First United Methodist Church-Brighton & Whitmore Lake held its Women’s Retreat at Lake Huron Retreat Center in April. Suzanne Everett is seated in front row on the right.
Camp Offers the Spark that Keeps the Faith Fire Burning
Suzanne Everett, Marketing Consultant, Grace Outside
Sunny days combing the beach for rocks. Rainy days huddled in Poole Chapel or Littleton Lodge watching the freighters. Making lifelong friends and building the foundations of a faith that blossoms and blooms. These are the special memories for me and many when they think about Lake Huron Retreat Center.
I attended CYA Camp back in the 1980s — CYA meant Conference Youth Assembly! Camp and the spiritual leaders that worked with the conference youth were foundational to my faith journey and my calling to serve the church as a lay person. These adults made us feel valued and important in the life of the church. We reveled in creating an inclusive and welcoming community among our peer where everyone belonged. Many of my camp friends followed their callings to become leaders as elders, deacons, nonprofit and business leaders. One serves as a bishop in the Episcopal church.
Conference Youth Assembly at Lake Huron Retreat Center in 1987.
Two strong memories come to mind as I celebrate that ministry has been taking place at Lake Huron Retreat Center for 80 years! As part of our youth camp worship experience one evening, we crowded into the chapel basement. It was dark, dingy and a little spooky. We imagined we were the early church meeting in secret. Huddled there on the floor in the long hallway as though we were in the catacombs, we passed the cup grace and shared the bread of life. We served one another communion as though our very lives depended on it. It was a powerful moment and a memory I treasure.
“Camp was the spark that has kept my faith ‘fire going.'”
Another time we were sent out in small groups to discuss the lesson of the day. Being teenagers, we headed down the beach as far from the adults as we could get away with. We sat on the rocky shore as the day turned to twilight. I don’t recall the topic, but I remember hearing probably for the first time people my age offering their own testimonies of how God and Christ’s forgiveness shows up in their own lives. I grew up attending church and enjoyed it. I made good friends there, but I had never experienced God like this at church. Camp was the spark that has kept my faith “fire going.”
You are invited to celebrate all the sparks that happen at camp and the 80th Anniversary of Lake Huron Retreat Center’s ministry at the lakeshore. Here’s how:
- Attend the Celebration Open House: Sunday, Aug. 31 at 3 – 5 pm
- Share Your Stories and Photos of Lake Huron Retreat Center (and Lake Huron Camp prior to 1999)
- Send Your Wishes and Congratulations: Email info@lakehuronretreat.org or by mail: 8794 Lakeshore Rd., Burtchville MI 48059-1115
Generations have prayed, worshipped, studied and celebrated on the terrace of the outdoor chapel at Lake Huron Retreat Center. It celebrates 80 years of ministry in 2025.