Changes are happening on the Gladstone Campus. This week, crews arrived to begin the preparations for the new Gladstone Pavilion.  

In February 2023, the Oregon Conference Executive Committee voted to move forward with the Gladstone Pavilion, a project that would provide a permanent roof over the main seating area at Gladstone Camp Meeting. This action represents a significant commitment and investment in the future of Camp Meeting in Oregon Conference.

While the financial picture has changed in the Oregon Conference over the past number of months, the project continues for some good reasons:

• The cost of the project will be 100% funded by income from the Oregon Conference’s ownership stake in Somerset Lodge. Years ago, the conference invested land at the north end of Gladstone Campground in a retirement community that became Somerset. This income from that ownership stake is separate from tithe and does not impact the conference operating budget. It has been designated to maintain and enhance the Gladstone Park campgrounds. The income will be more than sufficient to pay back the building loan ahead of schedule.

• Once completed, the pavilion project will save $75,000 or more in Camp Meeting operating costs each year. This savings reduces the tithe funding required to operate the camp meeting ministry and allows administration to allocate that funding to pastoral ministry in the local church.

• The Pavilion will create opportunities for larger scale ministry events throughout the good-weather season.  

We’re blessed by the opportunity to use existing resources to invest in the future of camp meeting, while allocating additional tithe funding to pastoral ministry in our local churches. We’re looking forward to July 2025 when we can worship together under a new roof!

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