Record Breaking Turn-Out for 2006

Maintaining Outdoor Ministry facilities and providing quality faith development programs are two major endeavors best accomplished by a conference of churches. This was especially evident on Saturday, April 8th at Camp Mo-Val. Over 110 volunteers from across the Conference - all three associations - turned out for the Annual Lenten Work Day.

Churches with Participants Attending the Annual Lenten Work Day:

Ebenezer “Stone” Church UCC - Gerald,
Immanuel UCC - Ferguson,
Immanuels UCC - Holstein,
Kirkwood UCC,
Mount Tabor UCC - St. Louis,
Parkway UCC - Town & Country,
Peace UCC - Hartsburg,
St. Johns UCC - Bem,
St. Johns UCC - Chesterfield,
St. Martins UCC - Dittmer,
St. Pauls UCC - Marthasville,
St. Peters Evangelical UCC - Ferguson,
St. Peters UCC - New Haven,
St. Philips UCC - St. Louis,
Zion UCC - Union,
and other friends of Camp Mo-Val including Interim Conference Minister Char Burch and husband Larry.

The variety of projects and the amount of work accomplished was amazing.  Leaves, leaves and more leaves were raked - as is the case every fall and spring.  Wood was split and stacked, and truckloads of downed branches were removed from grassy areas in preparation for mowing.  Skilled volunteers with chain saws stayed busy throughout the property - cleaning up after recent heavy winds.  The new maintenance building received some finishing touches, new benches were installed at the Lakeside Chapel and the steps at Red Cedar were repaired.  Poles and railings were painted, cabins got their “spring inspection” and lists were made of work to be done before summer.  At TAMBO, screen doors were repaired and painted and new metal doors were installed on some cabins.  The new platform tent village was nearly completed and the tents were raised.  Nine months of leaves and other accumulated muck were cleaned out of the old pool in preparation for power-washing and filling; the trail to it was upgraded with buckets and buckets of rock.  Significant electric, plumbing and carpentry issues were addressed throughout camp.  The list goes on. 

It was exciting to see the number of familiar faces - campers, parents, counselors, program staff as well as seasoned work day volunteers. There were youth groups, parent-child teams, couples, folks with technical skills and others with general skills and willing spirits. During the lunch hour, the dining hall was filled with conversation and laughter as introductions were made and old friends reconnected. A special treat was a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the work of the Disaster Recovery Team from Peace UCC in Hartsburg.

It is truly amazing what we as a conference of churches can accomplish together. It’s hard to imagine getting ready for the busy spring and summer seasons at camp without the assistance of dedicated volunteers.