Jane and Beaven Els joined Gilmont’s Executive Directors Jennifer and Kenny Rigoulot in shoveling soil and breaking ground on the new Lodge and Welcome Center. They were two of the over 80 Gilmont supporters, many of whom traveled many miles, to join us for the Ceremonial Groundbreaking.
During this celebration, we sang “Happy Birthday” to Gilmont and ate cake in celebration of 85 years of ministry. We gave thanks to God for those who started and built up the camp over the years, and invited God to continue to grow Gilmont’s ministry through the efforts of the Stretching Branches, Strengthening Roots capital campaign.
Gilmont’s capital campaign is committed to cultivating sustainability, growing and strengthening programs, strengthening partnerships, improving accessibility, and increasing capacity. It is more than a set of buildings; it is a part of cultivating a safe, sacred space where all are invited to grow closer to God, creation, others, and ourselves.
More Than A Set of Buildings
A reflection from Jane
My husband Beaven and I represented First Presbyterian Church Winnsboro at Gilmont’s groundbreaking ceremony. The camp and conference center is building a new lodge and our church made a donation toward the building. The new lodge will house 20 new rooms with the ability to sleep 40 people. More than just housing, the lodge and capital campaign will include hospitality space, additional lodging for staff, outdoor pavilion, parking and building resources for Day Camp. It’s an ambitious goal at just the right time in the 85th year of this Presbyterian camp. The camp has been operating at capacity every weekend for the last couple of years and has had to turn people away due to lack of availability.
Camp Gilmont is much more than a set of buildings, however. It is holy ground.
Anyone who has walked alone down various hiking trails has felt it. And I’ve heard stories from people who have felt the presence of God while they walked. Most of the time the camp operates as it was designed: as a gigantic playground for kids where they run with abandon on fields chasing a ball or each other, dancing silly dances, sometimes calmly discovering the beauty of the woods, canoeing through the quiet waters of the lake or weaving friendship bracelets. But adults hike the woods, too. Listening for God to whisper into their soul. Or reassure them of the Creator’s presence.
We are taught that God is everywhere. But it’s far easier to feel the presence of God in nature than a crowded city street. We don’t expect to feel God in a subway train or elevator. I have felt God’s presence many times and it was usually in some quiet and natural place. I think it was always a time when I was alone. With the weather being as close to perfect as you can get this week, I went for a walk and I felt like I could reach out and touch God in the very air. Maybe that’s why the Holy Spirit comes to us as wind.
I would love for us all to find a way to visit Gilmont Camp and Conference Center. God will be there waiting for us.
Jane, a Commissioned Ruling Elder serving Presbyterian Churches in Winnsboro, Paris, and Deport, has been a friend of the camp for many years. Over the years, she has attended many Women’s Retreats and Spiritual Practices Retreats – occasionally serving as a retreat leader and Keynoter for various rentals. During the summer, she regularly volunteers a week of her time to serve as Spiritual Advisor, leading Morning Celebration, Bible Studies, and Vespers services for summer campers.
Jane at a fall Spiritual Practices Retreat
Beaven and other volunteers installing a water bottle filling station
Jane with others who volunteered to help construct Jodi’s Jungle
Her husband, Beaven, volunteers weekly to work on various maintenance needs at camp. Alongside two of his long-time friends, he has fixed countless air-conditioning units, heaters, toilets, sinks, daily outlets, and many other appliances throughout camp property. He recently helped wire Gilmont’s new sound system this past spring. At Jane’s request, we keep him off ladders.
Jane and Beaven were introduced to Gilmont in the early 90s when Jane attended a weekend youth retreat as a sponsor from her church. She recalls a fond memory from that first weekend 35 years ago when another adult sponsor leaned over the porch of Oak and played a CD of Garth Brooks singing “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places.” This was the moment she was first enamored by the joy and connection of camp.
Since that first weekend, Jane has known Gilmont is more than a set of buildings. It’s a place to laugh and and connect. It’s a place where all are invited as they are. It’s a place to experience the presence of God among creation.