Crossways News

Keeping "Faith Alive" through the Faith 5

2013-04-18T12:12:00.001-04:00

Keeping “Faith Alive” through the Faith 5

Crossways is proud to announce that this summer’s Bible Study theme will be called Faith Alive. It focuses on five faith practices we use as Christians to keep our faith in God active and alive in our lives.

Each evening before bed, campers will explore the themes and concepts of the day through doing devotions as a cabin group using a method called the Faith 5. This concept comes from Faith Inkubators and is a method we encourage you to use at home with your families both leading up to camp and in the weeks after camp.

The Faith 5 is an acronym for faith acts in the home. There are 5 simple steps to doing the Faith 5:

Share - Share your highs and lows of the day. Sharing in joys and struggles together is an important part of relationship development and plays a key role in deepening any relationship.
Read - Together, read some scripture. At camp, we’ll provide campers and staff with scripture readings to read together in the evening.
Talk - Talk about how the scripture reading relates to your life today. Does it relate to your highs and lows of the day?
Pray - Pray together about the joys and struggles you are facing individually and separately. Also pray for others as they journey through their own highs and lows.
Bless - Mark each other with the sign of the cross

To get you and your family started on using the Faith 5 at home, we’ve given you an example below to test out:

Share your highs and lows for the day
Read 1^st Corinthians 16:14. This is our theme verse for this summer!
Talk how does this verse apply to your lives today? To your highs and lows?
Pray for one another
Bless one another by marking each other with the sign of the cross.

For more information on the Faith 5 visit: www.faithink.com . There you will find videos and resources on how to implement the Faith 5 with your family.

From the Executive Director: April 2013

2013-04-18T12:12:00.000-04:00

I confess that I don’t like it when someone makes plans for me. I like to make my own plans. It’s not that I like to be in control, although some would dispute that statement, it’s the fact that I don’t like to feel out of control. Who hasn’t felt out of control when your doctor plans your diet, the dentist, your root canal, your boss, your project deadline or your spouse, your night out with people that you don’t know when you really would rather just stay home? We like to make our own plans.

Then God comes and says to us planners,

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future. “ Jeremiah 29:11

God is saying two very important things to us. First, I have plans for you. Second, I, not you, am the one in control. It goes against everything that we hold dear of being in charge and planning our own destiny. The good news is that God’s plans and promises are pure Grace for us.

God says to Crossways, “I have plans for you” and the plans are guaranteed because I am in charge. God’s plans for Crossways are that he will prosper and not harm us. God plans are to give us hope and a future. Do we fear the future that seems to be out of control, out of reach and out of our hands or do we honestly trust in the plans that God has for us? Do we trust God enough to step out boldly to dream, revision and see this outdoor ministry that we love prosper as God promises it will? We need to face our fears of being out of control and our lack of trust. God has it all planned for us, we just need to let go of our fear.

The Camps of Crossways - Imago Dei Village, Pine Lake Camp, and Waypost Camp - were built and are sustained on the promises and the plans of God. In a time when our old ways and our old plans seem to fail us, when our fear for the future and scarcity seem to hold court, and when we are frightened to dream big dreams, God says, “Don’t worry, I have plans for you.” “Don’t worry I am in control.”

As we step boldly into the future of Crossways’ ministry, let’s never forget that God’s plan for Crossways is all about abundance, hope and a future.

See you at camp!
Rev John Meachen, Executive Director

Growing Into a New Season of Ministry

2012-11-07T15:39:00.004-05:00

Living in Northern Wisconsin, we love (and sometimes love to complain about) our magnificent change of seasons. While visually vibrant fall leaves and the promising new buds of spring are wonderful, the thought of shoveling winter snow quickly loses its appeal.

Wisconsin seasons bring change. For us who love Crossways, this fall season is bringing even more change. As the world changes around us so must Crossways change to effectively partner with you in ministry. After more than a year of conversation and diligent work, a comprehensive restructuring plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on October 20th. The purpose of the plan is to provide an effective, cost efficient base for growing the ministry of Crossways.

This will be accomplished in part through creating new positions and revising current positions and eliminating some altogether.

