Nauvoo Experience
 
From October 26 - November 14, 2013, I was privileged to volunteer at the Joseph Smith Historical Site in Nauvoo, Illinois. My first "official" assignment was to help carve Jack 'O' Lanterns for the town of Nauvoo's Pumpkin Walk - how fun is that!
 
After some tutelage and practice with Lach MacKay I was ready to take my turns leading the guided tour of the historic sites which include: Nauvoo House, the Homestead cabin, the Mansion House, and the Red Brick Store. I really enjoyed sharing the history and stories surrounding Nauvoo and the early church with the many visitors who came to experience the Joseph Smith Historical Site. There were many insightful and interesting questions that people appreciated candid answers for.
 
When I was not leading tours, I was able to help around the visitor center with decorating for Christmas and a few other tasks as well as visiting and getting to know my fellow volunteers.
 
On my days "off " I visited the Latter-Day Saint sites and enjoyed interacting with the folks there too. I was very interested in the heritage of the era and the lovely old buildings. Many asked me interesting questions about my faith with the Community of Christ, being a woman with priesthood and a pastor in Canada. It was an enlightening time for many.

I also visited the surrounding area either on foot or being chauffeured by some of the other wonderful volunteer/friends. These included the state park, present town of Nauvoo, Carthage jail and the Community of Christ congregation and campgrounds located at Nauvoo.
 
My accommodation was a lovely heritage home overlooking the Mississippi river. Beautiful! All in all, it was a wonderful experience that I would love to do again and hope to!

​​Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon
gwyn@communityofchrist.ca
​kat@communityofchrist.ca
becky@communityofchrist.ca
smcadam@communityofchrist.ca

​For those of you who are reading this column carefully each month (and, really, who isn’t?!), you will recall that I dealt with an overview of the people who edited and contributed to “The District Leader” newsletter in Alberta and Saskatchewan Districts in the January 1961 issue. I will share some very brief excerpts of content here, from seventeen pages of fairly dense type, to give a bit of the flavour of the times.

In his monthly column, Alberta District President, Seventy David Larmour, highlighted the following activities from the fall of 1960:

• The official opening of the Crammond church building on Sunday, October 30. (Crammond is a small village about a 90-minute drive north of Calgary.) “About 80 persons attended the afternoon service, many of whom were friends living in or near the community. … Pastor R.L. Duane Duff was in charge of the service with your district president as speaker.”
• “Our District Missionary, Raymond Ashenhurst, is now at Ribstone after a month in Lethbridge and another month’s work in … Artland Branch in Saskatchewan.”
• Progress was reported on the “reunion property development” (apparently not yet named Hills of Peace). The framework of the “Junior Chapel” had been completed. It was closed in for the winter, but roofing would need to be completed in the spring. The building would be able to be used for the 1961 reunion.
• The money-collecting cards completed by children in support of completing the work on the Auditorium in Independence were promoted.

From the Calgary Branch (Vida L. Diaper reporting): “December has been a busy month… The Choral groups put in extra hours on musical offerings for the Christmas season, and the Women’s Dept. held their annual Christmas party, and their visiting committee was very active among the shut-ins. The Church School Christmas Tree and program was a delight to the little folks and adults alike, & there was standing room only, before Santa arrived. … Speakers for the Worship Services included Pastor E.B. McLean, Elders C.O. Diaper, Bruce Waddell, A.D. McLeod, Priest C.B. Gibson, Teacher J.F. Simpson and Deacons Laurence Boote and Albert Bates. A Carol Service was held on Christmas Eve, and two specially adapted Worship services was (sic) held on Christmas Day.”

Saskatoon Branch News (Lottie C. Diggle reporting): “A Regional Missionary workshop was held in the church November 26th and 27th with District Missionary Keith Harvey and Elder Kenneth Wilkensen as instructors. … The Messiah (as performed in the Auditorium in Independence) will be heard over station CFQC on Christmas Day. … The annual Christmas tree and program will be held December 22nd. June Fisher is preparing the children’s Choir for participation in the annual three-day Carol Festival which will be held in Third Avenue United Church. … Zion’s League members have selected the characters for a play entitled ‘The Unwilling Spirit.’ … Gary Macdonald convened a Hallowe’en party. Their Leader. Inez Thederahn and Joe Hodgins is president.” (Steve’s note: sorry if that last bit is confusing. It is as it is printed.)

