December Chanco Chatter

In This Issue:

Advent Retreat Reminder

Merry Christmas

Challenge Match

Conquest Graphics Contest

Winter Camp

Letter from Jacob

Advent Retreat

Friday, December 13, 6:00 p.m. – Saturday, December 14, 3:00 p.m.

Dear Friends,

Our world needs to see hope. We are people of hope. We are not people of fear and foreboding. We are people whose redemption is coming. How can you live as if you believe your redemption is drawing near? How can you guard your heart and spirit against fear and anxiety?

As we celebrate Advent, our hearts, minds and souls are directed to the coming of Christ in our lives. How can we live those lives as beacons of hope, freed from fear and foreboding? How can we demonstrate that we are a people whose redemption approaches?

Please join me and others on December 13 and 14 as we explore prayer practices that will help us to cast away the darkness of this world and put on the armor of the light of salvation. We will look specifically at Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, Prayer Beads and the Prayer Labyrinth. The retreat begins on Friday evening and goes until Saturday afternoon on the banks of the beautiful James River at our Camp and Retreat Center, Chanco on the James.

I encourage you to share this opportunity with your parish and register today!

With every blessing,

+Susan B. Haynes

Please find a schedule below:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024

5 p.m. Check-in Begins

6 p.m. Welcome & Dinner

6:45 p.m. First Sessions: Lectio Divina

8:15 p.m. Fireside Compline

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Second Session: Centering Prayer

10:30 a.m. Snack/Coffee Break

11:00 a.m. Third Session: Prayer Beads

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Fourth Session: Labyrinth Walking

2:30 p.m. Closing Worship

3:00 p.m. Departure

Merry Christmas from Chanco on the James

During this season of gratitude, we want to express our deepest thanks for your unwavering support. This time of advent holds a special significance as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Your donations, participation, and commitment have made a lasting impact on our beloved Chanco. Because of you, we can extend the Spirit of Chanco by offering more scholarships, enhancing our facilities, and expanding camper experiences that will shape lives for years to come.

Still in need of holiday gift ideas?! Stuff your stockings with some Chanco gear and spread the Spirit of Chanco everywhere you go! Please call Jacob at (888) 724-2626 to order your merchandise.

Blessings to you and yours this Christmas season!

P.S. Please note that our office will be closed from December 19 through January 1 so that our staff can enjoy a holiday break with their loved ones!

Challenge Match

We're excited to share some special news with you! A long-time Chanco family, deeply appreciative of all they've received from Chanco, has come forward with a generous challenge gift. To support our ministry of growth and service, they are offering a 1:1 match for all gifts to the annual fund made now through December 31, 2024, up to $10,000!

Your donations to the annual fund allow us to continue investing in our incredible campers, our rustic physical infrastructure, and our amazing staff.

You can view our full appeal letter here!

Thank you for your continuous support and contributions!

DONATE HERE

Conquest Graphics

Voting ends this Friday, December 13!

You can help Chanco win a portion of this $30,000 print grant! This print grant is essential for a smaller nonprofit organization such as ourselves to continue our efforts in growing our beloved Chanco community—could you take a moment to vote for us?!

Voting is easy! Just click on the button below, choose Chanco on the James from the list on the right hand side, verify your email, and that's it!

We thank you in advance for your support!

VOTE HERE

Winter Camp

Friday, January 17—Sunday, January 19 Cost: $125

We hope you will join us for a special MLK weekend Winter Camp Session!

All kids between the ages of 7 and 12 are invited to experience the wonder of Chanco camp at our winter camp session coming up! We'll zipline through the trees, sip hot cocoa and share stories by a giant bonfire, and SO much more throughout our winter adventure.

This special weekend features: ziplines, archery, bonfire gathering, skits, games, music, worship and so much more—providing your child the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Letter from Jacob

Dear Chanco Family,

If we have yet to cross paths, my name is Jacob and I’m the Director of Programs at Chanco on the James. Camp allows us to share the love of God in such a positive way with all our campers who attend as well as the staff. I just started at Chanco and look forward to seeing how the Holy Spirit is at work in this beautiful place on the banks of the James River.

In just a few weeks, I will begin hiring our staff for my first summer at Chanco. I invite anyone ages 17 and up who love kids and the outdoors to apply for a position on our summer staff. As a Chanco staff member, you will develop skills in collaboration and communication, resilience and grit, and grow as a servant leader. In addition to participating and leading fun activities like sailing, ziplining, and hiking on our new nature trails, our staff have the unique opportunity to leave a lasting impact in the lives of our campers.

All our jobs are paid bi-weekly and include room and board for the duration of the summer. Additionally, many of our positions can be turned into an internship for college credit. Positions (starting at $300/week) include: Walk-Around Counselor, Ropes Facilitator, Lifeguard, Nature Instructor, and Sailing Instructor.

You may apply through our website by clicking here.

If you’d like more information on the staff experience, please email me at programs@chanco.org.

I look forward to hearing from you and introducing you to the Chanco family!