June 8, 2010
I wish could be with you today, and appreciate being able to send this message to you concerning the Presbyterian Camps at Saugatuck through Stewart. For more than 100 years the Camps have provided a natural sanctuary and welcoming place for families and children to relax and learn and enjoy God’s exquisite gifts. This place has played an important part in the lives of many Presbyterians over the years. It is a place of great importance to the Presbytery of Chicago, the General Assembly Mission Council of the PCUSA and to me personally.
For a number of years my family attended family camp with Fourth Presbyterian Church on Columbus Day weekends. Now that our kids are grown, Chris and I look back fondly on how the beauty of the place and the God inspired moments of family time spent together, helped shape our children and create lasting memories and friendships. Exploring the dunes, playing games on the beach, picking apples, and worshiping on the breath taking shore of Lake Michigan – these are treasured days and times.
Today, Lakeshore Christian Camping, with the approval of the Chicago Presbytery, is working toward raising the funds to buy the Camp. This will take the efforts of many of us, and the General Assembly Mission Council of the PC(USA) will be actively engaged with you. We are pleased that Lakeshore has engaged Church Financial Campaign Services (CFCS) – namely Bob Kukla and Annette Shoemaker – to help with the fundraising portion of this process. And, I know that they need your help.
Several years ago, the Chicago Presbytery created a DVD titled – “Together We Can Do More”. In that spirit, preserving the camps requires the participation of every church in the Presbytery, along with the national presence of the PCUSA. The General Assembly Mission Council is with you in bringing this vision to life. We hope that we can count on all of you as well.
Yours in Christ,
Linda B. Valentine
Executive Director