Celebration of Ministry at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center

By UNY Communications | Email

After decades of faithful service, Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center is entering a new chapter. Nestled on the shores of Owasco Lake, Casowasco has long been a place of refuge, renewal, and spiritual growth.  

On June 14, 2026, the Upper New York (UNY) Camp & Retreat Ministries led a service celebrating the ministry and legacy of Casowasco. The gathering brought together former campers, staff, volunteers, clergy, and friends to give thanks for the countless lives shaped through eight decades of ministry. 

Held in the Lakeview Chapel, the service served as a decommissioning of the site following the difficult decision announced in March 2026 to end programming. While the future of the property  is still being discerned and is under the care of the Conference Board of Trustees, those gathered on Sunday focused not on an ending, but on giving thanks for God’s faithfulness. Through worship, music, prayer, and shared memories, participants reflected on the relationships and experiences that made Casowasco a cherished place for so many.  

"Over the years, thousands of people have encountered the Holy God on these grounds," said the Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Director of Missional Excellence. “Those experiences continue today through the faith, callings, friendships, and ministries that were nurtured at Casowasco and carried into communities across Upper New York and beyond.”  

Reflecting with Gratitude and Hope  

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez acknowledged the mixture of gratitude, grief, and deep emotional connection felt by many in attendance, encouraging those gathered to remember Casowasco's impact while trusting God with what comes next. Drawing on Joshua 4, he described the occasion as a moment to give thanks for "what God did that only God could do" through the ministry of Casowasco. 

Reflecting on the challenge of saying goodbye, Bishop Burgos said, "One of the most difficult parts in life is to let go. I'm convinced that we were not built for letting go because we were meant for eternity." While acknowledging the pain of closing this chapter, he encouraged those in attendance not to let go of the memories, faith, and sense of calling nurtured through Casowasco’s ministry, but instead to carry them forward into the future. 

Celebration of Ministry 

Drawing from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, the Rev. Dr. Nick Bufano read, “For everything there is a season and a time for every mater under heaven,” reflecting on the reality that every ministry experiences seasons of growth, change, and transition. While the closing of Casowasco marked a time of grief and farewell, the passage also offered hope, reminding attendees that God's work continues beyond any one place or chapter of ministry.  

The Rev. Susan Ranous shared Joshua 1:9, encouraging those in attendance to "be strong and courageous" and trust that God's presence remains with them in times of transition. The Scripture reinforced the day’s message that while ministry at Casowasco is ending, God's work continues wherever God's people go. 

During a Litany of Thanksgiving led by the Rev. Bill Mudge, attendees gave thanks for the many ways God had worked through Casowasco over the years. The litany gave voice to the countless memories formed on the grounds, recalling that "Here we have baptized, shared fellowship, broken bread, celebrated marriages, mourned, and buried our dead." It concluded with a message of hope, affirming the ministry’s influence will continue through Upper New York’s four camp and retreat centers, local churches, and conference ministries.  

Lasting Legacy  

Much of the service celebrated the enduring legacy of Casowasco. Representatives from  Upper New York’s four other Camp & Retreat Ministry sites—Asbury, Aldersgate, Sky Lake, and Skye Farm—joined together to mix soil from each location as a symbol of their shared ministry and connection.  

“We share in the grief as we close one of our centers in the connection. As four remaining Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministry sites continue in ministry together, we take soil from the grounds of Casowasco home with us to remember the legacy and importance Casowasco has been to so many people’s faith journeys,” said the Rev. Sue Russell, Site Director at Asbury Retreat Center.   

At the conclusion of the service, guests were then invited to take home a small bag of soil and seeds, serving as a tangible reminder that while Casowasco’s chapter is ending, its spirit, impact, and ministry continues to grow in the lives of those it touched. 

As those in attendance departed, carrying with them both memories and symbols of hope, Rev. Ranous offered a final reflection. “This place may have been decommissioned, but this place has been consecrated in our hearts.”  

The Friends of Casowasco held a service following the Celebration of Ministry.

Next Steps 

In the coming months, a collaboration of the UNY Camp & Retreat Ministries Team, Conference Leadership Team, and additional stakeholders will engage in a process to discern the next right steps for the property. Watch for updates throughout the fall, and continue to join together in prayer as this holy work continues.