Tuscarora and COVID-19 - God's Grace is Sufficient

Dear friend,

Spring is one of the most beautiful times of year – both in the world and on the Tuscarora grounds. Nature wakes up from the long winter as the daffodils and magnolia trees bloom. This year is different and the Tuscarora family isn't here to see to see God’s creation come alive around the grounds. Church buildings were empty on Easter Sunday and people celebrated around screens in their homes. God has told us through His word, "My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect in your weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Has there ever been a time in recent memory when we felt such a sense of weakness? I am thankful for this reminder that while our strength is inadequate, whether it is against coronavirus or other things, God's grace is sufficient.

We have made some difficult decisions regarding this spring at Tuscarora which have included cancelling the Annual Golf Classic, the Spring Midweek Retreat, and the Mother Daughter Retreat. We were so excited about the new day camp option for Junior Week, but have made the decision to postpone a day camp option until next year in order to keep each camper as safe and healthy as we can. At this time we have tentatively reschedule Spring Work Week for June 1-5 and we are cautiously optimistic that new volunteers may join us for a week of joyful hard work to clean up the Tuscarora grounds after the fall and winter. If you find yourself able to volunteer this year due to an adjustment to your circumstances we would love to have you join us – for more information please visit tuscarora.org/volunteer or call to register. We are hopeful and continue to pray that summer looks as normal as possible. We are planning to responsibly hold our programs and welcome groups for a time of retreat. We plan to follow the guidance provided by government and health officials, and we thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to evaluate.

We are continuing to think creatively about how we can serve during this time. We are welcoming guests who are first responders and medical professionals in need of quarantine facilities free of charge. We are using the kitchen as we partner with Rustica Artisan Catering and Upper Mount Bethel Township to provide free meals for community members. We hope you were able to watch the live Facebook concert “Songs of Hope” – if you missed it you can still enjoy by visiting this link. It is a blessing for Tuscarora to continue to carry out its mission of quality Christian hospitality though we cannot welcome guests in the traditional way. We are thankful for this opportunity to serve in Christ's name in these uncertain days.

Please continue to pray for Tuscarora. No one can know what life will look after this pandemic and we will need to rethink certain aspects of how we gather – from sharing rooms, to serving meals, and joining together in worship. One thing I am certain of is that God's power is made perfect in our weakness and we are committed to serving the Christian community. Thank you for your outpouring of support over the last few weeks whether it be through prayers, encouraging messages, or financial gifts.

 Sincerely in Christ,

Brian Abrahamsen
Executive Director

An Update about Tuscarora and COVID-19

Within the last few weeks your spring and summer brochure arrived in the mail – full of hope and excitement for the upcoming season at Tuscarora! The world has changed drastically since that printing, hasn't it? We know that unexpected circumstances allow the Lord to work in unexpected ways. I have been reminded often of the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:19, “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ.” What a blessing to hold fast to this truth in the midst of uncertain times.

Gathering is at the heart of the ministry here at Tuscarora – we gather together to experience true connection with God and with each other. The pandemic keeps us from doing this very thing. Though Tuscarora is currently closed for business through April 30, and we have significant cancellations throughout May, we are doing everything we can to continue to minister to our community. We have opened our doors free of charge to first responders and medical professionals who need to be quarantined or are choosing to self-quarantine. In the coming days and weeks we will be providing messages of encouragement from close friends of Tuscarora on our social media channels along with pictures of our campus in spring bloom. We also invite you to follow along as we pray through Psalm 118.  

While each day brings new information and we cannot say with certainty what summer will look like – we are being optimistic that we will be able to gather together again soon and are busy making plans for all of the summer programs. We are not alone in facing difficult financial situations and I want to thank those of you who have made special donations to Tuscarora during this time. Please continue to pray for wisdom for Tuscarora’s Board of Directors and the Management Team as we navigate these uncertain days.  

Sincerely in Christ,
Brian Abrahamsen Executive Director

His Love Endures Forever - Dave Lewis

            As I get older (almost 70) I pay more attention to the “jokes” and jabs rolling through our culture regarding the more mature of us (senior citizens).  You know what I’m saying?  Particularly prevalent is “repeating yourself”.  I don’t think David, the writer of many of the Psalms had an age problem or a memory issue, but there are some of the Psalms where he repeated the same phrase or sentence many times in concurrent verses or at least in the same Psalm.  Psalm 118 is one where David used repetition, and I believe the Holy Spirit led him to do that for emphasis and perhaps to help us focus on a truth longer than a fleeting moment.  

The sentence he repeats is “his love endures forever”.  David calls on the nation of Israel to say it, the priesthood family of Aaron to say it, those who fear the Lord to say it, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Why does he say it?

1.      In a time of distress David called on the Lord and was heard and set free.

2.     David recognized that God was truly on his side so he (David) refused to fear.  He’d fear and revere God but not what others could do to him.

3.     David was convinced that God preserved him no matter what his enemies tried to do.

4.     He repeats that God is “on my side” and his helper.  

5.     David knows that God will give him victory in the end over all who hated him.

6.     His conclusion is clear and true: “It is better to take refuge in God than to trust in man, even if the man is a prince (royal or powerful).

7.     Then David goes repetitious again:  “All nations surrounded me (surrounded me) (surrounded me) but God helped him “cut them off” (cut them off).

