GETHSEMANE NEWSLETTERstorage.cloversites.com/gethsemane/documents/NL OCT 2013...

May 2013 Tempe, AZ

GETHSEMANE NEWSLETTER

October 2013 Tempe, AZ

GGEETTHHSSEEMMAANNEE LLUUTTHHEERRAANN CCHHUURRCCHH && SSCCHHOOOOLL

PASTOR TROY SCHMIDT [email protected]

PASTOR JERRY KOSBERG [email protected] Phone: 480-460-2193

WORSHIP DIRECTOR: Mark Senechal [email protected]

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR: Lyn Somerville [email protected]

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES: Eric Durante [email protected]

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Fay Wehofer [email protected]

SUNDAY WORSHIP: 8:00, 9:30, 11:00am

CHURCH/SCHOOL OFFICE: 480-839-0906 M-Th 8-4:30; F 8-2:30

SCHOOL OFFICE: MarKetta Roemke [email protected] M-F 8-4:30

CHURCH WEBSITE: www.glctempe.com

SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.glstempe.com

VVOOTTEERRSS’’ AASSSSEEMMBBLLYY –– OOCCTT.. 11

Please join us for our next Voter’s Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6:30pm in our Family Life Center/Gym. Our Mission Directors will be providing a financial update along with sharing some exciting news. Come and be part of what’s going on!

BBLLOOOODD DDRRIIVVEE –– OOCCTT.. 2200

The # 1 reason people give for not donating blood is “nobody ever asked me.” Blood donors saved my life – so now I ask. Your next opportunity is approaching. GLC’s next Blood Drive is on Sunday Oct. 20, from 8-noon. Lock in your appointment time at www.bloodhero.com, watch for sign-up sheets, or contact coordinator Fay Wehofer (480-777-9733 or [email protected]).

Join us for brats, polka band, beer garden – along with authentic German potato salad, red cabbage, apple strudel and Black Forest cake. To help, contact Dave Cohrs (602-697-9366 or [email protected]).

For consistent side dishes and dessert for all, get a copy of the recipe from Chuck or Fay Wehofer (480-777-9733; [email protected] or [email protected]) and bring a batch!

mailto:[email protected]







http://www.glctempe.com/

http://www.glstempe.com/

http://www.bloodhero.com/





GGeetthhsseemmaannee NNeewwsslleetttteerr PPaaggee 22

NNEEWWSSLLEETTTTEERR DDIISSTTRRIIBBUUTTIIOONN CCHHAANNGGEE IINN NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR

We are all aware of the financial burdens on people and organizations these days, including our beloved church. Stand by to take a tiny step to help, at no actual personal cost.

Starting next month – with the November issue – the existing hard-copy mailing list will no longer be used. Most people are able to get the Gethsemane Newsletter online through a notification link which is sent by the church office straight to your email – or bookmark the website and check it anytime. With the click of a link, you can read the newsletter online, and have instant access to the live links it contains. Or print the newsletter in black & white or in color to read wherever you like.

If you DO NOT have email/Internet access, just call the church office and let them know that the mailed newsletter copy is your only means of getting this information! A fresh new list will be created for this purpose. Copies will still be available at church for visitors and others to pick up.

SSUUNNDDAAYY MMOORRNNIINNGG BBIIBBLLEE CCLLAASSSS

We are finishing our look at Vocations, and on Oct. 20 we will begin a new 6-week course: Blessed are the Peacemakers. In our world of conflict we all need to grow in seeing God’s peace and what He says about pursuing peace. Join Pastor Jerry Kosberg and Tom Kusserow at 9:15 on Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary for some time in God’s Word and practical application of that Word to our lives.

WWEEDDNNEESSDDAAYY MMEENN’’SS GGRROOUUPP SSTTUUDDIIEESS TTHHEE PPSSAALLMMSS

Our Wednesday morning men’s Bible Study is wrapping up our study of Galatians. We have now studied all the epistles of the New Testament. Our focus now will be to study the Psalms. The plan is to take one or two Psalms each week. The Psalms were the songbook and prayer book of the early church. Join us as we see what God has to say to us in these beautiful passages of Scripture. We meet from 6:30-7:30 each Wednesday morning in the conference room. This is a discussion-oriented class led by Pastor Jerry Kosberg and Deacon Doug Hanson.

