May 2024!

We at Calumet are so glad that the snows are gone and that we can properly prepare for the beautifully warm months ahead. The Maintenance Team has been hard at work clearing the trees and limbs that fell. We had an excellent bunch of retreats in April including quilt retreats, a play retreat that came together under the watchful eyes of Karin Olson, Fruits & Roots led by Judy Smith, and Grief Wonder Hope with alum Cindy Perkins and Pastor Paul Krampitz. And now it's time for a busy May!

In Our Prayers

The loved ones who are mourning the loss of Jerry Pesch who died in the closing days of April. We especially hold up in prayer Jerry's spouse, Carol and the Pesch kids & grandkids ...

The loved ones who are mourning the death of Charlie Anderson. News recently arrived to Calumet that Charlie died in February. In more recent years, Charlie was a regular attendee of our volunteer mailings. We hold his spouse Barbara and the rest of his familiy in prayer ...

We pray in thanksgiving for the people of Christ the King Lutheran in Windsor which closed a couple years back. Calumet was one of the organizations that received a gift after its Holy Closure. The gift arrived just days ago ...

Karen Carlson who underwent surgery and is managing serious health concerns  (prayers for courage, strength, and peace) ...

Janet, a friend of Sarah Lombardo, who is in the midst of a cancer fight ...

Ralph Johansson who is managing ongoing health concerns which include a couple of challenging diagnoses. He has expressed much appreciation for everyone's care and prayer support ...

People processing/grieving or otherwise impacted by their congregation’s Holy Closure ... in particular, we pray for Salem Lutheran in Bridgeport which had its last worship service April ...

HIP at Calumet Interns (as they enter their last month of service) ...

Those who struggle in quiet ways (prayer for courage, strength, and resolve) ...

Ones who experience fear, anxiety, or worry (prayer for hope and trust) ...

For the innocent ones in Gaza, the southern border, and in all places where political and military powers are louder than ever ...

For those who struggle with addiction and those who feel powerless as they see the difficulties of loved ones who are addicted ...

And all for whom we pray at this very moment who need your care, wisdom, and touch, we entrust them to you, O God. Amen.

ONE -- Calumet's iconic Resident Camp for Kids is a safe landing spot for so many. There are lots of improvements for 2024. This is Camp Calumet Lutheran's 65th summer on Ossipee Lake! Boom Chicka Boom!

If you know a kid as young as 8 to as old as 16 who would benefit from a week or two at Calumet, direct them and their folks to consider Calumet! Learn more using the button below.

TWO -- Karl and Calumet's Board of Directors are searching for the perfect person to join the Calumet year-round team. The position: Associate Executive Director. If you or someone you know might be the right fit for the vitally important work we do here at camp, Calumet is ready to learn more!

Read a message from Calumet leaders and learn more about the position ...

THREE -- Calumet, together with the New England Synod's Anti-Racism Advisory Board and Thrivent Financial is hosting a book Zoom. And the book is FREE.

Join with others as we read Michelle Mijung Kim's *The Wake Up* and then join together on Zoom for a discussion. Get the book at no cost by clicking the button below. 

Four -- Memorial Day Weekend will be the unofficial start to Calumet's 2024 summer program and we'll be gathered together for the long weekend. Big thanks to Calumet's Interns who are leading this effort and to Pastor Nathan Hall of Nativity, North Conway, NH who will serve as Chaplain.

There will be a ton of family activities, great food, and plenty of relaxation. Some who are interested will spend a session looking at one of the ELCA's Social Statements -- Peace. As we honor those who died while serving, we can remember that God's people are always working to bring peace to warring parties. Learn more.

FIVE -- Learn with Calumet!

Looking further ahead ... Family Camp Plus!

Chaplain Pr Ralph Supper, presenter Pr Dustin Longmire, musician Sarah Huber, and staff members Gail Mailhott Foster, John Junkins, Cindy Schatz -- there's lots of planning going on!

In addition to the fantastic time together doing all the long-loved camp activities, we'll spend time digging into Christian Nationalism. What is it? Why does it matter that we know? What does the ELCA say? Who is at risk? Watch a clip of ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton who shares her view -- a Lutheran view -- about Christian Nationalism.

Come for Family Camp Plus -- AUG 18-23. Learn more ...

SIX -- Join us in welcoming Cassie Mayo who has recently been named as Calumet's Associate Camp Director for our Resident Camp. She and director Adam Fales will work in tandem to be sure that the staff is trained, the campers are warmly welcomed, and God's work at summer camp will be as fantastic as it can be. 

Welcome Cassie by sending her a *Congratulatory* email at her brand new email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SEVEN -- After the *HUGE* success of April's Fruits and Roots retreat, Judy Smith is already preparing for the next gathering in October.

There were nearly 40 participants in April for our time concentrating on the fruit of the spirit -- JOY. Announced for October's event: The fruit of the spirit -- PEACE. Consider participating when everyone gathers at Calumet from the 7th to the 10th.

EIGHT -- The alums from the 2010s will be gathering at Calumet for the Labor Day Weekend. Be on the lookout for more info. If you or someone you know was on staff from 2000 to 2009, get Labor Day Weekend on your calendar! 

Learn more by contacting Alice.

NINE -- This year, instead of Boom Chicka Walk, think Boom Chicka Move! Check out the great shirt!

Boom Chicka Move 2024 will be our theme for moving our bodies this summer! We are gearing up for a fantastic and all-inclusive event that will last more than 6 weeks. 

Walkers, of course! But runners, hikers, swimmers, bikers, rowers, paddlers -- anything that requires your body to make progress without any kind of fueled machine. Just our bodies!

Join on Zoom -- Thursday May 16 at 7 PM -- to offer your feedback as we put the finishing touches on this year's details. It's going to be easy, fun, and efficient! Request the zoom link!

TEN -- There is so much goodwill and so much opportunity for goodness to be lifted up and celebrated here at Calumet. Thank you for caring about all that happens here. But it doesn't happen by accident. 

Are you aware that just about every program event that happens at Calumet is supported by people like you? Give to the Annual Fund! Remember Calumet in your estate plan. All gifts that come are used carefully and with wisdom. Thanks for considering being a generous donor!