The office has been strengthened to put customer service as a priority and to provide solid financial information to those who depend on it. Each site will benefit from a standardization of operations and flexible staffing. We will utilize each person’s unique gifts for service and ministry as part of a Crossways team dedicated to serving our congregations, communities and the church.

The goals of the adopted plan are to:

Strengthen the existing ministry
Grow the ministry
Provide excellent customer service
Offer flexibility in staffing
Standardize operations
Live out ministry at three unique sites

As we grow into this new “season” for Crossways there will be times that we will feel like we are deep in winter, up to our waist and shoveling snow. We are shoveling ahead together - traveling into the future which God has for us.

We rest in the promise of spring at hand.

To view the Board of Directors’ restructuring plans, send an e-mail to info@crosswayscamps.org.

From the Executive Director: November 2012

2012-11-07T15:35:00.003-05:00

It has been just over nine months since I began as the Executive Director of Crossways Camping Ministries. It seems that every time I run into an old friend, neighbor, former parishioner, even colleagues I get the same question: “How do you like your new job?”

Installation as Crossways' Executive
Director at Waypost Camp in April

I think most are hoping to hear me say that I like it just fine. The interesting part of the question is that in my former life as a parish pastor, no one would have asked it in the same way. The question would have been framed by the notion of “call” not “job”. I don’t know why it’s that way. Perhaps outdoor ministry is considered by many as something apart or different than real live ministry.

If I have learned anything at all in this nine month gestation period of mine at Crossways it is the incontestable fact that Crossways is real live ministry and everyone involved is undeniably called.
Volunteers scraping shingles off a roof, college counselors listening to a camper’s doubts, a bookkeeper finding another dollar, a pastor sharing a smile with staff, the cook’s bread pudding lovingly made, the site director who calms the parent’s fears, the housekeeper who whistles while cleaning the toilet, the registrar who squeezes in one more quilter, and the property manager who chases the bats out of the chapel are not simply doing their jobs.

Riding 18 miles at Waypost’s
70th Anniversary Celebration

Like my pastor once told me, “If this were a job, I would have quit years ago!” Being called is not a job. It’s an act of Christ’s ministry to the world. For decades I have had the privilege to watch the calls of the faithful lived out in the ministry of Crossways. Now as the Executive Director, I get to name and celebrate the real live ministry done by you and so many others called to serve God in this place.

So when I get the question , “How do you like your new job?” my response will simply be, as yours should be, “I like my call just fine.”

See you at camp!
Rev John Meachen, Executive Director

Celebrating 70 Years of Ministry - Crossways' Waypost Camp

2012-10-08T15:11:00.000-04:00


Click here for more photos!

This weekend, alumni, campers, volunteers, staff, and friends of Crossways came together to celebrate 70 years of ministry at Waypost on Mission Lake (which began as Crooked Lake Bible Camp in 1942.) With 15-20 mph winds and 40 degree temps, a group of brave souls committed to supporting the ministry of Crossways by taking to the scenic roads surrounding Waypost Camp in the Crossways Bike Tour.

After warming up by the fire, participants enjoyed family fun at camp, a delicious meal, and ended the day in Worship, giving thanks for a camp where people can experience God’s love, a place to discover new gifts, and most importantly, a home where people can grow in faith with one another.

Get your piece of Crossways history. Buy a 70th Anniversary T-Shirt! Get yours now!

First Annual Ice Fishin' on Mission was a huge success! THANK YOU fishers, volunteers, donors, and sponsors!

2011-03-09T15:44:00.009-05:00

Crossways Camping Ministries extends a HUGE THANK YOU to the volunteers, donors, and sponsors of the 2011 Ice Fishin’ on Mission Event.

The first-time event was attended by over 100 individuals from communities around Wisconsin. The February weather was mild, the food was delicious, the fish were biting, and the fellowship was outstanding.

Our sponsors and donors provided all of the prizes for the adult and youth individual & team categories. In addition, they enabled us to offer fantastic ice fishing and community-centered prizes for the raffle. 25 volunteers gave of their time, talents, and energy to ensure that Ice Fishin’ on Mission was a success from start to finish. Thank you for serving Crossways Camping Ministries, as this event raised funds for our Annual Fund, helping to send youth and adults to camp.

