It’s the time of year when everyone with an “advertising opportunity” is calling me, and probably you too.  One “opportunity” for a website posted the line “People are calling us and you’re missing out!” When I went to the website I discovered that, although attractive and indeed advertising local activities as promised, there were fewer than 20 activities listed. A few more questions revealed that it was a new effort, may be a good idea, but not receiving hundreds of thousands of hits as its own advertising seemed to suggest. If I advertise there, will it return me the $400 cost?  What about the six or so other websites, sometimes website/magazine combinations, that offer me a  $500 - $5,000 “opportunity”?

Another thing I’m chewing on these days is fundraising. We all have to, in some way, maintain communication with a community that will support us. Edgewood has had some pretty good success in the past two years increasing support from donors. Part of the success has been “events” such as a golf tournament and a Hike in the Woods (a sponsored walkathon). You are familiar with other events too such as galas, auctions, etc. I know that part of the effort is to build community around your camp or other worthy cause, but an image from Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” keeps coming to mind. Scrooge is being led by the spirit of Christmas to come and discovers business contacts discussing whether or not they will attend Scrooge’s funeral. One of them, a jolly portly man, declares “I’ll go, but I must be fed!”. He has a more gleeful attitude than Scrooge, but appears to be not much different in other regards. He too wants to know what’s in it for himself.  I think the question I am getting at is – What is the relationship and difference between stewardship and marketing?

There is a book by Terry Oreilly (heard on CBC in a series called “The age of Persuasion”) that I have been meaning to read. It is called “How advertising stole our culture”, an interesting title coming from an advertising executive. I think he is getting at the same conundrum – what word has integrity or value in our culture, especially when that word is being used to inspire, persuade, sell, or convey important truth.

A hopeful experience I have had in the past week was the opportunity to hear Gregory Baum, a Roman Catholic Theologian from Montreal, speak on Islam and democracy at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. He began by relating his own experience of working with a social justice group to address the problem of high unemployment among Muslims in his own Montreal community. He spoke of his efforts to learn more about their culture, religion and history. He spoke of the stereotypes, marketing, and media that misinform us by short forming the story of Islam for our consumption. He spoke of the history and demanding truths of Christian faith that call us to a new relationship with all people and all creation. Here was a man who was obviously honest in his approach, humble, determined to speak truth and to seek justice. He spoke the truth in love  -- and I had to leave after hearing only the first 20 minutes! Others I have spoken to since who were able to attend the whole lecture confirmed for me, that the whole address was remarkable for being straightforward, understandable, and unambiguously the truth spoken in love. We also all knew that he has written a book on the topic, which he of course would like to see sell, and perhaps his publisher was supporting the lecture. Still we heard profound truth humbly and powerfully spoken. I note that I heard more about Tiger Woods and his apology on the radio that week than I did about Gregory Baum addressing an urgent subject in our culture. Gregory Baum’s words were meant to break down our illusions, while Tiger’s words and the words of those who reviewed the apology participated in the fog of marketing illusions that blanket our culture. How to pull all of this together?!?!?! It’s Lent, a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal. I’ll be reflecting on what Edgewood and I communicate and how. I’ll be repenting – that is – trying to walk new ways of being straight forward, clear, speaking humble, profound, truth in Love. I’ll be watching and waiting for sign of renewal and hope that come from speaking the truth in love.

Fredge.  

The past annual LOMIC conference was held at Luther Village camp in Oct/09. There were six camps represented (directors, board members and senior staff) from across Canada who joined together to share stories of the season past, support each other and to see what’s been going on at Luther Village! Rev. Larry Ulrich, Assistant to the MNO Bishop, led us in worship the first two days and Pastor Cathy Giroux from Bethesda Lutheran, Kenora, ON, led us in worship on Sat.

Rick Scherger, Communications Coordinator, MNO Synod, was our key note speaker, leading us in sessions about “Sharing the Word, Keeping Camp Communication Current”. Lively discussions took place on who’s doing what to communicate, what works best for each camp and bragging rights on which camp had entertainer Fred Penner join them for camp fire and a couple days with them! (check out Luther Village’s facebook page to see part of that campfire! Sorry Matt!) Another session was led by Laureen Wrey, Assistant Director, Camp Kuriakos, AB, discussing Online Registration. We discovered there are many options available for this, and at a cost, your campers registration can become (kind of) headache free and worth it in the long run.

A tour around Luther Village showed the variety of cabins, the beautiful site, the joys and woes of what has been completed and what still has to be done (a common theme at most camps!). Ideas are often taken to other camps after viewing the host camps’ site and seeing what works.  We like to think of it as sharing our camp with others! There was even some time available to go with “Captain Kim” and “First Matey Caroline” on the LV Pontoon Boat and to hike to the Summit via the Bog Walk...what a view!

Our annual general meeting took place to deal with the business of LOMIC. The LOMIC executive are: Fredge Ludolph - Chairperson; Gretchen Peterson – Vice Chair; Kim Scherger – Secretary/Treasurer – thanks for continuing/taking on these roles!

Where will the 2010 conference be? There are a few suggestions at this point – the decision may even be made further on in this edition of Campfire Chronicles, so keep on reading!

Kim Scherger
Executive Director
Luther Village Camp

Many of you remember Felix Tillmanns who served at Camp Kinasao as Executive Director for many, many, many years...looks like his commitment to outdoor ministry has paid off in more ways than he imagined! Felix is getting an Honorary Doctorate in Christian Letters from Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, in May, to recognize his long-time service at Kinasao and with LOMIC. Some camping people will be attending this service and will send Campfire Chronicles pictures to include in the next issue. Watch for it! Congratulations Felix! You have been a wonderful gift to Outdoor Ministry!