Greetings from Pilgrim Pines,
On behalf of all of us here at Pilgrim Pines, thank you for your participation, prayer, and support throughout this challenging year of ministry!
After a very busy winter and spring season, we saw the return of summer ministry at Family Camp, our youth camp at Camp Squanto, and the Camping Area as campers and staff filled our amazing location on Swanzey Lake.
Our summer ministry season started off strong. Then the rains came. A beautiful Sunday on July 9th turned into a day we will never forget, as a devastating rain storm caused major damage to our campus and closed our camp. Pilgrim Pines carefully and responsibly cared for all campers, guests, and staff who were onsite during the crisis. After everyone was safely evacuated, Pilgrim Pines immediately shut down and entered into a time of assessment, evaluation, and cleanup. Two weeks later our youth camp, Camp Squanto, which sustained the least amount of damage, reopened. Two weeks after that, a modified Family Camp was able to resume after a month-long closure.
We are incredibly grateful to our staff and many friends who worked tirelessly to get those two camps up and running again. Unfortunately, the Camping Area did not reopen as the damage there was too great.
My friends, there is good work to be done. Now is the time to be bold and view this situation as an opportunity to make long-term improvements throughout our camp. Let us not be discouraged but instead, look to God’s good future for Pilgrim Pines.
Today, I write to ask for your help as we seek to close out this difficult year with strength. As our year draws to a close, we are thankful for all that God has done in our ministry and now set our sights on the bright future of Pilgrim Pines. Your participation is vital.
Our world needs places like Pilgrim Pines, where kids can take next steps of faith, where young adults can safely explore their faith and seek a call to ministry, and where individuals and families come together in God’s creation.
The enclosed materials describe our Building a Brighter Future campaign in detail. Please note that this campaign includes a $500,000 matching gift! Yes, every dollar will be doubled to reach our million-dollar goal. This is an incredible opportunity to help Pilgrim Pines move forward. Perhaps you will consider joining with other family members for a significant gift?
We are grateful for every contribution and for all who join in this opportunity to support the ministry of Pilgrim Pines. You can use the enclosed return envelope to make your gift or make a gift online at pilgrimpines.org/donate. Please feel free to call me directly at 603.352.0443.
With gratitude from all of us at the Pines,
Jim Condap
Executive Director
