May 25, 2020

Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that we are writing to you to advise that Gracefield Christian Camp & Conference Centre will not be operating a children’s residential camp this summer.

As you know, the Quebec government has announced that there will be no residential children’s camps this summer due to COVID-19.  We delayed in announcing the decision to cancel the children’s camps until the Quebec government announcement in the hopes that the situation would improve and that we could find a way to safely operate.  This has not been the case.

We understand your sense of loss.  We will all miss the gathering with friends at Gracefield this summer.  We will miss the echo of the children’s laughter drifting from the cabins and lakefront.  We will miss watching the children paddle in the lake, splash in the water and play games in the field.  We will miss the youthful voices lifted in song around camp fires celebrating the love of God.

The Gracefield community is strong and enduring.  While this summer will be hard for many of our campers, staff and volunteers, we know that the Gracefield community is resilient.  Together we have faced many challenges over the years and with the help of God, we will meet this challenge and find ways to celebrate the love and strength that God has given us.

We seek God’s guidance in prayer.  We will remember and be thankful for the many gifts God has granted us and we will reflect on how to move forward on carrying out our mission “to invite all people to experience the loving presence of the living God, in creation, in Christ and in Christian Community.” God willing, we will be back next year offering children the enriching experience that Gracefield Camp has offered so many residential campers since 1962.

We continue to explore options to continue God’s work at Gracefield this season in light of government directives.  We hope it may yet be permitted and safe to welcome limited overnight guests this summer, and to offer some form of programming to them, including their children. We ask that you join us in prayer and that you reach out to your fellow campers and others in the Gracefield community to express your love and support at this time.

With thoughts and prayers,

Gracefield Board of Directors, Executive Committee;

Jim Paulin

Paula Whaley

Dan Plant

Debora Scholey