news stories Tagged “Camp and Retreat Ministry (CRM)”
Campfires, cleanup, and connection: Aldersgate Rally ignites hearts
June 17, 2025 / By Pastor Kevin Kitto, Lowville UMC
The Aldersgate Regional Rally Day was an incredible success, filled with joy, connection, and inspiration! Over the weekend, we witnessed the power of community as participants came together to celebrate, learn, and make a lasting impact on the lives of our youth. Nearly 60 volunteers from a handful of local churches, including Lowville, Carthage, Champion, Natural Bridge, Beaver Falls, Turin, Martinsburg, and Constableville, pitched in to help get Aldersgate …more
Casowasco Update: From discernment to action
May 7, 2025 / By Casowasco Discernment Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Casowasco Discernment Team continues to discern the next right step for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. During the Lenten season, they spent time in prayer and discernment and invited others into the conversation through an electronic form. Thank you to everyone who completed the form. Your responses offered helpful insights, full of passion and openness. After reviewing the input from the forms and reflecting on their own …more
CRM Sunday is April 27
April 9, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
United Methodists of Upper New York are invited to celebrate the excellent ministry being shared by our Camp & Retreat Ministries on Sunday, April 27. The Conference Leadership Team invites congregations to lift up the ministries of the sites to increase awareness of the vital work happening with our partners at Camp & Retreat Ministries. Congregations are also asked to receive a special offering for camp scholarships so that …more
Seeking God’s Vision for Casowasco
March 26, 2025 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Saturday, March 22, 2025, continued the journey of discerning the next faithful steps for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. A team of ten people gathered in person at the Conference Office, while two more joined via Zoom. Members of the team include long-time campers, volunteers, staff, and supporters. Also included are parents of campers and Conference leaders. The Rev. Colin Kerr-Carpenter, Interim Director of Casowasco, started the day by offering a centering …more
Update on CRM in Upper New York
March 19, 2025 / By Office of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Over the past 12 months, the Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM) of United Methodists of Upper New York have experienced significant activity and movement. Each site has been actively involved in discerning the next steps to enhance their ministry's impact. Summer Preparations and Group Hosting Skye Farm, Sky Lake, and Aldersgate have been gearing up for the summer camp season while also hosting groups. Asbury Retreat Center has been continuing …more
A new era of snowshoe ministry at Skye Farm
March 13, 2025 / By Hannah Lasher, Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center Assistant Director / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Getting people outside and connected to Creation during summer camp can be as simple as stepping out the door. Doing the same during a snowy Adirondack winter, however, requires a bit more gear. And now, thanks to the generosity of Burnt Hills UMC, Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center once again has snowshoes for retreat guests to use to get outside and explore during the winter months. Each fall, Burnt …more
Rev. Deb Coatsworth joins Asbury Retreat Center as Assistant Director
January 7, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Deb Coatsworth is the new Assistant Director at Asbury Retreat Center. She is a Deacon who formerly served the Elma UMC. After being a member since 1994, Rev. Coatsworth began her ministry as Christian Education Director at Elma UMC in 2006. She was ordained in 2023 in the Upper New York Annual Conference. She is leaving her current role as Director of Christian Education/Youth Ministries and Spiritual Care Ministry. Highlights …more
2025 Casowasco Sabbath
January 6, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following message was shared with United Methodists of Upper New York on Monday, January 6, 2025 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, Rev. Bill Mudge, and Rev. Dr. Pam Harris. Dear siblings in Christ, Today, we share with you an important update regarding Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. Starting this month, all programming and hosting at Casowasco …more
Next faithful steps for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
December 9, 2024 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Bouwens & Rev. William Mudge / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Dear United Methodists of Upper New York, We ask for your prayers as the next faithful steps for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center are being discerned. In late Spring 2024, preparations were underway for another summer of campers gathering on the shores of Owasco Lake at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. During those preparations, it became clear for the best camp experience there was a need to make …more
One donation keeps things hot at Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center
August 22, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This past summer, Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center experienced one of its largest camping seasons in recent years. Having reliable equipment to prepare and serve meals is crucial. Early in the summer, the ovens used to make meals stopped working altogether. “The staff was being quite creative in providing hot meals. A few examples were hot dogs cooked on the campfire with cold salads. They also had "floating …more