The ACW of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Port Coquitlam are passionate about their ministry and they are also great supporters of Camp Artaban. As most people in the diocese and beyond are aware, Camp Artaban suspended its programming for the 2013 season due to financial difficulties, however, the St. Catherine’s ACW under the leadership of Ann Blue decided that they would not sit idly by but would organize a Camp Artaban Picnic. This wouldn’t be just a picnic, this would be a full day from 9 am to 7:30 pm beginning with worship and finishing off with a campfire, an experience that would give those present a taste of what a day at Camp Artaban is like. Ann and her group from Poco teamed up with other Artaban supporters including board chair, Sandi Lacharite and others, to put together a topnotch event.
The venue chosen was Lion’s Park in Port Coquitlam and the weather, July 20th, 2013, couldn’t have been more cooperative. It was a beautiful day. The Artaban bell made the trip to Poco from Gambier Island and was rung enthusiastically about 10:30 am to call people to worship in a glade surrounded by trees behind the Lion’s Park cooking area. Worship was celebrated by the Reverend Stephanie Shepard of St. Timothy’s and St Margaret of Scotland, Burnaby and the music was led by an “Artaband” Praise Band which featured three guitars and a drummer. It was reported by many to be one of the finest pick-up worship bands ever. Holy Communion was supplanted by an Agape meal which consists of each participant passing around grapes and crackers and blessing each new recipient of the food with the words “God loves you.”Lunchtime saw a flurry of activity around the cook shack as St. Catherine’s, Port Coquitlam ACW member Margaret Warwick and her crew served 120 hungry “campers” hot dogs, smokies and hamburgers. This was the first of two meals with the process repeated late in the afternoon at supper.
After a leisurely lunch hour, the Artaban bell once again called folks to gather for cupcakes and the enthusiastic singing of Happy Birthday in honour of Camp Artaban’s 90 years of ministry.
Artaban Board Chair, Sandi LaCharite said “it was great to have significant representation from all facets of Camp; from board members to past board members, directors, campers and ‘permies’ (permanent staff).” When asked to reflect on the day, principal organizer Ann Blue was quick to remark, “It was a wonderful day, a typical Artaban day. Participation was AWESOME!”There were games and craft tables available and later in the afternoon everyone gathered for the telling of the Artaban Story followed by supper and the campfire, but the real activity of the day was the opportunity to reconnect with old and new friends, sharing memories of the past but more importantly sharing their hopes for the future, the future of Camp Artaban.
Images: Top, The best part of the day was making connections, Upper right, Margaret Warwick in the cook shack. Homepage, Barb and Brian Walks’s grandson Justin enjoys the rock painting table. Lower left, Ann Blue got in the mood with some facepaint. Below 1, The organizers: L-R, Front Row seated: Maribeth Mainer, St. Timothy’s, Burnaby; Ann Blue, St. Catherine’s, Port Coquitlam; Barb Buxton, St. Cuthbert’s, Delta; Liz Cook, St. Catherine’s, Port Coquitlam. Second Row, standing and seated: Barb Walks, St. Mark’s, Ocean Park; Sandi LaCharite, St. Cuthbert’s; the Reverend Stephanie Shepard, St. Timothy’s, Burnaby, St. Margaret of Scotland, Burnaby; Samantha Purton; Fern Jaspers-Fayer, Holy Trinity, Vancouver; Sylvia Enga, St. Agnes, North Vancouver; Linzi Voth
Below 2, Camp Artaban Day publicist, Arlene Elliott and her son Gabe.