CENTRE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

This is your ministry… the campers at Poe Valley State Park and Hemlock Acres Campground. It provides ecumenical Christian worship on Sunday mornings and chaplain visitation (as welcome) to individual campsites on Saturday afternoons. A children’s program is planned to teach Bible Stories and Crafts. Each year at these locations, nearly 800 campers worship and more than 1,300 campsites are visited.

The 2004 ministry year begins Memorial Day weekend, May 29^th and continues through Labor Day weekend, September 5^st. Scheduled worship services are:

Poe Valley Amphitheater 9:00am
Hemlock Acres Pavilion 11:00am

The Chaplains in State Parks Program began in Pennsylvania more than 41 years ago at the invitation of Parks Secretary Dr. Maurice Goddard. This statewide ministry program is coordinated by the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. Activities at specific sites are directed by local committees within those areas. The Chaplains in the Parks continue to function under a Special Activities Agreement with the Pennsylvania State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Chaplaincy programs are supported by donations from area churches and ministeriums; offerings received at regular worship services, as well as funding through various denominational mission efforts. They receive no public monies. Individual donations may be directed to:

Poe Valley Park Ministry, c/o Mrs.Leona Gentzel
168 North Street, PO Box 531, Millheim, PA  16854

YOUR CHAPLAIN

Mrs. Jeanine Berube is a member of the Maitland Church of the Brethren near Lewistown, PA, where she participates as worship leader and sings in the church choir.  Mrs. Berube has an Associate Degree from Andersonville Theological Seminary, and is currently working toward a Bachelor's Degree in Ministry.

Jeannine is serving her sixth season as Chaplain at Poe Valley State Park and Hemlock Acres Campground through the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. In 1996 and 2000 Jeanine served as Children’s Activity Director at Poe Valley and Hemlock Acres. 

She and her husband Joe own and operate a business in Lewistown. They both hold offices in the Disabled American Veterans (DAV); Jeannine is Commander of the local auxiliary and Joe serves as chaplain for the local unit.  They also volunteer driving eligible veterans to VA hospitals and clinics.

As Chaplain, Mrs. Berube serves all campers regardless of their faith. Her duties include: leading ecumenical worship services; providing visitors with information about local churches; and visiting campsites each week through the summer camping season.

The Poe Valley Area Park Ministry Committee continues a Children’s Bible and Craft Program that has been successful in 14 seasons (1989-1994), 1996-2003). Beginning July 4th, four teachers will share the duties of this position.  The teachers will design, prepare and lead a Bible and Craft program.  They work under the supervision of the Chaplain.

PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD’S BLESSING ON THIS MINISTRY.

Thank you for whatever you may already be doing. Our efforts are supported by the Burnham-Derry, Lewistown, Milroy, Centre Hall, Brush Valley and Penns Valley churches and ministerial associations. If you sing or play an instrument as a soloist or with a group or choir, consider volunteering that talent in worship of the Lord Jesus. See Chaplain Berube for details. Thank you and God bless you for your support.

Please tell others, remembering Jesus’ great commandment to "Go, then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples… And I will be with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

CHAPEL SERVICE at POE VALLEY STATE PARK

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CHAPEL SERVICE in the Pavilion at HEMLOCK ACRES

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PENNSYLVANIA
Memories last a lifetime ™

THE PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL of CHURCHES

May the grandeur of these parks declare the glory of God.