Enjoy the pictures! We hope to see you next year!

REMINDER! Special Meeting - Waypost Land Aquisition

2011-01-06T12:19:00.003-05:00

A special meeting has been called for January 8, 2011, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Plover for the purpose of approving the purchase of land contiguous to Waypost Camp. Delegate registration will begin at 10:30 am with the meeting beginning at 11 am.

Please give the following information to the two voting delegates from your congregation who will be attending the special meeting.

It is very important to have as many churches represented and delegates present as possible. We need to have at least 40 delegates to have an official meeting of the corporation. We have been asked about proxy votes. According to the bylaws, proxy votes are not allowed. Other members of your congregation are welcome to attend the special meeting as non-voting members. If you know your delegates for the 2011 year please let us know.

Get directions from Google Maps to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Contact Sara Damrow (715-454-6487 or sara@crosswayscamps.org) with questions.

Jerry Olstad named Interim Executive Director for Crossways Camping Ministries

2010-12-10T13:54:00.002-05:00

On behalf of the Crossways Board of Directors, I am pleased and excited to announce that Mr. Jerry Olstad has been named Interim Executive Director for Crossways Camping Ministries. The Executive Committee of the Board had endorsed the Transition Task Force's recommendation of Mr. Olstad for the position. Mr. Olstad has accepted the offer and will start in this position on January 15, 2011.

Jerry comes to us with a lifetime of experience in camping ministry. In addition to 20 years of direct leadership involvement with camps, Jerry served as the National Director of Camping with the old ALC and as the National Director of Outdoor Ministries for the ELCA until 1996. He also served as the ELCA National Director of Vision Mission Offering from 1997 until his retirement in 2000. Since his "official" retirement, Jerry has successfully served as Interim Executive Director of camping ministries in Minnesota and California. He most recently served as Interim Executive Director at Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center in Bellingham, Washington. Jerry and his wife Diane have a residence in Cambridge, Minnesota.

Jerry obviously comes to us with a wealth of experience. In each of his Interim roles he has also worked with the Boards to develop a strategic plan for the future and has guided and assisted with the search for a permanent Executive Director. The Executive Committee plans to draw on that expertise as we move forward.

The Executive Committee is very pleased with the work that the Transition Planning Task Force has done and is thankful for their service to Crossways. We are now looking forward to this new phase of our ministry together.

As we go forward together in the New Year, please include in your prayers Mr. Olstad and all Crossways staff members, Crossways' Board of Directors and the ministries through this camp so that we can continue to boldly bring people together in Christ so that lives are changed and communities enhanced.

Shalom,

Pastor Rich Block
President, Board of Directors
Crossways Camping Ministries

Job posting - Interim Executive Director for Crossways Camping Ministries

2010-10-16T14:40:00.007-04:00

This position would be 8-10 months in length and is open to all rostered and non-rostered persons interested. Please read carefully the attached job description/expectations and consider if you or someone you know may be an asset to Crossways in our time of transition. Please feel free to print and share this information with potential candidates.

This is an important role for Crossways and we will be looking to fill this position in a timely manner. Resumes and references should be submitted to the task force chair:

For more information, please contact:
Steve Olson
71 Continental Ct.
Appleton, WI 54911-1607
stevenholson@gmail.com
Phone: 920/540-8611

Deadline
October 18, 2010

For more information, please click here.

Executive Director Position Transition

2010-10-04T15:34:00.003-04:00

Member Congregations of Crossways Camping Ministries Association:

Rev. Wayne Harrison has informed the Board of Directors of his plan to resign as Executive Director of Crossways camping Ministries effective November 30, 2010. We appreciate all of the passion and work that Pastor Harrison has brought to the ministry of Crossways. We also pray God’s blessings upon him as he moves with his family to Ohio.

“What are we going to do now?” is a question that quickly comes to the surface of conversations. Here is our plan.

