Dear fellow pilgrims,

Whenever I tell my “story”, whether it’s simply about growing up, or about good times, or especially when it’s about vocation and coming to an understanding about my being drawn toward ordination, there is one factor that is central and most important. That factor is Camp Weed. Here’s a brief review of the facts:

• My parents met at Camp Weed (that’s about as basic as it gets!).
• I attended Camp Weed as a camper from 4^th grade through 12^th grade.
• I was a Junior Counselor in the 10^th grade.
• I was a Senior Counselor each of my summers through college (4 summers).
• I spent a year (time off from college) between junior and senior year in college as Assistant Director, living on site.
• I was Summer Camp Director the summer before going to seminary, with my family.
• Our children Lucy and Georgie have both attended Camp Weed as campers from 4^th-11^th grades, and Lucy has been a C.I.T. (counselor in training) for 2 summers.
• Kammy and I have served as Deans of Summer Camp sessions.
• I have served on the Camp and Conference Center Committee for the Diocese for several years.

Okay – those are the “facts”, but here is the FACT: my life as a child of God, a Christian person – my basic identity as one in relationship with God in Christ – has been shaped most powerfully by my experiences at Camp Weed. I have learned how much God loves me, and how much of a responsibility and opportunity I have to serve God and love others through my times there. An old friend of mine once told, “Sure – God is everywhere; but he gets his mail at Camp Weed.”

My hope and prayer and commitment is that as many others as possible will have the same opportunities I have had to grow in their life in Christ at Camp Weed. Summer Camp, Happening, Cursillo, Bishop’s Conferences, Diocesan Conferences, and lots of other times are avenues for meeting and knowing God. I pray we will do all we can do to support the mission of this incredible and wonderful holy place. There are facilities and buildings and programs that are needed to support this hope. Please look carefully at the middle page of the February newsletter to find out more about the new things at Camp Weed, and the ways each of us can participate.

St. Peter’s Rector, Wardens, and Vestry made a commitment a couple of years ago, on behalf of the parish, for us to contribute $130,000 to Camp Weed for the Capital Campaign. We only have around $100,000 yet to go. Won’t you please be very, very generous? Thank you!!!

+George