Maybe it was a little messy, but that’s not a bad thing!By Susan Whittington

Let’s be unconventional and jump right to the punchline. Lake Logan is where one can go to touch the edge of heaven. It is one of those thin places where the curtain

that separates heaven and earth is lifted ever so slightly to allow a glimpse of the glo-ry of God. And thanks to the generosity of many, we have been given an opportunity to blaze a new path for Lake Logan. A path that will ensure a more secure financial future. A path that will ensure the availability of this thin spot for all to experience.

With the punchline now out of the way, let’s go over how we arrived at this point, starting with a bit of background information...

The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina (“Diocese”) owns Lake Logan, and Lake Logan Episco-pal Center (“LLEC”) is responsible for operating this property for the Diocese. Since its acquisition almost 15 years ago, LLEC has operated Lake Logan as a home for Camp Henry and as a hosting center that primarily provides rooms, meeting space and board for various groups.

When Lake Logan was acquired, a substantial amount of debt was taken on to cover the purchase price and to pay for needed improvements. Over the years many gen-erous donors helped whittle away at this debt, getting it to a much more manageable level. But a different financial concern became more noticeable and problematic with the onset of the Great Recession. Simply put, the programs at Lake Logan were not producing enough revenue to cover operating costs, service debt and address maintenance needs. As a result the Diocese was being called on to provide ongoing, substantial financial support for Lake Logan from its operating budget and reserves, and this was weakening its balance sheet and leaving other ministries of the Diocese unfunded or underfunded.

This was the message delivered in a series of meetings convened throughout the Di-ocese as the board of directors for LLEC offered and solicited ideas for putting LLEC and the Diocese on a more stable financial trajectory. And yes, it was a little messy. No one likes bad news. The board and many others have worked long and prayerful-ly. Continuing this exploration was made possible by a generous line of credit which

ShorelinesA publication of Lake Logan Episcopal Center • Canton, NC

Fall 2014

DirectorsThe Rev. Dn. Susan Whittington, Chair

The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor

Margie Haaga

Greg Hilderbran

The Rev. Posy Jackson

David Jones

Frank Lockwood

The Rev. Thomas Murphy

Jack Parsons

Jane Schronce

David Swann

Nancie Wilson

Ex-OfficioGlenn Barnett

StaffGlenn BarnettInterim Executive Director

Jean SantucciBookkeeper

Jessi TrimnalRegistrar

Ed RogersHead of Food Service

Kathy ClarkHead of Housekeeping

Bruce PaceHead of Maintenance

A fall view of Lake Logan

gives us time to bring in a new director, work on a strategic plan and design a marketing plan. We will be sharing a development officer with the diocese. It is exciting to have conversations among the board, Camp Henry committee members and the Ambas-sadors for the conference center to work toward a bright future for this natural treasure which we are called to steward. The directors prayed, shared, lis-tened and contemplated.

So how did things end up? Productive and worth-while are good ways to describe the outcome. From these meetings a blueprint emerged to bring about some needed change. Here is a brief summary of the path that has been mapped:

• Going forward LLEC will operate Lake Logan as two ministries for planning and accounting pur-poses – the Camp Henry Ministry and the Con-ference Center Ministry. While specifics are still being worked out, there will be a committee that focuses exclusively on the growth and financial health of the Camp Henry Ministry and a com-mittee that focuses exclusively on the growth and financial health of the Conference Center Ministry.

• Each committee must prepare a comprehensive strategic plan for its ministry for the next three years (2015, 2016 and 2017). Among other things, the plan must include (a) a clear and de-tailed description of how the activities or services to be provided at Lake Logan will advance the kingdom of God, (b) a statement of specific aims and objectives during each year of the three-year period, (c) a marketing plan, (d) an operations plan, (e) a fundraising plan with a calendar of an-ticipated fundraising events, (f) an organizational chart of employees and non-employees with a clear description of the responsibilities associat-ed with each position, and (g) financial forecasts for each year in the period (including profit and loss and cash flow projections). The end goal is for each ministry to have a well-thought-out and financially-sustainable operating model.

• Ian Williams, our Camp Henry Director, will assist with the development and oversee the implemen-tation of the strategic plan for the Camp Henry Ministry. A new Conference Center Director will be hired, and he or she will assist with the devel-opment and oversee the implementation of the strategic plan for the Conference Center Ministry.

• Each ministry must regularly show results rela-tive to its strategic plan and financial forecasts. If results are not being achieved changes may be needed or other strategies may need to be pur-sued.

• The Diocese will hire a Development Director who will devote part of his or her time to fundraising for the ministries at Lake Logan.

