Camp and Retreat Ministry News
August 31, 2023
This summer our camps carried on their tradition of offering a robust, Christ-filled camping ministry to over 1,300 campers led by amazing summer camp counselors, deans, volunteers, and camp staff. From morning devotions to evening campfires, friendships were made, and faith journeys were travelled. Thank you to all of you who continue to believe in and say “yes!” to camping ministry. And thank you to Greg Smithson, Interim Loucon Director, and Haley Andes, Aldersgate Director of Operations, for leading our camps this summer. Their love of the Lord and for our camps and ministry is undeniable!
Though the summer camp season is over, our camps are not slowing down. Retreat season is among us, and this fall will be an exciting time for Loucon and Aldersgate. Aldersgate is turning 60 years old and planning a great homecoming event for September 23. Loucon, too, is getting geared up for their homecoming event on September 16.
As we continue to move forward in our vision and ministry as the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, we look to new and exciting ways to do ministry. In our effort to pivot and continue to focus on doing effective ministry, we will be moving in a new direction as it pertains to the leadership model of our beloved camps, Loucon and Aldersgate.
Most recently the Conference’s model for leadership at our camps included an Executive Director of Camping & Retreat Ministries who also served as the Director of Loucon, and a Director of Operations at Aldersgate who reported to the Executive Director. This model began when we had three camps, Aldersgate, Loucon, and Kavanaugh. We find that with there now being two camps, the need for an Executive Director and an Aldersgate Director of Operations are no longer required and thus with our remaining two camps, we will move in a new direction in which each camp will be led by its own director. These two directors will report to the Director of Connectional Ministries. Because these are new positions with fuller job descriptions, it is necessary we begin a nationwide search to find candidates to fill these critical leadership roles.
If you, or anyone you know, is interested in leading these ministries, visit the job postings for either camp below for more information. Qualified applicants should apply by September 30 by sending their resume and job application to jobs@kyumc.org.
We are excited to see our camps so alive with the Holy Spirit and contributing in our mission to discover, develop, and send passionate spiritual leaders and resources to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Please continue to pray for our camps and pray for the staff, search committee, and future directors.
Bishop Leonard Fairley
Rev. Dr. Tina Patterson, Director of Connectional Ministries
Kentucky Conference Committee on Personnel Policy & Practice
Though the summer camp season is over, our camps are not slowing down. Retreat season is among us, and this fall will be an exciting time for Loucon and Aldersgate. Aldersgate is turning 60 years old and planning a great homecoming event for September 23. Loucon, too, is getting geared up for their homecoming event on September 16.
As we continue to move forward in our vision and ministry as the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, we look to new and exciting ways to do ministry. In our effort to pivot and continue to focus on doing effective ministry, we will be moving in a new direction as it pertains to the leadership model of our beloved camps, Loucon and Aldersgate.
Most recently the Conference’s model for leadership at our camps included an Executive Director of Camping & Retreat Ministries who also served as the Director of Loucon, and a Director of Operations at Aldersgate who reported to the Executive Director. This model began when we had three camps, Aldersgate, Loucon, and Kavanaugh. We find that with there now being two camps, the need for an Executive Director and an Aldersgate Director of Operations are no longer required and thus with our remaining two camps, we will move in a new direction in which each camp will be led by its own director. These two directors will report to the Director of Connectional Ministries. Because these are new positions with fuller job descriptions, it is necessary we begin a nationwide search to find candidates to fill these critical leadership roles.
If you, or anyone you know, is interested in leading these ministries, visit the job postings for either camp below for more information. Qualified applicants should apply by September 30 by sending their resume and job application to jobs@kyumc.org.
We are excited to see our camps so alive with the Holy Spirit and contributing in our mission to discover, develop, and send passionate spiritual leaders and resources to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Please continue to pray for our camps and pray for the staff, search committee, and future directors.
Bishop Leonard Fairley
Rev. Dr. Tina Patterson, Director of Connectional Ministries
Kentucky Conference Committee on Personnel Policy & Practice