SSAAMM GGRROOUUPP

Thursday Oct. 3, we will meet at RigaTony’s at noon for lunch and fellowship. After lunch Pastor Jerry Kosberg will present a session on Liturgy which will begin promptly at 1:30pm in the church Fellowship Hall. There will be a short meeting immediately following his presentation. We will have our regular meeting on Oct. 17 (lunch at Serranos). Keep an eye on the Sunday announcements for information on our special event on Oct. 24: dinner and show at the Mining Camp!

The SAM Group would like to invite any Gethsemane member who is 55 years of age or older to join our group for fun and fellowship. For more information call Darrel Baxter (480-694-3925).


TTIIMMEE OOUUTT!!

Please join us on Friday, Oct. 11 at 11am in the Fellowship Hall. The ladies will be collecting canned foods in October and November for our GLC Food Pantry. Please bring 1 or 2 cans if possible each month. Canned meat is always the most critical need.

We will be continuing with Bonnie’s study of the Apostles, so don’t forget your Bible. We will also celebrate October birthdays. Watch Sunday announcements to find out what’s for lunch! Please be sure to sign up on Sundays or call Kathy Manthey (480-678-7417).

LLWWMMLL FFAALLLL CCEELLEEBBRRAATTIIOONN

The Ocotillo/Palo Verde LWML Rally will be on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (1137 W 11th St, Tempe). Registration starts at 9am; the rally will begin at 9:30 and will feature Mary Ettner, LCMS Missionary. The cost is $10, and a non-perishable food item for their food pantry. Let Sandra Wardwell know you’re coming by contacting her at [email protected].

PPIIEECCEEMMAAKKEERR QQUUIILLTTEERRSS

Our regular quilting days for October will be the first and third Saturdays (Oct. 5 & 19), from 9-noon in the Fellowship Hall.

Our Fall Pillowcase Workshop will be on Nov. 9, from 9-noon in the Fellowship Hall. We will need volunteers to iron fabric, cut the fabric, pin the pieces together and help sew the pillowcases. We will have several sewing machines available for you to use, along with thread, scissors, pins, cutting mats and rotary cutters. You are welcome to bring your own machine. There will be sign-up sheets available between Sunday services beginning Oct. 6.

We will also need donations of cotton fabric with juvenile or teen prints or Christmas fabric. We appreciate those who have already brought fabric! The amounts needed:

Main body: 3/4 yard Cuff: 1/3 yard (coordinating print or solid) Trim: 1/8 yard

Questions? Contact Kathy Manthey (480-678-7417) or Bonnie Hanson (480-821-9574).

FFOOOODD PPAANNTTRRYY NNEEEEDDSS

The Gethsemane Food Pantry helps meet the needs of families in our community and currently our shelves are bare. Recently we have seen an increase in the number of families coming in. To all of you who have contributed to the pantry: Thank You!

Items we like to provide: Ravioli – Tuna – Beans – Soup – Mac & Cheese – Chili – Spaghetti – Corn – Peanut Butter – Jelly – Stew – Spaghetti Sauce – Green Beans – Canned Chicken – Canned Sausages – Canned Fruit – Kid’s Canned Ravioli – Spaghetti O’s – Ramen Noodles – Packaged Soup (where you just add hot water)

Other items that are appreciated are: Soap – toothbrushes and toothpaste – deodorant – shampoo – toilet paper – baby wipes

If you happen to see small boxes of cookies or animal crackers, the kids who come in would be delighted. They do not get something like that very often. Thank you!



FFRROOMM PPAASSTTOORR MMIIGGUUEELL

Diane, Sam, and I are glad to reconnect with you and say that we are serving the Lord with joy! Sam is growing very fast and we are blessed to have him with us. He is adding so much to our lives and it reminds how great is our God. Diane continues to work at Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis and be an awesome wife and mom. Sam and I are happy to have her in our lives. I still work in CALMS as the Missionary-at-Large. Recently, CALMS added Panama to my responsibilities, on top of Guatemala. Our work is growing in Central America and people are being reached and discipled. Please keep us in your prayers. We send our love and look forward to seeing you soon.

This picture was taken at Forest Park in St. Louis for Sam’s 12-months picture. He learned a fun new face so we decided to join him.

Note: Pastor Miguel Torneire will be preaching on Oct. 13.

MMIISSSSIIOONN OOPPPPOORRTTUUNNIITTYY

Is God calling you to share His love with others? “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

CCL (Christ Church Lutheran-Phoenix) is less than two weeks away from their next short term mission trip to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, Oct. 4-6. If you have a servant’s heart and are interested in participating in this life-changing experience, please prayerfully consider joining

the team. No experience necessary! On-the-job training is provided!

