Currents
Ministry highlights of Sugar Creek Bible Camp
January 2021 Volume 2, Issue I
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Welcome to the Christmas - New Year's Edition of Sugar Creek's monthly newsletter. Please Take 5 out of your busy Advent schedule to check out the latest news and updates from YOUR Bible Camp ministry!
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The Reschke Family graciously volunteered
to serve as the Living Nativity for the night.
Staff kid Sarah was our llama wrangler.
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"O Come, O Come Emmanuel!"
Over 200 people came to this valley to participate in a drive-thru, Advent experience of Scripture, prayer, and song, all at a safe, social distance.
Staff and volunteers dressed in costume to share the Good News to all who came.
We were delighted to see so many familiar faces and many new ones as well.
Thank you for your donations to the mission and ministry of Sugar Creek Bible Camp, as well as all the non-perishable food items that were donated for area food pantries!
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Long-time Volunteer and Current Board Member, Suzanne Bartels, (left) pictured volunteering at our Road to Bethlehem Event with bookkeeper, Sheila Champlin
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Why I Volunteer at Camp
I have been asked to share with you the reasons why I volunteer at Sugar Creek Bible Camp. I am not sure there are words to describe such a feat. It seems that it is just a mind-set that contributes to my love for God and this camp. It is a spirit filled area that does just that….fill your spirit. And if you don’t feel it upon arriving at Sugar Creek then you really just don’t get it.
This is a camp that inspires me to WANT to be there and help in any way that is possible. It is about the Love of God and His blessing upon Sugar Creek. I have been involved with Sugar Creek for over 30 years joining with family and now treasured friends to work or just relax and enjoy the serenity and peacefulness of its surroundings.
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It is God’s gift to us that is waiting to be explored, enjoyed, and expressed in the trees, streams, birds, animals, and the beauty and sounds that bring our emotions to a peak.
As the mission statement states, it is an outdoor ministry for all generations to encounter Christ, experience God’s grace, and be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Please join me and find a little time in your busy life to be in awe of this outdoor ministry by participating in action team projects, yesterday youth events, auction and golf tournament activities or becoming a future board member.
At the Road to Bethlehem event, a nativity portrayal in the rough with live animals, angelic singing, shepherds keeping watch, baby in the manger, and the telling of the Christmas story under a clear night sky, God’s presence was seen, heard and felt. So I encourage you to take the next opportunity to become a volunteer at Sugar Creek, share its blessings and keep it close to your heart.
God’s Peace,
Suzanne Bartels
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Summer Camp 2021:
Back in the Saddle Again!
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We are excited to be back with world-class summer camp programs for youth next summer! As vaccines are delivered nationwide, safety practices are honed, medical knowledge increases, and the camp program and facilities are adapted, we are confident in moving forward with plans for summer Bible camp. Youth and families need camp more than ever before.
By the very nature of all our programs at Sugar Creek, the camp is, in many ways, even safer than schools during a pandemic since we keep youth in small groups and run camp activities in the open, fresh, outdoor air. In addition, more than 100 pages of new ACA COVID-19 safety practices are – and will continue to be – in place for next summer.
As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, youth desperately need real connections in life and in faith. Kids need to be lifted up in ways that only happen in safe, small-group adventures at Bible camp. Leadership, life-long faith, healthy relationships, self-confidence – these are gifts you give your children and grandchildren with time at Sugar Creek.
It’s time for those gifts to arrive again. We hope you will join us for wonderful, safe outdoor adventures in real Christian community. Mindful of guidelines from medical authorities and best practices, we are eager for the Bible camp communities to see, and be, the light at the end of the tunnel.
We’re “back in the saddle” and on our way to a safe, fun, faith-centered Summer Bible Camp in 2021!
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Summer Camp brochures are hot off the presses and rolling out just after Christmas!
Look for yours in a mailbox near you and read all about the exciting programs planned for 2021, with Covid safety protocols in place!
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Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual raffle fundraiser to support
the mission and ministries of Sugar Creek Bible Camp.
