The early registration deadline for camp 2012 is February 15th 2012! Don’t wait another minute! Register now and recieve a $120 scholarship from Friends of Camp Connections.

For session dates and registration forms visit the Camp Connections website at:

www.Camp-Connections.org

Winter Retreat 2012

This is a reminder that the Winter retreat is almost upon us. If you haven’t already registered, please do so today! The retreat will be held in the usual place at New Life Camp in Durham, Ontario on the third weekend in February (17th-19th). This year’s theme is “Discipleship Explored – What can we learn from Philippians?” Complete the registration form and send it to Lynn Lawrence along with the $85.00 fee.

For further information, please contact Lynn Lawrence at lynnegbert@yahoo.com .

It is that time of year again! Send in your Camp forms now and Friends of Camp Connections will pay $120 of your camp tuition fee! All you have to do is complete your application and mail it to me before February 15th. First time campers will have a little longer to take advantage of the reduced price but why wait?! Camp 2012 is going to be another amazing camp experience! Do you have a friend that you think would enjoy spending a week at camp? Talk to them about camp and tell them why you love coming back every year! Invite them along and make sure they take advantage of the Friends of camp Connections scholarship too!

Here’s to an amazing camper experience for 2012!

With Love,

Lynn

For further information, please contact Lynn Lawrence at lynnegbert@yahoo.com

Natalie Grant – Your Great Name

Bethel Live – One Thing Remains

Brightest – Foursquare United Gospel

Show Me Your Heart – Christ For The Nations

He Is God – Chris Martin

The One I Love – Generation Church

What Joy (Psalm 146) – Generation Church

You Are Good – Christ for The Nations

Many of you will have memories of Dennis from camp, and it would be wonderful to hear them, but for now I will give you a brief collection of thoughts on the changes in camp over the years, and Dennis’ specific contribution.  Oddly enough, many years ago we thought it might be fun to go to the National Camp in the United States. We did go and were told that we had nothing to offer.  We didn’t even ask again until years later when Dennis became Pastor of two churches in eastern Ontario and our girls made good friends in both areas.  We were to move to that area but when that was aborted we asked if we could stay involved in the area so the girls could maintain their new friendships.  This included a desire to be part of camp if possible.  Everyone agreed and, in 1995, Dennis began helping with the canoe program, rusty French and all (in those days things were far more bilingual).  Our roles expanded over the next few years and, in 1999, after we were transferred to Montreal, then director Roger Labelle, asked Dennis if he would take over as director of Camp Vendee.  (I believe it was a temporary offer…lol!).

Camp, and the purpose of camp, was going through some dramatic changes over that time.  Our sponsoring church was making huge theological shifts, as well as growing in understanding of how God works with “church kids”.  Camp, in our fellowship, was a Christian environment offered to young people to meet others of similar beliefs.  Based on our own experiences, as well as input from camp directors in the US, we felt that camp should also grow in the area of challenging young people to consider their personal beliefs and relationship with God.  Although Dennis had been a lifelong Christian, he made a public commitment to Christ when he was 16, and never deviated from that.  It seemed to us that there was no established date in God’s head as to when a young person could accept responsibility for their relationship with God. 

With that in mind, Dennis set about looking at each area of camp.  We “borrowed” the American camps’ creed of surrounding campers with “the wall of love”, and each area of camp was considered in that light: that is, are we surrounding these youth with a wall of Christian love, the way that Jesus did?  Our Christian education programs became more personal, and more challenging.  Christianity was not something Dennis believed was a far off goal for our campers; he believed it was something they could embrace no matter what their age. 

In the early 2000’s the Whitney family joined us at Camp Vendee, and based on the charity in the states honouring their son, one of our staff members suggested we begin our own charity.  Dennis researched the possibility and a team of us began what is now known as “Friends of Camp Connections”.   We were so blessed with an amazing group, who came to be known as the “Planning team” and who helped with the planning and re-visioning of what Camp could be.  It was a learning process for us all, and perhaps this team idea stretched Dennis the most, as he had been used to working on his own for years. 

The next challenge came when we were told Camp Vendee was to be sold.  We had seen so many amazing young people, and watched them change in just a few days at camp.  It was hard to think of not continuing, so Dennis helped with the camp search and, thanks to a relationship Katherine Brockman had developed, we “wound up” at Providence Point. 

It’s hard to say what Dennis’ biggest legacy at camp is.  While at camp, at the end of the day I would often ask him what he did for the day.  He never really seemed to know; he would joke that he MBWA (managed by walking around).  However, my guess is that we might not have an annual camp without him.  The church was making major changes when we came on board, and camp wasn’t a general priority.  To have a Pastor that was such a firm advocate was/is a gift.  We can also thank him for encouraging the change in worship style, and for the good solid Christian base we have at camp.  But maybe there is one thing that we will all remember him the most for: Dennis came to camp knowing every camper’s name.  Maybe Nathan Knapp tells the story of Dennis’ legacy the best.  Nathan explains (and my apologies to Nathan for not telling it quite the same way) about how he came to camp the first year, and would hear Dennis call out “NATHAN!…”, with his usual burst of enthusiasm.  Nathan remembers feeling that perhaps no one, in his entire life, had been that exited to see him.  Perhaps others of you can relate.

