Request for Proposals: Interim Director Training 2022
The Outdoor Ministry Connection (our partnership with other outdoor ministry associations across the mainline Protestant denominations) will hold an Interim Director Training, September 26-30, 2022 in the southern or south-central part of the United States. This event will be for 25-30 attendees, and we are seeking an Episcopal host site. Please review the criteria and submit your site for consideration by Junw 15 here.
The Outdoor Ministry Connection (our partnership with other outdoor ministry associations across the mainline Protestant denominations) will hold an Interim Director Training, September 26-30, 2022 in the southern or south-central part of the United States. This event will be for 25-30 attendees, and we are seeking an Episcopal host site. Please review the criteria and submit your site for consideration by Junw 15 here.
Executive Director Coaching
ECCC is partnering with Bishop Brian Prior to offer an Executive Director Coaching Course. “Coach approach” leadership provides both focus and accountability. This ECCC Coaching Course is an opportunity for camp and conference center Executive Directors to work on their specific areas of desired growth, and acquire the fundamentals of coaching to use with their staff. We will learn together as a group while individual coaching will also be available. Please contact Patty if you are interested and would like more information.
ECCC is partnering with Bishop Brian Prior to offer an Executive Director Coaching Course. “Coach approach” leadership provides both focus and accountability. This ECCC Coaching Course is an opportunity for camp and conference center Executive Directors to work on their specific areas of desired growth, and acquire the fundamentals of coaching to use with their staff. We will learn together as a group while individual coaching will also be available. Please contact Patty if you are interested and would like more information.
Summer Camp Curriculum Design & Visioning - An Inside Look
UMCRM member Troy Taylor (Camp Magruder, OR), serves as one of our denomination's representatives (David Berkey, now serving Michigan Area UM Camp & Retreat Ministries, is the other) to the ecumenical team that designs the InsideOut summer camp resource each year. Troy gives us a look inside the development process, describing how the scriptures are selected and themes produced collaboratively. Learn about the values that guide the team and how the summer camp curriculum is thoughtfully designed to equip Christian camp leaders to create excellent, faith-forming experiences. Whether or not you're a current user of the Inside Out curriculum, you'll gain new insight into the creative process. Read the blog post
UMCRM member Troy Taylor (Camp Magruder, OR), serves as one of our denomination's representatives (David Berkey, now serving Michigan Area UM Camp & Retreat Ministries, is the other) to the ecumenical team that designs the InsideOut summer camp resource each year. Troy gives us a look inside the development process, describing how the scriptures are selected and themes produced collaboratively. Learn about the values that guide the team and how the summer camp curriculum is thoughtfully designed to equip Christian camp leaders to create excellent, faith-forming experiences. Whether or not you're a current user of the Inside Out curriculum, you'll gain new insight into the creative process. Read the blog post
Episcopal Youth Event Survey: Please share.
The Office of Youth Ministry within the Department of Faith Formation for The Episcopal Church has begun a research project to assess the impact, evaluate the efficacy, and plan for the future of the triennial international Episcopal Youth Event (EYE), and Evento de Jóvenes Episcopales (EJE). As its a youth event, the department doesn’t have any direct email addresses for past participants of these events, and needs support and word of mouth in spreading the word and gathering data. Will you consider sharing this with your campers and alumni?
The Office of Youth Ministry within the Department of Faith Formation for The Episcopal Church has begun a research project to assess the impact, evaluate the efficacy, and plan for the future of the triennial international Episcopal Youth Event (EYE), and Evento de Jóvenes Episcopales (EJE). As its a youth event, the department doesn’t have any direct email addresses for past participants of these events, and needs support and word of mouth in spreading the word and gathering data. Will you consider sharing this with your campers and alumni?
Call for Writers
InsideOut Church Camp Resources is now developing its 2023 summer camp curriculum project and receiving applications and samples for the writing team. Do you or someone in your network have these skills?
Creativity
Ability to give clear directions
Writing with simplicity
Understanding the outdoor setting
Let's help build the dynamite, diverse team that creates the summer curriculum used by Episcopal, United Methodist and other Christian camps. This is a paid opportunity. Apply by 4/15. Learn more and view application.