We need to celebrate with thanksgiving the ministry of Pastor Wayne. There will be a farewell celebration on October 23. Please refer to the Celebration information enclosed with this mailing.
We have consulted with the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries churchwide office and have received valuable support and information from Mark Burkhardt.
Because the Board of Directors feels that this time is an opportunity to review and prepare for the future, we will be developing a Strategic Plan this fall. In conducting this plan we will draw upon the insights of people from the Association. If you have information for us to consider, please contact Pastor Rich Block at pastorrich.mtcalvary@frontier.com.
In the meantime, we have established a four person Transition Planning Task Force with the purpose of facilitating our transition time and recommending to the Executive Board an Interim Executive Director. The plan is that this person will be hired by December 1, 2010.
In December and January a Search Committee will be formed to employ an Executive Director. With the information from our Strategic Plan and a position description from the Board, the Search Committee will begin work. We have a target date of introducing a new Crossways Executive Director to the Association on September 2, 2011.

This time of transition is not a time to “retreat” from our support of Crossways. Rather, we encourage you to continue to support the ministries of Crossways as a vital extension of the ministries in your congregation. Please pray for the camps, the staff and the Board of Directors during this time.

Shalom,

Executive Board of the Board of Directors
Pastor Rich Block, President
Jeff Roznowski, Vice-President
Dave Down, Treasurer
Pastor Ben Sheets, Secretary

Resignation of Executive Director, Pastor Wayne Harrison

2010-10-01T14:47:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends of Crossways,

As many of you have already heard, I have resigned as the Executive Director of Crossways Camping Ministries effective November 30, 2010. This has not been an easy decision for me, but after a great deal of prayerful thought and deliberation, I decided to leave Crossways to join my family in Columbus, Ohio.

My wife Tondi has accepted a position with Nationwide Children's Hospital as a Research Scientist in the Heart Research Center with a dual appointment to the faculty of the Pediatrics Department at The Ohio State University School of Medicine. This is a tremendous opportunity to advance her study of infants born with congenital heart defects. As a multi-generation household, my daughter and son-in-law and granddaughters who live with us have also relocated to Columbus.

Although I keep hearing from people that they've heard I'm retiring, at this point I have no definite plans to retire. I will be taking a personal sabbatical for a few weeks and then explore my options. Since I am not retiring or seeking a call in a different synod, I will be "on leave from call" until I make such a decision.

This ministry with Crossways has grown to be very dear to my heart and it was a difficult decision to leave. As I look around at the three sites and remember them as they were when I arrived back in the cold winter of 2000, I am amazed at just how much has changed. There have been significant improvements in the facilities at all three sites. I believe we have grown in the quality and variety of the programming offered. I am sure there are more than two dozen of our summer staff who have gone on to seminary either for ordination or for masters degrees in youth and family ministry. I have been particularly blessed to have been able to work with the Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa and the 19 young people who have joined us from the Western Diocese during the summers, and to have visited there three times on behalf of Crossways. I believe that relationship's growth has enriched the camp's program, hundreds of our campers and, in fact, many of the congregations in this association.

There are so many things I will dearly miss and which have meant so much to me. But this ministry has never been about me. I love what we do and believe it is critically important to the lives of so many of God's children. Crossways, and all of you, will remain in my thoughts and prayers always. May God continue to bless this ministry for many years to come.

In His Peace,

Pastor Wayne Harrison
Wayne@CrosswaysCamps.org

Note from the Crossways Board of Directors: Information regarding the farewell celebration to be held October 23, 2010 for Pastor Wayne and the plans for the transition of Executive Director will be sent to congregations in the next week.

GoodSearch is giving away another $5,000!

2010-05-19T13:05:00.003-04:00

GoodSearch is giving away another $5,000!

$1 will be donated to Crossways for every GoodSearch toolbar downloaded thru Friday May 21, 2010.

Crossways has raised over $375 with GoodSearch since it's inception - let's make that MORE! Please hurry and do this now so that we can earn the $1 bonus per toolbar!

Be one of the first to 5,000 to download and earn $ for Crossways! Please download the toolbar right now by following this link. Keep in mind, there's a $5,000 limit, so make sure you do this now to be one of the first 5,000 people to get to the site!

Our new Crossways Camping Ministries toolbar is free to download and allows you to raise money for our cause every time you search or shop online! Once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Crossways - at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to Crossways!

