We are looking forward to seeing as many of you that can make it Tuesday, February 9 at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church for the Presbyterian Assembly meeting. There will be a Pre-Presbytery event at 2:00 for representatives from the Presbytery to present an update on their strategies for payment of the Presbytery’s debt. The LCC has been asked to speak at that event. We are told there will be an opportunity for commissioners and visitors to voice their questions, thoughts, and concerns.

Contrary to what has been our understanding, we are now learning that no recommendation will be brought to the Assembly meeting from the committee that has been studying this issue for the past 2 years or from Council. Any recommendations or motions will need to be brought by Commissioners.

We continue to invite any of you that are interested in the future of the camp and our Presbytery, to attend this meeting. It is important that the leadership of the Presbytery hear your questions, thoughts, and concerns. 

Now is the Time!

To all who love the Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck Michigan…

Many of you are familiar with the story of the Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck Michigan…   The Presbyterian Camps was established by the Forward Movement Group in 1899 as a ministry for inner city children.  Over the years the ministry of the Presbyterian Camps has become the cornerstone of the Chicago Presbytery and has influenced the lives of thousands of children and individuals…

What is the next chapter of this story?

As you may know the Presbytery of Chicago is preparing to sell the Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck Michigan. In a letter dated January 6, 2010 the Executive Presbyter of the Chicago Presbytery informed the members of the Presbytery that it has received two offers from commercial land developers to purchase the Presbyterian Camps.

Lakeshore Christian Camping (LCC) was created to purchase the Presbyterian Camps from the Chicago Presbytery in order to preserve and develop the ministry of the Presbyterian Camps.   The LCC has developed a comprehensive proposal to purchase the Presbyterian Camps and has strongly advocated the preservation of this invaluable ministry.   You can review the mission statement and strategic documents of the LCC at our web site:  www.prescampsforever.org      

If you have been looking for an opportunity to pitch in and participate in this effort to save the Presbyterian Camps…   Now is the time!  

The Presbytery of Chicago has recently stated that they do not believe that the LCC can raise the necessary funds to purchase the Presbyterian Camps.  In the previously referenced letter the Executive Presbyter stated:

PRTF has not been apprised of evidence of support for the LCC’s plan to repay its anticipated debt of at least ten million dollars.

The LCC has spent the last two years preparing for the purchase of the Presbyterian Camps. The LCC has a solid business plan to operate the camps and to develop the camping ministry for the next generation. The LCC has taken every step to prepare for this opportunity.… Now we need your help.

This story will have one of two outcomes.  A vote will take place this year on the floor of the General Assembly of the Chicago Presbytery.   That vote will be to either sell a portion or all of the Presbytery Camps to a developer for the highest offer… or that vote will be to sell the Presbyterian Camps to the LCC for 7 million dollars.

When the discussion related to these two options begins on the floor of the General Assembly of the Chicago Presbytery one of the KEY issues that will be debated is the LCC’s ability to raise funds to support the purchase of the Presbyterian Camps.  The LCC needs your help now at this critical time to demonstrate the commitment that we all have towards this vital ministry. 

The LCC needs to raise a minimum of 2 million dollars in pledges this spring!  Now is the time!

How are we going to make this happen?  This is where we need your help.  If you have received this letter then you are someone who loves the Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck Michigan and you are someone who wants to see this ministry of this sacred place preserved.

We are asking each and every individual who receives this letter to do 2 things.

1) The LCC needs you to pledge at least $1000 for one year. This pledge will only be collected in the event that the LCC is able to take ownership of the Presbyterian Camps.  Please fill out the enclosed pledge form and mail it to the LCC address on the form.

2) The LCC needs you to make copies of this letter and the enclosed pledge card and give it to at least 10 individuals.   Please reach out to everyone that you know who either loves the camp or truly understand how important it is that we save this vital ministry within our Presbytery. Share your passion for the Presbyterian Camps with everyone and encourage them to support the LCC and make a pledge to help secure the future of the Presbyterian Camps.  

If each of us follows these two simple steps we will be able to raise the funds required to demonstrate that there is enough passion and energy to support and preserve the ministry and programs of the Presbyterian Camps.

With your support the LCC will be able to demonstrate support for our option to purchase the Presbyterian Camps. With your support the LCC will secure the purchase of the Presbyterian Camps and save the camp from becoming the next housing development in Southwest Michigan.  With your support the LCC will build eight new lake front cabins, complete needed renovations and prepare the Presbyterian Camps for the next 100 years of Presbyterian ministry on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The final chapter of the Presbyterian Camps is waiting to be written.  Before the end of 2010 we will all know how this story ends.  The LCC needs your help today!  Now is the time for all of us to come together to support the Presbyterian Camps and to show how much we love this sacred holy place. Together we can all work to preserve the oldest and most historic Presbyterian Camp in the United States.  We can work together to build a foundation for the next generation of families and children who will experience the Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck Michigan.

Now is the time…

Lakeshore Christian Camping

Board of Directors