A Place Apart for All God’s Children

Ascension School Camp and Conference Center, located in Cove, Oregon, has provided hospitality for all of God’s children since 1924 in the Grande Ronde Valley of Northeastern Oregon. Over the Labor Day weekend this year they sponsored a Reunion Family Camp to all who could come and participate in a discussion, “What is God calling Ascension Camp and Conference Center to do?”

Like many parts of our Church this vibrant ministry of the Diocese of Eastern Oregon and beyond, realizes its ministry is changing as well as its needs. This Reunion Family Camp program was a time of discernment to help answer that question.

Led by Bishop Nedi Rivera and Camp Director Patty Olson Lindsey in three jam packed sessions from noon on Saturday through Sunday evening, we discussed, learning from our best experiences, “where are we now and our dreams for the future”. We prayed for God’s guidance in our historic chapel in the Evening Prayer, Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist services. We had intergenerational softball, swimming, free time, social hour on the deck, great food, sung grace before meals, love (that is Cove spelled with a C) and renewing of friendships

Our thanks to retired Bishop Rustin Kimsey and his wife Gretchen for keeping the spirit of Ascension School alive. This time of faithful discernment results in “a place apart for reflection and resolution” for many campers and conference attendees in the years to come.

Chuck