• BUILDING: Continued renovation efforts on the Villa Granada hotel and local churches

• FEEDING: Deliver food hampers to needy families in a targeted neighborhood in Puerto Peñasco, with the assistance of local pastors and social workers

• CHILDREN: Call for details about children’s activities

• DEVOTION: Each day of the mission trip includes morning and evening devotions

Check out this video to see what you can expect: http://vimeo.com/61776249

If you are unable to go, there are many other ways you can support this ministry:

1. Sponsor a missionary (provide trip cost funds to allow someone to go who cannot afford it).

2. Purchase a food hamper @ $15 each. The food hampers, containing non-perishable items, can feed a family of 4 for up to a week.

3. Make a cash donation to the Short Term Missions general fund. These funds will be used at the direction of CCL’s Pastor Dave Schmidt to support the ministry.

Please contact Pastor Dave Schmidt ([email protected]) as soon as possible to confirm your participation in the trip. They need to have your $125 trip cost money by no later than Oct. 1.

For more information about the Puerto Peñasco mission trips, please check out www.weekendmissions.com. This site will give you a great overview of the kinds of projects the mission team will be working on.

http://vimeo.com/61776249


http://www.weekendmissions.com/


SSTTAARRTT HHEERREE FFOORR HHOOLLIIDDAAYY BBLLEESSSSIINNGGSS

We may not be done with triple-digit temps, but the holidays will be here before we know it. This year we will be reaching out to help others in our community and around the world by participating in three special projects:

Once again we will be teaming with the school in Operation Christmas Child, the shoebox ministry.

The second project will be the Christmas Warm Up where once again we will be collecting new or gently used jackets, sweaters, shoes, and other clothing to donate to the Salvation Army for the homeless population.

Our third project will be Adopt A Family, where we will also be partnering with the Salvation Army.

We are looking for volunteers to help with these three projects. Whether you want to help plan and promote a specific project or you want to assist with the implementation of the project, please contact Lyn in the church office (480-839-0906 or [email protected]).

LLUUTTHHEERRAANN HHOOUURR CCHHRRIISSTTMMAASS CCAARRDDSS

For a powerful witness opportunity, go to the Lutheran Hour Ministries “Petal Pushers®” website store. You’ll find “Jesus Welcomes All” 2014 Float Christmas Cards (25 for $12). Print out the order form and follow the instructions. The inscription reads:

In Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall, God’s Church on earth will welcome all, To worship Christ, the new-born King, And all year long His Praises Ring!

SSCCHHOOOOLL NNEEWWSS

September wrap-up:

The Rummage Sale earned $900 for the school! The Electronics Recycling is a community service project sponsored by GLS. The school earned $59.59 – and helped over 1900 pounds of old equipment get recycled instead of going straight to a landfill. Thanks to all who participated.

Our students received a beautiful thank-you card from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The students sent cards and prayers following the Boston Marathon bombings. There is a video online showing how the hospital displayed all the well wishes from all over the country. It is called the Wishing Wall. A significant number of items on the wall are from our students and some are featured in the video: http://vimeo.com/67149920.

Our first and second grade students visited Piggly’s in Mesa: they learned about state fairs, watched a pig being roasted, ate cotton candy, and showed their strength ringing the bell.

Our 8th grade students visited the Phoenix Art Museum last week and saw the “The Art of Video Games.”


http://www.emails.liveeventsgroup.com/click.html?x=a62e&lc=qm&mc=v&s=Zaq&y=p&

http://vimeo.com/67149920


October events:

Oct. 1-16-PTO Fundraiser: A variety of products are available featuring licensed branding from NFL, MLB and college teams. Order forms are available at the church/school offices, or contact Carrie Phy (480-907-8586 or [email protected]) for more info.

Oct. 4: Presentation by the GLS Drama Group: A Night of Shorts

Oct. 8: School Ministry Team Meeting

Oct. 10-11: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Oct. 14: Columbus Day-No school. Childcare and Terrific Twos will be open.

Oct 15-22: IBTS testing for 3rd-8th grade

Oct. 24: Dining for Dollars - The Habit (SEC McClintock & Guadalupe) all day: flyer is required.

Oct. 27: Preschool & Pre-K sing at the 11am church service

Oct. 31: Spirit Day

Coming soon:

Nov 1: A special evening for children of all ages – watch for more info!

