PRESS RELEASES
Volunteers make big improvements to Camp Kinard this Spring- May 7, 2008
This past spring has been an exciting time of renewal at Camp Kinard near Batesburg-Leesville! Many volunteer groups from all over the region have put many hours of volunteer work into projects that make our camp even more enjoyable. The basketball/tennis court has seen major improvement thanks to Gerald Schultz who sawed through the asphalt to pull up overgrown tree roots, and LMM volunteers from Reformation Lancaster that filled in the potholes, installed backdrop fences and painted the tennis net poles. Reformation LMM also built up a barrier and planter around our picnic pavilion and worked on our ropes challenge course wall! The LMM from Mount Calvary Johnston purchased and installed new parts in Kinard’s Massey Ferguson Tractor that will pull the hay wagon around camp! Even a crew of out of state Lutherans came down from St. Luke Monroe NC to work on installing doors on the bathrooms at the outpost campgrounds, doing spring cleaning, and donated a tree limb chainsaw! Along with church groups that have volunteered, we have had a number of individuals do projects, including Lutheran sponsored boy scouts needing to complete an eagle scout project. Thanks to these Eagle Scout hopefuls, Camp Kinard now has 2 new sand volleyball courts, new railing for steep cement walkway going downhill by the cottages, and new pleasant park areas around camp! David Warfield, of Reformation Lancaster, made and donated iron crosses that are now displayed in the lodge village and dining hall. Larry Catalino of Smyrna, Delaware installed wireless internet access in the lodge conference room! Larry also transported a pool table to Camp Kinard that was donated by Susan & John McColgan. The pool table now provides indoor recreation in the downstairs meeting room of the dining hall!
Camp Kinard invites you to visit and see the new improvements around camp! Your camp is blossoming everyday thanks to the love and devotion of the volunteers of our synod, many of whom provide the financial means to do these projects! Many thanks to all our volunteers and supporters for making Your SC Lutheran Retreat Centers an even better place for folks to encounter the glory of God’s creation!
Coastal Retreat Center Partners with Methodists to build Elderly Transportable Cottage- April 20, 2008
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First United Methodist Church, located next door to Coastal on the Isle of Palms, built an Elderly Transportable Cottage (ET) for the United Methodist Relief Center (UMRC) through a partnership with Point Hope United Methodist and SCLRC. Coastal was able to provide its paved basketball court as a construction site for this housing project. These transportable housing units are built and donated to UMRC to fill the need for safe, warm and dry housing for elderly persons of SC who live alone in dismal conditions. These homes are constructed on mobile home frames and can be transported to the home site, connected to water, sewer and electricity and resided in until the recipient is no longer able to live alone. The ET can then be refurbished and relocated to another home site.
“I came over to talk to the folks at the Lutheran Retreat Center, and I asked Herbert if we could use the shuffleboard court on their property to build this ET Cottage,” explained Pat Neely, head of the project for First United. “First he told me ‘No, I can’t do that.’ I was really disappointed, but then Herbert said ‘You can’t use the shuffleboard court, but how about the big basketball court?’ I was overjoyed! This was really the perfect location to do this project.”
The ET project began in January 2008 and through the work of volunteers on Saturdays and some weekdays, was completed in April 2008. First United and Point Hope United Methodist Church held a dedication ceremony at the site on April 13th where many volunteers and supporters celebrated the cottage’s completion.
“We want to thank First United for the opportunity to partner in this worthwhile project,” stated Amy Catalino, Director of Marketing, representing SCLRC at the dedication. “We are all God’s children and should work together to do God’s work for his people.”
First United may be doing another ET housing project in the winter of 2009, and if they do the Coastal Retreat Center will again provide the basketball court for the construction site.
See pictures of the ET Cottage and the dedication ceremony!
"Spring Sing" at Biggerstaff Retreat Center April 26- April 9, 2008
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SC Lutheran Retreat Centers announces the 2nd Annual “Spring Sing” at Biggerstaff Christian Retreat Center happening April 26th, 2008. This year’s Spring Sing will be a great event filled with outdoor music, good food, and lots of activities. The gates open at 11am, and throughout the day you will enjoy the musical styling’s of Russell Dean, Heavenly Breeze, Beyond Jordan, and many more! There will also be special performances by the children’s choirs from St. Johns Lutheran and New Hope Baptist Church. Delicious food will be offered by T-Leaf Catering and Cooking Christians Concessions. There will be fun for the whole family with space walk inflatables, kids games, arts & crafts vendors, and antique cars on display. Tickets are only $5 for adults and children under 12 are free. Call Ray Burroughs at 864-882-3337 for more information.