And, please pass this along to all of your friends. The two minutes it takes to add this toolbar to your browser can make a lifetime of difference for our cause!

Get the toolbar NOW!

Photo Contest voting is now open!

2010-04-22T00:44:00.016-04:00

Crossways' Calendar Photo Contest

Voting is now open!

Here's your chance to share your favorite memories and scenes of camp with others. Choose your top three photos to be included in the Crossways Camping Ministries' 2011 Photo Calendar. Will your favorite photo be chosen?

Vote for your three favorites!

Voting will close May 1st.

Pine Lake Family Art Jubilee, July 24th

Find out the winners of the photo contest at the Pine Lake Family Art Jubilee, July 24th. Calendars will be on sale beginning at the event. Join us for camp activities, crafts, lunch, and cherries jubilee. Art created by friends of Crossways and local artists will be on sale throughout the day. Bring the whole family to this event!

Contact us with questions at info@crosswayscamps.org or 920-882-0023.

Join us on May 1st for Crossways' Spring Work Day!

2010-04-07T00:31:00.002-04:00

Crossways’ Spring Work Day is drawing near! Join us on Saturday May 1st, 2010 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm to get ready for the summer camping season. Stop up at your favorite site of Crossways to lend a hand in raking, washing windows, splitting wood, or helping with general clean-up.

Come on your own or bring a whole group! We’d love to see you there! Lunch and refreshments will be provided by Crossways as a Thank You for your time and hard work.

Please RSVP to the site you plan on attending by Wednesday, April 28th.

Imago Dei Village, Clintonville - 715-823-2902
Pine Lake Camp, Waupaca - 715-258-3813
Waypost Camp, Hatley - 715-454-6487

Farewell Tim & Rae Wilkinson!

2010-04-01T19:13:00.000-04:00

Please join us to celebrate Tim & Rae's ministry with Crossways!

Over the last 29 years Tim and Rae Wilkinson have touched the lives of thousands of people. Join us in celebrating Tim & Rae's ministry with Crossways before they move to Petersburg, Alaska for a new, exciting adventure.

Tim began his service to Crossways as the Property Manager at Imago Dei Village on January 1, 1981. Tim and Rae moved to Waypost in October, 1990 where Tim became the Property Manager and Retreat Host. And that was just the beginning! A few years later, Rae began to work in the kitchen at Waypost, serving delicious meals to retreat guests and summer campers. She managed the kitchen until 2006. In 2001, Tim began a split position working as the Property Man-ager for both Imago Dei Village and Waypost. In 2007, Tim was once again able to give his full attention to the grounds and facilities of Waypost.

Now, Tim and Rae have an exciting new opportunity ahead of them as they move to Petersburg, Alaska to live near their daughter and son-in-law. Tim's last day with Crossways will be around April 20th.

Farewell Open House at Waypost Camp
Sunday, April 11th, 2010
4:30 pm- 7 pm
Hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided, formal program at 6:30 pm.

Planning on coming? RSVP by April 5.
RSVP's are appreciated, but not required.

Please pass this information along to anyone who may know or have been touched by Tim and Rae's service to Crossways.

Enter in the Crossways Photo Contest

2010-03-31T12:09:00.002-04:00

Join us as we celebrate the beautiful sites of Crossways Camping Ministries. Now is your chance to share that perfect photo of a Waypost sunset, the Pine Lake chapel, or winter fun at Imago Dei Village.

Entries accepted February 24—April 1.
Vote for your favorite photo April 15-May 1.

Thirteen winning photos will be featured in a 2011 Crossways Calendar available for sale starting at the Pine Lake Family Art Jubilee on July 24, 2010.

Only $10 per entry and all proceeds benefit Crossways Camping Ministries.

Read the Photo Contest Rules and enter now!

Notice of 2009 Annual Meeting

2010-01-11T12:33:00.002-05:00

Saturday, February 20, 2010
10:00 am (with light lunch to follow)
St. Mark Lutheran Church, Neenah, WI

Who should attend? Congregations may elect/appoint two voting delegates to represent them at the Annual Meeting. Delegates should be elected/appointed for a full year. From time to time it is necessary that we have a special meeting of delegates. Whenever you elect new delegates, please let our office know. You can report your delegate information to us by using this form or by calling us at 920-882-0023.

