Dear Friends of Mechuwana,

It is hard to believe but in just one year Mechuwana will be celebrating it's 60th year of ministry in Winthrop, Maine. Over those years Mechuwana has provided a unique ministry that has powerfully impacted the lives of thousands of individuals.

To come to the shores of Lower Narrows Pond and walk the paths of Mechuwana is a gift. It is a gift from farsighted individuals who years ago purchased the camp and, above all, it is a gift from the God the creator. Those of us who love Mechuwana and carry on our many and varied ministries here know the value of this great gift. We know what it means to "belong to Mechuwana" and we know that "Mechuwana belongs to God". As we look to the future, we know Mechuwana has the power to changes lives for the better.

The future of Mechuwana and how we the recipients of this tremendous gift can help to secure the future of this ministry has now become critically important. As we know the United Methodist Church and our Annual Conference have struggled financially in recent years. These financial struggles have affected all the programs sponsored by the Annual Conference; Outdoor Ministries is no exception to this. In order to overcome these cut back, Mechuwana has been forced to raise the price of camp and other retreat events significantly several times in the past few years. This trend can simply not continue without a very negative effect on our families. One of main goals has always been to keep this Christ centered experience affordable to everyone.

The group of people who established this ministry had tremendous challenges in order for it to become a reality. But their faith in God and their understanding of the life changing experiences one can have at a place like Mechuwana sustained and motivated them. Some 60 years later we are now face just as great a challenge; to make sure Mechuwana is around for generations to come. And so we have reached a critical cross roads in Mechuwana's history. We must act now to face this tremendous challenge before us.

Sincerely,

Mechuwana Site Committee