8.     The Lord helped him just as he (David) was about to fall!

9.     God is David’s strength, his song, his salvation.

10.  David was kept alive to tell of the deeds of the Lord!

11.  This is one a bit harder to see how a song would arise, but David was grateful that God disciplined him severely, but David didn’t die.

12.  David now has the honor of walking through the gates open to the righteous in order to give thanks to the Lord.  That is exactly what he is doing – giving thanks for the Lord God.

The next several verses are quoted in the New Testament so often that Psalm 118 is one of the two most quoted Psalms with Psalm 110.

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.”

— Psalm 118: 26-28

As David closes he repeats for the last time, “His steadfast love endures forever.” (v. 29) He closes his praise with a very personal saying, “You are my God” and vows to thank and extol Him. 

Would you take a few minutes or longer to remember some of what God our Father has done for you and make a list, speak the list out loud if you are where you can, and let your heart sing its own song of praise to God for what He has done.  You know why, don’t you?  Because “His steadfast love endures forever.”  This is not just about David and 3,000 years ago.  This is about now, yesterday, and about you and me.   It is not hard to see why David is referred to as “a man after God’s own heart”.  Don’t you think God was blessed to hear this come from David’s heart to us?  Don’t you think God’s heart would be blessed to hear a similar song from you and me.  

Apparently repetition is not a problem in some instances!

Renovations, Staff Transitions, and Updates!

As I write this letter, there is so much happening on our grounds it will be difficult to summarize it all! This spring, we welcomed volunteers from Work Week, Long Island Youth for Christ, and Builders for God who cleaned, mulched, and remodeled our grounds to get ready for this next season. We saw men, women, teens, and children experience true connection with God on retreats with their church groups and ministries. Our program guests enjoyed worship, teaching, and fellowship! Tuscarora has made improvements over the past year that we once only dreamed would be possible!

Improved Pines Motel units

Inn Suites

Wooden bunks in Mountainview Dorms

Riverview Suites

Riverview Suites

Olsen Gymnasium

Riverside Manor II

Riverside Manor II

After unveiling the Brick House Apartment last year, we spent the past few months replicating this design in Inn Suites 41 and 42, and Riverview Suites 9 and 10. Being so well received, we decided to remodel a floor of Riverside Manor II. The furniture from that floor was moved to the Pines Campus Motel Units as part of the upgrade there. Guests are already enjoying these rooms!

We also made a few improvements our younger guests will be excited about! The Olsen Activity Center received a well-deserved makeover by removing the stage and installing a new athletic floor thanks to donated labor from Brian David Flooring. It’s great to hear reactions of, “it looks like a brand new building!” The Mountainview Dorms have also been remodeled to accommodate larger wooden bunk beds, and we are working on plans to refresh the lounge.

A season of transitions within our staff has continued and Bruce Petersen stepped down from his position as Food Service Manager after 23 years. He will remain here as part of the Maintenance team. Allen Svennevik, who has been a part of the Tuscarora family since he first served on summer staff in 1985, has transitioned into the role. He is excited to cook for you!

I ask for your prayers for the staff, for successful programs, for safety for all of our guests, and most importantly for the transformative work of Christ in the lives of people while they visit Tuscarora.

I hope you plan to visit us soon!

Brian Abrahamsen
Executive Director

I am a child of God - Sabrina Rodriguez

Sabrina Rodriguez

Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church

When I first came to Tuscarora, it was for winter weekend with the Hillside Lutheran Brethren youth group in the winter of my senior year of High School. I was teenager, struggling with the difficulties that come with that time in your life. What I thought would be a cool weekend away hanging out with my friends was the beginning of a journey discovering who I am as a child of God and what He had planned for me to do. The plans He already had in motion for my life in ministry not only at Tuscarora, but in my home church. 

That weekend spent at Tuscarora taught me a life-changing truth. The truth that we are all sinners, and that a very perfect man was sent down, to live a very perfect life, and die the ultimate death, for those very imperfect ones. A passion was started in me where I wanted to tell other people the same thing, but not just any people, a small, silly, rambunctious type of people. 

I started volunteering as a youth leader at Hillside Church and those who believed in the ministry of Tuscarora encouraged me to be a Junior Week counselor. There are many things in this life that I am unsure of but something I am certain of is the love of God that is felt in the auditorium at Junior Week. Standing in the Senum Thompson Center listening to children sing, “I am a child of God,” is enough to take your breath away.

I spent five summers with Junior Week before I realized that Children’s Ministry will be a permanent part of my life. 

Hindsight is a beautiful thing. The beauty of getting older is being able to see our past experiences and the effect it has made in our present lives. I never could have imagined the chain reaction that would occur after that first winter weekend experience. 

I was ministered to by 5 youth leaders at Hillside Youth Group. Out of those 5 youth leaders, 4 of them attended events at Tuscarora throughout their youth and upbringing. Out of those 4, 3 were also ministered by a counselor at Junior week. Continuing on, 2 of those individuals were also ministered to by a counselor. I was able to trace back 4 generations of individuals who dedicated and devoted their time to children that became adults, that poured into my life.

Because of the counseling and ministry I received at Tuscarora, my life was touched. Now, I am the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church. I get the ability to minister to kids, and hopefully bring those kids to Tuscarora as well. I pray that one day those same children will choose to spread the gospel message in the future. Tuscarora is more that just a retreat, it is a place of rest, a place to be met right where you are, and a place where the work for the Kingdom is done. 

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To register your child for Junior Week, click here. To support our scholarship fund and make camp possible for someone in need this summer, click here!