By Steve Nelson — Casper, Wyoming … A few months ago, we would not have thought our world would be facing such uncertainty. Our lives have been dramatically affected by the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As the pastoral team in Wyoming, in cooperation with the RMC leadership, prayed for and discussed this year’s camp meeting session, July 14-18, the overwhelming consensus was that the safety of our members needed to be our number one priority.
While other Conferences canceled their camp meeting events this year, “we are taking an innovative approach. During this time of social isolation, most of our members are staying connected to their families, work and communities through various forms of technology, and the use of these tools will enable us to still provide live programming to all church members in Wyoming and beyond,” explained Steve Nelson, Wyoming camp meeting coordinator.
The camp meeting events will be live streamed from multiple locations and available on facebook.com/WyomingCampMeeting/
Currently, the organizers are planning for the program to include morning worship with Wyoming area pastors followed by a special spiritual growth session with RMC leaders Ed Barnett and Eric Nelson. Former Wyoming pastor Dick Stenbakken will present evening and Sabbath sessions. Other sessions are still in the planning stages, with programs geared toward youth and a special Sabbath School discussion panel as well.
“Please stay tuned for other updates via the Wyoming Facebook page, (facebook.com/WyomingCampMeeting/), where all our updates and events will be streamed live. The organizers are looking forward to having you share in this year’s memorable session and ask that you pray with us for God’s richest blessing during our time together,” Nelson commented.
“Every year, we are enriched by several camp meetings throughout our Conference. Several other events are still being planned with no decisions to share at this time,“ commented Eric Nelson, RMC VP for administration. Social distancing and other restrictions are hampering planning as they are influenced by local administrative decisions in the respective state and county.
“Cowboy camp meeting organizers are hoping for the forest camp grounds to be open to the public when it’s time to set up for the event, July 8-11. We have not heard a final decision for NE Camp Meeting scheduled for June 5-6, and the Western Slope gathering, August 5-9, is still being decided by pastoral leaders. We will, of course, urge them to work within the restrictions and orders that are put in place in their county and state,” Eric Nelson added.
Steve Nelson is WY Camp Meeting Coordinator; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski.
