Campers Fight Hunger Around the Corner and Across the Globe

This summer we learned about our brothers and sisters around the world who don't have enough to eat. We decided to fight hunger through prayer, conversation, and action.

Campers brought in canned food and also raised over $12,000 in mission project offerings for ELCA World Hunger, with half being designated to our African brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe. Thank you for your donations of food for our neighbors near and money for our neighbors far!

Campers at all three camps also spent time learning about reducing food waste at all their meals and about gardening in the new gardens at each of the sites. The gardens tended by the campers are provide produce to people in the local neighborhoods and to the campers and retreat guests at camp!

'God's Work, Our Hands' ELCA Video Contest
Our summer staff at Waypost Camp submitted a video for a contest inspired by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's tagline: "God's work. Our hands." highlighting the new garden and campers' work in it.

The short video demonstrates how, during a typical week of camp, campers learn gardening, recycling, composting and baking, and that this not only provides for Waypost Camp and its campers, but also provides for those in need within local communities as well.

Watch it here!

Notice of the 2008 Annual Meeting

Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.
St. Mark Lutheran Church
140 S Green Bay Rd.
Neenah, WI 54956
(In the event of bad weather on February 21, the meeting will be postponed until February 28.)

Dear Congregation Leaders and Delegates,

Once again, Crossways Annual Meeting will be held in February. This enables us to have complete financial information for delegates from the year just completed (rather than a projection of what it might be 4 months ahead), and set forth the plans and goals for the coming year. The budget will be able to be presented based on real numbers.

When should you elect delegates? The process for electing or appointing delegates varies from congregation to congregation. Delegates should be elected/appointed for a full year. From time to time it is necessary that we have a special meeting of delegates. Whenever you elect new delegates, please let our office know.

What about weather? Wisconsin weather is always unpredictable. The Board has set an alternate date of February 28 if bad weather forces postponement. Details on how notice of a decision to postpone will be announced will be included in the material packets sent out prior to the meeting.

Delegate packets will be mailed to all delegates of record (those delegates whose names and addresses you have given to Crossways) and congregations at least two weeks prior to the meeting. If you or your delegates have not received them prior to February 12, please call our office to let us know or email us at info@CrosswaysCamps.org.

We sincerely trust that you and your delegates will have the best information possible in making important decisions in our partnership in ministry. We Thank You for your partnership in “bringing people together in Christ so lives are changed and communities enhanced.”

The Board of Directors
Crossways Camping Ministries



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Thank you to all who responded to the Urgent Appeal!

The decision to send an urgent appeal letter to the congregations and friends of Crossways was a difficult, but necessary, one. The response was very heartening and affirming for this ministry and the work that is done through your camps.

Through December 15th, 421 separate gifts have been received totaling $119, 127.56. Gifts from individuals who are members of Thrivent Financial and used their GivingPlus supplemental funds benefit resulted in additional funding from Thrivent in the amount of $12,868, for a total response in the amount of $131,995.56 to date! This response has been crucial in ensuring your camps get through these difficult financial times.

As we move through the end of the fiscal year, it is very important that Crossways receives the regular financial support of congregations, organizations, and individuals who have not yet given their annual support. The support of Crossways’ Annual Fund ensures the ministry of Crossways moves forward and reaches out to serve all God’s children. Because of this support, and the support of groups like Golf For Kids (which gave $8,000 this year to help kids get to camp!) we are able to confidently say that no child is turned away from camp due to the financial inability to cover the fees.

Budget planning for 2009 is currently underway and will be presented at the Annual Meeting on February 21, 2009. The challenges of the economy and its effect on families of campers, congregations, and individuals who personally support this ministry are unknown. But we do know that God is good—all the time! We know His constant presence in all our times of joy, sorrow, and challenges gives us strength.

Crossways Camping Ministries would not be here without you and your support. Without your support we would not be able to share the Hope that God’s presence in the world brings.

Thank you for your prayers, your support, your gifts of your time and talents which ensures Crossways continues bringing people together in Christ so lives are changed.

In Christ,
Pastor Wayne Harrison, Executive Director