Parishioners Attend 2025 Fall Camp at Shrine Mont
10/29/2025
By Val Tucker
Last week some St. John’s parishioners attended Shrine Mont’s annual Fall Camp sponsored by the Tri-Diocesan Council on Aging. The four-day conference was graced with speaker and chaplain The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Diocese of Washington.
Bishop Budde is a passionate believer in the gospel of Jesus and the Episcopal Church’s particular witness, is committed to the spiritual and numerical growth of congregations and developing new expressions of Christian community. She believes that Jesus calls all who follow him to strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being. Bishop Budde is an advocate and organizer in support of justice concerns, including racial equity, gun violence prevention, immigration reform, the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons, and the care of creation. She spoke each day on dignity, hope, joy and love.
The group was entertained by Folk-Theologian Ed Kilbourne, known for his collections of moving music, quirky humor, and insightful monologues. Ed combined acoustic guitar, singing and commentary in his stories and song, and provided a devotional each morning before breakfast. The sunrise looked like God was speaking to us from a burning bush.
Fall Camp at Shrine Mont provided an opportunity to relax in the mountains of Virginia with other, mostly retired, seniors from across the Commonwealth. It provides a break from the busyness of “life”, helps provide insight, and stimulate spiritual imagination through workshops, worship, and private conversations.
A typical day at Fall Camp includes worship, fellowship at mealtimes, sessions with speakers that challenge and entertain us, opportunities to participate in workshop sessions on many topics, and informal evening get-togethers for conversation. The “happy half-hour” before dinner each evening is a time for greeting friends and meeting new ones. In addition to the scheduled activities, there was plenty of time to sit on the porches, visit with friends, relax, enjoy the amazing scenery, and explore the area. It was wonderful.
The Tri-Diocesan Council on Aging incorporates the three Episcopal dioceses in Virginia — the Dioceses of Virginia, Southwestern Virginia, and Southern Virginia. Next year’s Fall Camp is scheduled for October 19-22, 2026.
