April 2024!

This is a landing spot for the monthly sharing of news from Calumet that will help Calumet Nation be in the know and up to date with a whole variety of information, plans, and ideas. This is an effort that is in direct relation to Calumet's attempts to reduce use of paper & ink (15,000 newsletters is a lot), save a few bucks (postage and related costs can add up), and experiment (almost all of Calumet's peeps are now savvy when it comes to simple emails and web searches). Let's see how this goes!

In Our Prayers

The loved ones of Calumet Nation who are mourning the loss(es) of Mark Lamothe, Pauline Davis, Gordy Ahlstrom, Herb Emilson, and others whose names are not listed here but whose recent deaths are profound and real  ... 

Karen Carlson who underwent surgery and is managing serious health concerns  (prayers for courage, strength, and peace) ...

Janet, a friend of Sarah Lombardo, who is in the midst of a cancer fight ...

Ralph Johansson who is managing ongoing health concerns which include a couple of challenging diagnosis. He has expressed much appreciation for everyone's care and prayer support ...

People processing/grieving or otherwise impacted by their congregation’s Holy Closure ... in particular, we pray for Salem Lutheran in Bridgeport which will be having it's last worship service this month ...

HIP at Calumet Interns (as they enter their 8th month of service) ...

Those who struggle in quiet ways (prayer for courage, strength, and resolve) ...

Ones who experience fear, anxiety, or worry (prayer for hope and trust) ...

For the innocent ones in Gaza, the southern border, and in all places where political and military powers are louder than ever ...

For those who struggle with addiction and those who feel powerless as they see the difficulties of loved ones who are addicted ...

And all for whom we pray at this very moment who need your care, wisdom, and touch, we entrust them to you, O God. Amen.

ONE -- Calumet's Evaluation Project continues. While we mostly receive VERY positive feedback on so much of what we do, we have *ALSO* been so thankful for helpful reminders and encouraging coaching regarding some areas where we can be better.

Only one group so far (since the beginning of the year) has responded at the 100% participation rate! Many groups who have visited here together have been just-one-response-away from a 100% participation rate. It's wonderful for Calumet to know all the good that happens and all suggestions, too.

When Calumet receives evaluations, the year round staff shares the info among itself. As we begin to make plans for heading into the summer season, we're working hard to set up a system that will work well for all of our summer guests, too! Interested in seeing what guests are being asked? Have a look!

TWO -- Calumet's iconic Resident Camp for Kids is a safe landing spot for so many. There are lots of improvements for 2024. Letters of Employment have gone out to the 2024 summer staff and program leaders will begin meeting via zoom in the weeks ahead. We're getting ready for the kids God will send here!

If you know a kid as young as 8 to as old as 16 who would benefit from a week or two at Calumet, direct them and their folks to Consider Calumet! Learn more using the button below.

THREE -- Karl and Calumet's Board of Directors are searching for the perfect person to join the Calumet year-round team. The position: Associate Executive Director. If you or someone you know might be the right fit for the vitally important work we do here at camp, Calumet is ready to learn more!

Read a message from Calumet leaders and learn more about the position ...

Four -- Calumet's upcoming Grief Wonder Hope retreat will take place from Sunday, April 28 to Tuesday, April 30 in the Conference Center. Pastor Paul Krampitz, Bethany Lutheran in Cromwell, will be joined by alum Cindy Perkins (who recently released a book, Keeping Heidi Close)to serve as our presenters. Both have had a front row seat with grief, both believe deeply that God is at work in all things, and both desire for God's creation to keep a steady eye on HOPE.

This retreat -- Sunday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon -- will be a safe, welcoming, and valuable time for anyone who is grieving a person, a situation, an ability, a world view, a congregation's closing, a broken relationship, and any other kind of life-altering experience.

If you or someone you know would benefit from attending this retreat, we're ready to welcome you. Learn more ...

FIVE -- One of the great things about Calumet is the way people of all ages and abilities come together each year to get the property -- inside and outside -- ready for summertime. Calumet has a No Cost Spring Cleaning Weekend scheduled for later in the Spring. Reach out to Alice to find out if it might be a good match for your willingness to serve! We work hard, for sure, but it's a **FUN** time to be together, too! Learn more here:

SIX -- Great news! Calumet, together with the New England Synod's Anti-Racism Advisory Board and Thrivent Financial is hosting a book zoom.

In response to being awarded a grant to support anti-racist efforts of our synod, leaders will use funding to support quarterly book gatherings that help God's people wrestle with issues of race and fairness and change.

Join with others as we read Michelle Mijung Kim's *The Wake Up (Closing the Gap Between Good Intention and Real Change)*. The particular times of the Zoom learning event(s) aren't known exactly, but it/they will take place between May 13 and May 15. May, as many are already aware, is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and the New England Synod's Anti-Racism Advisory Board has chosen this book for our quarterly book read.

Order the book which -- thanks to grant funding -- is available for just $12 (including shipping) while supplies last.

Seven -- Memorial Day Weekend will be the unofficial start to Calumet's 2024 summer program and we'll be gathered together for the long weekend. Big thanks to Calumet's Interns who are leading this effort and to Pastor Nathan Hall of Nativity, North Conway, NH who will serve as Chaplain.

There will be a ton of family activities, great food, and plenty of relaxation. Some who are interested will spend a session looking at one of the ELCA's Social Statements. As we honor those who died while serving, we can remember that God's people are always working to bring peace to warring parties. Learn more.

EIGHT -- Calumet's Fruits & Roots retreat is April 22-25) and the fruit of the spirit we'll be exploring is JOY. With just a couple of spots left in the Conference Center or the Village, we also have some options for people who are comfortable in one of the more rustic heated cabins. 

For those who are not able to drive themselves all the way here, Calumet is providing round trip transportation from the parking lots of Lutheran congregations in Vernon, CT ... Sturbridge, MA ... or Chelmsford, MA. Come experience JOY!

NINE -- Learn with Calumet!

Looking further ahead ... Family Camp Plus!

Chaplain Pr Ralph Supper, presenter Pr Dustin Longmire, musician Sarah Huber, and staff members Gail Mailhott Foster, John Junkins, Cindy Schatz -- there's lots of planning going on!

In addition to the fantastic time together doing all the long-loved camp activities, we'll spend time digging into Christian Nationalism. What is it? Why does it matter that we know? What does the ELCA say? Who is at risk? Watch a clip of ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton who shares her view -- a Lutheran view -- about Christian Nationalism.

Come for Family Camp Plus -- AUG 18-23. Learn more ...

TEN -- As Calumet begins another year of life-altering ministry for people of all ages, it's worthwhile to remind Calumet Nation that -- in lots of ways -- what happens here is due in large part to what others have done. In short, God's people remembered Calumet.

The truth is that the number of people who have remembered Calumet with a gift at their death is relatively small considering how many people have loved Calumet over the years. But this is true at every charitable entity. Let's imagine together: What would it look like if EVERY person who values Calumet remembered Calumet with a gift?

Calumet is better than most in this area, for sure -- but let's be even better. Remember Calumet with a gift upon your death. What happens here matters so very much!