Biggerstaff Retreat Center is located in the upstate at 398 Biggerstaff Road in Seneca, SC on beautiful Lake Keowee.
Update: Click here to view pictures from Biggerstaff's Spring Sing 2008!
Fifth Annual Golf Classic Benefit Tournament- Spring 2008
A Captain’s Choice Format Golf Tournament will be held September 29th, 2008 to support the ministries of the SC Lutheran Retreat Centers. This year marks the Fourth Annual Tournament for SCLRC and will be held at the Indian River Golf Course in West Columbia, SC. Teams will compete for cash prizes and there will be a number of raffle drawings with prizes. Dinner, catered by Shealy’s Barbecue, is included in registration. There are numerous sponsorship opportunities for this event that will furnish your company a sign for display and may include team entry fees. SCLRC is a non-profit organization and all sponsorships are tax-deductible. For additional info about the event call 803-532-3183 or printout and mail an entry and sponsor form by CLICKING HERE.
2008 Update, “Building+Renewing+Believing” Campaign - Jan 7th, 2008
Greetings from your South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers! As we move our SC Synod authorized campaign into 2008 we wanted to keep you updated on the campaign’s activities, approach and progress.
Activities: Recently, Campaign Chair Porter Kinard and his wife Memi hosted our Campaign Executive Cabinet (CEC) at the Forest Lake Country Club for dinner where they received an overview of the campaign, review of the expectations as CEC members and a wonderful time of fellowship.
The evening was a splendid affair in every way. Our CEC membership includes all of our Synod’s current and retired Bishops/Presidents, the retired Executive Directors of the Retreat Centers, and other current and former officers and lay leaders who endorse our ministry and will help to assure our campaign success. We are pleased to announce the following people are members of our CEC:
The Rev. James W. Addy, Ann C. Alexander, The Rev. Dr. James Aull, Marcia M. Ballentine, The Rev. Dr. Herman Cauble, The Rev. David W. Coffman, The Rev. J. Harry Crout, The Rev. Susan J. Crowell, The Rev. Dr. James Crumley, Jr., The Rev. Dr. David Donges, Raymond L. Hendrix, Jr., DeLouris M. Hollinger, J. Larry Kyzer, The Rev. Dr. Larry S. Long, Sheriff James R. Metts, AIM Thomas J. O’Brien, and The Rev. R. Delano Ricard (posthumously).
Approach: Unlike previous Synod campaigns that often focus on “fair share” or congregation assignments, SCLRC’s campaign is based on a fundraising partnership with congregations. This approach allows congregations to raise significant funds for internal congregation needs while also participating significantly in the SCLRC “Building+Renewing+Believing” Campaign.
This process/approach is creating exciting results. If we have not yet worked with your congregation we look forward to the opportunity. If you would return the attached congregation Committee form it would be helpful to know you are looking for our call.
Results: The end of 2007 has seen our fund-raising total exceed $2,000,000. While we are ecstatic about these results, we feel as though we have only just begun and the real potential lies ahead of us as we work with more and more congregations. In fact, we expect to raise 10-20 million dollars in the Synod with our partnership approach. This will assure us of attaining our goal of 5-7.5 million dollars for the Retreat Centers.
We look forward to working with you and your congregation and keeping you updated on our exciting progress. There IS enough!
New Year’s Blessings!
Dallas J. Shealy, AIM
Executive Director
This Christmas give 'Gifts of Hope' that really make a difference- Dec 18, 2007
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This Christmas give gifts to family and friends that really matter. Gifts Of Hope is an alternative gift-giving program of the SC Synod (ELCA). Gifts of Hope have numerous opportunities to give gifts 'in honor of' your loved one, including these five items designated for SCLRC: |
Trees for Reforestation $8
New Worship Books $22
Worship Space at the Coastal Retreat Center $35
Rocking Chair $75
Special Time at Camp for a Special Child $200
Supporting your SC Lutheran Retreat Centers this Christmas: Priceless
Participate in Gifts of Hope through your congregation or online at www.GiftsOfHopeSC.org
Building+Renewing+Believing Announces Campaign Executive Cabinet- Dec 17, 2007
On Thursday, November 29, 2007, a group of prominent South Carolina Lutherans gathered to accept the challenge of serving as the Campaign Executive Cabinet for the Building+Renewing+Believing campaign of SCLRC. Campaign Chair Porter Kinard, along with his wife Memi, hosted the first gathering of this influential group at the Forest Lake Country Club in Columbia. Executive Director Dallas Shealy noted that “the willingness of these people to serve in this capacity is a testimony to the importance of camping and retreat ministry in our Synod.” The group includes the current Bishop of the synod as well as all the retired bishops/presidents, both retired Executive Directors of the Retreat Centers, several current and former officers of the Synod and other clergy and lay leaders.
