SOWER Ministry Newsletter October 2023 |
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Dear Friends,
Cool, crisp mornings. Leaves crackling underfoot. Skies so blue it almost hurts to look up. Chili simmering on the stove. Farmer’s markets are overflowing with apples, pumpkins, and squash. Vibrant flowers showing off before that first frost. All of these things speak “October” to me. Maybe for you, too! But it's also the season of that final yard clean-up and checking to make sure you know where the snow shovels are! I imagine many of you are getting your RV ready for that long drive to where you don't have to worry about those snow shovels. I know that our fall and winter partner ministries are gearing up for your arrival! Many have experienced a well-blessed summer season and are anxious to share their joy with you! If you haven't zeroed in on where you'll be serving yet this winter, take a moment to look over the PLS and see what ministries still have openings. If this is a "stay home" season for you, I pray you'll be blessed where the Lord has placed you. The definition of a "SOWER" is not only physically serving, but also supporting the ministry through prayer and giving. So whether you're signed up and ready to go, still deciding where the Lord would have you serve, or are wondering just where the snow blower is but lifting the ministry to the Throne, you are a valued member of the ministry. We thank you all for your prayers and continued support!
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
II Corinthians 9:12
Praying with you,
Stephanie
Stephanie Conrad
SOWER #2509
Editor
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Your 2023-24 SOWER Board of Trustees |
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Please keep these servants in your prayers
Front Row - L-R - Gail Fieler - Vice President (3187), Nelda Thompson (3445)
Back Row - L-R - Roy Olson - Treasurer (2964), Floyd Adcock (3748), Wendell Ramaker (3411), Evan Asby - Secretary (3495), David Pincus - President (3663), Carolyn Strausser (3369), Brad Smith (3482).
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A Note from the President |
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The American Poet, Robert Frost stated that “there is nothing permanent but change”. With that said, we have come to the end of a SOWER life cycle. Gary Conrad has served the Ministry on the Board of Trustees for the past 6 years, 5 of those years as President. Dick Howard and Diane Zaharako have also served on the Board as Vice President and Secretary. All of them are rotating off the Board this year. They have done an outstanding job and are excellent examples of Servant Leaders. I thank them for their years of service to our Ministry.
The Board met this past September and there were numerous topics that were discussed. The two biggest were the new building and our member website. Construction of the new building has begun, and it will be located between our office and RV sites. It will contain a small apartment for visiting SOWERs, a new laundry room with a toilet and shower and storage area. It should be completed by April 2024.
The other topic was the new member website. We have started the process of updating it, which will allow for more functionality. One of the biggest changes is each member will be getting their own unique login and password. Also, we will begin to move towards the process of being able to sign up for Projects online. First the step will be migrating our current Ministry Database to “The Cloud”. Once this is completed, the development of the new website will commence. The current projected timeline for completion of this project is the end of May 2024.
Other subject areas that were discussed were updating our policies, guidelines and procedures on Temporary Leave of Absences, Home Projects, SOA Program and GL training, to name a few. As soon as these things are finalized, we will announce them.
Your new Board of Trustees is committed to serving our members and projects as we move forward. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact any one of us.
David Pincus
SOWER #3663
President
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Progress at the new SOWER Building in Lindale! |
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Some Changes Ahead
- Starting with the Dec/Jan issue of the SOWERGRAM and the 2024 Roster, there will no longer be a general ministry-wide distribution by mail. These items can be found on the Member Site, and if you would like a hard copy, please contact the office.
- Starting in January 2024, all GL documents will be sent by email only. They can then be printed as necessary. If you do not have a printer, please contact the office one (1) week before the project begins and they will mail the information to you.
Please contact the office if you have any questions.
Thank you!
903-882-8070
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Recently Gary and I were contacted by a reporter from InSite magazine (a bi-monthly publication of the Christian Camping & Conference Association (CCCA)) to do an interview about volunteerism. It was exciting to share the blessings of our ministry! You can read the full article HERE! Gary & Stephanie Conrad (2509)
Do you have a story about an opportunity to share about SOWERs? We'd love to hear about it! Send it to stephanie@rvthereyet.org. |
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You Want us to do what?
Joan Busch (3555) & Andrea Yucius (4012)
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We were almost to the end of our September project at Locust Springs Camp (TN-337) when the host approached Andrea and me. "Can you make us a checkers gameboard to replace the one painted in the pavilion?"
