What a year. A little over a year ago we made the difficult decision to close the CCC for what we thought would be a few weeks. Not long after that, our regional camp leadership team made the gut wrenching decision to cancel summer camp for the first time in the CCC's history. I remember how quiet the grounds began to feel, and how empty the Dining Hall suddenly seemed. Our small staff had to come to terms with the fact that our campers and volunteers wouldn't be coming to see us. We wouldn't get to do the hospitality ministry we all feel called to, at least for a season. So what to do? We got to work.

While you were away, our staff worked hard to make use of our facility's downtime. We used money that had already been designated for specific projects to knock some things off our "someday" list. A few of those improvements are shown in pictures below. We remodeled the Chalice Game Room, created a Peace Park, installed sound panels in the College Avenue Worship Center, added a deck and ramp to McKee Retreat House, replaced siding, insulation and windows at the director's home, painted several meeting spaces, and cleaned up storm damage, just to name a few.

In addition to facility upgrades, God provided surprising opportunities for our hospitality ministry to continue. We reached over 500 campers with camp crates, we hosted over a dozen pastors and their families for socially distanced retreat time, welcomed a new regional minister to our region, and housed Jasper County residents displaced by the Derecho. Small groups have gradually returned and soon our campers will, too.

While you were away we learned that ministry can always continue and we can find new ways to serve our God. I look forward to seeing you soon on Holy Ground and finding new (and old) ways to serve with you.