Edmonton Branch report (Dorthea Mills reporting): “The speakers for the month have been Priests Walter Ratcliffe and Morris Johnstone, Elder Richard and Evangelist Wm. Osler. The Orioles were in charge of the church School Service, Sunday morning, Dec. 18. The prayers were offered by Ruth Walrath and the theme talk by Linda Hilker. There were two special hymns, one by the Junior Choir, led by Garry Gibson, and four Oriole girls sang one led by Donna Jenkins. It was a lovely service.”

Every issue ends with a page full of short jokes and brief wisdom statements (some serious, some humorous) under the title “Clancy Says.” No clues are evident as to who “Clancy” was. Two sample items to end this column:
​

• “Delighted at the gift she had received; Mrs. Jones spoke warmly to the boy: ‘At church tomorrow I’ll thank your mother for this lovely pie.’ ‘If you don’t mind, ma’am,’ the boy suggested nervously, ‘would you thank her for two pies.’”
• “The surest way to dig up the past is to start looking for something in the attic.”

Christian Climate Action is a nonprofit organization in Great Britain taking meaningful action in the face of imminent and catastrophic climate breakdown. Inspired by Jesus’ examples of social justice action, they engage in public witness, nonviolent protest and civil disobedience to urge those in power to make the changes needed to decrease carbon emissions.
 
Rachie Ross is an active member of Christian Climate Action and a trustee for Operation Noah. She has also co -founded CCPAST (Climate Child Protection and Safeguard Team).  As a theologian she is motivated by the biblical mandate for non-violent direct action and provides her understanding of Hebrew scripture as the foundation for Christian ethical action.

Mike Mullins is a leadership coach and spiritual retreat facilitator. His background is in Catholic mysticism and psychology.  For Mike the key to rewilding the earth, to reversing biodiversity loss and the effects of climate change, is a spiritual challenge.  He will share with us New Testament stories that demonstrate appropriate, direct, non-violent action to address injustice. 

Although Rachie and Mike are firmly grounded in the Christian faith and will use Christian scripture as the foundation for their presentation, they are both committed to interfaith dialogue.  We can all learn from one another and share our mutual concern and compassion for all life.  People of all faith traditions are welcome.

Join us for a 5 to 10-minute morning devotion every weekday during Advent to start your day. Plan to attend online from December 4 to 22, at 7:30am PT/ 8:30am MT/ 9:30am CT/ 10:30am ET.

Hosts from across Canada will lead the devotions in a variety of different ways.  We hope you will join us for this lead-up to the birth of Christ.

Advent is the first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.

CREATING CONNECTION CANADA is a network of welcoming and inclusive communities committed to sharing authentic conversation, nurturing meaningful activities, promoting holistic wellness practices, and fostering compassionate action. We are LGBTQ+ affirming. People of every walk of life, culture, faith, or tradition, participate in a myriad of connection groups, forming meaningful community within this diversity. As a result, these communities are multi-faceted - expressing the inspirations, aspirations, wisdom, practices, and blessing of all. While we encourage you to share openly, we ask that you do so in a kind and considerate manner.

When the time comes, please click on the button below to join online!

Grief, loss of job, divorce, health, financial issues can make the Christmas season difficult. This service is an opportunity to acknowledge those not so joyful feelings in a judgement free setting.

If you aren't struggling, but know someone that is, invite them to come with you to this service. Or come to show those that are struggling that they are not alone.

Attend in person at the Community of Christ Church in Regina (4710 8th Avenue Regina, SK) or join us online via Zoom. Click on the button below to see details on how to join online!

Unfortunately, there are many scammers looking for opportunities to take advantage of non-suspecting individuals in many different ways, especially on this holidays season!

​We want to warn you about one such scheme that may be circulating among or from Community of Christ members, friends and Mission Centre Leadership right now. 

If you should receive an email that appears to be from someone you know or trust such as CWM leadership, or congregation leadership, other close friends or relatives, etc., stating something like, “Can you do me a favour?”, be extremely cautious. These messages are likely a “phishing” email.

If you reply, the next email asks you to purchase a gift card on their behalf. The message may say they need the card immediately, but they are too busy to do it, and they will pay you back as soon as possible. ​These emails are not legitimate. They are being sent by malicious entities who are impersonating people in your contacts list to gain your trust and exploit you. These kinds of fraudulent emails attempt to gain your trust in order to access your personal and/or credit card information, or to get money (in the form of gift cards).