GLS Scrapbook:



AALLOOMMAA –– PPOOIINNTTIINNGG TTOO CCHHRRIISSTT

[This is the final part of Ken Moore’s history of Camp ALOMA. You can find whole story on the church website.]

Buildings alone however do not make a camp. It also takes people and about twenty years ago a couple was asked to be co-directors of ALOMA, live at camp, and take charge of the full operation of running the camp. It was an excellent decision and choice, as it gave Camp ALOMA a personality dedicated to Christ and service to those He sends to camp. We have been greatly blessed by their ministry. Over the years we have seen God’s hand in blessing the ministry of ALOMA. Not only in serving Lutheran Churches, but also many other Christian Churches and organizations throughout the state, giving thousands the opportunity to know Jesus their Savior. Many volunteers and staff found the opportunities for service with ALOMA a meaningful way to become involved in following our Lord’s great commission. Whether serving on the board of directors, working to build or maintain the facility, working with the children, youth and adults who come to camp, every part of the ministry of ALOMA shows Christ’s love and brings us closer to Him. ALOMA’s mission statement “Providing Places and Programs Pointing to Christ” keeps reminding us what our purpose really is.

Those of us who have had the privilege of working in this ministry thank God and His Son Jesus for the opportunity to serve and are thankful for the faith of Mary Grace Kelley and Pastor Charles Schmitz who started it all.

PPAASSTTOORR’’SS RREEPPOORRTT

Marriage: Amanda Kaipo & Carl Stronach

Transfers in: John Breitweiser

Transfers out: Cindy Gehlhar, Zach Giles

SSTTAATTIISSTTIICCSS

2013 2012

Baptized Members 910 895 Confirmed Members 698 694 Family Units 414 415 Average Weekly Attendance 377 346

GGIIVVIINNGG:: SSNNAAPPSSHHOOTTSS


OOCCTTOOBBEERR BBIIRRTTHHDDAAYYSS

10/1 Kelsi Dettlaff Tori Sloan

10/2 Heather Gawdun Jessica Smith Elizabeth Weber 10/3 Andrew Haack Sheri Jones

Hailey Lamoureaux 10/4 Brian Hawley Hailey Johnson 10/5 Trevor Kaminski

Shelby Novy 10/6 Tanja Boston Georgia Martin 10/7 Joey Green Dustin Rosenbaum John St. Germain 10/8 Karen Johnson David Krzyzanowski

Stefanie Welch David Selzer

Aimee Skornik 10/9 Anna Burkholder Scott Grefe

Keith Jones Jane Womboldt 10/11 Alex Larriva Dennis Mittelstedt Cassidy Reitz 10/13 Henry Krup Susan Senechal 10/15 Caroline Braun Emma Owens Andrew Rogers Carolyn Wahaus Bonnie Williams 10/17 Sherry Cummings 10/18 Judy Degard Ryan Hinze Ashley Hudspeth Bradford Hudspeth Mikaelie Odom Anita Schnoor Trinity Timm 10/19 Garrett Baker-Slama Eleanor Hull

10/19 Ron Maty Wilma Smallwood Cassie Woods 10/20 Dennis Barry Joan Stein 10/21 Mark Senechal 10/22 Douglas Price Kent Rosenbaum 10/23 Mag Boase Jaxon Schuldt 10/24 Emily Cohen Sunny Heierman Jessica Thompson 10/25 Danielle Granado Marissa Moffitt 10/27 Jordan Buddenhagen Kris Burkholder Diana Williams 10/28 Diana Dulvick Zachary Koehnlein 10/29 Ella Fisher Wyatt Lehman Katherine Menke Fred Santesteban Lorna Wendt 10/30 Natalia Casiano Hailey Hamilton OOCCTTOOBBEERR AANNNNIIVVEERRSSAARRIIEESS

10/3 Gregory & Bonnie Williams 10/7 Michael & Lisa Siglar 10/10 Frank & Beth Gawdun Chuck & Fay Wehofer 10/12 Matthew & Danielle Campbell 10/14 Gene & Charlotte Grefe Matthew & Jennifer Klandrud 10/15 Michael & Tammy Redl Dale & Betty Sahs 10/19 Tony & Kristina Arnold Greg & Lisa Freed Derrick & Traci Wood 10/22 Jason & Sue Lind Mike & Karen Reinman 10/24 Dale & Kerry Hawley 10/26 Don & Patricia Dittman 10/30 Andrew & Melanie Braun