• As a source of working capital that will allow un-interrupted operation of Lake Logan during this transition period, LLEC will accept a $200,000 line of credit that has been offered by several members of the Lake Logan Ambassadors. This line of credit will be repaid from the sale of a sur-plus parcel of land that is not needed for the min-istries at Lake Logan. If donations and finances substantially improve it may be possible to repay this line of credit without selling this parcel.

What does this mean for you? As a member of the Di-ocese your help is needed. Yes, this is a plea for both financial aid and increased participation. Change will not happen overnight. It will take time, and there will be some bumps and dips on the path before us. And to smooth out this journey we need your sup-port. When you plan a church meeting, think of Lake Logan. When your non-profit needs a retreat, think of Lake Logan. When you receive a pledge card in the mail, please help by making a gift to LLEC. Feel free to contact a member of the board with any ideas for a bright future.

There are many diverse individuals who are praying and are spending time, energy, and resources to make LLEC and Camp Henry the best destination you can imagine!

In closing, we offer God our gratitude for allowing us the messiness that is sometimes needed to help us grow, for the splendor of His creation as represented by Lake Logan, and for the lives of those shaped and changed by Lake Logan.

Join with us so that this ministry can grow and ex-pand the service to God’s ministry in western NC.

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Celebrate the Saints Among UsBy Lisa Oberreuter, Lake Logan Ambassadors

For more than fifty years, Camp Henry has been a ministry of the diocese of Western North Caroli-

na. Dedicated to bringing young people together to experience God’s presence and grace, it has served more than 20,000 children from dioceses across the South and beyond. Since 2001, Lake Logan has been the perfect setting for the camp, showcasing God’s revelation of beauty, strength, and comfort.

With All Saints Day upon us, we thought it an ap-propriate time to honor the saints who have made Camp Henry possible, as well as other saintly souls in our lives. Consider the parents or parishes who sent children to camp, or the friends met there, or the career path inspired by camp, or a friend or spouse whom you wish to beatify, and express your gratitude.

Some other examples who might exemplify thanks-giving in your life could be:

• A favorite counselor• A chaplain who changed your life• The cook who got up early to make your pan-

cakes• The person who washed loads of laundry (both

at home and at camp!)• The grandchild you sent or hope to send to

Camp Henry• The administrators who make Camp Henry

happen• One or more generous donors to the ministry of

Camp Henry• Any loved one who fills your soul to overflowing

Now that you have your heart filled with memories and possibilities, write down the name(s) of those friends and family members who deserve this extra praise. Our campaign, “Celebrate All the Saints Among Us,” is a joyous way to thank all the gener-ous and faithful people in our lives.

We have included a donation form on the next page,

on which you can write their name (s), his or her contact information, and the amount of your dona-tion, which is intended to reserve them a place in the glorious company of the Saints in Heaven. No longer will they be unheralded, but will be recog-nized with a hand-written note and certificate of their level of etherealness. The Diocesan website will keep track of all the nominations and dona-tions. All gifts received through November 17th will be cumulative in allowing your special person to reach higher levels along the path to Sainthood.

Rejoice. Camp Henry will continue to facilitate God’s presence in our youth. Again I say rejoice. All the Camp Henry saints adore you! The monies collected will be used for the combined operations of Camp Henry and Lake Logan Episcopal Center. Thanking you in advance, we look forward to your nominations.

Do you know what it takes to operate Camp Henry for one summer?

A sampling of what staff and campers needincludes:

• 384,000 squares of toilet paper• 38 gallons laundry soap• 19 gallons bleach• 9,600 chicken breasts• 10,400 slices wheat bread• 42,340 cookies• 260 hours on the lawnmowers

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Donor Information

First name: _____________________________________________

Last name: ______________________________________________

Street address: _________________________________________

City: _______________________ State: ______________

Zip code: __________________

E-mail: __________________________________________________

Phone: ( ) _______________________________________

Parish ___________________________________________________

Nominee Information

Chose one: In Honor of In Memory of

Nominee First Name: __________________________________

Nominee Last Name: __________________________________

Name of person to send acknowledgment to:

___________________________________________________________

Street Address: _________________________________________

City: __________________ State: __________ Zip code: __________

Please send checks to:Episcopal Diocese of WNC Attn: All the Saints Campaign 900B CentrePark Drive Asheville, NC 28805

CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

Name on card:

_________________________________________

Card number:

_________________________________________

Expiration date: ________________________

Security code:

_________________________________________

Signature:

_________________________________________

Amount:

_________________________________________

Donation Form

Level of Donation (circle one)Up to $49: Martyr $50 to $249: Servant of God$250 to $499: Venerable $500 to $999: Blessed

$1,000: Saint$1,001 to $4,999: Angel$5,000 to $9,999: Arch Angel$10,000+: All the Heavens Above Adore Thee

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Update from Camp HenryBy Ian Williams, Missioner for Youth and Director of Camp Henry

What a summer Camp Henry had in 2014!

