October Newsletter - A Season of Gratitude and Growth at Tuscarora

Dear Friend,

It may say October on the calendar, but it only just recently started to feel that way! The warmth has lingered and as such I’m just now pausing to reflect on what an incredible season it’s been at Tuscarora.

This summer, two fathers shared stories with me that capture the heart of this ministry. Both are strong Christian men - their children grew up in church, they knew the Gospel, they’d heard it countless times. But after a week here at Tuscarora, both of those kids went home and asked to be baptized.

That’s the kind of thing God does in this place. He creates moments when the Gospel moves from something you know to something you live.

Every project we take on, every nail, every repair - it’s all about creating spaces where people can encounter Christ and respond to His call.

This season, we’ve seen meaningful progress across campus:

• In August, we dedicated the newly renovated Jacobsen Chapel in honor of longtime Director Herb Jacobsen. This historic building has been many things over the years - a church home, a craft room, a dining room - but now it stands beautifully renewed as a place of worship, prayer, and reflection.

• The Brick House Kitchen is nearing completion, creating a flexible space for family reunions, leadership retreats, and guests who want a more independent stay.

• A new fire pit, built in memory of Scot Hansen, is nearly finished in Riverside Gardens and is a fitting tribute to a dear friend and staff member who spent many evenings gathered around a fire with guests and friends.

And now, as we head deeper into fall, our attention turns toward the Dogwood Cottage Renewal Project

While not fancy, these cottages are among our most popular accommodations - especially with summer guests who love being right beside the pool! They’re more than ready for a full refresh: new plumbing and wiring, new flooring, and a complete interior update.

This will be our primary focus for both work and fundraising this fall, as we pair volunteer teams with donor partners to renovate one cottage at a time. Each room costs approximately $5,000 to complete, and every gift helps transform a well-loved space into a place of rest and renewal for future generations.

As we get closer to the holidays, we’ll be sharing a special Cottage Project Wishlist to cover specific needs and help bring this project to completion.

But there’s no need to wait - your support today helps us purchase materials and get the next phase of work underway right away.

If you’d like to be part of what God is doing through this project, you can give or learn more at tuscarora.org/give

In Christ,

Brian Abrahamsen

Executive Director