Communications

May 7, 2023 - Friends of Slumber Falls Info Session

Friends of Slumber Falls recently hosted two special info sessions to share information about who we are, the offer we have made to purchase Slumber Falls Camp, and our future plans for the continuation of this important outdoor ministry. Please CLICK HERE to access the recording and be sure to copy & paste this passcode to access: a%ethY*3

April 14, 2023 - We are Easter People

Easter Blessings to each of you! We’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be Easter people—to believe in the hope of resurrection. Sometimes in the midst of the difficulties and messiness of life, it takes us a while to see the miracles unfolding before us in the same manner that the scripture retells the Easter story. A week at camp often gives me the space to slow down and notice the small miracles—kids helping one another, their confidence growing, lifelong friendships forming, faith deepening, the gift of true community. All signs of hope and resurrection.

We are called to be Easter people—to make space for God’s love and resurrection to be revealed to each of us and share that love in the world. We pray that over the next few weeks as we gather in Association meetings and as a Conference in May that God’s love and Jesus’s resurrection will be revealed to each of us, and we may find healing and hope moving forward.

Easter Blessings to each of you,

Carolyn Ho & Jenn Landers

Friends of Slumber Falls Board Co-Chairs

News & Updates

On March 9, 2023, Friends of Slumber Falls submitted our offer to purchase Slumber Falls Camp. We have since provided proof of funds and followed up with the SCC Board Chair and Conference Minister twice with no response. We remain hopeful that our offer will be given serious consideration by the South Central Conference and open to direct conversation with the Conference Board of Directors regarding our offer.

Get to Know Friends of Slumber Falls!

As we approach Association and Conference Annual Meetings, FSF wants to make sure churches across the Conference and camp supporters know about Friends of Slumber Falls. Be sure to download this handy Bulletin Insert/Info Sheet to share with your congregation and at upcoming Association meetings. Check out our website to learn more or email us with questions.

Summer Camp is ON!

According to the last SCC News, the Conference Board has committed to holding summer camp. REGISTER TODAY! By registering, you show the Conference how important summer camp is to you. Don’t forget, scholarships are available. All the Camp info is on the Slumber Falls Camp Website or Download the Camp Flyer.

March 10, 2023 - Offer to Purchase Slumber Falls Camp

Dear Friends of Slumber Falls,

We know it’s been a while since we’ve shared an update with you all. Our group has been busy working on some very exciting and important things we want to announce.  

Offer to Purchase - $3,142,750

On Thursday, March 9, the Board of Friends of Slumber Falls (FSF) presented the South Central Conference Board of Directors an official offer to purchase Slumber Falls Camp (SFC). The $3,142,750 offer presented was made possible through funds from our primary donor and reflects the appraised value of Slumber Falls Camp on the current Comal County Property Tax roll. 

When considering the facilities and property improvements needed at Slumber Falls Camp, which were acknowledged by the Board of Directors in their February 2 communication, this offer is certainly fair. Friends of Slumber Falls is ready to expedite this sale to ensure continuity of all summer camping programs and retreat business currently booked for 2023 and beyond. 

Most importantly, we strongly believe this is a win-win situation that provides a mutually beneficial path forward for the SCC and Slumber Falls Camp while ensuring healing and a guarantee of continued outdoor ministry at Slumber Falls Camp. 

Nonprofit to Nonprofit Sale – Best Option

Since our last communication, Friends of Slumber Falls received its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS, which allows this transaction to be processed as a nonprofit to nonprofit sale. This is significant because it allows the SCC to sell Slumber Falls Camp without listing on the open market, preventing it from potentially being sold to a developer. In addition, a nonprofit to nonprofit sale will preserve the .595 acre tract that was gifted to Slumber Falls Camp by the Pfeuffer family in 2019 as that section of land would be returned to the Pfeuffer’s should SFC be sold to a developer. And finally, a nonprofit to nonprofit sale will save the conference exorbitant agent/brokerage fees and commission, ensuring more dollars from the sale go directly to the Conference. 

Your Donations – Full Transparency

Thank you for your contributions to our fundraising efforts. To date, we have received $12,282. We believe in honesty and transparency in how we will use your dollars. We are optimistic our offer will be accepted and upon execution of contract, we intend to use $5,000 of the donations collected as earnest money for the purchase of Slumber Falls Camp. And as we move forward with the sale, we will likely need additional dollars to pay for an environmental study and survey of the property, insurance, and an operating reserve. 

Take Action – Make Yourself Heard

We encourage you all to make your voice heard with the Board of Directors of the South Central Conference and the leaders of the churches in the United Church of Christ. 

• Contact the Board of Directors – Let them know you want them to accept the FSF offer to purchase Slumber Falls Camp. You can contact the BOD President at sccpresident@sccucc.org.

• Contact your Church Leaders – If you are a member of the United Church of Christ, talk to your pastor and your church council. Make sure they are aware of this offer and encourage them to reach out to the BOD as well. 

• Attend your Association Meetings – Most Associations in the conference have upcoming meetings in April. We encourage you to attend if you can to share your opinion on this important topic.

• Spread the News – Share this information via your social channels and spread the word about Friends of Slumber Falls

Connect with Friends of Slumber Falls 

We have officially launched a website – www.friendsofslumberfalls.org – where you can find information about our mission, our Board Members, a timeline of events, and more. In addition to email communications, we intend to provide updates on our site, so please keep tabs on it. We know there are so many of you who are passionate about Slumber Falls Camp and share our mission in preserving it for generations to come. If you have ideas, feedback, etc., please contact us. You can reply to this email or email directly at friendsofslumberfalls@gmail.com. 

