3rd Annual Camping Trip!

St. Mark Campers descended upon Sherando Lake campground for the 3rd annual spring trip this past weekend!  Historically, this has been both a chilly and a wet event.  This time - blue, sunny, and dry skies abounded!  However - the chill factor was quite a different story.  The day after returning home, my Leo reported at the dinner table that "the best part of my day was that I was not cold!"  

 Frostbite or no, it was a memorable, food-for-the-soul kind of weekend.  But don't take my word for it!  Here's what others had to say:

“What a wonderful camping weekend!  Thank you to all who helped it happen, especially Paul and Lois...you do so much to make this happen for us all.  Thank you to Pastor Sandy for worship leadership and bringing us together with good spirit and humor.  I love that.... and thank you to all who came, I loved that there were campers there that I had missed out on camping with last year. And, to those who could not come......there is always next year!”

Gathering for a meal

“Another wonderful weekend!  I love that [folks are] already looking forward to and planning for next year... to me, that's a true sign of a great trip, that everyone is thinking about the next year.  Every person on this trip brought something special and unique to the group.  I am deeply grateful to be a part of this community that continues to grow and flourish, and I know that we…consider our St. Mark family to be among the biggest blessings in our lives.  The worship service on Sunday was among the highlights of the trip for me.  Thank you, Pastor Sandy, for creating a meaningful, memorable service in such a beautiful setting. 

Thank you all!”

Rolling down the hillside never got old!

“Another great weekend with some of my faith family. I enjoyed it.  One surprise to me was the sunburn on my face....the only exposed skin to the elements during the trip... who knew? Next time, sunscreen can be packed too, along with long johns and hat and gloves....just in case.” 

The ongoing badminton game!

“I love the t-shirts [and] the medallions... Thanks for the wonderful sharing of food, thank you Sandy for another worship that really spoke to me. Thanks for dry skies!”

No-dye Tie Dye Shirts

Wowza Camp Medallions! 

“[We] want to echo the heart-felt comments made thus far concerning the family camping weekend.  Our time together was so special.  Being outdoors surrounded by trees, blue sky (mostly) overhead, the sound of Whippoorwills during the night (have to take your word on that!!), the sharing of meals, laughter and so many other wonderful moments are memories to be treasured.”



“Thanks to each of you for your unique contributions.  Everyone was so willing to do whatever needed to be done.  The service on Sunday morning was so very meaningful...a highlight of our mountain get-away.  Thank you for lovingly gathering us together to share in such a beautiful worship experience.”

Preparing for worship in Upper Whippoorwill Chapel

“[We] had a wonderful time... it was a first for our family and we enjoyed it very much. We are already talking about what to bring for next year (more blankets to go with our sleeping bags). We just want to say "Thank you" to all who planned, packed, organized, cooked, cleaned, shared, and sang, in addition to reaching out, encouraging, welcoming, socializing, laughing, and chit-chatting with us and allowing us to be a part of something so fun and enjoyable.  It was a wonderful experience to camp with all of you; it is a great memory to own. Thank you.” 

A great memory to own, indeed.  

Just 50-some weeks and counting until Sherando Lake 2014!