At the reception, Executive Cabinet members were briefed on the plans for the campaign, how the campaign will move forward, and what their roles as Executive Cabinet members will be. Much enthusiasm for the campaign was shared among those in attendance, with many sharing how the Retreat Centers had been part of their faith development. Camp Kemo, A New Road, and the Rostered Leaders Spouses Retreat, were among the ongoing programs that were lifted up by the attendees. Bishop David Donges stressed that the SC Synod is blessed with institutional ministries, and of all these important expressions of the church, SCLRC is the only institution that gets no federal or state funds and is supported solely by SC Synod benevolence, congregational and individual gifts and user fees.
Chairperson Porter Kinard and Executive Director Dallas Shealy are pleased to announce the following as the Building + Renewing + Believing Campaign Executive Cabinet:
The Rev. James W. Addy, Ann C. Alexander, The Rev. Dr. James Aull, Marcia M. Ballentine, The Rev. Dr. Herman Cauble, The Rev. David W. Coffman, The Rev. J. Harry Crout, The Rev. Susan J. Crowell, The Rev. Dr. James Crumley, Jr., The Rev. Dr. David Donges, Raymond L. Hendrix, Jr., DeLouris M. Hollinger, J. Larry Kyzer, The Rev. Dr. Larry S. Long, Sheriff James R. Metts, AIM Thomas J. O’Brien, and The Rev. R. Delano Ricard.
To track the progress of the Building + Renewing + Believing Campaign, visit www.sclrc.com/campaign
2008 Senior Adult Days Sept 23rd and Oct 21- Nov 30, 2007
Mark your Congregational Calendar! Camp Kinard Senior Adult Days for the fall of 2008 will be held on Tuesday September 23rd and Tuesday October 21st! These special dates are designed with our senior adult SC Lutherans in mind to give them a day to stimulate their minds, nurish their bodies, and renew their faith. Each senior adult day includes an educational excursion with an expert in their field, catered lunch, bible study, craft time, music filled hayride around camp, refreshments, featured entertainment, and marshmallow roasting around the camp fire! This is your opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and be a kid again. More details about specific programming will be available soon.
Camp Kinard is YOUR camp and we want you to enjoy the festivities prepared for you! Your Senior Adult Day runs from 9:30am-3:00pm and only costs $20 a participant (includes lunch!). Plan to bring your senior adult group and make this an adventure to remember!
Many thanks to God for giving us the blessing of Camp Kinard that lets us enjoy his creation and the fellowship of our friends!
Remarkable first congregational response to Building+Renewing+Believing Campaign - Nov 1, 2007
SC Lutheran Retreat Centers’ Capital Campaign Building + Renewing + Believing received magnificent support from the first congregational appeal of its campaign in September of 2007. St. John’s Lutheran Church of Walhalla, SC pledged to contribute in excess of 1.2 million dollars to assist in building facilities at the Biggerstaff Retreat Center located on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Keowee in Seneca, SC. Biggerstaff will become the third South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Center through the partnering of St. John’s Walhalla and SCLRC, in which the management of the site will be entrusted to SCLRC. “St. John’s recognizes how important synod and institutional ministries are to the life of the church and full heartedly support SCLRC and its capital campaign,” explains Rev. David Coffman, pastor of St. John’s Walhalla. The approach St. John’s used to appeal for funds involved forming a congregational campaign committee, conducting temple talks, providing an informative mailing about intended development, and finally asking congregational members for their pledges. “The remarkable response from St. John’s is truly a testament of their good stewardship,” exclaimed SCLRC Executive Director Dallas Shealy.