What about weather? Wisconsin weather is always unpredictable. Sometimes we get surprise storms, as happened last year when “snow flurries” turned into something much more than that. We still had a wonderful turnout. While we hope the weather will cooperate, the Board has set an alternate date of February 27 if bad weather forces postponement. Details on how notice of a decision to postpone will be announced will be included in the material packets sent out prior to the meeting.

Delegate packets will be mailed to all delegates of record (those delegates whose names and addresses you have given to Crossways) and congregations at least two weeks prior to the meeting. If you or your delegates have not received them prior to February 12, please call our office to let us know or email us.

We sincerely trust that you and your delegates will have the best information possible in making important decisions in our partnership in ministry. We Thank You for your partnership in “bringing people together in Christ so lives are changed and communities enhanced.”

The Board of Directors
Crossways Camping Ministries

Directions to St Mark Lutheran Church

View Larger Map

Campers Fight Hunger Around the Corner and Across the Globe

2009-09-22T21:22:00.009-04:00

This summer we learned about our brothers and sisters around the world who don't have enough to eat. We decided to fight hunger through prayer, conversation, and action.

Campers brought in canned food and also raised over $12,000 in mission project offerings for ELCA World Hunger, with half being designated to our African brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe. Thank you for your donations of food for our neighbors near and money for our neighbors far!

Campers at all three camps also spent time learning about reducing food waste at all their meals and about gardening in the new gardens at each of the sites. The gardens tended by the campers are provide produce to people in the local neighborhoods and to the campers and retreat guests at camp!

'God's Work, Our Hands' ELCA Video Contest
Our summer staff at Waypost Camp submitted a video for a contest inspired by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's tagline: "God's work. Our hands." highlighting the new garden and campers' work in it.

The short video demonstrates how, during a typical week of camp, campers learn gardening, recycling, composting and baking, and that this not only provides for Waypost Camp and its campers, but also provides for those in need within local communities as well.

Watch it here!

Notice of the 2008 Annual Meeting

2009-01-12T20:47:00.007-05:00

Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.
St. Mark Lutheran Church
140 S Green Bay Rd.
Neenah, WI 54956
(In the event of bad weather on February 21, the meeting will be postponed until February 28.)

Dear Congregation Leaders and Delegates,

Once again, Crossways Annual Meeting will be held in February. This enables us to have complete financial information for delegates from the year just completed (rather than a projection of what it might be 4 months ahead), and set forth the plans and goals for the coming year. The budget will be able to be presented based on real numbers.

When should you elect delegates? The process for electing or appointing delegates varies from congregation to congregation. Delegates should be elected/appointed for a full year. From time to time it is necessary that we have a special meeting of delegates. Whenever you elect new delegates, please let our office know.

What about weather? Wisconsin weather is always unpredictable. The Board has set an alternate date of February 28 if bad weather forces postponement. Details on how notice of a decision to postpone will be announced will be included in the material packets sent out prior to the meeting.

Delegate packets will be mailed to all delegates of record (those delegates whose names and addresses you have given to Crossways) and congregations at least two weeks prior to the meeting. If you or your delegates have not received them prior to February 12, please call our office to let us know or email us at info@CrosswaysCamps.org.

We sincerely trust that you and your delegates will have the best information possible in making important decisions in our partnership in ministry. We Thank You for your partnership in “bringing people together in Christ so lives are changed and communities enhanced.”

The Board of Directors
Crossways Camping Ministries

Directions to St Mark Lutheran Church

View Larger Map

Thank you to all who responded to the Urgent Appeal!

2008-12-16T13:24:00.004-05:00

The decision to send an urgent appeal letter to the congregations and friends of Crossways was a difficult, but necessary, one. The response was very heartening and affirming for this ministry and the work that is done through your camps.

Through December 15th, 421 separate gifts have been received totaling $119, 127.56. Gifts from individuals who are members of Thrivent Financial and used their GivingPlus supplemental funds benefit resulted in additional funding from Thrivent in the amount of $12,868, for a total response in the amount of $131,995.56 to date! This response has been crucial in ensuring your camps get through these difficult financial times.