​DO NOT click any links or reply to such messages. Delete these emails immediately!

What to do next:

If you believe you have received this type of phishing email:

1. Contact the person whose name appears in the email via phone to find out if the request is valid.
2. If not, they should notify their contacts to be on the lookout for fraudulent emails from them.
3. If you are a victim of fraud, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Be very suspicious regarding online communication, especially when being requested to purchase gift cards or transfer funds. Remember, scams come in many forms. Click here to see a list of other possible scams published by the Government of Canada.

Note: This notice was originally published by Canada East Mission Centre in April 2021. Canada West acknowledges with appreciation their original drafting. This is being re-published by Canada West due to a series of “phishing” emails that have circulated recently.

​Written by Gwyn Beer
Canada West Mission Centre Co-President

​I want to thank you all for rolling along with us.  We left Nauvoo and spent our last night in a hotel.  Denyse loaded our luggage on to the bus for the last time and we headed down the road.  Our goal was Iowa and then Missouri.

We arrived in Lamoni, Iowa and our first stop was Liberty Hall, the home of Joseph Smith III and family.  The house is a little outside of the town.  Our group was divided into 5 smaller groups to be able to tour through the home.  We also toured through the one room school house that has been moved onto the property.  This was the school that the Smith children did attend but it was not that close when they went to the school!   I loved seeing inside the home.  It has been lovingly restored and many pieces were original to the home. 
 
"The Liberty Hall Story", built in 1881, was the home of Joseph Smith III till 1905. Joseph Smith said "Liberty Hall throbbed with life, teeming with the bustling activities of a large and growing family.  Birth, death, and marriage occurred within its walls.  Joys and sorrows succeeded each other as the day the night." 
 
"Liberty Hall is a premier restoration site listed on the Iowa and National Registers of historic homes that gives visitors a glimpse into a middle-class family, an era of late Midwestern Victorian culture, and the story of a significant religious movement in American History."
 
Back on the bus, we went to Graceland University.  Things have changes since I went to Graceland College.  We were treated to lunch in the Commons dining room of the University. The food was very good!  We had some free time to walk around the campus and then we returned to the bus.
 
We were in for a treat that was NOT on our agenda!  We were taken to the local Lamoni Community of Christ church.  The Mite society of Lamoni, Iowa had put on a special display of quilts and quilt tops, some of which dated back to the Mite Society beginning in 1872!  The Mite Society (Luke 21:2-4 for the story of the widow’s mite) contributed sewing of clothes and quilts for the needy in the community. They formally organized in 1883 and in 1983 were recognized for this long-term service association.
 
Currently the Mites quilt every Thursday and sell the quilts with the proceeds contributing to community projects such as the library, medical center, walking trails and swimming pool.  The Mites set up quilts throughout the chapel and were set up working on a quilt while we were there.  There was a large collection of quilts from Liberty Hall and new quilts made by the local Mite Society members.  They also advertised locally so community members could also come and see these beautiful quilts.   Wow! What an end to our tour!  We left Lamoni sent on our way by these amazing quilters! 
 
As the bus rolled along, we sang and shared and had our final devotion. The bus rolled to our final stop, the parking lot of the Temple in Independence, Missouri.  “A Story to Tell: Women in Community of Christ” bus tour officially ended.

​Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon
gwyn@communityofchrist.ca
​kat@communityofchrist.ca
becky@communityofchrist.ca
smcadam@communityofchrist.ca

The Diversity and Inclusion Team is excited to offer three workshops beginning in September of this year. We hope to see many of you as participants and fellow learners as we continue on the path of inclusion as a faith community.

Workshops are free and all are welcome. Currently the plan is to offer the workshops on a scheduled basis. Registration is required. 

To register: Send your name, email address, contact phone number, and title of the workshop you wish to attend to Heather Frey at hfrey@cofchrist.org.  A Zoom link will be sent to you a week or more prior to the workshop.  