InsideOut Church Camp Resources is now developing its 2023 summer camp curriculum project and receiving applications and samples for the writing team. Do you or someone in your network have these skills?
Creativity
Ability to give clear directions
Writing with simplicity
Understanding the outdoor setting
Let's help build the dynamite, diverse team that creates the summer curriculum used by Episcopal, United Methodist and other Christian camps. This is a paid opportunity. Apply by 4/15. Learn more and view application.
Ministry After COVID: What have we learned? What comes next?
Join Virginia Theological Seminary this Thursday.
As we look forward with hope as vaccinations are distributed and something resembling normal appears on the horizon, how can congregations carry what they have learned from this time, from new technologies to new skills, and ways of connecting with local and distributed communities the future?
Join Virginia Theological Seminary this Thursday.
As we look forward with hope as vaccinations are distributed and something resembling normal appears on the horizon, how can congregations carry what they have learned from this time, from new technologies to new skills, and ways of connecting with local and distributed communities the future?
Outdoor Ministries Connection: Camp Directors' Report (2020)
Research is one of the key ways to map the landscape of outdoor ministries and tell the story of what we contribute to the church and society. Every other year, through our partnership with other outdoor ministry associations across the mainline Protestant denominations (Outdoor Ministries Connection, or OMC), ECCC participates in a survey on the state of our sites and centers. 2020’s survey provided insights about the state and impact of Christian camping, broadly, and the many implications of COVID-19.
This report is the overall ecumenical picture; we will receive denomination-specific reports soon, and post them here.
Research is one of the key ways to map the landscape of outdoor ministries and tell the story of what we contribute to the church and society. Every other year, through our partnership with other outdoor ministry associations across the mainline Protestant denominations (Outdoor Ministries Connection, or OMC), ECCC participates in a survey on the state of our sites and centers. 2020’s survey provided insights about the state and impact of Christian camping, broadly, and the many implications of COVID-19.
This report is the overall ecumenical picture; here is the specific report on ECCC camps.
These surveys, conducted every other year, tell compelling stories about the state of Christian camping and retreat ministries. We are considering ways to distribute these stories and the data to advocate for Episcopal camps, we want to know: What would be most helpful to your organization? What data and stories need to be shared, how, and with whom? Share ideas with Patty.
Compass Points: A Love Story
Perhaps you have considered taking a course (or 8?) as you develop professionally as a Camp & Retreat Ministry leader. Maybe God is calling you to go deeper as you devote yourself to this specialized ministry field. Rev. Jennifer Bingham Hampton, Director of Tekoa Foothills in Western NC, explains what the Compass Points program has meant to her personal and professional journey. Read the blog post
Perhaps you have considered taking a course (or 8?) as you develop professionally as a Camp & Retreat Ministry leader. Maybe God is calling you to go deeper as you devote yourself to this specialized ministry field. Rev. Jennifer Bingham Hampton, Director of Tekoa Foothills in Western NC, explains what the Compass Points program has meant to her personal and professional journey. Read the blog post
American Camp Association Town Hall: Summer 2021
This meeting on January 27 (an overlap with ECCC’s Annual Conference) will cover recent developments on COVID-19 planning for camps, key takeaways from ACA’s recent COVID-19-related research studies, and updates to the Field Guide for Camps. The panel will include medical professionals, public health professionals, research scientists, and both day and resident camp professionals who successfully operated in summer 2020.
This meeting on January 27 (an overlap with ECCC’s Annual Conference) will cover recent developments on COVID-19 planning for camps, key takeaways from ACA’s recent COVID-19-related research studies, and updates to the Field Guide for Camps. The panel will include medical professionals, public health professionals, research scientists, and both day and resident camp professionals who successfully operated in summer 2020.
Our new Church Pension Group rep
Our long-time Church Pension Group Business Manager/Client Services Associate (and friend!), Toni Marie Sutliff, has changed positions. We’d like to introduce you to Zach Peterson.
I know I have big shoes to fill with Toni Marie being your previous account representative at CPG. We appreciate your business and it is our privilege and pleasure to work in partnership with you in the administration of CPG’s benefits.
