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THE

 

COVENANT POINTER

Hagerman Lake, Iron River, MI - February 1, 2017

CPBC 2016-17 Year Round Staff (left to right):
Dustin Johnson (Program Manager), Drew Edstrom (Intern), Kevin Johnson (Operations Manager), Teri Sherwood (Head Cook & Housekeeping Coordinator), Erik Strom (Executive Director), Carolyn Lindahl (Registrar), Jane Frasier (Registrar), Courtney Strom (Office Manager), Sydney Norman (Marketing Specialist), Nick Ralston (Intern), Natalie Swanson (Intern)
Contact staff at www.cpbc.com/staff.

Welcome!

Happy February from Hagerman Lake!  “The Covenant Pointer” is a quarterly e-newsletter designed to foster relationship and support among Covenant Point’s many friends. Enjoy!

First Word

One of my favorite verses in Scripture is Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

There is an image of tranquility in the opening words,  "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him." Who doesn't long for a good, healthy dose of joy and peace? And the action on our part is a continual trust in God.

Think about it for yourself. How are you trusting in him? How are you actively involved in this partnership of growing in faith with the triune God? I love the fact that it is between us and God, how trust is lived out during this life journey.

And it doesn't end there! Another image of calmness is evoked in the words, "overflow with hope." How do we allow the active power of the Holy Spirit to show up so much in us that we overflow with hope? If everyone was anchored in that spirit, think of the incredible amount of hope that would be given and received in our daily interactions and reactions! How much more would peace and joy really live in me, and in you, if we lived our days overflowing with hope?

As you enter this new year, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Jane Frasier, Registrar



 

Highlighted Summer Program

Adventures in Transition
(Grades 11/12/13)

Adventures in Transition (AIT) is an adventure travel experience designed to assist older high school students (or recent graduates) in successfully navigating the critical transition from high school into adulthood. This trip travels along Minnesota’s beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior and then lodges two nights at a remote outfitter on the historic Gunflint Trail – all while exploring important questions together: What does Christian discipleship look like beyond youth group days? What and who will sustain me in the challenges to come?

A Camper's Perspective on AIT

In the last half year since "Adventures in Transition", I have indeed experienced a lot of transitions, the largest being my move to a college in an urban area over a thousand miles away from anything familiar. Looking back, I very much appreciate the preparation of AIT in many ways. Now living in an urban area, I appreciate the wondrous sights of northern Minnesota: a full, pink moon shining off the waters of Lake Superior, the hues of sunset yet painting the sky; a gigantic tree uprooted from the rock of a cliff; many smaller trees uprooted from the wake of a storm; the storm itself, hard rain pouring down among flashes of lightning; and many more.
More than the sights, I also saw attitudes I wish to emulate. At college, many are focused on their own well-being to the point of only caring for schoolwork and how various activities will look to selective employers. As a contrast, the outlook of the staff at Covenant Point and Adventurous Christians was inspiring. The AC staff truly lived the motto of the camp: “Love, Serve, Paddle.” Though we were only at the camp for a short time, I felt loved, and I was privileged to see the heart of service in each person.

Moving into college, I consciously sought opportunities to serve others as best I could. To grow further in my faith beyond a heart of service, however, I took into account the center of AIT: how to find what would sustain me. Having listened to Erik Strom speak to the necessity of doing so, I was very intentional about forming habits that would nurture my faith. I dedicated time to forming a healthy, consistent prayer life; I found a Christian group focused on supporting each others’ faith; I spent time in weekly worship, listening to others’ encouragement and advice. Above all else, I entered college with a determined attitude—determined to be close to God. For all these reasons and more, I am beyond grateful to Covenant Point and Adventures in Transition, and I look forward to continuing to incorporate these lessons in the semester to come.

Register for AIT
Emily Howell is a first year student at Yale University in New Haven, CT, and participant in last summer's AIT.

Wilderness Campaign

Focusing on a Strong Finish

Now a little over one year underway, The Wilderness Campaign grows closer to our $300,000 goal each day - bolstered this winter by an exciting opportunity: an anonymous staff alumnus has facilitated a matching grant challenge, offering to match dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000 any first-time donations to The Wilderness Campaign by staff alumni. (Gifts must be received prior to May 1, 2017.)

What an amazing gift and opportunity we have received! If you haven't yet, now is the time to join other former staff and double your impact through this matching grant challenge. Every gift matters.

Click on the video below to hear CPBC summer staff alumnus and Wilderness Campaign team member, Benj Ecker, share about why he's chosen to give.
Wilderness Campaign -- Benj's Thank You
Give to The Wilderness Campaign
Erik Strom, Executive Director

Our Winter, So Far

  • Christmas Camp: Dec 27 - Jan 1. A fantastic, full camp of families, friends, and individuals spent a week continuing to celebrate the birth of Christ! Wonderful chapel messages were delivered by Karl and Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom. Snow was plentiful and made for great ski trails, tubing, "quinzee" (igloo) building, and more! Many board games and books were enjoyed in the Dining Hall or by the fireplace, and the annual Rook tournament was once again a hit. We were delighted to witness and celebrate the baptism of an adult Christmas Camper, along with communion during our New Year's Eve chapel service. What a way to celebrate the new year!
  • North Park University Stress and Health Cross Country Ski Class: Jan 8 - 13
  • JPUSA High School Ski Trip: Jan 9 - 13
  • One Life Retreat #1: Jan 13 - 16 (9th-12th)
  • Winnetka Covenant Church Family Winter Camp: Jan 26 - 29
  • North Park University Writing Retreat: Jan 27 - 30
Plan a Retreat with Us

Upcoming Winter Programs

Register for Men's Retreat
As winter programs have grown and expanded over the past few years, we've been blessed to see an increase in volunteer help as well. Thanks to the many volunteers who have helped in the kitchen and other areas of camp during retreat weekends in this busy season!

Read more about how you can pitch in at www.cpbc.com/volunteer. Thanks!
Dustin Johnson,
Program Manager

Upcoming Deadlines

  • Feb 17: Men's Retreat Early Registration Discount Deadline
  • March 15: Adventures In Leadership (for Grades 10/11/12) Application Deadline!
  • March 15:  Summer Camp Early Bird Registration Deadline (Save $35!)
Register for Summer Camp

Bringing Camp to You!

CPBC Staff served a homemade pizza dinner at "Camp Night" at Grace Covenant Church in Iron River, MI on Dec 14.
The CPBC staff has visited 25 Central Conference Covenant Churches this fall and winter to help congregations and members get to know camp better. This number is still growing, as we have more visits scheduled! If you'd like to schedule a CPBC representative to visit your church, we'd love to partner with you. Email sydney@cpbc.com to schedule a visit. 
Sydney Norman,
Marketing Specialist

Camp Recipe: Point Pizza Crust

Yield: 2 pizzas

Ingredients:

1 lb 2 oz flour
½ oz yeast
1 tsp salt
1½ cups warm water (110° F)
¾ cup oil
small amount of cornmeal

Mix liquids and flour mixture with a dough hook until dough comes off the sides of the bowl.  Cover and let rise, approximately 30 minutes to an hour.  Divide dough into 2 even balls, shape into a rectangle and roll until even.  Transfer to pan (lightly sprinkled with cornmeal) and push to fill the pan.  

After topping with desired sauces and ingredients, bake at 400° F for 10 - 20 minutes.  Check and rotate pan as needed. Enjoy!

Teri Sherwood,
Head Cook & Housekeeping Coordinator

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