Aug. 24, 2016

By Jim Crowley
Chancellor

I grew up in the suburbs of Buffalo. Bills, Sabres, wings, but pop became soda. After 29 years, the North Country is home.

This Diocese contains spectacular natural wonders, incredibly special people and great places to live and raise a family. It also contains so many special, holy places. St. Stephen’s in Croghan, St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church  in Plattsburgh and Wadhams Hall begins a list of places that moved my heart over the years. All those places and times began with a prayerful space and finish with people open the Holy Spirit.

Nowhere have I experienced the Spirit more often than at Guggenheim.

Stand on the shore by the lodge and understand Elijah hearing the Lord in the silence. Campers on the beach sound like the children coming to Jesus. Every bend on a trail or corner in the dorm offers an encounter with holiness.

As Chancellor, I oversee the maintenance of the Guggenheim Center. What a responsibility! Protect a place of such beauty that so many call home. Keep the dorm and beach attractive so children and families want to experience the love and joy of Summer Camp and Family Camp. Care for a magnificent Great Camp can host retreats and gatherings for lay, religious and clergy, young and old. Make sure buildings are dry, water is clean, and the road is smooth.

Ralph Bennet remains the director doing daily maintenance and a hired contractor will replace roofs this fall. Those are not my talents. But the Bishop asks that I work wisely, on behalf of the people of the Diocese, with available resources to continue Sister Jennifer Votraw’s work and keep the Guggenheim Center a place we long to visit.

Six buildings, five outbuildings, water filtration and septic for eighty needs skilled laborers and elaborate equipment. My wife, Rit,a and I chose to help by giving from our treasure to the Bishop’s Fund Appeal. The Appeal supports many wonderful programs including the Guggenheim Center.

As Chancellor, I ask you to consider contribute to the Bishop’s Fund as well. Maintaining and improving any facility in the environment of the Adirondacks will never be inconsequential.

Your gift enables us be good stewards to acres of prime Adirondack wilderness while providing a place for Summer Camp, Family Camp, meetings, reunions and retreats so priceless gifts of love and holiness can be given and received for years to come.