October 2024!

Here at camp, the days are getting shorter and the scents of autumn are all around. Leaves fall and with the radical reduction of traffic as compared to summertime, we can almost hear the leaves hit the ground.

But be careful not to think that Calumet is a sleepy place just because summer is behind us. Quite the contrary! We have a busy fall calendar with individuals and groups visiting -- and we still have room for you!

Thanks for reading Boom Chicka News!

In Our Prayers

We pray for the families of Pastor Paul Krampitz and Pastor Doug Behm. These two good people died recently and both -- each in their unique way -- were a friend of Calumet. We pray for their spouses, their families, and friends who mourn. Pastor Krampitz was serving Bethany Lutheran in Cromwell, CT. Pastor Behm was retried. Both loved the people they served during their respective pastorates.

Continued prayers for the families & friends of Ruth Bailey, Anne Kinney Dacey, of Barbara Mourer, and of Lenore Henderson -- all who died in August.

We pray for Calumet's new Associate Executive Director, Pastor Sara J Anderson. Sara J is already working hard for Calumet while she finishes up her Call serving the New England Synod.

For Ralph Johansson who is managing ongoing health concerns.

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, Israel, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan, 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 -- Congratulations to all of the people who participated in this year's, Boom Chicka Move!

We hit the mileage goal of 151,000 miles -- and that means we unlocked more than $23,000 of funding for Calumet. Boom Chicka Boom!

TWO -- Many thanks to the people who serve on the task force that manages Calumet's Paula Kent Award for Social Justice. The group -- Ginger Brownell, Ron Cashman, D. Guy Johnson, Sammy Kalisa, Knute Ogren, Sharon Plante, and Jen Pressey -- has met to examine the 2024 nominees for the award which will be granted later this year. Thank you to the people who nominated this year's candidates. The award, granted each year, honors Paula Kent -- one of Calumet's longest serving staff members -- who was a champion for justice and fairness throughout her time working at Calumet. It's a joy that Paula joins the Zoom event each year when we honor the year's awardee. The date for the Zoom celebration for this year's award winner will be announced in November.

THREE -- Are you around in the coming couple of weeks for either of these two offerings?? Fruits & Roots and Harvest Weekend are great times to visit Calumet with a variety of accommodations (some are still available): the heated cabins by the lake, the heated cabins by the Retreat Lodge , the Staff House by the lake, the Conference Center rooms, and the Village cabins are great housing options for you, your family, for your group of friends, for folks from your congregation ... 

Learn more about Fruits & Roots and Harvest Weekend  by clicking the buttons below.

FOUR -- 300 women!

Make a small gift to Calumet in honor of or in memory of a woman with a heart for justice & fairness.

The pumpkins at this year's PumpkinFest 2024 -- 300 of them -- will be directly tied (each one) to women who are/were champions for justice. This is in concert with the New England Synod's Women of the ELCA (WELCA) group which will be having its Convention at Calumet later this month. While here at camp, WELCA will have a theme session on Justice for Women & Children.

Is there a woman you know or have known with a heart for justice and fairness? Help Calumet with this fundraiser by making a gift and naming a name. The pumpkins will be glowing on OCT 26 and we'll be celebrating the women on the list. A BIG Thank You to Thrivent for its partnership on this great event!

FIVE -- November Women's Weekends at Calumet

The first three weekends of November are set aside for our *Women's Weekend* events.

Calumet's Sara J, coordinator Gail Mailhott Foster, musician Cucumber, and some great Chaplains are preparing for the popular weekends ahead.

Choose a weekend and register with Alice ... come on your own or gather a small group from your circle ... find the accommodations that work for you ... and enjoy a wonderful weekend.

A whole variety of housing options are available. Even VERY affordable lodging is set aside so that -- truly -- everyone can come. The heated cabins (with bathrooms set apart and for which you bring your own bedding) are perfect for a group on a budget! And it's fun to bunk together just like the kids at summer camp! Check it out!

SIX -- Calumet has long-held Quilt Retreats in both the autumn season and in the springtime. You don't have to be an expert quilter. You can be in the early stages of learning. Come with your creative spirit, your machine, your readiness to get to know others, and your spirit for enjoying rest & relaxation. See if one of the Quilt Retreat options works for your calendar.

As has been the case for many years, Connie will be here at Calumet as the guest encourager, coach, and gifted artist. She will make sure that you are connected and successful!

SEVEN -- The New England Synod Anti-Racism Advisory Board and Calumet are delighted that the current book -- Jim Wallis' The False White Gospel -- has been so well received. All 100 books that we pre-ordered at a bulk rate have been snagged. Please get your copy locally -- either a bookstore or at your library.

But you must REGISTER so that you can get the Zoom link. The dates for the Zoom discussion about the book (two options) are October 28 at 630 PM & October 29 at 930 AM.  If you have a question, reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

EIGHT -- We're gearin' up for PumpkinFest 2024!

We're in need of pumpkin carvers on OCT 26 beginning at 1 PM. This is a  NO-COST EVENT and will be wicked fun. We promise!

We'll start carving at 1 PM and enjoy Pizza at 5 PM. For those who want to be part of the fun at night, a group will be lighting candles in the Pumpkins beginning at 6 PM and keeping them going until 9 PM. Folks from greater Freedom will be driving along Ossipee Lake Road that whole evening and enjoying the beauty of the pumpkins.

Maybe you're from farther away and want to grab some affordable lodging to stay overnight? Due to support from Thrivent, we have some reduced rate housing on SAT to SUN. Come and be part of the fun!

NINE -- Looking ahead to the Tuesday *after* Thanksgiving (DEC 3), Caumet will, once again, be receiving support from folks all over in conjunction with Giving Tuesday! A Huge thank you to Thrivent Financial which again chose Calumet as one of two charitable entities in the northeast that will get their focus.

Here are some details: Calumet folks -- on Giving Tuesday (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) -- will be able to (1) make their gift go further because of Thrivent's matching program, and (2) make their online gift with all fees paid for by Thrivent.

Stay tuned for November's Boom Chicka News which will announce this year's Giving Tuesday focus!

TEN -- There is always a place for you at Calumet. Consider perusing Calumet's calendar and finding a retreat offering that is a good fit for you.

Or you can reach out to Alice and make a reservation to visit Calumet on your own. We have fantatic accommodations and comfortable relaxing spots -- inside and outside -- all throughout the property. You are welcome here.