If a group of 20 or more, a congregation, or a mission center would like to have a presentation on different dates than those announced, please contact Gwendolyn Hawks-Blue (gblue@cofchrist.org) or Cathi Cackler Veazey (ccacklerveazey@cochrist.org) ​

In my first column in this space several months ago I said that it would often be “frustratingly short” because I may try to present a significant story but be forced by the limits of reasonable length to leave out many details. Well – this will be a perfect example of that.

In March of 2021, as Mission Centre President, I had the task of cleaning out the Porcupine Plain, SK, church building before it was turned over to the purchaser. As a natural “hoarder” of sorts, I had a very difficult day (or two, as the case may be) of throwing things in the dumpster that, if there had been any option, I might have tried to retain. But there was no option. I did retain as many historical documents and books as I could identify. One of those things was a file box full of issues of “The District Leader,” dating from 1961 and continuing into the early 2000’s.

I recently reached into the box and brought a handful of early issues home with me, hoping that I could find a thing or two to share with you. Well – there are considerably more than “a thing or two” that I would like to share with you. Having taken so many words to set this up, I now have even less space to share with you. I need a “part 2” to do this justice.

The earliest issue of “The District Leader” in the box is dated January 1961. It is noted as “Volume 15, Number 10” suggesting that the newsletter’s origins may go back to 1946. If anyone has any earlier issues in their homes or their congregations, I would be delighted to have a look at them! Please let me know.

The front cover states its purpose as: “Published monthly in the interest of all members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.” Then “page 1” says: “Published by the Districts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.” The names of contributors and their home congregations suggest a far greater influence than those three districts.

Here is that list: the Editor, Mrs. M.A. Hanna of Calgary; the Children’s Corner Editor, Mrs. K. Fisher, Torrington, Wyoming; Women’s Page Editor, Mrs. Robt. Allish, Vancouver, B.C.; Business Manager, Mrs. C.B. Gibson, Calgary; District President Column (AB) by Seventy David K. Larmour; Editorial by Lottie C. Diggle (Saskatoon); articles by Elder E. Roy Glomstead; John Lucas; Evangelist Wm. Osler of Edmonton; J.W. Mountenay; Howard and Virginia Fisher, of Covina, California; Calgary Branch report by Vida L. Diaper; Mrs. M. Cornish of Senlac, SK; Roger Yarrington, Pastor, Courtney Rd. Congregation (city?); Ken and Isabella Fisher and family, Torrington, Wyoming; Elder Newton Ward, Pastor, East Alton Congregation, Independence, MO; C.V. Graham, Stake President (Seattle?); Saskatoon Branch News by Lottie Diggle; Fort William (Ontario) Branch Report, Lorena Henderson (for those too young to remember, Fort William was a twin city of Port Arthur and they amalgamated in 1970 to become Thunder Bay).
​
With that I have exceeded my length. I will come back with a Part 2 next month (or the month after) to share some of the interesting content of this 62-year-old newsletter.

Canadian donors can use any of the following options:

• E-Transfer  

Send an e-transfer to Heather Huffman and use the password givingtuesday. Please email Heather Huffman or call the Community of Christ Canada Headquarters at 888-411-7537 Ext. 23 to ensure your gift is included in Giving Tuesday totals.

• Mail  

Send cheques payable to Community of Christ to our office address:
Community of Christ
355 Elmira Rd. N., Unit 129
Guelph, ON N1K 1S5
​
NOTE: Please email Heather Huffman or call the Community of Christ Canada Headquarters at 888-411-7537 Ext. 23 to ensure your gift is included in Giving Tuesday totals.

• PayPal

Visit our PayPal Giving Fund page to give. PayPal Giving Fund is a registered Canadian charity that facilitates processing of your donation at no cost. You can use a credit card or your PayPal balance. A PayPal account is not required. You will receive a contribution receipt from PayPal Giving Fund on our behalf. 
 

• Canada Helps  

Visit our Canada Helps page to give. Canada helps is a registered Canadian charity that facilitates processing of your donation. There is a processing fee (we do not receive 100% of your donation.) You can use a credit card, PayPal, or Google Pay. You will receive a contribution receipt from Canada Helps on our behalf.

Last week Brenda Senga wrote about a wonderful time at the Kirtland Visitor Centre that included both a wonderful meal while gazing at the temple and a Communion Meal in the temple.
 
