December, 2009
Dear Fellow Presbyterians:
This letter is written with serious concerns about the possible sale of Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI. We understand the significance of the indebtedness and the need to be faithful stewards of the Presbytery’s assets and ministries. We are concerned that there has not been more discussion and debate on the floor of the Assembly on this significant issue. Until the December Assembly, questions on the subject of the camp were denied.
Lakeshore Christian Camping (LCC) has presented their offer and vision to the PRTF and much progress has been made over the past 12 months in reaching a tentative agreement on the Bylaws and Covenant Agreement. We congratulate both the PRTF and the LCC for working hard to achieve this level of agreement.
The camping ministry is a vital component of our Presbytery’s ministry The LCC has a vision of how this can happen and we support their efforts. We believe the camp, or even a major part of it, should not be sold for development purposes. Once the camp is sold, it can never be replaced.
It seems appropriate to have an adequate presentation to the Assembly and careful consideration by the Assembly of the proposed alternatives before voting occurs.
As Stewart Pattison said in his letter, “where there is no vision, people perish (Proverbs 29:18a). We believe that keeping our camps is part of the Lord’s vision in helping us build spiritual vitality.”
In Christ’s Service,
The Session of River Glen Presbyterian Church