news article
From the Advocate: Camp scholarships a priority for Sherburne First UMC
May 4, 2016 / By Terry McNeil
Over the years, I have personally witnessed many youth – including my two daughters – have great experiences and “God moments” from attending camps of the Upper New York Conference.
The Sherburne First United Methodist Church is located in a small, rural village in Central New York. We have on average 40 to 50 people in attendance weekly for Sunday worship. We are proud to say we sent eight youth (four from one family) to camps this past summer. They attended Sky Lake, Skye Farm, Aldersgate, and Casowasco Camp & Retreat centers.
The Sherburne First UMC has sent kids to camp for at least 15 years. The church’s campership fund – named after Josh Webb, a young man who loved camp and died at a young age from leukemia – is the main monetary source for the camp scholarships. Each year, the church hosts a bake sale and Josh’s father matches the funds that are raised during the sale.
The Rev. George Gallandorm, pastor at the Sherburne UMC, said the best advertising for camp is a kid who has been to camp.
“I’ve seen kids come back who want to come up during worship service to sing a camp song who have never been involved with worship before,” he said. “You’ve got to see a kid see his first year, or make ice cream for the first time, or have some structure in the day when they might not have structure at home … It’s just wonderful to see kids experience things and to be who God meant them to be.”
You can see and feel the excitement of the youth in going and coming back from camp, bubbling over with enthusiasm and sharing their experiences. They truly have felt Christ’s love in these beautiful camps. Another blessing from God that enriches our church and community.
Kyle Terry McNeil is the treasurer at the Sherburne First UMC.