“Our approach is different from other institutional campaigns,” stated Bob Fuzy, SCLRC’s Campaign Counsel. “SCLRC is working in partnership with congregations to help raise funds not only for our campaign, but also for their identified congregational needs.” Among others, SCLRC is partnering with St. Luke’s Prosperity for their “Legacy Initiative” and Saint Luke Florence for their “Past, Present, Future” Initiative. Congregations are excited about the possibilities of meeting congregational needs and advancing retreat ministry within the SC Synod.
The Building + Renewing + Believing Campaign will be raising funds in order to grow and expand SCLRC ministry with new facilities and renovations at the Coastal Retreat Center on the Isle of Palms, Camp Kinard of the Midlands in Batesburg-Leesville, and now Biggerstaff of the Upstate in Seneca. With momentum such as this, SCLRC believes that the goal of 7.5 million dollars from the SC Synod is very obtainable.
Trinity Columbia Sending and Sowing with generous gift to SCLRC - Oct 10, 2007
Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, SC made a pledge of $50,000 to be given to the SC Lutheran Retreat Centers upon the completion of the sale of the church’s property. After 25 years, Trinity Lutheran has closed its doors and disbanded as a congregation due to lack of finances and membership. This small congregation on the northeastern side of Columbia decided that the legacy of their church family would live on through donations to other Lutheran and Christian ministries and institutions.
Trinity held a special “Sending and Sowing” service September 30th, where the congregation presented the various institutions with their intended gift. The service was led by Trinity’s pastor Rev Delores Watson and presentation of gifts was made by congregational council president. Among the recipients, in addition to South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers, were other Lutheran institutions such as Lutheran Homes, Newberry College, and the South Western Diocese of Tanzania. “Even in death, there is life,” Rev Mel Amundson declared in his address from the SC Synod.
“We are very appreciative of this gift, and we will use it in a way that will serve God’s people and honor Trinity’s legacy,” stated Larry Hamrick, Camp Kinard Resident Director. “This gift will make a tremendous difference for the people we serve at SCLRC through church retreats, congregational gatherings, summer camps, and special needs camps,” explained Amy Catalino, director of marketing and public relations.
The $50,000 intended gift from Trinity go toward SCLRC's Capital Campaign BUILDING + RENEWING + BELIEVING that will provide for renovations and new contruction at the current retreat centers as well as add on a third retreat center in Seneca, SC.
SCLRC joins BI-LO Boostersplus Program - Aug 21, 2007
SC Lutheran Retreat Centers are now members of BI-LO’s BoosterPlus program! Simply shop at BI-LO using your BONUSCARD and one percent of your total purchase will be given back to SCLRC. All you have to do is print out an enrollment form from our website, (or we will mail one to you) and take it to the cashier to scan the next time you shop BI-LO, it’s that easy. This is a great opportunity to exercise good stewardship in your everyday life. Your support of SCLRC is greatly appreciated. CLICK HERE for a printable enrollment form.
Porter Kinard announced as Chairperson of SCLRC's Capital Campaign - Aug 15, 2007
The latest revelation in the Building, Renewing, Believing Campaign is the announcement of the Chairperson for the Capital Campaign. Porter Kinard, native of SC and son of former president of the synod for 28 years Karl W. Kinard, has stepped forward to lead SC Lutheran Retreat Centers in its journey. Porter is a ‘62 graduate of Newberry College, a former Chairperson of the Newberry College Board of Trustees, and co-owner and founder of the building and development business VIP Developers Inc. He and his wife, Dr. Memi Kinard, are members of Incarnation Lutheran Church in Columbia and share a passion for outdoor ministry as both were involved with Lutheran camps since childhood. “My father was one of the first supporters of Lutheran Camps. He worked hard to bring outdoor ministry camps to South Carolina,” said Kinard. The Kinards and their church have been long time supporters of SCLRC. Incarnation donated the first cottage when Camp Kinard was built. Executive Director Dallas Shealy is thrilled with Kinard’s involvement. “Who better to lead this campaign than the son of the namesake of our first retreat center? Porter is wonderfully dedicated and passionate about the mission of SCLRC.” Kinard is especially interested in providing for future generations. “Church related and supported camp is good. We need to make people comfortable when they come to camp and retreat. This campaign will ensure that SCLRC can continue for generations to come.” For campaign plans, architectural drawings, and updates visit www.sclrc.com/campaign.php