February 21, 2025

Camp Sunday

Week two of worship in the Summit building will bring even more changes to our Sunday morning routine. And they’re sure to be fun changes, since this week we’re celebrating Camp Sunday! 

What is Camp Sunday, you ask? Well, it’s a day when we celebrate our church’s long-standing connection to Cascades Camp and Conference Center. We’ll learn more about Cascades from Executive Director Rob Mohrweis (son of First Cov members Tom and Jean Mohrweis); and we’ll share the joys of the camp experience through special music, food, skits, reflections, and more.

Some in our congregation have been going to Cascades Camp their entire lives. Some have worked there as counselors, kitchen helpers, and in other roles. Some have children on staff there now (the Mohrweis and Sundholm families). Others literally wrote the book on Cascades Camp (Bryce and Bonnie Nelson), while another designed that book (Sandy Nelson). Pro tip: you can download the book for free using the link above. Some of us grew up going to other Covenant camps (I, myself, was a counselor at Camp Squanto in New Hampshire). I’d venture to guess that a majority of folks in our congregation have been shaped at least in part by Christian camp experiences. 

In their book, the Nelsons say: "Bible camps are hopeful institutions, especially when focused on the Christian experience of the younger generation, while also providing for ongoing nurture in the Christian faith of all ages.” 

Camps provide opportunities for spiritual growth in ways that little else does. Camp is often where we have that “mountaintop experience”: the moment when our faith begins, solidifies, or strengthens. Camp provides an environment where, removed from the hustle and bustle of regular daily life, we can hear from God more clearly, and where we can connect with others who share our faith. We’re so thankful for Cascades Camp and all the ways this place has touched the lives of those in our congregation and our conference.

If you love camp, you won’t want to miss this Sunday! If you’ve never been to camp, we hope this Sunday will inspire you to check it out. Regardless, please join us in the Summit building for worship, and stay for lunch! 

Grace and peace,

~ Pastor Lauren