The name of the fund, "The AGENDA Fund" was inspired by the words of the Rev. Paul M. Washington (pictured right, from The Archives of the Episcopal Church, DFMS), a Civil Rights leader and Episcopal Priest. He led a walkout at the Episcopal Church's Special Convention in 1969 to protest the church leadership's inadequate response to a reparations funding plan: "White people cannot set the agenda for this church. Black people must set the agenda for this church and for this nation". Bishop Barbara C. Harris, then a lay delegate to this special convention, worked with The Rev. Paul Washington and other Black leaders in organizing the effort to ensure the Church was forced to engage this mission critical conversation at another time of great societal upheaval when, as is always the case, the path of least resistance is often the path of silence and distraction in the face of injustice.

In the initial pre-development stage, BCH will receive donations on behalf of The AGENDA Fund, so that The AGENDA Fund team can explore the concept further, build the necessary legal and financial structures, assemble a council of advisors and identify potential pilot investments. Once the structures are in place for the fund to start receiving and deploying capital investments, we expect that BCH’s fiscal sponsorship will end, though we will remain a strategic partner, expanding our own learning and awareness about justice-based, equitable redevelopment, and serving as a faith-based institutional imagination partner with The Agenda fund team into the future. 

BCH leaders will be joining meetings later this month with The AGENDA Fund team and lay and clergy leaders in The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts (EDOM) to learn about their vision for economic justice, equitable redevelopment and reparations efforts in the diocese. This work of missional redevelopment doesn't just impact EDOM, but is work and ministry that is being explored by all three of our partner dioceses- Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

As a Center, our hope is to continue, in the words of our mission, "to strengthen right relationships in the support of environmental and social justice", alongside and inspired by our ongoing work of caring for all those who spend time at the center, offering space and direction for spiritual practice, connecting to the natural world, and, together, following the Spirit into deepening values and expanding vision.

"Another world is not only possible. She is on Her way. On a quiet day, I can hear Her breathing. She is on Her way."

-words by Arundhati Roy, song linked by Ana Hernandez and Fran McKendree

Meet The Agenda Fund Team:

Wild Tea with Jesus: A Day Long Retreat at BCH

When: 16 March, 2024 from 9 am-3:30 pm

Join Linden Rayton of Living Water Nature Programs on a day retreat at BCH where we will enter into Jesus’ Lenten journey by engaging in an ancient human tradition-- making tea. Our tea will be created from wild ingredients on the BCH property. Through the ritual of foraging, brewing and drinking our tea, we will create an atmosphere where we can dig deep into two separate stories of Jesus staying close with God in his last days.

The day will start with a morning session, break for an included lunch, continue with an afternoon session, and finish with a closing prayer. Each session will include brewing a different kind of tea, and explore a different story of Jesus. All participants should bring outdoor-appropriate clothing as we will be outside for two portions of the day, except in case of extreme weather. Outdoor terrain covered will include gravel paths and rolling woodland trails. Registration is limited to 20 participants and this program is intended for participants 18 and up. $40 per person. Registration is capped at 20 participants, but we have a few spots left, so register today!

Linden Rayton is an environmental educator and Episcopal Christian from Hopkinton, New Hampshire. She has been active in the Episcopal Church in New England for years alongside a career as a naturalist with many different organizations. As owner of Living Water Nature Programs, she hopes to inspire a deeper relationship between people and the outdoors through exploration, education and reflection, especially at the intersection of faith and nature.

To register, click the button below!

BCH Hearts and Hands Spring Work Weekend

Join us for a weekend of work (and play!) as we complete various projects around BCH. Bring yourself, your family & friends, your church, or your youth group to BCH for the day on Saturday, 11 May or stay over to Sunday, 12 May and help us prep the camp for Spring and Summer. All ages, stages, and abilities welcome.

Saturday, we'll gather for breakfast in the Dining Hall starting at 8 am and then break off into project groups for the morning. We'll gather back at lunch and then either begin new projects for the afternoon, or continue the morning's project.

The work day will end before dinner and we'll celebrate our time together with a campfire and reception Saturday evening.

Sunday morning, breakfast will be at 8 am, followed by a closing Eucharist service which will wrap up our time together.

To register, click the button below!

Youth Overnight Camp:

Session 1: July 7-12, 2024

Session 2: July 14-19, 2024

Session 3: July 21-26, 2024

Session 4: July 28-Aug. 2, 2024

Explorers: Campers completing 3rd-5th grade Challenge: Campers completing 6th-8th grade Base: Campers completing 9th-11th grade

All Sessions are for all ages!

Whether climbing high on the ropes course or paddle boarding on Otter Lake, there's something for everyone here at BCH; from swimming to games, to campfires and dancing and classic skits, campers are sure to create new friendships and renew old ones year after year.

Whether BCH is your camp home or you’re looking at coming for the first time, we’re excited to meet you at camp this summer!

Summer Camps at BCH are inclusive Christian formation ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts in partnership with the dioceses of New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts.

You and your family are welcome here! As an Episcopal camp, we are passionate about being a safe space for all campers and families and we strive for a rich diversity of campers and staff. Each week chaplains participate in all camp activities and lead space for chapel and reflection.