February 28, 2024 - Volume 24.2
When you arrive on Saturday
report to the job assignment table in the Dining Hall.
700 SAM HOLLOW RD, DICKSON TN
Spring is the ultimate time to plant new annuals and bushes and to re-mulch the beds. We have two separate projects:
- Tend to the beds at the entrance, Tablernacle, and dining hall. New annuals will be on site along with dirt and mulch. Just add you!
- Johnson Lodge is getting an overhaul. We need to have bushes pulled, new bushes planted, color planted, and finally...rock mulch from the creek.
- Outside work.
Can you even think of a way
to have more fun?
Maplewood Cabin makes its debut this year, and the bunk beds are going to be delivered in time for our Work Day.
- We can use several volunteers to form a team to put together 40 bunk beds.
- Bring your favorite driver/drill, ratchet set...or use ours tools. We share!
- Inside work.
What a great way to be involved in the christening of our new Cabin!
Boy, do we have some branches and trees that need to be chainsawed. I don't know if that's a real word, but it communicates.
- Trees will be marked with a RED ribbon.
- Bring your chainsaw or use one of ours.
- Trees will be cut into 10' sections, and branches will go directly to the burn pile.
- Outside work.
With this never-ending project, we can never have too many lumberjacks!
You would be correct in saying the concrete is ready for a good cleaning. We have a couple of pressure washers, but if you want to bring yours that will allow more people to be involved.
Concrete needs attention at:
- The Tabernacle - sidewalk, steps, and ramp.
- The RV Park has several concrete pads that need some sprucing up.
- The Dining Hall sidewalks, ramp, and stairs would love to have you give them a bath!
- Pressure washing is wet work, so bring your rain gear and enjoy yourself.
- Outside work.
You don't have to feel pressured to apply pressure.
Construction Update
- Springfield (Redbud) - Drywall begins the first week of March; the front deck is going up now.
- Maplewood - Finishing the electrical is one of the last steps before trim out and furnishings
- Dining Hall - Architectural drawings were submitted to the state Fire Marshal the 3rd week of February. They never pass the 1st time, and we are working on making the required modifications. When they are approved, we are ready to break ground!
- Youth Chapel - The goal is to have things ready for District Assembly on April 25.
The "nightstands" for Maplewood Cabin are custom made from wood crates from Michaels and lumber from Lowes. Is your interest piqued?
- We'll use clamps, glue, pneumatic brad nailers, and screws to make these wall-mounted cubbies. There will be a cubby for every bed.
- Teams of 2 are ideal for this project.
- A project coordinator will be onsite to answer all questions.
- Requires more craft and hobby skills than carpenter skills. The wood is all pre-cut.
- Inside work.
Give your creative self an outlet.
Because of a season named "fall," you are cordially invited to help blow, rake, and burn leaves. They're beautiful when on the trees, but not so much on the ground.
- CGC staff will pull the burn permit.
- We have a blower and many rakes.
- Outside work.
This is a great family or small group project. Whistle while you work!
The A-frame house that Chef Rusty and his wife Amanda live in has beds edged with railroad ties. Old, rotten ties need to come out, and new, beautiful ties need to go in.
- We can suit you up with the tools you need.
- Will require lifting, tugging, and sweating, but there's not many ties to replace.
- Outside work.
This is a great half-day project, so come on out to work and enjoy lunch...compliments of Chef Rusty!
This is not something that's normally promoted, because our altars are special to us. But sometimes, altars need a good sanding and painting. And it's time.
- We have 3 altars that need the facelift.
- Sanding tools and paint will be supplied.
- Great for families and teaching time with children.
- Inside work or outside work.
Another half-day project, so come on out to work and enjoy lunch!
Whether you find a place to kneel, make it a prayer walk, or find a place of solitude in a chair, praying for the staff and ministry of Camp Garner Creek is the most important thing one can do on Work Day.
- Inside/Outside/at CGC/at your home.
- Alone or with a group.
- Let the Spirit of God guide you or use the prayer list below as a reference.
Prayer is some of the most difficult work a follower of Christ can do!
National Camping Conferences Held at CGC
Nazarene Camping Association (NCA)
The NCA will hold its annual conference at CGC March 4-6. Executive Directors from across the country gather together to worship, plan, and encourage.
Christian Camping & Conference Association (CCCA)
The TN-KY Section of the national CCCA was held at CGC February 26-28. The purpose of the TN-KY Section is to help all camp staff from the area be inspired in their work and to explore ways to perform their jobs better. The conference theme was Better Together.
for Prayer and Reflection
March 1st is the beginning of a new budget year for CGC. Spring is also in the air, so it's a time to think about new growth and possibilities.
- Ask God to encourage and nurture the staff that works with the campground year 'round. Also lift up the dozens of volunteers who come alongside and bring the energy for the varied events that take place on our grounds. Please pray that Satan will not distract them from keeping their eyes on God in their daily work.
- Pray for the leaders that bring groups to CGC. Long before the retreat or camp begins, a team of people begin to meet and ask for God's direction for their upcoming event. By the time their group arrives on campus, many months of planning and prayer has taken place. Pray that what God has inspired will come to life...that God's breath will add to the plans as everything comes together in real time.
- Pray for the donors who will give in the future...that each will follow the lead of the Lord. God's plan for giving starts with giving cheerfully as God prompts hearts. It's never a burden or an obligation. It's a blessing.
- 2024 Project – Get the Snack Shack Out of the Floodplain – We have our plans ready to remodel the lower level of Springfield Cabin (formerly Redbud) then relocate the Snack Shack from its current location in the floodplain. The need is $50K to rework the South end of Springfield to accommodate the Snack Shack. Included in the relocation project will be the construction of a covered pavilion in the front yard of the new Snack Shack. This will serve to maintain great seating for conversation and connection when the Snack Shack is open for business. (The nurse’s lodge and infirmary will continue to reside in Springfield in its current location.)
- CGC's Chaplain, Rev. Bob McKenzie, had back surgery the last week of February, and is in the midst of recovery.
- Pray for an Assistant for Rusty Hertzler, our Chef – We are looking for the right person to come along Rusty and be able to carry the weight of managing an entire meal by themselves. This is a part-time job most of the year with higher demand during the summer months. Rusty said, “I am looking for ministry-minded hands.”
- Gary Rhodes continues to improve from the snake bite he experienced in the Fall. Pray for his continued healing.
- Thanking God that CGC made it through February without having to dip into the line of credit. Several months before winter came, the staff began to set money aside to help with the lean months.
- When we think about the future of CGC, TBAM (Ten Bucks a Month Club) is an important piece of our strategy to pay for the new Dining Hall. We highlight TBAM on Facebook and Bullet Points Newsletter, so I pray that God enables the right people at the right time to become a monthly donor through TBAM. As the name says, we are looking for many people who will give $10 each month. Click here to join.
- Don't forget! The prayer team at CGC has been praying for two years for two golf carts to replace ones totaled in the flood. Let’s not tire of asking God for what we need. When a prayer isn’t answered in the way we hope, we continue praying. God may have something different in mind, and it often takes us time to catch on to what God is up to. Pray with faith and openness!
PRAYER changes what we SEE...
and what we SEEK.
Each month CGC Chaplain Bob McKenzie shares a prayer letter.
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