The Drawing was held Dec 7, 2020 at Sugar Creek--the lucky winners
were called and have already received their prizes!
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Michelle - Gays Mills, WI
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At twilight on Christmas Day last year, on the north edge of the camp, this Barred Owl posed for a photo. At summer camp these wonderful owls can be often heard, but rarely seen.
Kids at camp can hear Barred Owls in the distance at night, and sometimes even in the day. With a home range of an enormous 700 acres, her back yard is about the size of Sugar Creek Bible Camp. This owl's call is one you are sure to remember. Click to listen
Campers who try mimicking this bird song out in nature are often surprised when a curious Barred Owl answers back!
Psalm 92:1-2
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. –Psalm 92:1-2
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Wish List
Did you know? All the important programs at camp can go farther – and do more – because of volunteers and gifts! We need good, used items to support all these efforts. Your gifts are tax deductible and we will provide you a receipt.
Thinking about a new car? Instead of a trade-in, you can turn your old car, boat, trailer, or fixed-wing aircraft into a lasting blessing for outdoor ministry!
How does it work? Sugar Creek receives donations of running vehicles. We either sell them to fund LOTS of kids coming to Bible camp or, if the vehicles are in great shape, we may use them for traveling ministry programs. Either way, your potential tax deduction is often higher than a trade-in value! Call Jesse, camp director, for details.
See a full list of needed items by clicking the link button below. From well over a thousand kids and families reached by your camp every year, THANK YOU!
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Want to experience a fun, winter getaway in a beautiful, modern log cabin at Sugar Creek? Look no further! Sugar Creek is offering cabin rentals throughout the winter.
Enjoy acres of winter wonderland using our snowshoes and cross-country skis or your own. Slide down our awesome tubing hill or bask in the heat of our toasty sauna--all included in your stay!
Call or email the camp to learn more about this exciting opportunity.
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5 Star Review from a Recent Guest
"Awesome cabin on private property with lots of amenities. Went with my friends to go stargazing since the location of this property has very little light pollution. We were happily surprised by the beauty from our porch. The smell of fresh pine, the sound of the creek water, and the sun rising over the ridge shimmering off the morning frost all made the stay a little more special. The outdoor firepit is stocked with wood and fire starters. This stay felt like the summer camp experience I never had, but as an adult! We are all looking forward to going back again." - Lindsay
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Spring, Winter, or Fall - Sugar Creek offers them all! |
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Did you know we also have beautiful lodges available to rent September through May? Youth group retreats, church council meetings, couples', women's, and men's retreats, as well as family reunions, are just some of the many gatherings that happen year-round at Sugar Creek Bible Camp.
Our 2021 calendar is filling quickly. Call our office or email kati@sgrcreek.org to reserve your first choice dates. Covid safety protocols remain in place, with recommendations to gather by co-horted group or household.
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Grateful! Thankful! Blessed! |
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Memorials and Honorariums...
are one of many ways to support Sugar Creek. Thank you to all of you who remembered or honored friends and loved ones with a gift to this Bible Camp ministry.
Donors and Sustaining Givers...
Sugar Creek Bible Camp is blessed to have monthly supporters, known as Sustaining Givers, as well as regular Congregational Supporters (benevolence) and Individual Donors.
These gifts were received from November 20, to December 18, 2020.
Donations received after Dec 18 will be recognized in our next newsletter.