As we move through the end of the fiscal year, it is very important that Crossways receives the regular financial support of congregations, organizations, and individuals who have not yet given their annual support. The support of Crossways’ Annual Fund ensures the ministry of Crossways moves forward and reaches out to serve all God’s children. Because of this support, and the support of groups like Golf For Kids (which gave $8,000 this year to help kids get to camp!) we are able to confidently say that no child is turned away from camp due to the financial inability to cover the fees.

Budget planning for 2009 is currently underway and will be presented at the Annual Meeting on February 21, 2009. The challenges of the economy and its effect on families of campers, congregations, and individuals who personally support this ministry are unknown. But we do know that God is good—all the time! We know His constant presence in all our times of joy, sorrow, and challenges gives us strength.

Crossways Camping Ministries would not be here without you and your support. Without your support we would not be able to share the Hope that God’s presence in the world brings.

Thank you for your prayers, your support, your gifts of your time and talents which ensures Crossways continues bringing people together in Christ so lives are changed.

In Christ,
Pastor Wayne Harrison, Executive Director

Dollar-for-Dollar matching funds for donations to Crossways

2008-12-16T00:26:00.002-05:00

A wonderful opportunity that has arisen for matching funds, dollar for dollar, for gifts to Crossways that are given through the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley. Donors can live any where in the U.S., but donations need to be given ON DECEMBER 18TH, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. They can be given in person at five different locations in Appleton, Chilton, Shawano, Clintonville, or Waupaca or on line. Gifts given on that date will be transferred to Crossways before December 31st. This is a great way to DOUBLE gifts, especially for those who don’t have or haven’t fully used their Thrivent GivingPlus benefit. Visit the Community Foundation website for full details.

There are some limitations:

Maximum match per household is $1,000.
Each non-profit is limited to $10,000 through this special 1 day effort.
A total of $100,000 is available for matching money from the Community Foundation for this program. Matches will be made on a first received basis, so going on line at 7 a.m. on December 18th gives the best chance to ensure a match.

We would be happy to discuss with anyone how to maximize matching fund opportunities with those who haven’t used all of their Thrivent Giving Plus benefit, but are intending to give more than the maximum of either program. Donations to be matched by the Community Foundation must be made directly to the Community Foundation. Donations to be matched by Thrivent must be made directly to Crossways. The same gift cannot be matched through both programs.

All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. The donation to the Community Foundation will be reportable to the IRS as a donation to them, but the same donation will show up on your gift statement to Crossways with a note that it was received through the Community Foundation. You cannot claim it twice, however.

This is a wonderful opportunity and we hope we will be able to maximize it. We already have at least $1,700 pledged to our potential of $10,000 (possibly more).

Thanks for your help!
Pastor Wayne Harrison, Executive Director
Barb Wolf, Development Director

We did it! Tents of Hope splashes color and compassion in Washington DC!

2008-11-20T20:23:00.003-05:00

Below are excerpts from an email sent from the National Coordinator of the Tents of Hope campaign recapping the event and updating us the efforts and things needed to move forward even further on the project.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

In June 2007, I began a 40-day train trip around the country to speak about Darfur and ask activists, students and people of faith about an idea for a new one-year campaign called Tents of Hope. We launched the campaign in September 2007.

Would the campaign take off? I wasn’t sure. I had many discussions with Darfur activists about low morale in the Darfur movement and I spoke about my concerns with Elly Simmons, a brilliant Marin artist with a long history of social activism. We thought the idea of painting tents would work because it could bring communities together in a creative and fun way. But the task of organizing Tents of Hope was daunting. We had no office, no staff and no money. We only had an idea. I was very discouraged and wondered if we should give up.

Then something remarkable happened. In January 2008, we began to receive calls from dozens of small towns across the country. Youth directors at churches and synagogues and teachers at K-12 schools wanted to use the tents as a way to teach young people about the world and social responsibility. In the end, over 400 cities in 48 states and 8 countries had joined the campaign.

The “Gathering of the Tents” at the National Mall in Washington DC on November 7-9 was incredibly successful. Almost 400 tents were on the National Mall! The tents are beautiful works of art and a powerful message of our solidarity with the people of Darfur.