"Sure! That sounds like something we can do."
"Did I mention the checkers are 10 inches in diameter and 4 inches high?"
"Ummm....no. But let's see what we can do!"
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Final result - a 10 ft. x 10 ft. checkerboard for the campers to use! Well done, ladies! Let the games begin! |
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The Project Committee is looking for an Area Representative for our New England projects -
If you would like more information about helping with this vital part of our ministry please contact Brad Smith.
Attention ALUMNI - Becoming an Area Rep as an Alumnus is a great way to continue to serve in our ministry! So if you've hung up the tools, but still want to serve, consider becoming an Area Representative for projects in your area!
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A Project Sponsor is an active SOWER couple who will sign up for a few project months at this new project during the first couple of years to help the ministry get a better understanding of SOWERs and also to encourage others to sign up.
All new prospective projects must have a Sponsor before they can move forward in the application process.
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Sponsors are needed for Timberlake Ranch Camp near Central City, Nebraska. Their mission is to craft unique, nature-based experiences that share the hope of the Gospel and inspire imagination. They believe in the power of Christ-centered summer camp programming, where every child can feel safe and accepted as they build relationships and grow in their faith. Let’s get this wonderful camp listed in the PLS. Their RV park is beautiful and ready for SOWERS! They need our help. Volunteer to be their sponsor. Contact Wendell Ramaker for more information. |
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Underserved Project Update |
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Have you checked the Underserved Project List lately? The office has put together an updated list of ministries that have received six or fewer SOWER couples in the last 24 months. Check the PLS to see where you can serve or contact the office to get any clarification about these underserved projects.
Updated 9/21/23
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Let's try to shorten up that Underserved Project List! Send in highlights about your favorite project on the UPL along with a couple of pictures to stephanie@rvthereyet.org to help get it OFF the list! |
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Seen recently on Facebook |
50 Years of ministry! What a wonderful milestone for Ironwood Christian Camp! Thank you, Ken, for sharing about this upcoming celebration! |
Have you stopped by our Facebook Group lately? Please use caution and respect when posting. This is a PRIVATE group (only members can see posts and add posts), but it is still good Facebook etiquette to get permission before you post someone's picture. Thanks!
If you're a member of Facebook but haven't joined the SOWER Group click on the icon to join the family! Just enter your member number in the question, and the Administrator will approve you.
Since the SOWER Facebook group is a ‘private’ group, we try to limit our members to folks who are SOWER members or project hosts, and couples that are whointerested in joining our ministry.
If you invite other interested folks to join our Facebook group, they will still need to answer the membership question. Thanks!
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Thank you to everyone who has given our SOWER Facebook Page a "Like." We're well over 1500 "likes"! If you haven't already given it your thumbs-up, head over there now! It's a great way to spread the word about our ministry.
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While the SOWER Facebook Group is for sharing SOWER stories (and is something that you join), the SOWER Facebook Page is where the ministry shares information and works to generate interest in our ministry (and is something that you 'like').
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Don't forget to check out your favorite ministries on Facebook. Many of our partner ministry locations have a Facebook page, and it's a great way to stay up-to-date on the places you love to serve! |
Clicking on the pumpkins above will take you to the Members' Page, the October/November SOWERGRAM, and the latest updates to our Project Listings (PLS)
(updated weekly).
If you have any questions,
please contact the SOWER Office
903-882-8070
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Click on the Calendar on the left for a downloadable color-coded calendar of 2024 SOWER project dates and other events. |
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERs are doing around the country!
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Ed & Patty Soltes #1864
Gary & Stephanie Conrad #2509
Bruce & Katie Gay #3659
Terry & Alice Burnett #3071
John & Connie Nicholas #3322
Jim and Cathy Fry #3564
John & Druann Bauer #3521
Conrad & Pam Popp #3652
Burneall & Ann Ekberg #3702
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Dennis & Lorree Johnson #3658
Sondra Smith #3779
Spencer & Lorraine Saints #3574
Mark & Jeanette Sheler #3782
Doug & Laurie Schneider #3704
Dave & Robyn Koppin #3847
Ken & Pebble Williams #3870
Paul & Juanita Alton #2766
Do YOU have a Blog you'd like to share?