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In Honor of Given by
Megan Thiele Bill & Cathy Sisson
Bishop Jim Arends Peace Lutheran W-ELCA
In Memory of Given by
Jeff Buckmaster Mary Daines
Pastor Gary Daines Mary Daines
Pastor Gary Daines Rebecca Koscik
Kristi Connelly Pastor Joe & Brianna Iverson
Kristi Connelly Mary Daines
Lance Glasbrenner Suzanne Bartels
Jeneane Mahr Sonja Moe
Harvey Olson Mary Daines
Harvey Olson John & Naomi Stennes-Spidahl
Marilyn Olson Doc & Jan Brudos
Gene Schmeckpepa Gladys Lee, Don Lee
Philip Sherry Gary & Marsha Vance
John & Jeanette Veldy Lynn & Nancy Luckasson
Congregational Donors
Lutheran Church of Peace - Platteville
Barneveld Lutheran Church - Barneveld
Castle Rock Lutheran Church - Fennimore
De Soto Lutheran Church - De Soto
English Lutheran Church - La Crosse
Evangelical Lutheran Church - Mt. Horeb
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Viroqua
Our Savior's Lutheran Church - West Salem
St. John's Lutheran Church - Boscobel
W-ELCA Donors
Blair Lutheran Church - Blair
Our Savior's Lutheran Church - West Salem
Peace Lutheran Church - Ridgeway, IA
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church - Camp Douglas
Giving Tuesday-Facebook Donors
Joel Abenth
Ryan Alderson
Lori Arndt
Pastor Barbara Bruneau
Debbie Bassett
Kimberly Champlin
Tricia Crary
Ellie Davis
Bekah DeFoe
Laurie Ellefson
Betsy Fredrickson
Dala Marie Peterson Hynek
Dick Iverson
Sarah Iverson
Julia Lindaas Johnson
Pastor Kent Johnson
Samantha Johnson
Pastor Lori Kleppe
Jesse Klosterboer
Pastor Jim Klosterboer
Lisa Klosterboer
Kurt & Susan Kuenzel
Pastor Dawn Arndt Lindberg
Gretchen Massenburg
Anna McMullen
Rod Miller
Keith Milner
Thomas Mueller
Diane Nesselhuf IHO Becky Fredrickson- 1st camper
Debra Ost
Pastor Nile Sandeen
Anthony Scholze
Linda Shelley
Linda Smrcina
Bethany Wilson Stadler
Pastor Jason Stanton
Ruth Hanson Thom
Pastor Janet Wollam
Sue Woyicki
Anonymous Donors
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Sustaining (monthly) Givers
Peter & Joan Allen
Kjell Bakken
Elizabeth Davis
Michael Douglass II
Meredith Hink
Gregg & Pastor Lori Kleppe
Kyle Jaeger & Laura Mackey
Charles & Tiana Montgomery
Roxann Nedrelo
Alice Olson
Pastor Jason & Carla Stanton
Lavonne Swiggum
Pastor Eric & Megan Thiele
Individual Donors
Paul & Dori Arena
De Lee Anderson
Bishop Jim & Lynn Arends
Roger & Sheila Champlin
Brad & Sandy Delwiche
Donald & Frances Dieter
Pastor John Dumke
Steve & Veronica Eicher
Pat Fisher
Pastor Donald & Elizabeth Fox
Tony Frey
Lorn & Teresa Goede
Charles Gustafson
Adrian & Doris Hagen
Carl & Ardith Hansen
Nancy Hinrichs
Robert & Pastor Meg Hoversten
Jeff Hook
Shirley Hummel
Dick & Karin Iverson
David & Lisa Jandt
Mark & LouAnn Jelinek
Samantha Johnson
Shelly Johnson
Gregg & Pastor Lori Kleppe
Richard & Pat Lenz
Karen Mack
Pastor Steve & Stacey Meyer
Cathleen Morris
Kurt & Mary Mueller
Heidi Myhre
Craig & Allison Pierce
Deborah Rider
Pastor Fred Rilling
Renee Salmon
Dean & Jackie Saner
Lawrence Schreiner
Bob & Sally Severson
Bill & Cathy Sisson
Roger & Caron Swenson
Lori Taylor
Knute & Carol Tempte
Eugene Tesdahl
Todd Trautmann
Ray Weiss
Tim & Geri Zauche
Special Gifts
Freeman Men's Association
Sugar Creek Bible Camp Foundation
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Merry Christmas from all of us at Sugar Creek Bible Camp!
Did you miss last month's edition? Click the link to check out what you missed!
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Sugar Creek Bible Camp | 13141 Sugar Creek Bible Camp Rd, Ferryville, WI 54628 |
| 608.734.3113 | www.sugarcreekbiblecamp.org
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