February is I LOVE CAMP month
In February 2015, we have a special opportunity to join congregations across our Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod
to celebrate the beauty of creation,
to recognize the importance of retreating, and
to honor relationships that are fostered
through outdoor ministry at Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center in Fort Valley, VA and Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp and Retreat Center in Jefferson, MD.
Plan to Participate
Caroline Furnace is located in Fort Valley, Virginia.
Encourage your congregation to participate in “I Love Camp” Month. This month is not only meant to raise an awareness of these camps and conference programs and possibilities, but also to express gratitude and support for both Caroline Furnace and Mar-Lu-Ridge, as well as for all the dedicated and talented people who serve there.
Available to support your congregation’s participation are these pdf files.
- “I Love Camp” Month overview
- Worship resources
- Week #1 bulletin insert – Summer camp changes lives
- Week #2 bulletin insert – Haven for all
- Week #3 bulletin insert – Impactful job
- Week #4 bulletin insert – Experience it for yourself
Why Celebrate the Ministries of Caroline Furnace and Mar-Lu-Ridge?
Camps and retreats have long been defining experiences designed to encourage people to hear, respond, and develop as spiritual leaders called to inspire and lead others in lives of love. Camps and retreats have as part of their purpose the responsibility to assist people in connecting the learning and transformation at camp or on a retreat with new ways of being and living in the world when they return.
Explore Spiritual Renewal
Mar-Lu-Ridge is located in Jefferson, Maryland.
Our Biblical and Church roots affirm the values of occasional retreats for spiritual renewal and relationships. There were three annual worship/renewal pilgrimages expected of God’s people; Passover in the spring, The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) in the summer, and The Festival of Booths in the fall. God has often chosen to use retreats, revivals, pilgrimages, and even the “wilderness” to inspire, call, instruct, and/or renew people for service.
Get Involved
The Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod invites your congregation to rejoice, remember, pray for, and visit Caroline Furnace and Mar-Lu-Ridge. This month’s special emphasis has been set aside by adoption of the “’I Love Camp’ Month” resolution of the 2014 Synod Assembly so that congregations all across our synod may recognize the ministry provided by Caroline Furnace and Mar-Lu-Ridge. As Lutherans, we are called to participate in active ministry. Our camps and retreat centers manifest that active ministry and nurture that calling. To find out more information about YOUR camps, contact Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center at 540-933-6266 and Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp and Retreat Center at 1-800-238-9974.