James Hamp Continuing Dad’s Mission

Hamp’s Camp will continue this year, despite the death of founder Rev. Clifton Hamp last month.

James Hamp, the minister’s son, will continue his father’s mission of providing a camp experience for low-income kids at Zephyr Lodge on Liberty Lake.

For 35 years, Hamp’s Camp has allowed kids whose parents can’t afford camp costs the opportunity to go swimming, boating, fishing and hiking. The kids, 6 to 18 years old, will spend the days from June 27 to July 5 playing in the outdoors and listening to inspirational speakers.

Hamp says his father groomed him for four years to take over as camp director, and he did most of the planning for last year’s camp. But it’s still difficult to do it alone.

“This year, it has been really hard, especially because of his passing,” Hamp said. “In spirit he’ll be there, of course, but physically, he won’t.”

Up to 125 kids are expected to attend the camp, where they will be taught the message, “Say no to crime, say yes to the Lord,” said Hamp. “We hope to inspire the youth to think on their own, to withstand peer pressure, to make intelligent decisions.”

While camp costs $150 each, only one camper a year has paid the full price for the last three years, Hamp said.

Families are asked to pay what they can, and if they can’t pay anything, the cost will be covered by donations.

But, so far, donations have been slow coming in.

“We’ve still got about $20,000 to raise and we’re hoping that it will come in soon,” said Hamp. “I know God will work things out.”

Camp applications are still being accepted. For information, call 534-2168. Donations can be sent to: Hamp’s Camp, P.O. Box 4041, Spokane, WA 99202.

Practicing the faith

The Rev. Timothy Lull, newly elected president of Pacific Lutheran Seminary in Berkeley, Calif., will be here next week to present “The Lay/ Clergy Educational Opportunity,” sponsored by the Mount Spokane Cluster of Lutheran Churches.

The lecture series, “For the Living of These Days,” will address what it means to live as a Christian in today’s world.

Lull will also discuss his views regarding the upcoming national vote of whether Lutheran churches should have full communion and exchange clergy with Episcopalians, Presbyterians and the United Church of Christ.

On Sunday, Lull begins the series at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chewelah, Wash. At 9 a.m., Monday, clergy will gather at Mattie’s Restaurant, 7905 N. Division, for a presentation.

All are invited to the afternoon sessions from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, 1428 W. Broadway; and from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4202 N. Belt. The programs are free and open to the public.

Orthodox temple is built

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Coeur d’Alene recently held a ground-breaking ceremony for a temple in Post Falls, scheduled to be completed by mid-August.

When St. John the Baptist was founded in November 1995, it served 25 Orthodox families living in the Coeur d’Alene area. There are now about 75 families in the parish.

This will be the first Orthodox temple in North Idaho. Temples are built to exact specifications. During worship services, church members stand, eliminating the need of pews. The alter is made entirely without nails, and the roof is a dome instead of having a traditional steeple.

The two-story building, half temple and half classrooms and offices, will cover 2,700 square feet.

Thanks to an anonymous benefactor, fund-raising efforts for the building have moved ahead at record speed. The donor gave the church a 20-year interest-free loan of $120,000, which will cover most of the building costs, estimated to run between $150,000 and $175,000.

“It has given us the ability to move ahead without a bank loan,” said the Rev. Gregory Horton.

Church members also plan to move quickly though the building phase. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 17.

“Some people have used the phrase ‘minor miracle,”’ Horton said of the congregation’s good fortune.

Church members now meet in temporary quarters at 1700 Northwest Blvd., in Coeur d’Alene. The temple site is 4750 E. 20th, in Post Falls.

Associate pastor installed

Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye, will install its new associate pastor, the Rev. Shelley Bryan-Wee during the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday.

A potluck dinner follows.

Bryan-Wee arrived in Spokane after three years as a pastor in Arlee, Mont. Her primary responsibilities will be in the areas of youth, family and small-group ministries.