East Tennessee Episcopalian: Grace Point Camp News

Photo by Penni Heinsohn

Annie vonRosenberg, third from right, joins several of the women of St. Andrew, Maryville - Laura Sell, Hughette Hancock and Judy Kopp - as they assemble Anglican rosaries in one of the activities enjoyed on their retreat to Grace Point's Commons Building in April.

The St. Andrew, Maryville, women’s retreat got off to a stormy start, but even tornado warnings could not dampen the spirits of the nearly 40 women who gathered at Grace Point Camp and Retreat Center in April to celebrate “Our Hands, Sacred Gifts.”

This retreat, lovingly facilitated by Patricia Tanzer-Askew and Brenda Botts, among others, was designed to celebrate the gifts we have to offer each other, our families, our parish, our God and ourselves.

The weekend began with punch on the Commons Building’s screened porch, as conversation and laughter spilled over from participants making use of the rocking chairs. Many of these women had never been to Grace Point and were taking in the beauty of the cove. A light dinner was followed by a restorative yoga exercise, led by Kae Wrinkle, which ended with retreatants saying the Lord’s Prayer as they performed a Sun Salute.

Saturday was a day full of presentations, workshops, food, free time and tea. Presenta-tions on compassion, sacred spaces and table grace were coupled with workshops on making sacred art, such as icons and clay crosses.

Saturday evening was dedicated to learning about and making prayer beads during a workshop led by Tanzer-Askew. The workshop ended with worship that included the creation of a candlelit human rosary. It was a beautiful sight to behold. A small group then gathered around a campfire at the Point, where they toasted marshmallows and delighted in each other’s company.

On Sunday, one group created a sacred space by placing sacred art around the dining hall. Other groups helped prepare for the closing Eucharist by choosing the music, writing the Prayers of the People and creating a special procession into the worship space. The Rev. Gayle Browne, who had been present through the weekend, led the closing Eucharist, which included blessings over the newly created icons and prayer beads.

“Our Hands, Sacred Gifts” fostered new relationships between the women of St. Andrew’s. Women of all ages, who otherwise may not have gotten to know each other, shared an amazing weekend of worship, fellowship and creativity in one of our diocese’s most beautiful places.

St. Andrew, Maryville: 865-983-3512.

THE WISH LIST

$24 would restock paper products used in the Commons, Retreat House and tree house dormitories
$71 would help to purchase needed kitchen utensils and supplies
$105 would help to maintain the grounds, purchase landscape materials and buy fuel for equipment
$277 would help to replace or repair broken, bent or busted furnishings
$350 would send a young person to camp for an entire session
$411 would help establish new program areas (archery) at camp
$759 would buy a canoe or kayak
$1000+ would help purchase an all-terrain vehicle for maintenance of buildings and grounds and in the event of an emergency [This item has been purchased! Many thanks to contributors.]

Thank you for thinking of Grace Point! Please contact Christopher Turner at 865-376-0589 for more info.

On Point ...

It’s 11:47 p.m., and all’s well at camp. Yep, it’s really that late (just ask Sharon when she got this e-mail if you can track her down in the Tarheel State).

The second-session campers are nestled all snug in their beds (it’s that cool outside, too). Another great day at camp has come and gone.

I try to spend a few minutes at the end of each camp day standing (or sitting in the new Kawasaki Mule) and staring up at the sky. The view from the Point is incredible. I have found that every camp I’ve served has such a view.

There’s just something about getting away from the light of any city and looking up. That time is a great way to decompress from whatever the day has brought. I have, however, always said that even a tough day at camp is better than a great day anywhere else.

The moon was bright tonight. That’s not always a good thing. It certainly obscures the view of the stars. That’s okay, though, the moon is due its moment in the sun. Oh, wait, does that make any sense? It is getting late.

I’m not an expert at pointing out constellations and stuff. I can recognize the Big Dipper, the North Star and a few other widely known extra-terrestrial landmarks. I can fake it with the younger campers, but I usually get corrected by a few of the older ones. That, too, is okay. I’m still a camper in many ways myself.

What’s that line from the poem …“all I ask is a tall ship and a star to sail it by.” Yep. That’s all I need. Well, not the ship part (but that would be cool). All I ask is a camp and a field of stars to visit each night.

I don’t know, though. Come to think of it, I’m surrounded by stars every day. Fortunate, I am.

I am sad to lose one of those stars. Sharon, you will be missed. I’ll look for you every night. In the sky. From the field.

Christopher Turner is the executive director of Grace Point, the Diocese of East Tennessee’s camp and retreat center. Call him at 865-376-0589 or 865-803-8921 (cell), or send an e-mail message to gracepoint@etdiocese.net.

Did you know anyone may reserve facilities for their use at Grace Point, the camp and retreat center of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee?

In addition to events such as vestry and youth group retreats, Grace Point has hosted study and hobby groups, family weekends and day meetings.

Grace Point overlooks Watts Bar Lake near Kingston, Tenn. Nearly 270 acres of woods, hills, fields and two miles of shoreline offer plenty of space for activities including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, picnicking, games, sports, reflection, meditation and worship.

To make your reservation or to arrange arrival and departure times for your visit, please contact Christopher Turner, Grace Point executive director, at 865.376.0589 or 865.803.8921 (cell), or gracepoint@etdiocese.net .

A $100 deposit is required within 10 business days of making a reservation. The balance is due in full upon departure from Grace Point.

To make your reservation, contact Christopher Turner, executive director of Grace Point, at gracepoint@etdiocese.net, 865.376.0589 (camp) or 865.803.8921 (cell).