Gethsemane Newsletter

WWEEEEKKLLYY MMEEEETTIINNGGSS

8am Traditional Worship

9:15am Bible Study

9:30am: - Contemporary

Worship - Sunday School - Sr. Youth 11am Blended

Worship

Pastor’s day off

9am Braille Work Group

9:30am Coffee & Bible Study

1pm Hanson (A/B)

6:30am Men’s Bible Studies (A/B, café)

9:40am GLS Chapel

7:15pm Garcia/ Young Married (FLC)

7pm Moms’ Bible Study

9:30am Ladies Bible Study

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5

6:30pm Voters’ Assembly

Noon/1:30pm SAM

6pm GLS Drama 9am Quilters

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7pm GLS

Ministry Team P/T Conferences

(half-day) P/T Conferences

(no school) 11am Time Out!

9am Ministry Trip Meeting

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 (Pastor Miguel) Columbus Day

(no school) Nat’l Bosses’

Day Noon/1:30pm

SAM 9am Quilters

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

6pm Newsletter Deadline

SAM Event: Mining Camp

4-8pm

27 28 29 30 31 5pm Thrive! Halloween

GLS Spirit Day/ AZ Days

Remember to call the church office if you need a

newsletter mailed to you.

GGeetthhsseemmaannee EEvvaannggeelliiccaall LLuutthheerraann CChhuurrcchh && SScchhooooll 1035 East Guadalupe Road Tempe, AZ 85283

SSuunnddaayy WWoorrsshhiipp SSeerrvviicceess:: 88aamm –– TTrraaddiittiioonnaall;; 99::3300aamm –– CCoonntteemmppoorraarryy;; 1111aamm –– BBlleennddeedd

Oct. 6 * 19th Sunday in Trinity Gospel: Matt. 9:1-8

Oct. 13 * 20th Sunday in Trinity Gospel: Matt. 22:1-14 or 21:33-44

Oct. 20 21st Sunday in Trinity Gospel: John 4:46-51

Oct. 27 Reformation Day Gospel: John 8:31-36 or Matt 11:12-19

* Holy Communion celebrated at

all services on these dates

NON-PROFIT ORG. U S POSTAGE PAID TEMPE AZ PERMIT NO. 12

ALOMA-POINTING TO CHRIST By Ken Moore

Arizona Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Association (ALOMA)

The history of ALOMA really starts over 100 years ago when a family by the name of Kelly homesteaded a valley in the Bradshaw Mountains, outside Prescott, Arizona. They had a daughter named Mary Grace. Mary grew up to love the valley and mountains around her. She also loved her Lord, their Creator. Later in her life she decided to set aside part of that valley for the work of the Lord. Her dream was to have a Bible Camp in the valley she loved. That dream started to become a reality when she met Pastor Charles Schmitz of American Evangelical Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Shortly after that first meeting American Lutheran decided to purchase twenty-five acres from Mary Grace Kelley with the commitment that it would be used for a Bible camp.

After purchasing the property, however, there were not the funds to start any development. The land stayed unused for many years until Pine Cross Bible Camp Association (of which American Lutheran Church was a member) decided to run a primitive tent camp for a few weeks one summer and use American Lutheran's land in Prescott. Large military tents were purchased to provide meeting, sleeping and cooking space, and a Bible Camp was held in Mary Grace Kelly's valley for the first time.

Even though American Lutheran Church was a member of Pine Cross Bible Camp Association, agreement could not be reached to develop a permanent Bible Camp on the property. A few years later a group from The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, who were looking for a site to build a Camp, heard about American Lutheran's property. After a meeting of the two church groups a joint project was begun. They were able to enlist 9 additional Lutheran congregations to join them in developing the property into a place for all Arizona Lutheran Churches to use and enjoy.

On May 10, 1973, Arizona Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Association (better known as ALOMA) was born. Its assets included 25 acres, three large military tents, and ten Lutheran congregations. But that's not all. Back in a corner of the

parking lot of American Lutheran Church in Phoenix was stored what appeared to be a large stack of lumber, covered for protection from the weather. Some five years earlier a member of the Church arrived on Sunday morning and announced that there was an A-frame building in Tempe that was going to be torn down. It was an old Whataburger restaurant that could be purchased for a mere $1,000 if it could be removed within two weeks to make room for new construction.