There were 450 children and youth ranging from Kindergarten to Seniors in High School who played, prayed, sang, swam, sailed, ran, painted, fished, hiked, rafted, climbed, learned about local plant and wild-life, developed friendships and made this summer one of the greatest I have ever

seen. Oh and my wife and I had our first child right smack in the middle of all of it.

Our theme at Camp Henry this summer was “Bright Shining Day” borrowed from the lyrics to one of my fa-vorite songs. Not the one you are thinking of; you know the one, “I can see clearly now the rain is gone…” made extremely popular by Johnny Nash in the early 70s, which is now stuck in your head, you’re welcome.

I am talking about a song written in the year 2000 by Camp Henry campers and counselors. With the help of counselors Elizabeth Tester and Andy Ragland, two of my oldest and closest friends, Simon Tait and William Allen penned the lyrics and created the tune for what has become a de facto anthem for a generation of Camp Henry campers. The song was written as a way to ex-plain how we as campers felt about Camp Henry moving from its home at In the Oaks in Black Mountain to Lake Logan. One has to understand the deep connection that we had to the property of In the Oaks to understand the magnitude and implications of this move. Our feelings were a complicated (we were teenagers at the time, which is synonymous with complication) mix of sad-ness, anger, excitement, understanding, and perhaps most importantly, hope. We knew that what made Camp Henry so special were the people, the community, the spirit which moves through everyone involved with camp. We knew that we were leaving a beautiful and beloved property, but were moving to a place with even greater promise and potential. We knew that while this time of transition was bittersweet it brought with it hope for “a bright shining day”, and thus the song was

written.

Fast forward 14 years to this summer and this song has taken on a life of its own. The campers scream it as loud as they can; it is the last song that we sing after Eucharist, and let me tell you that is a sight/sound to behold. Just as when the song was written almost half my lifetime ago the themes of community, transition, hope, loss, familiarity, and the Holy Spirit ever present in our lives remain as important, relatable, and valid to our children and youth today.

A full generation of campers now knows Lake Logan as the home of Camp Henry. The picturesque lake, massive playing field, challenging hikes, abundant wildlife, and the friendly and accommodating staff at Lake Logan are the perfect setting for the growth that occurs at Camp Henry. I believe that each summer for a few hundred kids, our little summer camp is one of the greatest ways to evangelize, build community, and grow as people and Lake Logan is the perfect place for God’s work to occur. Next summer will be the 15th year that the song “Bright Shining Day” has been a part of the Camp Henry history. It is my fervent hope that when my daughter is at camp 15 years from now she will be singing (or in the typi-cal Camp Henry fashion, screaming) the words to this beloved song with as much passion and ownership that the campers do today. I hope that she experiences the same excitement and wonder as we drive the winding road to Lake Logan that the campers do today. I hope that her generation and every generation after get to know God and His love for all of us by having the oppor-tunity to attend Camp Henry at Lake Logan.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all of the Camp Henry campers from the summer of 14 for making it so special and so much fun. Thank you Camp Henry staff and vol-unteers for giving so much of your time and yourselves, your work is some of the most important work folks can do. Thank you to the Lake Logan staff for the care, service, and patience that you give to us. And thank you to you, the reader, the Lake Logan and Camp Henry sup-porter, without your help and your prayers we certainly could not make Camp Henry what it was, is, and always will be, the greatest place on earth.

All the best, much love, and we hope to see you in 2015!

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The Year in ReviewBy Glenn Barnett, Interim Executive Director

I knew 2014 was going to be a remarkable year when I spotted a pair of large Bald Eagles landing on the

ice of our frozen over Lake Logan in late January of this year. They somehow managed to find places in the ice thin enough to push through and grab small fish, then proceeded to consume their catch on a nearby log. Quite a sight, one that left me grateful that the eagles are making a comeback and that Lake Logan remains wild and wonderful. God’s creation continues to inspire me, humble me and leave me in awe of the dramatic beauty we are blessed with every day here at Lake Logan.

Just as inspiring to me were the various programs and events we have sponsored and hosted this year, especially the visit by our Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori. She conducted a sold-out weekend workshop for us in April entitled “Doing Justice, Loving Mercy, and Walking Humbly in a 21st Century World”. What a powerful experience it was for us to “walk the walk” with her. In her case, quite literally, as she was up before dawn each morning encouraging us to walk/run/hike up the mountain with her on our Gazebo Trail before breakfast. Only problem was, nobody could keep up with her! On leaving, she thanked me, gave me her small lapel pin and told me what a special and important jewel we have in Lake Logan Episcopal Center. She also made me promise to protect it forever. I don’t intend to let her down.

