LAKE POINSETT — Servings of waffles, pancakes, eggs and Jesus are available each Sunday morning at Lake Poinsett Camp and Retreat Center.  The camp is full of campers of all ages during the week.  On Sunday morning, lake residents, campers from the state campground and neighbors show up for worship and brunch.

“Each week a few more people are showing up and connecting in worship,” said Natalie Buck, chaplain at Lake Poinsett Camp and Retreat Center.  An average of 50 people are coming to Sunday worship at the chapel. Following the service a brunch is served.

The Sunday morning worship and brunch began when Rev. Teresa Whetsel and members of Arlington UMC planned Sunday morning worship at the chapel at Lake Poinsett. 

“It really kicked off when the folks from Arlington came out one Sunday and held a worship service here,” said Buck. Photo: Natalie Buck served as the chaplain for the Lake Poinsett Camp & Retreat Center during the summer of 2016. Photo by Dakotas Conference Communications.

Jim is the chef at Lake Poinsett Camp and Retreat Center.  He created a brunch for everyone after worship with Arlington UMC.  Jim is assisted by John who works in maintenance. Brunch and worship were a hit with over 160 in worship and 140 attending the brunch.

“We saw the worship and brunch was really a hit with everyone,” said Christy Heflin, director at Lake Poinsett Camp and Retreat Center.  “We thought about it and realized that there really is not much of a chance for worship and brunch on Sunday for those who live or camp around the lake on the weekend.  So we thought we would give it a try.”Photo: campers and lake residents gather at the Lake Poinsett Camp and Retreat Center dining hall for breakfast on a recent Sunday morning. Photo courtesy fo Christy Heflin.

Buck and Heflin hope that Sunday worship and brunch will continue to grow.  Buck has spent time planning worship on Sundays with a variety of music and preachers.  “It has been a great experience for me to plan worship each Sunday,” said Buck. “I just love the variety we have been able to experience and offer people.”

“I see the possibilities as endless,” said Heflin. “It is great to connect with those who live around the lake and are in the campgrounds.”

Photo: Rev. Teresa Whetsel preaches during a recent worship service at the Lake Poinsett Camp and Retreat Center chapel. Photo coutesy of LPCRC facebook page.