Before that Sunday morning was over they had raised the money to buy the building, which would be erected as the chapel for the property in Prescott. That very Sunday afternoon a crew from the church arrived at the site and began dismantling the building. Down it came, board by board, and was stored in a back corner of their parking lot. But there is one part of the story left to tell. Some fifteen years later I drove by that very site that had to be cleared “right away” and it was just as they left it with the footings of the Whataburger building still there.

So now back to ALOMA's assets: 25 acres, three large military tents, ten Lutheran congregations and a large stack of lumber. There was something missing: money. You can't build a camp without it. The Pine Cross Bible Camp Association was being discontinued and at their last meeting they had about $14,000 in assets that had to be dispersed. They decided to split the money between a group that was building a camp near Crown King and the group building ALOMA. ALOMA decided after a lot of discussion and prayer to use those funds to develop a master plan for the property.

They hired a local engineering company to do the job. The company was told it was to be a Camp to be used year round and that the Chapel was to be in a prominent place. The engineering company did their job and ALOMA had its plan. It included summer and winter lodging, primitive tent and RV camping areas, as well as recreational areas. The Chapel would be cut into a small hill overlooking the entrance.

One of the congregations involved with ALOMA was also involved with a mission project in the town of El Mirage, west of Phoenix. They had the idea of approaching Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) for a financial grant to start a summer camping program at Camp ALOMA for children from El Mirage. The program was to be called Project Care. Not only did AAL agree to fund the project, but they also approved a grant of over $50,000 toward building Camp ALOMA. This started a long, close relationship between ALOMA, AAL, and also Lutheran Brotherhood, which has continued through Thrivent financial, helping to make Camp ALOMA a reality.

Over the years the camp facility has taken shape. First, the kitchen and restroom buildings were built and moved to camp to give ALOMA its first permanent buildings. These would be used with the tents for our first year. Next, Grace Chapel and what later would be called Faith Lodge were erected. Faith Lodge had a large dining room, kitchen, eight dorm rooms, and rest rooms with showers. Later, a meeting room, camp store, office space and two

smaller rest rooms were constructed on the second floor. It could house 80 people.

ALOMA hired its first caretaker. He and his wife made a home in two of the dorm rooms in Faith Lodge. They later were able to move to their new home built across Willow Creek. Next the campfire and barbecue area and an A-frame lodge, now known as Hope Lodge, were built. Hope Lodge originally slept about twenty people and had its own kitchen. Two member churches built two small rustic cabins. One of the cabins was later expanded into a second residence on the property and is the home of our program director. The camp also included a softball diamond, volleyball court, basketball court, playground and hiking trails.

In recent years Peace Lodge and four wilderness cabins and adjoining ramada were built. Peace Lodge has a meeting room and two dorm rooms, each with a private restroom; all fully handicap accessible. The wilderness cabins will be used mostly in our summer programs, but can also be used for family camps. A larger ramada with adjoining restrooms was built near the playground area; it was named Smitty's Pavilion in honor of Pastor Charles Schmitz. Over the years, the facility continues to be changed and upgraded, as the ministry needs change and grow. Nearly all of this has been accomplished with volunteer labor. Without these dedicated volunteers it could not have been possible.

Buildings alone however do not make a camp. It also takes people and about twenty years ago a couple was asked to be co-directors of ALOMA, live at camp, and take charge of the full operation of running the camp. It was an excellent decision and choice, as it gave Camp ALOMA a personality dedicated to Christ and service to those He sends to camp. We have been greatly blessed by their ministry. Over the years we have seen God's hand in blessing the ministry of ALOMA. Not only in serving Lutheran Churches, but also many other Christian Churches and organizations throughout the

state, giving thousands the opportunity to know Jesus their Savior. Many volunteers and staff found the opportunities for service with ALOMA a meaningful way to become involved in following our Lord's great commission. Whether serving on the board of directors, working to build or maintain the facility, working with the children, youth and adults who come to camp, every part of the ministry of ALOMA shows Christ's love and brings us closer to Him. ALOMA's mission statement “Providing Places and Programs Pointing to Christ” keeps reminding us what our purpose really is.

Those of us who have had the privilege of working in this ministry thank God and His Son Jesus for the opportunity to serve and are thankful for the faith of Mary Grace Kelley and Pastor Charles Schmitz who started it all.

GETHSEMANE NEWSLETTERstorage.cloversites.com/gethsemane/documents/NL OCT 2013...

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Transcript of GETHSEMANE NEWSLETTERstorage.cloversites.com/gethsemane/documents/NL OCT 2013...