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Chanco Chatter
News from our diocesan camp and retreat center
November 2020
In This Issue:
Friendsgiving
Women's Advent Retreat
Annual Fund
Campaign Update
From the Woods -
A message from our Executive Director
A Time to Give Thanks

Greetings my friends,

The Lord calls us to give thanks for the blessing in our lives. Our national Thanksgiving Day holiday is a reminder to take pause and express gratitude. Even as our nation and our commonwealth struggle in a period of political anxiety and worsening coronavirus conditions, there is still much to be grateful for. 

Here at Chanco, we continue to work in close communication with our diocese and in coordination with the governorā€™s guidelines to offer safe, rejuvenating retreat programs such as our upcoming Friendsgiving and Womenā€™s Advent Retreat. I am also looking ahead with much anticipation to the summer 2021 season, using protocols from state government and the American Camp Association to safeguard our campers and staff. Our campaign and annual fund donors are another source of tremendous thanksgiving. Thank you for the continued outpouring of generous support to help us close out our Campaign for Chanco and to weather the storm of the coronavirus pandemic. Chancoā€™s ministry would not be possible without you. 

God's blessings to all and may your Thanksgiving holiday be filled with good health, joyful time with loved ones, and with gratitude for God's blessings.
In the Chanco spirit,




Gareth Kalfas, Executive Director
Friendsgiving
Last chance to register!
This is it! Last chance to register for our first ever Friendsgiving Weekend retreat! The weather this weekend is going to be glorious ā€“ donā€™t miss bonfires, hayrides, archery and more outdoor fun together. Rather be inside? Football on the big screen will also be an option! The Rev. Charlie Bauer of Bruton Parish, Williamsburg will be leading some of our programming and the weekend promises to be full of faith, fellowship and fun together in Godā€™s great outdoors. Visit www.chanco.org to register today! Questions? Contact us at 888-7CHANCO or hospitality@chanco.org. Click here for a flyer with more information. Visit www.chanco.org to register today! (Weekend will cap below the 25 Governorā€™s mandate and all CDC safety protocol is being followed). 
Women's Advent Retreat
With Bishop Susan Haynes
The Diocese of Southern Virginia would like to formally invite all our lovely ladies to the Womenā€™s Advent Retreat on December 4-5. Programming led by Bishop Susan Haynes will focus on preparing for the coming of Christ, remembering the incarnation, and how we care for ourselves as we do so. Pricing for this event is $95 for a shared room (recommended only for those sharing a household), $135 for a single room, $40 to come for the day on Saturday, and $40 to live stream the event. Programming begins at 6 pm on Friday December 4th, bring your own beverage for a socially distant social hour Friday night. We look forward to spending this weekend with you! Click here for a flyer with more information. Click here for the schedule of events.
Chanco Annual Fund
You make the difference
Each and every year, our friends make the difference. Donations to our Annual Fund help us continue to offer exceptional and affordable programming. And this year, more than ever, the Annual Fund is helping to support Chanco's continued ministry despite the challenges of suspended normal operations for summer camp and retreat programming this year. decreased programs due to COVID. As you consider your year-end giving, please prayerfully consider Chanco on the James. Click here to give online or mail a check made out to Chanco on the James with "Annual Fund" in the memo line and mail to 394 Floods Drive, Surry, VA 23881.All gifts made on line or postmarked by December 31st will count for this year's Annual Fund goal. Questions? Contact Development Director Talley Banazek at 804-399-4019 or talley@banazek.com. We thank you, in advance, for your support of Chanco's ministry!
The Campaign for Chanco
Help us reach our goal
Chanco continues to strive to meet our Campaign for Chanco goals. We are at 79% of our total goal and we need YOU to help us cross the finish line! Many of our donors have added a year to their pledge or repeated a one time gift and we are grateful. Chanco was awarded a challenge match grant of $50,000 and we are almost there! Help us reach this goal by making a gift today.

Chanco is truly about our collective stories of strengthened relationships. Our community, in its simplest form, provides a place where weā€”youth and adults alikeā€”can be ourselves, explore our faith, learn to understand each other and ourselves without fear of being judged. This is something we cannot find around every cornerā€”check out our new campaign webpage here to hear a few stories from some of our Chanco friends, including another fireside chat from the Rev. David Davenport!

Gifts can me made to the campaign via stocks, checks, or on line. Make checks out to Chanco with "campaign" in memo line and mail to 394 Floods Drive, Spring Grove, VA 23881. Or for an on line gift, click here to visit our campaign page with a donate now button at the bottom. Questions? Contact Campaign Director Talley Banazek at 804-399-4019 or talley@banazek.com. We thank you, in advance, for your support of Chanco's ministry! Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
COVID Guidelines Update
Safety first: Your safety is our top priority. Chanco is committed to following all guidelines directed by our diocese and governor's office. Click here for full information and COVID safety protocol. 
Don't forget - you can register with confidence! If any reservation needs to be cancelled by Chanco leadership or by you because of the COVID-19 virus any registration payments, including the full, non-refundable/non-transferrable deposit will be refunded, credited toward a future program, or may be donated to Chanco as a gift in support of our mission, based on the individualā€™s preference.Click here for COVID-19 resources from the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.