Thank you all for your continued support. Friends of Slumber Falls is working earnestly to secure the long-term future of Slumber Falls Camp. We believe working in partnership with the SCC will build goodwill and healing across the Conference. 

February 1, 2023 - Status Report

Friends of Slumber Falls (FSF) wanted to reach out to address some questions we received after our initial email distribution on January 23. We appreciate the great feedback we received and hope this email helps to clear up any questions you may have or confusion you may be feeling over the last week and a half.

Why should churches in the Conference push for a special meeting of the Conference on this issue?

Slumber Falls Camp is part of the South Central Conference (SCC) bylaws and as such, decisions regarding the future of the camp, particularly one that could involve the potential sale of the camp, should be a conference decision. A special meeting allows for transparency of the decision-making process and enables voting members the opportunity to have a say in this decision.

What is the status of the Friends of Slumber Falls proposal?

The current status is pending. The Friends of Slumber Falls proposal was shared with the SCC Board of Directors (BOD) on January 9 and included a request to be added to the January 14 BOD meeting agenda. Our group was informed by the BOD that our proposal could not be discussed due to pending litigation at that time, and we were not added to the January 14 agenda. Currently, the pending litigation does not present a barrier to discussion, and Friends of Slumber Falls are anxious and hopeful to begin conversations with the BOD with the goal of giving members of the Conference the opportunity to share their input and vote on any decision the BOD presents to the Conference. As a reminder, you can review the proposal again here.

What is the dollar amount of the offer Friends of Slumber Falls is making for the camp?

As mentioned in the proposal, Friends of Slumber Falls is working with a benefactor who is prepared to make a legitimate offer for Slumber Falls Camp. While we are not able to share the exact amount, we can tell you this is a seven-figure fair market value offer through a 501(c)(3) organization. For reference purposes only, Slumber Falls Camp is currently listed on the Comal County Property Tax records at $3,142,750.

How can I get involved/support Friends of Slumber Falls?

We are working on a website and donation platform that will be active very soon. For now, keep tabs on our email communications and share this email with anyone who might be interested in staying informed.

If you have additional questions or comments, please reply to this email and we'll get back to you directly!

January 23, 2023 - Call to Action

As you may know, the South Central Conference (SCC) is currently considering the future of Slumber Falls Camp including selling the camp in an effort to create an endowment and pathway to solvency for the SCC. The Friends of Slumber Falls, a newly formed non-profit organization, requests you to call for a special meeting for proposals to be considered and voted on by the whole conference body. Because Slumber Falls Camp is written into the SCC bylaws, we are seeking a ⅔ vote of the conference membership at a special meeting to approve this plan and change the bylaws accordingly. 

Friends of Slumber Falls (FSF) is made up of members with long histories at Slumber Falls Camp, many whose families have attended for decades. Like many of you, the members of our group believe that Slumber Falls Camp is a sacred and holy place, and appreciate the impact this special place has had on our lives. As such, the Board of FSF has put together a proposal to purchase the camp, in partnership with an anonymous Benefactor, so the camp can continue for generations.

In addition to a combined total of 275 years at the camp, Friends of Slumber Falls is uniquely positioned to seek feedback from all Conference members to help guide the camp into the future. The Friends Board is composed of members with deep experience in nonprofit leadership, business, engineering, and camp leadership, as well as a passion for doing what is best for Slumber Falls Camp, free from personal or professional gain. As we enter 2023, Friends of Slumber Falls prays this year is a time of resolution, partnership, community, and opportunity. 

The possible sale of Slumber Falls has created division in the South Central Conference and the Friends Board has acted to find a positive solution that provides financial freedom and continues the rich history and long legacy of the camp. As the Friends of Slumber Falls came together, we discovered generations of camp alumni who are passionate about the camp and the legacy left by Rev. Frank Horak and the other members of the Conference that came before us. This organization seeks to provide Spirit-lead leadership, Christ-driven connection, and God-centered action united in God’s love using the ministry to celebrate, welcome and create a just world for all, as directed by the UCC mission.

As we listened to the Slumber Falls community, camp council, conference board, conference minister, congregations/ministers, individuals for and against the sale, and other friends of the camp, a possible solution became clear. FSF Board members traveled from all over Texas to participate in the December 12 Town Hall Meeting at Faith Church New Braunfels to listen and gather information and listened to the SCC Board meeting held on January 14 (where other proposals were discussed). We have listened, asked questions and heard clearly that the body wants everyone to have a voice in this decision. 

Friends of Slumber Falls board members are not motivated by professional ties to the camp, but are concerned about the best outcome for the Conference and the camp because of a deep and abiding faith and passion for doing what is best for the camp and the generations of campers who should be able to experience God’s love and teachings surrounded by His beauty. Friends of Slumber Falls wishes to continue the mission of SFC and seeks to be a place of grace close to the heart of the church. 

You may have heard concerns that the camp is continually a drain on the SCC and without the camp the conference would be solvent and successful. Friends of Slumber Falls believe the group that has come together has the experience and business acumen to be responsible not only for the continuation of camp but the growth and development of the camp. Unfortunately it has been a challenge to find a balanced budget for both the camp and conference simultaneously leading us to the idea of underwriting a spin-off of the camp as just one idea. We ask the membership of the conference to call a special meeting and request the pause of the sale until all members have the opportunity to make an informed decision and cast their vote for the best possible future for the camp and conference.

If you are so moved, please also donate to Friends of Slumber Falls to help continue the legacy of this camp. You can email friendsofslumberfalls@gmail.com for more information about making a donation.