Shortly after Bishop Katharine’s visit, the goose eggs that she had admired on the edge of our dining hall pond hatched into a beautiful family of six goslings, plus their father that had worked so hard to chase us away from the nest, and their mother, who had incubated the eggs for several weeks. Ah, the wonder of it all!

Summer brought us all together, quite literally under the same tent, for our diocesan picnic, then the magic of fireflies and Camp Henry, with one of our best camp staffs ever. Watching them share such creative fun, and God’s love, with the campers was yet another source of great inspiration for me. Of course, we all were thrilled this summer with the arrival of our youngest little camper, Nora Core Williams, born to proud parents Ian and Sallie in July. The warm season ended with our annual Lake Logan Triathlon and Multisport Festival in August. We were pleased that this event was hugely successful , with well over one thousand athletes partic-

ipating, from all over the country!

As I write this, a kaleidoscope of brilliant fall color is exploding outside my office window. Our guests are drawn to the lake in the early morning now, before the wind picks up, for photographs of the leaves so perfectly reflected in the still water that appears to be slick as glass. Seeing these reflections from a kayak or canoe was also a treat for the local Haywood County folks we invited out for guided paddle tours of the lake this fall. We hope to do more of these kinds of outreach activities for children and adults in the local community.

As 2014 winds down, we are planning exciting pro-grams for 2015 and 2016, serving our diocese and beyond. Look for Camp Silver Fox for older adults, programs in organic gardening for Camp Henry, build-ing healing gardens for churches and healthcare facil-ities, plus workshops relating to music, faith and the environment, and the establishment of Lake Logan as a recognized Creation Care Center. We also look forward to the many church and nonprofit retreats, including the national clergy wellness program CREDO, that have al-ready booked with us for the next two years. We would love to partner with you as well in planning a fantastic retreat for your church, school, or other nonprofit group at beautiful Lake Logan! Call me anytime at (828)646-0095 for more information and professional assistance in planning your next successful program. Thank you.

May God’s grace richly bless you at Lake Logan, and beyond.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori at Lake Logan

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Baptismal Covenant Explored at Lake LoganBy Jill Meares, Coordinator of Christian Formation at Calvary Episcopal Church

Youth and adults gathered at Lake Logan January 17-19 for the high school retreat, Radix.

The weekend is designed around our baptismal prom-ises and how to make them our own. We explored the roots of our Christian faith by spending the weekend looking more deeply into the Baptismal Covenant. Try-ing to pack all of this in this short period of time makes the weekend very intense.

As I watched and listened with awe to our youth who were leaders, my sense was that down the road these new participants would come to a better understanding of what this was all about after they had time to reflect on the weekend. After all, these youth leaders were par-ticipants in the past year or two.

The weekend was divided into the blocks of time in which the various questions of the Baptismal Covenant were explored. During a Saturday morning session after we had silently walked along a maze-like path and looked at a plethora of pictures of Jesus searching for the one that spoke to us, Jenna Sharrits said “I picked a different picture from the one I selected last year.I think the picture of Jesus changes as our need for him changes.”

On Saturday evening after watching a moving video of the Spirit’s role in creation, Anna Kate Hall talked with the group about the Holy Spirit. “Whenever I see the morning mist rolling throughout the mountains, I always see the Holy Spirit presiding over all of God’s children in a less paramount way. If we choose to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we can wake up looking forward to what we may glean from each day.”

We ended Saturday with a fun evening of contra dancing followed by receiving Agape bags which contained notes and letters of praise, encouragement, and prayers from our families and friends.

At the closing Eucharist on Sunday, our youth leadership team; Jenna Sharrits from Calvary, Fletcher, Lay Vicar and Anna Kate Hall from Trinity, Asheville, Lay Deacon shared highlights of the weekend in their homily. In addition to the sessions already mentioned, particular sessions that were important to them included the dif-ferent ways to pray particularly the time of silence; talks on forgiveness which ended with the burning of our sins which we had written on a card; and acting out the various roles of the Prodigal Son.

Other highlights of the weekend about which Jenna and Anna Kate spoke were times spent in community – sharing in small groups; washing each other’s feet; and offering healing prayer.

They reminded the group that from Baptism we are all part of the Body of Christ and that it is in community that we are supported.

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154 Suncrest Mill RoadCanton, NC 28716

828-646-0095 • 800-616-0095 154 Suncrest Mill Road • Canton, NC 28716www.lakelogan.org • info@lakelogan.org