One of the greatest assets we have in our diocese is Paradise Point.

For at least 60 years we have sent our children and youth there for our camping program each summer.  And some of our congregations have themselves used this wonderful rustic facility for weekend gatherings of the congregational family, an informal time to enjoy one another’s presence in the midst of this lovely natural preserve. Yes, Paradise Point is some of the most beautiful land in all creation. And it is ours, a gift long ago from folks who could see the possibilities of its use as a place for worship, teaching, and building friendships in and with Christ. Many folks have been there over the years. And most of you have fallen in love with the place and the people you meet there. It is indeed a great asset. It is, however, an asset of which we have failed to take full advantage.  Paradise Point is only open for about three months each year. And for some of this time, we find ourselves having to recruit “lease camps”, other organizations
to rent our facility, so the financial operation of this asset comes closer to breaking even.  There are three issues that limit our use of this asset. First we do not have the full use of our own facility because we need “lease camp” revenue to help pay the bills. Second, our diocese lacks the financial resources to bring
the physical plant up to code (e.g., electrical needs) and to make needed capital improvements (e.g., bathhouse and dining hall). And third, we do not use the facility to its fullest by operating for a longer period of time each year. How ironic! We talk about Paradise Point as an important part of the mission of our diocese, particularly in terms of promoting Christian education and formation. But we are unable to take full advantage of this great asset because it will cost more money than we are currently able to invest.  This summer a conversation has begun about how to change this reality. Let me share with you the pieces of the conversation.

First, our current Director, Wicky MacColl, has developed a list of possible programs which can carry the operation of our facility well into the fall. This will, however, mean an increase in staff payroll, and will require us to invest in improvements to the facility. 

Second, we have discussed putting our and into a trust that commits us to preserve this land and its usage for years to come. The exact nature of such a trust is ot immediately clear, but everal persons are in conversation with those organizations hat do this work regularly. Third, a Board of Trustees, created by act of diocesan convention in the early 1990’s, currently has oversight if this facility. They have done a fine job with maintaining the facility and making several important improvements. But the general operation, staffing, publicity, program development and seeking outside funds has been left to diocesan staff.
Therefore a resolution will come to diocesan convention in October to make the operation of Paradise Point the responsibility of the Executive Director
of Camp with the support of a committee of persons selected by the director and responsible to Diocesan Council.

Finally, the last piece of this conversation focuses on how we can endow the operation of this wonderful facility. As long as it is dependent on the diocesan budget to supplement its operation, we will not realize the great potential that this asset represents. An adequate endowment will perhaps be somewhere between 3-5 million dollars. I am excited this conversation has begun. The first step will be the restructuring of the Board of Trustees into a Committee of the Diocesan Council led by the Executive Director of Camps. Then we will begin a diocesan-wide conversation about improving the program and physical plant, and finding ways to endow the operation. I hope you will join in the conversation as we seek to make Paradise Point an asset for this diocese that will help carry
forward our mission for many, many years to come.