Judy Smith announces her retirement
After serving Calumet for many years and in a whole variety of ways, Deacon Judy Smith has decided it’s a perfect time to make some exciting changes — retirement! She will spend the month of May making sure Calumet’s programs are well planned into the fall, setting up staff — both paid and volunteer — so that they’ll be successful running those programs, and handing off responsibilities to her camp colleagues so that Calumet will have a seamless transition.
“Some of the best parts of serving at Calumet for me,” says Judy, “has been seeing kids grow up over the years, making great friends of all ages, working with a terrific staff in all seasons, and experiencing such a wide variety of program and worship opportunities in an outdoor ministry setting.”
Karl Ogren, executive director, is joining everyone in being so thankful for Judy’s work and her devotion to Calumet Lutheran Ministries. “For so many people, Judy is the face of Calumet. She has been the greeter, the gatherer, the planner, the primary contact, the worship leader, the connecter, the fixer, and the glue for so many people while visiting Calumet. Filling her shoes will be a monumental task that will likely take lots of people chipping in to help.”
Of the many hats Judy has worn at Calumet is one that makes sure this is a place — a ministry — firmly grounded in God’s unending love for all people. Guests love Calumet because they feel something special, a holy connection to both God and to other guests. Judy will be long remembered for her many contributions to Calumet’s success in the last many years, particularly in the area of worship and music.
Judy reflected, “It’s been an honor to experience worship at Calumet over the years — amazing and uplifting experiences with people singing faith-filled God songs, beloved hymns, wonderful silly songs, too. Calumet Nation is a community that shares their experiences about their faith journey, lifts each other in prayer, and praises God wherever they are: at the Outdoor Chapel, in Luther Hall, at the beach, under the Big Top Tent, in the Conference Center Dining Room, in the Micah Room, at campfires, on a pontoon boat, at the Memorial Chapel, and even on snowbanks!”
In reflecting on Judy’s time at Calumet, Karl said, “I am grateful for the incredible support Judy has given to me and to all of her colleagues. She has excelled at both teaching others and learning from others, too. While leading any activity, Judy puts in every bit of effort to make sure everyone is successful.”
In the weeks and months to come, camp leadership will be looking at the needs that exist today in its ministry and discerning how best to meet those needs. For this summer, Calumet is beginning to build a team for the Family Campground and putting pieces together so that worship experiences are solid and as inspiring as ever.
It's unfortunate that we are still needing to be incredibly cautious about gatherings. So many will be wanting to thank Judy personally. These weeks ahead can be a time for the people of Calumet to connect with Judy with an email or a note to share those words of thanks. She’s incredibly thankful, too. “I just want to thank Calumet Nation for all the love, the joy, and the peace you have shared with me over the years at this very special place.”
Judy’s time as Calumet’s Director of Family & Adult Programs will come to a close sometime between the end of May and the middle of June. She’s looking forward to family time, fun day trips with friends throughout New England, and the flexibility to get on a plane for quality time with her kids!
And she deserves that kind of time, for sure!
To send a note or card: Judy Smith, Calumet, P.O. Box 236, W. Ossipee, NH 03890