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Group Picture - The September 2023 group working at Warm Beach Camp (WA-255) L-R - Jon & Linda Senn (3691), John & Becky Ballard (3880), John & Rita Brower (3719). Photo by Tori Raiguel, project host
Verse Photo - Pikes Peak in the background and Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods in the front. (or as Bill and I say, God's garden).Bill & Betsy McClintick (3213)
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Thousands of Prayers
A few years ago, I was with a friend, and he asked the waitress if she had any prayer requests. She paused for a moment and requested prayer. As a result of this experience, I adopted this practice. The results have been unbelievable. Servers have poured out their souls while standing at the table. A FEW examples are: “I am pregnant and have no husband and no place to go,” as she said this she broke down in tears. Other requests included:
“My mother is in Thailand and is in a coma.”
From a waitress in Colorado: “I have to drive to WV and move my mother’s goods to Colorado and then drive her to Wyoming for care.”
“I have two children, 2 and 18 months, please pray for the world they will have to grow up in, what is happening.”
“Pray for my husband, Josh and I, we are trying to have a baby.”
“I got up late and did not get breakfast (it was 2 PM) and have not had a chance to get anything to eat and just can’t get it together.” Just before we asked, he was receiving admonition from a boss.
I could go on for pages with these prayer requests. What is amazing is how rapidly the waiters and waitresses open up and bare their souls. I have learned to start with, “We always pray for our waitress/waiter for big tips (makes them smile and relax) but do you have any other prayer requests for yourself, family, or friends?”
Of course, a few will respond that they have none and everything is great and that is fine.
The idea of passing this idea on to other Sowers resulted from a devotion I gave at my last Sower session. I mentioned this to our group and some in the group said they had just never thought about this. IMAGINE if all Sowers did this while dining out and the thousands of prayers that could go up for those in need.
Please consider doing this as you travel.
God Bless y’all. Rick #3998
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Dear Sam & Sally,
I have a question about how to handle holidays that fall during projects (like Thanksgiving this year!) and the long breaks (2-3 weeks) that sometimes come between project months. With the Christmas break coming soon we need to figure out what to do with the rig if we decide not to take it ‘home for the holidays’! Can you help?
Signed,
Wanting to do it right!
Dear Wanting,
Thanks for asking! When a holiday falls during our regular working days, it’s up to the Group Leader to work out a plan with the project host. It is ALWAYS appropriate to defer to the host’s schedule. Depending on the ministry they often need extra help on those holiday days. But many times they will be taking the day off with their families, and we wouldn’t want to impose our work schedule on them. As often happens, our December projects call for the GL to arrive on Thanksgiving Day. Again, contact the host to see what is the best time for SOWERs to arrive - either coming in early on Wednesday or possibly waiting until Friday. It's a holiday weekend and we never want to interfere with their family time.
In regards to the Christmas break (or other two-week breaks that we have), while our membership guidelines don't speak directly to this situation, some general SOWER principles would apply.
1. Make your arrangements directly with the host. Most of our projects are more than willing (even delighted) to accommodate SOWERS during unscheduled project times. However, never assume that this is the case. We should never expect the host to automatically welcome us to stay over just because we are SOWERS. Please respect our ministries (and their schedules) by asking first.
2. Always leave a generous donation or plan to work for several days to compensate for your extended stay. The privilege of being able to leave your rig in a safe place (plugged in or boon-docked) should not be taken lightly. Storage facilities can get expensive, and if the ministry is willing, it's appropriate to support them by leaving a donation. If the host will not take a donation, try sending it in the mail! (I can almost guarantee that someone will deposit it!) And of course, putting in additional work hours is always appreciated!
Both of those guidelines would also apply if you were just stopping by a project as you travel - say for an overnight or two between project weeks. I'm sure we've all had hosts say to us, "Stop by anytime", but we would still want to give the same courtesy - Ask first. Donate generously. Work if possible.
Oh, and one more thing - make sure you are always out of the way before the next project starts! Just sayin'.
Hope this helps!
Serving our LORD with you,
Sam & Sally
Do you have a SOWER etiquette question? Or maybe you'd like some clarification about a policy or rule. Sam and Sally would love to hear from you! Contact them at - samandsally@sowerministry.org.
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To send in a prayer request or praise item-
To contact the office -
903-882-8070
To submit a SOWER story or a photo to the newsletter, send it to
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