Dennis Lawrence, June 1952 – Dec. 2011, well done on that dash.  You will be missed.

With love,

Lynn

~ Dennis Lawrence, June 23rd, 1952 ~ December 7th, 2011

For all the years I’ve known Dennis…he’s been an inferno, an enthusiastic, bombastic dynamo of life and energy. Unfortunately, the scourge of cancer has taken its toll. Tonight, all that lingers is a flickering flame. And so to you, dear Dennis, my prayer is peace and comfort.

I have just heard the news of Dennis Lawrence’s death. While it’s not good for us, it’s the best possible news for Dennis! He is safe in the hands of our Lord, beyond all sorrow and pain, awaiting the glorious resurrection of all the faithful. I have no doubt that he will hear the words of highest praise: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your master!” …Dennis lived his life in the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. His faithfulness has increased the harvest of salvation. For that we can always be thankful, even through our tears.

Dennis was so much more than just a camp director in life — but the 11 years I spent working on his team were some of the best memories of my life so far. I have known what it is to be part of a team, because of him (and his wonderful wife Lynn too of course!) I miss you Dennis

Dennis was a strength in my life, a supporter, an encourager. He took an interest in my life and encouraged me to believe in the dreams God had put within. Thank you Dennis for your encouragement.

Winter has finally come for an old friend and mentor… R.I.P. Dennis, you will be missed.

RIP Mr. Lawrence. you were the greatest and you’ll be missed so so much

Some of my favorite people in this world are pastors, who have dedicated their life’s work to caring for my (and other’s) spiritual well-being. One such friend, Dennis Lawrence, passed on tonight after a valiant struggle against cancer. The grief of his beloved family and community attests to the wonderful man he was… It is indeed, well with his soul.

Today I lost someone who was like a second father to me.  I am heartbroken that you are gone, but I hope you know how deeply loved you were and how huge of an impact you had on my life and the lives of so many others.

I have rarely seen a man with such a valor, a wonderful man who loved everyone. He was one of my best friends, one rare one and tonight he has gone to be with our creator, our father… I miss you dear friend. you have made a difference in my life as an example, a pastor and a dear friend. Rest in peace Dennis

Can one man make a difference? I say he can, for I have watched my friendDennis make a huge difference in the life of so so many. Dennis, you have been my friend, mentor, travel partner, and camp comrade over the past 20 years. I love you, and will miss you dearly. R.I.P. in the Lord. You have fought the good fight and have left an amazing and lasting legacy

Mr. Lawrence was a true pastor–a shepherd–who taught and led through exemplary service. No matter the activity, he was one of the first there, setting things up, and one of the last to leave, helping take down and clean up. I am grateful to God to have learned so much from him. ~ Thank you, Mr. Lawrence, for teaching us true leadership through your heart of service. We learned much about God’s loving care for each person from you and your family. We are praying that your family feels deeply that the Comforter is with them

A big thank you to you Dennis for being such a support for our family while you were in Peterborough.

Rest in peace Dennis. You are missed, you are loved, and you will NEVER be forgotten. You’ve made a difference in so many lives, especially mine and I thank you a million times for that. you can finally relax.

Undoubtedly one of the kindest men to ever to walk the face of the earth, it’s sad that you have passed away. You did so much good, Dennis. Thank you for everything; you will be sorely missed. RIP

So much was lost, you were such an amazing man…

We have not seen Dennis in many years but the memories of him as our spiritual leader here in Peterborough are fresh. He was a true example of a Christian and we were very fortunate to have known him

you’ve helped so many people and been such a great spiritual leader..without you camp would have never happened…..I speak for everyone when I say that camp is a second home. The last thing you said to me was “you wear so much blue it feels like i’m drowning” and even now that makes me smile..

wow… Another idol in my life passed away today. not just an idol to me but hundreds of others, you are loved by so many people and will never be forgotten

R.I.P Dennis Lawrence. You were a kind soul, who has touched a great many lives, and you will live on in the memories of them all. We will all miss you

Completely devastated. Dennis was a wonderful, inspiring man and it breaks my heart to think of what his family is going through right now. We will always miss and love you, Mr Lawrence, and take comfort knowing that you are now in peace. God Bless.

Christians believe that the cessation of life in the flesh is not the end. My dad used to call death “commencement,” as we segue into that which is next. If that is so, my brother-in-law,  graduated this evening. Thanks for all who have expressed their love and support during this difficult time. Please keep my sister, Lynn  and the four girls, Abbie , Erin, Judith and Erika, in your prayers. And to you, brother Dennis…it’s not goodbye. It’s “until we meet again…”