FLLC attended an outdoor ministry conference in Lakeville, MN

January 17-20, 2010 - Representatives of Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp (FLLC) in Crystal Falls attended an outdoor ministry conference in Lakeville, MN. The conference covered topics such as fund development, marketing and board development and was hosted by Gronlund, Sayther and Brunkow.

Attending the conference were, from left (back row) Pastor Peter Warmanen St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Medford, WI, and incoming FLLC site director; Pastor Art Weiss,  FLLC executive director; and board members Julie Beck, Chassell; Tony Grayvold, Ewen; Pastor Peter Andersen, Marquette; (front row) Ruth Warmanen, Crystal Falls; Kathy Magnuson, Ishpeming; and Ann Gonyea, Negaunee.

Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp FLLC serves as an extension of ministry of the 92 congregations of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that own and operate the camp. FLLC encourages spiritual growth by providing encounters with scripture, experience and care of the environment, and opportunities for worship, recreation, and fellowship. FLLC welcomes people of all faiths and all ages, during all seasons.  

Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp Hires New Site Director

 Crystal Falls, MI – Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6, 2010

            Today, Executive Director Rev. Art Weiss announced the hiring of Rev. Peter Warmanen as Site Director for Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp.  The announcement concludes a six-month search process of candidates from throughout the U.S. and Canada. Pastor Warmanen begins his work with Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp February 1. 

            “This announcement on the celebration of the Epiphany of Our Lord, 2010, marks the beginning of an exciting journey for the ministry of Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp.  The work and role of Site Director is pivotal in providing the programmatic and hospitality ministry of Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp,” Rev. Weiss stated. 

            For the past five and a half years, the Rev. Peter Warmanen has served as pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Medford, WI, and will continue serving them part-time along with his responsibilities at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. 

            “It’s an opportunity to serve in two places I love,” Rev. Warmanen stated, “in a congregation I now call ‘home’ and also back ‘home’ at Fortune Lake, where my faith was formed and nurtured.”

Pastor Warmanen graduated from Forest Park High School in Crystal Falls, Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, and the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.  He is married to the former Jennifer Mackie of Crystal Falls and they have two children- Asher (7) and Siiri (4).

            “Having Pastor Pete, as he likes to be called, in this position is a connection to the history of the camp as we celebrate our 80th Anniversary in 2010, and a launch into the future of ministry services for the congregations and communities we serve,” Rev. Weiss stated in his announcement. Pastor Pete’s father, Rev. Cy Warmanen, served as Director of Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp from 1981 to 1995.

New Adult Retreat Lodge Dedicated

The completion of the new adult retreat lodge was celebrated October 10^th with a service of dedication and blessing. The service was the first event of the Fortune Lake Fall Fiesta.

Shielded from the first snow squalls of the season, friends of Fortune Lake gathered together in the cozy meeting room of the new lodge and prayed:

“Bless us as we dedicate this building as an adult retreat lodge and to our ministries of faith to your praise and honor.  We pray for your blessing upon all that make use of this facility that they might grow in faith and works in order that your name might be proclaimed in our community and our world.  Amen.”

We give thanks…

… for the property committee and Pastor Weiss, who initiated the project;

… for the board of directors and delegates to the annual meeting who approved the project;

… for the various contractors who contributed to the project;

… for facility and project manager Chris Nocerini and his crew of young men who completed the construction;

… for the volunteers who painted, sanded and varnished, built beds and sewed quilts. 

… for all who contributed to the Holy Comfort Campaign to furnish the lodge.

June 2009

PROGRESS MADE ON ADULT RETREAT CENTER

The grounds of Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp have been filled more with the sounds of heavy machinery than the sounds of the northwoods the past couple weeks.  The outdoor ministry center is in the process of renovating an older cabin-style building into an adult retreat center.  Fortune Lake has already made commitments to retreat groups to have the building completely ready for usage by the middle of August.

The roof was completed on the adult retreat center last week.  Executive Director Rev. Art Weiss said, “We are pleased with the progress of our new facility.  We are on an excellent pace to finish the project by our mid-August deadline.  We are looking forward to hosting even more retreat groups year-round with the addition of this new center.  The addition more than doubles our capacity for high-comfort adult lodging.”

Local contractors are assisting Fortune Lake ’s Property Manager Chris Nocerini with the project.

FORTUNE LAKE LUTHERAN CAMP ANNOUNCES SUMMER CAMP THEME

Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp has announced that its 2009 summer camp theme will be “Love to Serve.”  The children, youth, and families who attend summer camp at Fortune Lake will learn about how God’s love will inspire and inform their service in the world.  The daily themes for each week at camp will be “Freed to Serve,” “Created to Serve,” Called to Serve,” Saved to Serve,” and “Sent to Serve.”  In addition to lessons, Bible studies, and activities based on these themes, participants will also have access to the camp’s ropes course, swimming, campfires, and expansive grounds.

Soren Schmidt, Program Director of Fortune Lake, says, “This year’s summer camp theme is the most exciting one in recent history.  We have developed comprehensive programming that will emphasize this powerful theme throughout the summer.  No child should be able to walk away from our summer camp without putting his or her faith into action in service.”

Children and families can register for summer camp at Fortune Lake by visiting their website at www.fortunelake.org or calling the camp office at 906-875-3697.

May 2009

Work has begun on renovations and construction of adult retreat center.

Crews have begun work for the renovation of the Hickory – Hemlock Cabin into an adult retreat center. The retreat center will have 8 rooms with two twin beds and a meeting room.  Completion is scheduled for August 15, 2009.