Zach has worked for the IBAMS team since 2012. In 2017, Zach became a Senior Account Specialist for international dioceses of the Episcopal Church and their Covenant Partners. Zach joined the Church Pension Group in 2009 and started as a Senior Client Services Representative. Prior to joining CPG, Zach worked in the investment finance industry for several years, including Fidelity Investments, where he was a Retirement Planning Specialist. Zach is bilingual and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Foreign Language with an emphasis in Spanish Commerce. Zach lives in northern Utah with his wife, Amber, and their four children.
Zach Peterson
Director, Voluntary and International Account Services
Direct: (212) 592-4213 or 800-223-6602, ext. 4213, or cell: (917) 882-7583
Our long-time Church Pension Group Business Manager/Client Services Associate (and friend!), Toni Marie Sutliff, has changed positions. We’d like to introduce you to Zach Peterson.
I know I have big shoes to fill with Toni Marie being your previous account representative at CPG. We appreciate your business and it is our privilege and pleasure to work in partnership with you in the administration of CPG’s benefits.
Zach has worked for the IBAMS team since 2012. In 2017, Zach became a Senior Account Specialist for international dioceses of the Episcopal Church and their Covenant Partners. Zach joined the Church Pension Group in 2009 and started as a Senior Client Services Representative. Prior to joining CPG, Zach worked in the investment finance industry for several years, including Fidelity Investments, where he was a Retirement Planning Specialist. Zach is bilingual and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Foreign Language with an emphasis in Spanish Commerce. Zach lives in northern Utah with his wife, Amber, and their four children.
Zach Peterson
Director, Voluntary and International Account Services
Direct: (212) 592-4213 or 800-223-6602, ext. 4213, or cell: (917) 882-7583
Designating Camp Staff as Essential Workers
One of the American Camp Association’s most important advocacy initiatives right now is to have camp staff certified as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers,” allowing staff to be prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccination within the Education sector. Learn more and follow along here.
One of the American Camp Association’s most important advocacy initiatives right now is to have camp staff certified as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers,” allowing staff to be prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccination within the Education sector. Learn more and follow along here.
Project Real Job from the American Camp Association
Get assistance with communicating the career-enhancing benefits of working at camp to prospective employees and their parents, in this new project from the American Camp Association.
Get assistance with communicating the career-enhancing benefits of working at camp to prospective employees and their parents, in this new project from the American Camp Association.
14 Policy Priorities to Heal the Nation: A Moral and Economic Agenda for the First 100 Days
Many of us had the opportunity in January to participate in a Poor People’s Campaign Rally as a part of the 2020 Annual Conference in Maryland, and since through online gatherings. Following the election, they’ve released fourteen priorities for 2021 and going forward.
Many of us had the opportunity in January to participate in a Poor People’s Campaign Rally as a part of the 2020 Annual Conference in Maryland, and since through online gatherings. Following the election, they’ve released fourteen priorities for 2021 and going forward.
Expectant Waiting in 2020: A Reflection from Sacred Playgrounds
Our friend Jake Sorenson from Sacred Playgrounds recently wrote this reflection on Advent that we wanted to share with you.
The expectation and preparation are particularly palpable this year. We long for a fresh start, for all things to be made new. In this season of Advent, we dare to hope.
Our friend Jake Sorenson from Sacred Playgrounds recently wrote this reflection on Advent that we wanted to share with you.
The expectation and preparation are particularly palpable this year. We long for a fresh start, for all things to be made new. In this season of Advent, we dare to hope.
Jobs with Creation Justice Ministries
Creation Justice Ministries — an ecumenical sibling in ministry —is currently hiring for one full-time salaried position and two part-time California-based fellowships.
Creation Justice Ministries educates, equips and mobilizes Christian communions/denominations, congregations and individuals to protect, restore, and rightly share God's creation.
Creation Justice Ministries — an ecumenical sibling in ministry —is currently hiring for one full-time salaried position and two part-time California-based fellowships.
Creation Justice Ministries educates, equips and mobilizes Christian communions/denominations, congregations and individuals to protect, restore, and rightly share God's creation.
Director Survey: Please complete in November.
