has looked at where we are today and concluded that continuing down the road we have been on for the last 50 years will most likely not allow for continued success in the future. Financially we struggle to meet current obligations. Our current Association Congregation model for supporting Lutherwood does not seem to be as effective as is has been in the past. Our world and our church are changing. New models and new direction need to be shared if we are to continue doing ministry together.

With that in mind, the Board formed a Strategic Planning Task Force to define Camp Lutherwood’s mission, develop an updated mission statement and created an organizational ministry plan for the next one to three years. The Task Force is finalizing it work and it is time to share it with you. Therefore, we ask you, along with everyone else who loves this ministry, to join us:

Sunday afternoon, November 8, 3:00 PM at
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church,
1910 SE 34th Ave
Albany, Oregon

for our annual meeting to discuss Lutherwood’s future. We need you to be there and to help us create the future for the camp.

In addition to sharing the Task Force’s work, we will also talk about possible next steps. Your voices will be a major factor in determining the path we follow in the future. We need to know:

• How is out door ministry an important factor in faith development for Lutheran children and young adults in Oregon?
• How is Camp Lutherwood a viable ministry by nurturing faith with the people in our Lutheran congregations?
• How are you willing and able to support Camp Lutherwood with leadership, Board participation, and financial resources?
• Is the current Association model sustainable for the future? What other organizational models exist and how will they work for Camp Lutherwood?
• If Camp Lutherwood were to cease operations, would anyone miss us?
• Is it important that we are a Lutheran ministry and Lutheran Camp as opposed to a “sports” camp, “science” camp, or “computer” camp?

These are but a few questions we need to address. They are listed here to spark our imaginations as we begin to envision the future of Camp Lutherwood. I am sure that there are many other items we can add to the list at our meeting. The meeting will conclude at 5:00 pm.

Finally, pray for Lutherwood! Pray for us as we discern our future. Come and participate on November 8th. And, if you are able, please make a special financial contribution to camp for 2010.
Thank you for your support and thank you for your participation in this valuable ministry.

Richard Bemrose, President
Lutherwood Board of Directors

If you have comments/suggestions, please e-mail me at: bemrose@earthlink.net