Traditions
It seems like all families or groups create traditions that become identifying structures to make the group unique. Some traditions are for a short time and then they fade away. Other traditions are worth keeping and effort is made to continue the tradition. Greater Portland has a rich tradition that has lasted more than 35 years. It has continued through many changes over the years. Change of pastors, change of elders, change of staff and lots of change in church attenders. This tradition has survived the test of time and has been highly valued.
Are you curious about what tradition I am talking about? It is the All-Church Campout that we have every summer. Let me give you a little history lesson about the campout. In the late 80’s and early 90’s there was a group of members that got together to go camping. Judy and Ken Pinkerton were part of this group with a few other families. Jon Sturm was a pastor at the church and asked Judy if she would coordinate a church wide camping experience. So, Judy became the coordinator and continued this tradition for quite a while. They camped at Ft. Stevens State Park in the beginning using as many as 85 campsites. The effort to coordinate smaller groups of 8 – 10 campsites into having potlucks together and then having a Sunday morning worship service took lots of time and energy. They moved to Honeyman State Park in Florence, OR, for a few years, but it was too far away. So, they did a lot of research and settled on Barton Park Campground on the Clackamas River near Carver, OR.
When Paul & I took over being the coordinators in 2018 there were many campsites being reserved at the park. But in 2019 the campground limited group camping to only 30 sites. The purpose of the camping tradition was and continues to be to forge strong relationships with our fellow believers. We need each other and just coming to Sunday services does not allow for the richness of developing strong relationships. God created us in families. He chose Abraham to be the beginning of His chosen people. After Jesus came to earth, we came together into churches for fellowship and growth. God wants us to be in community together, and this tradition of camping gives us extended time for building those relationships. We have witnessed and experienced the forging of new friendships at the campout that may have never happened without this tradition. If you are thinking of coming or have any questions, please talk to members of the campout team. They are Paul & Myrna Hill, Ron & Kathy Anderson, Mindy Shumway, Pat & Laurie Murphy, Marlon & Vicki Melendez, and Diane Swanson. Come join us in this long-standing GPBC tradition.
P.S. Ken & Judy Pinkerton will be camping with us this year. Come meet them.