We are partnering with our friends in Outdoor Ministry Connection (OMC) to conduct the fourth bi-annual survey of camp and retreat center directors. Research is one of the key ways we work with our ecumencial partners to map the landscape of outdoor ministries and tell the story of what we contribute to the church and society. This is a critical year to participate, as the survey will help us tell the stories of success in the year of COVID-19, as well as the incredible challenges this pandemic has brought to our industry and individual ministries. As in previous years, we are asking for one survey per ministry organization. Here is the link to participate.
We are partnering with our friends in Outdoor Ministry Connection (OMC) to conduct the fourth bi-annual survey of camp and retreat center directors. Research is one of the key ways we work with our ecumencial partners to map the landscape of outdoor ministries and tell the story of what we contribute to the church and society. This is a critical year to participate, as the survey will help us tell the stories of success in the year of COVID-19, as well as the incredible challenges this pandemic has brought to our industry and individual ministries. As in previous years, we are asking for one survey per ministry organization. Here is the link to participate.
Personal Financial Education & Planning
As a cleric or lay employee of The Episcopal Church, you’re entitled to complimentary discussions with financial education specialists: Anna, and Larry. They have over 100 years of combined experience and are here to serve you and answer your questions.
As a cleric or lay employee of The Episcopal Church, you’re entitled to complimentary discussions with financial education specialists: Anna, and Larry. They have over 100 years of combined experience and are here to serve you and answer your questions.
A note about ACA dues
If you are accredited with the ACA (American Camp Association), you’ve recently received your renewal notice. We've talked to the ACA about dues payments during this very financially challenging time and they've indicated that if your center is struggling to pay your ACA dues you can absolutely reach out to the ACA Membership team to talk through your options and find a solution that will work for your financial situation. ACA can help you figure things out so that you are able to maintain your accreditation.
A couple of important points to note:
All ACA renewal dates are due at the end of October.
If organizations make some form of payment prior to their renewal (and a 30-day grace period), they will maintain accreditation status.
Please let Patty know as soon as possible if you aren't able to make payments so that she can connect you with our ACA representatives, so that you don't lose your accreditation status.
If you are accredited with the ACA (American Camp Association), you’ve recently received your renewal notice. We've talked to the ACA about dues payments during this very financially challenging time and they've indicated that if your center is struggling to pay your ACA dues you can absolutely reach out to the ACA Membership team to talk through your options and find a solution that will work for your financial situation. ACA can help you figure things out so that you are able to maintain your accreditation.
A couple of important points to note:
All ACA renewal dates are due at the end of October.
If organizations make some form of payment prior to their renewal (and a 30-day grace period), they will maintain accreditation status.
Please let Patty know as soon as possible if you aren't able to make payments so that she can connect you with our ACA representatives, so that you don't lose your accreditation status.
Racial Justice Online Dialogue & Listening Circles: Sacred Ground & My Work To Do
During 2020, ECCC will have offered four Sacred Ground dialogue circles, a curriculum offered by the Episcopal Church that’s reflected on in this Episcopal News Service article.
Keep an eye out: We will announce new circles at the end of 2020.
We encourage you to sign up for one of these!
During 2020, ECCC will have offered four Sacred Ground dialogue circles, a curriculum offered by the Episcopal Church that’s reflected on in this Episcopal News Service article.
Keep an eye out: We will announce new circles at the end of 2020, or consider starting your own with your staff.
We encourage you to sign up for one of these!
Education Opportunity: My Work To Do
Several ECCC members participated in one of these online listening circles this summer, and recommend it to our community. Keep an eye here for upcoming sessions.
Founded in 2018, My Work To Do is an online affinity group designed to help white people build stamina for discussing racism, systemic injustice, racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in their everyday lives. (BIPOC allies are welcome with an understanding this is a white-centered (and therefore not always safe) space.)
We invite those feeling lost or overwhelmed into the conversation, especially white people who might not have a local anti-racism program or accessible discussion happening in their life.
Several ECCC members participated in one of these online listening circles this summer, and recommend it to our community. Keep an eye here for upcoming sessions.
Founded in 2018, My Work To Do is an online affinity group designed to help white people build stamina for discussing racism, systemic injustice, racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in their everyday lives. (BIPOC allies are welcome with an understanding this is a white-centered (and therefore not always safe) space.)
We invite those feeling lost or overwhelmed into the conversation, especially white people who might not have a local anti-racism program or accessible discussion happening in their life.