Ascension Camp Scrapbook

Ascension Camp Scrapbook
page 2

New Cross for Ascension

This summer saw the installation of a new cross on the lawn of Ascension Camp and Conference Center. The metal sculpture is the work of Ricky Thew, Camp Staff member. It's placement at the foot of the lawn of the school provides another Holy Space on the Ascension Campus for Worship, reflection and meditation.

The Celtic inspired cross includes a cluster of pieces of metal at the center. The center design represents the inclusivity of the Episcopal Church - all sizes, shapes and colors are welcomed. The cross was dedicated on July 23, 2005 in honor of the Thew family and their many years of service to the Diocese and to Ascension School.

In Memory of Torie Myers Keller

The following was written as an ode for Torie Myers Keller by The Rt. Rev. Rustin R. Kimsey, the Fifth Episcopal Bishop of Eastern Oregon, and a graduate of Hermiston High School, Class of 1953

“Who could forget that twinkle in her eye…….”

Who could forget that twinkle in her eye,
pulling the cap down just a bit,
staring at the pitcher with an “I’ve got you figured out” look,
choking up just a tad on the grimy handle of the bat,
digging in a bit as her beat up tenny pivots in the dust,
cocking the bat with that now famous ritual that screamed in silence: I’M READY!
And who could forget that awesome swing,
level as a two by four,
power shifting from back foot into her arms,
wrists breaking as if cued by the ball itself,
and the resolute crack of the bat,
powering the line drive into the hole between left and center.
A stand up double, and she smiles as though she knew exactly what had happened!
Had she been born a different gender, she would have been on at second in Fenway Park.

Who could forget that twinkle in her eye,
her eyes sweeping the classroom,
each kid knowing the gaze was meant for them;
and the searching eye was not looking for trouble;
no, the searching eye was looking for flair, or poise, or hard questions….
Anything that would draw a comment like:

“Way to go, Charlie!
Great question, Janice. I’ll have to do my homework!
Wow, Carl, where did that idea come from?
Hey, Tony, are you being privately tutored? Great thought! Patent it!

Okay everyone, I don’t have time to pat each of you on the back, so do it for one another! You can compete on the ball field. In here, you’re the coaches! You’re the back patters! You’re the voice saying what your buddy needs to hear to take that next step. So, have at it!”

Who could forget that twinkle in her eye,
standing before God, wondering why it happened;
shaking her head like she didn’t like the call;
but having the big chance to speak her heart,
she looks God straight in the eye, and says:

“Thanks...
thanks for my life,
thanks for my mom and dad,
thanks for my faith,
thanks for my kids…hundreds of them,
thanks for my colleagues….friends, mentors, even the ones that made me shake my head. They all taught me a lot.
Thanks for the places that reminded me of you…the Holy God….
Ascension School at Cove, Oregon,
the Church,
the dirt just behind home plate,
the classroom desk that will soon be filled with great promise.

Most of all, God, thanks for Paul!
Thanks for his quiet ways that soothed the storm in me;
thanks for his friendship with me, and his commitment to me;
and God, thanks for trusting that I could love as deeply as I have loved Paul.
What a great gift.”

……..she said with a twinkle and a tear in her eye.

downloadable in pdf format

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