By Rev. Carolyn Dugan, Associate Regional Minister – Outdoor Ministries

“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”—Hebrews 10:24–25 (NRSVUE)

There are seasons when God meets me most clearly in the quiet. As an introvert, I can spend hours on the farm or at Camp without noticing time passing. The rhythm of the animals, the wind, the familiar voices of podcasts or music—these become a kind of sanctuary. In that stillness, my soul settles. I feel known.

But even in the solitude, the Spirit reminds me that we were created not only for quiet places, but for one another. God formed us for community—imperfect, sometimes messy community. It is within the gathering of community that we learn, grow, and are shaped into the likeness of Christ. It is where burdens are shared, joys multiplied, and resilience strengthened. Community is one of God’s gifts to us.

As American Baptists, we honor the autonomy of each congregation, yet we also recognize the blessing of belonging to a wider family. Our regional fellowship allows us to support one another’s ministries, celebrate God’s work, and walk together through seasons of loss and renewal. We are not alone in this calling; God knits us together for a purpose.

In that spirit, I invite you to join us for our Annual Gathering, October 9–10 at Emmanuel Chin Baptist Church in Greenfield. Our theme, Hospitality in a Hostile World, speaks to the heart of our witness today. We will hear from leaders across our denomination—voices that will challenge, encourage, and inspire us. It will be a time to listen deeply, to learn widely, and to strengthen the bonds that hold our regional family together.

More information is available at abcofwi.org.

This introvert—who cherishes quiet places—is genuinely looking forward to stepping into this sacred space of fellowship. I am eager to encourage one another, to witness what God is doing across Wisconsin, and to be reminded once again that the Body of Christ is stronger when we gather.

Rev. Carolyn Dugan – Associate Regional Minister of Outdoor Ministries

At the beginning of each camp this summer, as we sat in the back room of the John Gray on Sunday afternoon talking about the camp rules, updated regulations, sharing questions and setting up last second projects; as we wait for the campers to arrive, I would share this poem:

Prospective Immigrants Please Note, by Adrienne Rich

Prospective Immigrants Please Note

Either you will

go through this door

or you will not go through.

If you go through

there is always the risk

of remembering your name.

Things look at you doubly

and you must look back

and let them happen.

If you do not go through

it is possible

to live worthily

to maintain your attitudes

to hold your position

to die bravely

but much will blind you,

much will evade you,

at what cost who knows?

The door itself makes no promises.

It is only a door.

I read this with the perspective that as a leader for the campers that were excited and nervous about the camp coming up, we have a choice as leaders. We can walk through the door as leaders ready to meet them where they are, we can let things happen versus controlling what we think should happen and we can be vulnerable in this space with these people.

We can also choose to walk through the door and hold on to our thoughts and fears and still be worthy leaders, but at what cost to our campers and ourselves.

Both are ok spaces to be, but we need to realize we always have a choice.

As we shift from summer to fall, what door are you looking to walk through and what choice do you need make? May you have the courage to remember your name.

Rev. Carolyn Dugan – Associate Regional Minister of Outdoor Ministries

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

– Isaiah 41:10, ESV

In my job as a Corporate Trainer, we do a lot of icebreakers and I think about the group I am working with to pick the best question. One question I tend to stay away from is “what are you afraid of?” Sometimes people stay at a high level and say things like spiders, the dark or heights. Sometimes people go a little deeper and will say things like interviewing for a new position, trying a new hobby or picking the wrong vacation destination. Then, there are people that go for it and share that they are afraid people won’t remember them after they die, or they are afraid of making a big life change that will affect their families. It is admirable that they are willing to be comfortable sharing their thoughts, but in this work situation, people don’t always know how to respond. In Isaiah, we have God declaring to the Israelites, to not be afraid. Don’t be afraid like the pagans in verses 5 and 6 – those who don’t know God and look to idols for their comfort.

This summer for our Camp Tamarack programming we are asking our Pastors to explore this idea that the Bible tells us to not be afraid 365 times in various ways – enough for every day of the year. (I know this is a leap year, but I think we can trust that God will still be there on that extra day too) Each of us has so many things coming at us that cause fear, worry and anxiety in this world. We want to explore how living as a Christian and sharing our fears may still be uncomfortable, but also healthy as we recognize the ways God is with us and upholding us.

Sometimes it is easier to hold on to the fears we know and are comfortable with versus letting God strengthen us and help us – by hearing a kind word, by finding something in scripture, connecting with a song, having a trusted group of friends and family that you can confide in, finding a professional that can support you in deeper ways and various ideas in between.

Every year as we get ready for camp registration, I am always afraid we aren’t going to have any campers, or leaders, or staff, or that something else may happen, but also every year, God is with me, and God is good.

Whatever your fear, your concern, your anxiety – may you be able to name it in a healthy way and find a path to not be afraid.