March 26, 2025 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Director of Missional Excellence
Saturday, March 22, 2025, continued the journey of discerning the next faithful steps for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. A team of ten people gathered in person at the Conference Office, while two more joined via Zoom. Members of the team include long-time campers, volunteers, staff, and supporters. Also included are parents of campers and Conference leaders. The Rev. Colin Kerr-Carpenter, Interim Director of Casowasco, started the day by offering a centering devotion focused on Jeremiah 29, inviting the team to trust the Spirit of God has a plan and we will together seek clarity of God’s invitation.
Significant time was invested in defining the scope and purpose of the team, as well as conversation about the history of programming at Casowasco. The team settled into the understanding that the journey ahead was primarily twofold; First, the team would listen for the invitation of God to refresh, or renew, the vision of ministry for Casowasco. Second, the team would work with the Casowasco Community and Conference leadership to determine if it is good stewardship to invest effort, time, and money in the pursuit of the vision.
Important in this conversation has been the property and fiscal realities facing Casowasco. During this time of Sabbath, the condition of buildings, and the systems to support ministry of the site have continued to be reviewed. Further the fiscal realities have been able to be more clearly defined. It is safe to say there are significant challenges ahead for the ministry at Casowasco.
Towards the end of the day, the team explored two proposals from outside consultants to help them in their work. After reviewing the proposals, the team selected to work with the group Ministry Incubators when they are ready to engage in the next phases of the work. Before employing the work of a consultant, the team invited each other to a two-week time of prayer and seeking where we would listen for the invitation of God for Casowasco.
The team invites everyone to do the same. Remember, seeking God does not mean what any individual thinks is best, rather it is an act of seeking after God, and assuming a posture by which we can hear from God. As you are praying, use the form here to share what you hear as God’s invitation.
At the conclusion of the day, the team settled on three action steps.
- Invest two weeks in prayer seeking God’s invitation.
- When the team is ready, work with Ministry Incubators to facilitate the process of deeper discernment.
- Continue the assessment of the physical and fiscal realities of Casowasco.
Finally, the team asks you to pray with and for them as they go about this sacred work. While the path cannot take too long to walk, the team is committed to moving at a pace which allows God to speak, and voices to be heard. This may take more time than first thought, however with a ministry such as Casowasco it is important to do our work well. Stay tuned for updates along the way as the team does their work.