We did it! In the coming weeks, we will post your stories, photos and media coverage on the website. (www.tentsofhope.org) I encourage everyone to continue this creative dialogue of hope and compassion as we work together for an end to the genocide in Darfur.

The campaign still faces some challenging financial hurdles. We will be sending hundreds of tents to Darfur through the Darfur Peace and Development Organization. We need your financial help to ship the tents to Darfur. Please consider making a donation online at www.tentsofhope.org. Small donations are welcomed just as much as large ones because Tents of Hope has always been about people everywhere pitching in to help.

My understanding of the Darfur Movement has been radically transformed. I used to think that hope would arise from a change of policy toward Sudan by the international community. In other words, I thought that hope for ending the genocide in Darfur rested in the hands of governments. It doesn’t. You are the hope. It may take many years for peace and justice to come to Sudan. At times, we may get discouraged and want to give up. The only thing that will keep us going in this movement to end genocide in Darfur is the strength that we get from one another. We are a community of compassion. Compassion is a powerful force for change. It allows us to see that we all belong to one human family and that we have a responsibility to one another. When you look at the images and messages on the tents, you will see this consciousness of global solidarity in every color and every language.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your decision to act on your compassion and desire for peace and justice in Sudan by participating in the Tents of Hope campaign. Remember, you are the hope.

With gratitude and joy,
Tim Nonn
National Coordinator
Tents of Hope

The Patchwork Tent

2008-11-10T16:26:00.005-05:00

One tent that had an exceptional story was a patchwork tent. Half of the squares were painted by elementary school children in California, and the rest of the squares were done by children in Darfur. The differences in the images painted on the squares were shocking. The squares done by American children were pretty typical, spread with images of flowers and butterflies, however the images on the squares by Darfuri children carried some images that were difficult to absorb. Rather than showing images of butterflies and rainbows, the squares depicted pictures of men with guns, and houses being burned....everyday images in their lives.

Here are some of their pictures...

The way the tent was constructed was quite interesting as well. There were more squares from American children than were Darfuri children. With that unbalance, the Darfuri squares were all in a strip in the middle of the tent, with the American squares surrounding them. Those who put the tent together did that to symbolize how those in Darfur are constantly being thought of and prayed for by people in America.

Tune in later to see the full story of this tent through video!

What a huge day today!

2008-11-08T21:51:00.013-05:00

We arrived on the National Mall shortly after 9:00 this morning. By that time, the hustle and bustle of the day started to pick up and both tourists and locals were out in full force. Since we had thirteen tents all packed into a fifteen passenger van, we were given a super cool permit thingy to put in our front window that allowed us to drive on the National Mall. Not many people can say they've done that before!

Once we checked in and were given our assignments on where we were supposed to set up, we began the long process of unloading the van, and getting the tents where we wanted them. It was quite the site to see what our space (which was very large) looked like before and after setting up the tents! Naturally, after setting up thirteen tents, we had things down to a science. We also had a lot of extra people come help us out, since we had so many tents. They were AMAZED at how many tents came from one area, and enjoyed walking around and looking at them all.

After getting all the tents up and situated, we then took some time to walk around and see what other tents looked like. Yeah...they were pretty amazing. It was fascinating to see the tents done by professional artists, and also tents that were done by children. They all carried the same message, but all had a different way of depicting it.

Arrival!

2008-11-08T01:07:00.001-05:00

Well, the tents have made it to Washington D.C.! After battling traffic for quite a bit, the tents arrived in D.C. at about 5:00 last night. Throughout the day we passed through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and finally D.C...lots of time in the car, but well worth it.

Because of the traffic we missed registration and set-up time, so we will be wandering over to the National Mall first thing this morning to get the set-up process under way.

Late last night we went over to look at the tents that are already set up, and about the only word to use to describe it is: WOW. The amount of tents that were up, along with the tents still sitting waiting to be set up was amazing! It was evident (even without people around) that this project was a HUGE stand against the genocide in Darfur. It was very cool to see all the different designs on the tents, and to see the tents done by artists. Since it was dark out, we did not get many good pictures....so check back in later today to see just how many tents are up!