December is Coming!

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

Karen Carlson who is undergoing surgery and 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.

Josh and David who are recovering after having undergone a surgery that involved both of them ...

Those who are mourning, including Pastor John Corgan & family, and Laurie Miles, and Betsy Smith ...

Bob Johansson and his dad Ralph Johansson who are managing health concerns ...

Aiden Stott (healing prayers) as Aiden recuperates at home ...

Amy Kohan who is managing serious medical issues and is healing ...

People processing/grieving or otherwise impacted by their congregation’s Holy Closure ...

HIP at Calumet Interns (as they enter their 4th month of service) ...

Those receiving challenging diagnosis (prayer for courage, strength, and resolve) ...

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

People in and around Lewiston, Maine as they process grief, anger, and the extent they feel power to bring change ...

For the innocent ones in the Middle East whose lives are upended and devalued by the ones who have power through elections or who have power by force ... may innocent ones be strengthened and may ones in power show mercy and humility ...

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

For those impacted by the disastrous hurricane in Mexico ...

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 -- A special opportunity is GIVING TUESDAY on NOV 28. This partnership with Thrivent will mean that Calumet Nation can turn $20,000 into $30,000. Please consider making your Annual Fund gift to Calumet this year using the "Giving Tuesday" button below.

It must be on November 28 and it must use the Giving Tuesday link at Thrivent. Calumet will get a list and we'll be able to Thank You just as we always do!

TWO -- We are gearing up for Rejoice Weekend at Calumet which will be happening on DEC 1-3. Chaplains for the weekend are Pastor Tim Krick and Pastor Jeff Goodrich ... resource people include the HIP Interns, Chris Janson, Debbie Heins, Laura Almeida, and Cindy Perkins.

The weekend's program will include a whole variety of seasonal events that will help us wrap our collective head around who we are as Advent People. We'll be decorating the outside of cabins with garland and lights, making wreaths for guests to bring home, creating angels using old LBWs, thinking about angels, digging deep into what Lutherans are up to in this broken world, celebrating light and love at a campfire, wondering about how we live into the joy of the season even though this time of year can be a bit sad for some, enjoying fantastic singing of classic hymns and songs, and more. And the food!! This weekend event is great for people of all ages. Please come!

THREE -- Calumet continues to share the opportunity for someone out there who is a GREAT fit for the year-round, full time position -- Director for Family & Adult Programs. This person will be responsible for imagining, creating, planning, and implementing programs. For many years, people all over have come to see that a stay at Calumet and participation in all that happens here has a huge impact on their lives. Who will God send to this place? Is it you or someone you know? Learn more ...

FOUR -- When Calumet created space in the brand new *Oasis* for the Pippi Art Space (named to honor the memory of Sarah Lindwall Dalzell who was called *Pippi* when she served on summer staff), we knew that we'd eventually need to find funding to fill the space with the art supplies that would make the space truly usable and fantastic.

So now we're calling on everyone who is a THRIVENT MEMBER to snag an Action Team card for an education grant. We've looked at all the fine print and there is nothing that is getting in the way of Calumet Nation having as many people as possible apply for an Action Team and fill the Pippi Art Space with all the supplies we'll need to teach, engage, and inspire guests about God's love. If you're a Thrivent Member, you can help!

FIVE -- It's that time! Resident Camp for Kids registration is open. There are a few changes. The brand new tiered pricing model will allow for Calumet to better handle rising costs. As always, for those who are experiencing financial need, we have the Campership Fund ready.

Available Sessions: there are 7 fantastic one-week sessions, 4 awesome two-week sessions, and 1 very special three-week session.

Summer Staff Salaries are increasing significantly this summer so that Calumet can begin the journey of paying a fair wage to the people who make Resident Camp for Kids the life-changing place it's been for going on 64 summers.

Music Camp is back this summer and we are welcoming the brilliant musical leader and Calumet alum Mike Carnaroli to lead this fantastic program that will take place as a part of the Week 7 Resident Camp.

SIX -- The 2023 Christmas Ornament is ready! The Limited Edition Ornament can be ordered online. We'll get this in the mail to you so that it's ready to adorn your tree! $25 which includes shipping!

SEVEN -- You thought last year's "A Calumet Christmas Carol" was good ... Get ready Calumet Nation for the exciting event we've been planning for many months which will take place on DE 16 at 7 PM ... a Lessons & Carols type experience we're calling: "It's Our Story (and we're stickin' to it)." Together with our friends at First Christian in Freedom and Nativity Lutheran in North Conway, Calumet will be welcoming up to 200 people into the Oasis while -- at the very same time -- inviting people from all over to enjoy the LIVE broadcast on Facebook LIVE and YouTube. Attendance, whether LIVE or ONLINE, is free -- but those attending in-person will need to reserve a spot.

Mark your calendars, plan on attending from wherever you are, and spread the word! This is going to be fantastic!

EIGHT -- Calumet is a great spot for family and friends to gather during the days just after Christmas Day. Starting DEC 27 folks will cozy up to the fire, experience comfortable lodging, eat good food, enjoy late night campfires, outdoor recreation, and time for re-charging. Calumet's Christmas Vacation Week event is great for a couple of days or for more than that. It's up to you! New Years Eve celebrations include our very own 6 PM Ball Drop outside, delicious snacks, Team Trivia, and the welcoming in of 2024!

We'll be welcoming our chaplain, Pastor Scott Howard from our Lutheran congregation in Salem, NH, Triumphant Cross Lutheran. He's fantastic -- and fun!

NINE -- Looking ahead to January, 2024, Calumet wants everyone to be thinking about making a visit for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend. Plans are underway to make the weekend event be packed with plenty of moments of goodness, mercy, and justice under the watchful eyes of the weekend's chaplain, Pastor Jon Hopkins from our congregation in Concord, NH -- Concordia Lutheran. He'll be joined in leadership by musician Dave Piper who lives in Greater Boston. Great music, important programming, and a worthwhile gathering of God's people will be part of how we can celebrate the legacy of Dr. King.

As part of the weekend, we're also excited to have Connie Wisneski from our congregation in Amherst, NH -- Messiah Lutheran. Connie will be our resource person for anyone who has been day-dreaming or periodically wishing they had the ability to make a T-Shirt Quilt. If you're someone who has t-shirts and wants to learn the ins and outs of putting such a quilt together, you need to come to Calumet and hang out with Connie on MLK Weekend!

TEN -- Calumet is loved by so many. Each year, we make the valiant effort to encourage 2,000 donors to -- at some point during the calendar year -- make a gift. All of us here at Calumet hope that YOU, whoever you are and wherever you are will decide to become one of the 2,000 donors who come together to keep Calumet awesome and strong!

Your gift to Calumet keeps all of our programs affordable -- especially Calumet's iconic Resident Camp for Kids. But that's not all. Because of the gifts Calumet receives from donors all over, we are able to provide campership awards to those families for whom the cost of kids camp is simply not within reach. Your support for the Annual Fund also makes sure we have the resources for planning, for solving problems, and for dreaming of the future. Thank you for considering becoming one of the 2,000 donors for 2023. It matters!

Contact Ginger if you need help making a gift of stock, giving funds for your Required Minimum Distribution, if you need language for remembering Calumet with an estate gift, or for ideas about how you think you can make Calumet stronger. Ginger is ready to help! Thank you!