Community of Christ owns Kirtland Temple but we are not the only ones caring for the sacred spaces that we hold in our history hearts!  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are also the caretakers of our sacred spaces.  I had the pleasure of being conducted through some of these sacred spaces by Elder and Sister Barrow.  They were my site guides twice.  We went to Palmyra NY to tour the Smith Family home site where I first met Elder and Sister Barrow. They guided us through the Smith family home painting a picture of a young man in touch with God and a family that supported him. We were then given time to enter the Sacred Grove.  We went on to the Grandin Print Shop where the first printing of the Book of Mormon was done. We stopped at the Hill Cumorah, some climbed the hill and others took time to stretch and then back on the bus.
 
We returned to Kirtland and visited the temple and then toured the Joseph and Emma Smith home which is a block away from the temple with the cemetery in the middle.  This was my second encounter with Elder and Sister Barrow!  What a blessing for me!  This couple had raised 4 sons and were now spending 18 months volunteering at the sacred sites from our combined heritage.  They were away from their home and children and grandchildren but so positive about their experience volunteering.  They Thanked Me for caring for the Kirtland temple and Nauvoo! 
 
Next stop: Nauvoo Illinois!   The bus rolled up to the visitor’s centre in Nauvoo where we had the opportunity to stretch and go to the washroom.  We were given a box lunch to take back on the bus and as we ate our box lunch, we drove the streets of Nauvoo.  Seeing the Mansion house, the original small home of Joseph and Emma that was added on to for family and friends.  The burial site of Joseph, Emma and Hyrum Smith and all the Stories that accompanied this place!  We stopped and shopped at the Red Brick Store. 
 
Coming up next week...
The last stop on the Rolling Reunion,  thanks for getting on the bus with us!

The Generosity Cycle will run from October 15 to November 19.

For six weeks, the Generosity Cycle allows us to journey together through a season of generosity. During this season, focus is on the four phases of the Generosity Cycle: Invite, Discover, Respond, and Reflect. This is a season where we are invited to remember God’s extravagant grace and generosity, to discover a deeper joy in discipleship living Christ’s mission, and to respond through whole-life stewardship by intentionally pausing and reflecting on our journey as generous disciples.​ 

​The Generosity Cycle provides an annual opportunity to intentionally move together through a season of giving. Disciples' Generous Response moments are focused on the four phases of the Generosity Cycle. Additional resources including a video and study guides also are available.

​Linda Klughart and Shirley Smith are spearheading a new online ministry to take place each week on Thursdays. Click the button below to learn more and register!

It has been a long-time coming to travel the paths where the first steps of our faith movement began. To “hear the Stories”. As I joined with Gwyn & Linda and other 43 excited companions, it became an extraordinary journey, with the echoes and reverberations of the past marking each mile. The “surprises” and moments of blessing were innumerable.

How many of you have ridden on a carousel? Lately, on our first day we stopped at the Coralville Mall in Iowa. Just inside the entrance was a beautiful, big and bright carousel. A private ride was awaiting our enjoyment. Oh what JOY. (I found it was much easier to get on my horse than get off!)

It was delightful to sing and to dance 2 song books (plus many added songs), celebrating the lives and actions of the many women we were highlighting. On a sunny,  warm day we indeed sang “Under the spreading chestnut tree!” and we were happy! And we danced at the Hancock Shaker Village.

At every site and venue we were greeted with such hospitality and generosity. Dear folks with open hearts and hands- waiting outside, welcoming us in and waving us on our way. Each day there was time to listen and to share our stories while rolling along. As we wound our way through the countryside, there were times that creation was truly breathtaking and we rode in the gentleness of silent wonder.

A moment; we gathered in the parlor of Liberty Hall (Home of the Smith family). The pump organ was played as our accompaniment for singing “The Old, Old Path”. I was taken to a little Church in Arborfield, Saskatchewan where as a child and teen I played the little pump organ for every worship and other occasions. What JOY for that moment!

My ability at taking pictures is “limited”,  I like this one. (see photo above) I took it from the Kirtland visitor center (where the evening meal had been set for us), looking through the window to the Kirtland Temple, where we later shared in the Holy Meal of Communion.

I, (we), have many more stories to tell, more songs to sing. It was a deepening, authentic and sustaining experience. A celebration, a renewal, a recommitment to purpose. Dare to receive the generous Love yet to be. Dare to offer that Love. Trust in the Mystery and the moments of Blessings therein. Now in this moment. Now in this day… 

​Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon
gwyn@communityofchrist.ca
​kat@communityofchrist.ca
becky@communityofchrist.ca
smcadam@communityofchrist.ca

It is with great joy that we congratulate Kristin Douglas, World Accord's Executive Director, on the recent birth of her beautiful baby Henri. Henri Douglas Parmera was born Wednesday, October 25th at noon in Ottawa. Kristin and he are both doing well. Congratulations to Kristin and Cardestin. We send them our love and good wishes for healthy, joyous and blessed beginnings.

If you wish to send Kristin a note of congratulations, you may email her at kristin.leigh.douglas@gmail.com
 
If you wish to make a donation to World Accord in honour of Henri's arrival, please go to worldaccord.org and click on "donate". 
 
Thank you!

Rolling Reunion – What can I say, we didn’t really know what to expect but it sounded interesting - well it was fabulous!  Way more than what I was expecting. Spending time with and getting to know my Canadian counter-partners Gwyn Beer and Brenda Senga,  was a blessing too. 

I had never in my 76 years gone on a bus tour, that I can remember, but this one will stay with me forever. The preparation that Barbara Walden and Peter Smith did was totally absorbing. Our wonderful bus driver Denyse, kept us safe on the roads, giving us her wonderful smile and help all the time.

Seeing these interesting places that the church has to offer in the company of others was amazing as well as the understanding of our history that was brought forward for us. I took so many pictures along the way that I will be able to relive this trip forever. Getting to know new people for me, is always fascinating but this was about the people on the tour as well as the fascinating church places and learning about those of history that brought us into our gatherings. 

A comfortable ride, good company, historically learning new things - what more could we ask for.

Join the livestream to participate in the discussion and to ask questions to our lecturer during the Q&A.

📅 Sunday, November 5 
⏰ 5pm PST/ 6pm MST/ 7pm CST/ 8pm EST
🔗 Click on one of the buttons below to join

​​Written by Stephen Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre Historian
steve@communityofchrist.ca

Welcome back to our next installment of “Historians Corner.”

You may remember (or may not! It’s been a while!) that in our last column we heard about the acquisition of the Hills of Peace Campground. I thought it only fair that I share the story of how the Samish Island Campground came into the possession of the church. Many members in BC may be quite familiar with this story.

For these details I am relying on a video featuring Kim Naten telling a fairly complete history of Samish. (Kim is currently the President of the Greater Pacific Northwest Mission Center (GPNW) and a life-long attendee at events at Samish.) I cannot tell this story any better than Kim, so I will simply directly quote excerpts from her presentation:

"…The story of how Community of Christ acquired these grounds is a story of immense generosity and humility …
Back in the late 1920s a young Norwegian couple by the names of Sig and Tora Freestad purchased a large parcel of property on Samish Island in Skagit County, Washington… They started out raising cattle there and eventually turned to raising turkeys.
Sig happened to work with a minister from a church very few in the area had really ever heard of, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Over time the two men became friends and through that friendship Sig and Tora eventually made the decision to join this little church.
The Freestads, who later moved away from Samish Island but still owned the property, developed a deep appreciation for the camping programs that the church offered its youth. At this time the church camps in that area took place at Silver Lake (near) Everett, Washington.
Sig and Tora came to feel so strongly about the need for a dedicated site for church youth camps that they ultimately felt led by the Holy Spirit to gift their farmland of over 80 acres to the church for this purpose. The Freestads presented their proposal to both the British Columbia Canada District as well as the Seattle District in 1957. While the BC District gladly accepted this generous gift, surprisingly, many folks in the Seattle area did not want to accept this and wanted camps to remain at Silver Lake. It took some time, along with a visit from one of our apostles, but the gift was finally accepted by a fairly close vote at the Seattle District Conference in 1958. By the summer of 1959 the first reunion was held there.
Between 1959 and the early 1960s a dining hall and restroom facility were built along with wooden tent platforms… Sig and Tora purchased a home across the street from the property and served as the campground’s first caretakers even as the campground developed with cabins and classroom buildings being added."
 
And that is the origin story of Samish Island Campground and Retreat Centre according to Kim Naten. See the bibliographic information below for access to Kim’s video.

Please let me know if you have any comments about this. Perhaps you have other memories of the early years of Samish Island that you would like to share. I would be happy to receive them!