A Prayer for Today - Spring 2020

Gracious God, Champion of the Universe, we so often fluff ourselves up. Aren’t we the only creatures who compose masterpieces of music and art? Don’t we govern ourselves, enrich ourselves, promote ourselves? Can’t we dunk basketballs, bat baseballs, spike volleyballs? Aren’t some of us masters of comic irony? Other creatures don’t practice rocket science. We do. And yet. Here we are, frightened by a thing so small it can’t be seen under most microscopes. It’s not even an animal or a plant. It’s a virus, a mere parasite, dependent on our own living cells to replicate. And yet it has shuttered our schools, cancelled our flights, and emptied our churches. It has consumed the attention of our leading scientists, wrenched our politics out of shape, dominated our conversations, and scared the daylights out of us. We don’t want to get sick. And we don’t want to die. We are afraid, O God. Afraid of a microorganism. Afraid of each other. Great and quiet source of peace, quiet our fears. We are wary, uncertain, strung tight. Quiet our fears. We have no idea what the future will bring, but we do know You will be in our future to hold us there. We cannot quiet ourselves, O God. We cannot comfort ourselves, cannot heal ourselves, cannot help ourselves. All we can do is wash our hands and keep our distance. Our rocket science is no good to us for this threat. O God, great and quiet source of peace, quiet us, Your anxious ones, and let us cling for comfort to Your suffering Son, Jesus Christ. Gather us under His wings. Remind us that He suffers with us, but He’s also the Great Physician. In Him, let us not be afraid. Please, let us not be afraid. A prayer from Cornelius Plantinga Jr.

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Update on Ridge Haven Cono Wallace Anderson, executive director, says: We have been facing challenging decisions, and constructing a plan for what is in store for us at Ridge Haven and Ridge Haven Cono in the midst of many uncertainties. I cannot tell you how grateful we would be to have your support even now. While the past few weeks have been unexpected, we are hoping to return to normal operations soon ... and trusting the Lord if it isn't too soon. The year 2020 started strong. Check out recent highlight videos from Winter Retreat and Winter Camp.

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Donate online HERE. Designate for Ridge Haven Cono. Mailing address for checks written out to: RH Cono, 215 Ridge Haven Road, Brevard, NC 28712 Our Contact Information Ridge Haven Cono (www.ridgehaven.org) 215 Ridge Haven Road Brevard, NC 28712 828-702-9510

A Great Weekend at Cono

Good morning…somehow it feels like Christmas morning at Cono…snow is on the ground and we are waiting on Westkirk Presbyterian Church’s youth group of 26 to arrive this evening from Des Moines. They are an Independent Presbyterian Church.

While we have had another local small group use us this fall, this just seems different to me. It’s like a wave of a new beginning of the Lord’s blessings on Cono. It doesn’t get any better for me than the Lord providing us the ability to serve the local community, serve the churches in the area, and be of service to the broader church all in one day…it really is Christmas. I feel like a child all over again opening yet another present with so many more still under the tree of the Lord’s blessings.

Thank you all for your prayers, your work, your support, and most of all your heart’s desire to see Cono once again be a beacon on a hill for all those around her… May the Lord be glorified in this effort and bring many to Himself through this ministry for years and generations to come.

— Wallace Anderson, Exec. Director (written Nov. 1)

All-time list Cono teachers & staff*

Linda Allison
Brian and Sheryl Baker
Pete and Kim Baron
Mark and Linda Belz
Joel and Carol Belz
Andrew and Mary Anna Belz
Sam and Roberta Birchler
Rev. George and Darlene Birchler
Ethan and Rebecca Book
Mark and Heidi Boot
Ellery Breland
Bob and Becky Brown
Joel and Marty Button
Connie Chamberlain
Rev. Adam and Mary Kathryn Christiansen
Will and Margaret Davis
Carol Davis
Tony and Alicia Davy
Shirley Decker
Rev. Hans and Gretchen Deutschmann
Phyllis Deyo
Joel and Melinda Calhoun DiBernardo
Rev. Eric and Debbie Duble
Rev. David V. Dupee
Kenneth and Carolyn Dupee
Matthew and Kathy Eby
Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Eiler
Doug and Greta Eckert
Niki Ellis
Ted and Martie Fangman
Rev. Walt and Carole Gienapp
Aaron and Kristi Gonzalez
Sidonie Graves
Brian and Gretchen Hanks
Joshua and Michelle Haveman
Allison Hicks
Neal and Mandy Howard
Rev. David and Jessica Innes
Tom and Lynn Jahl
Cindy Jones
Steve and Mary Kaufmann
Howard and Glenda Kimball
George and Katherine King
Bruce Klendworth
Arthur and Debbie L'Huillier
Marian Lear
Jim and Alyca Leet
David and Laurie Lempia
Elisabeth Winkler Magnin
Rev. Mike Mahlbacher
Earl & Kathy Manchester
Richard and Nancy Marsceau
Bettie McConnaughhay
Tim and Sheila McConnel
Matthew and Chanel Metzger
Lisa Clark [Bingham] Miller
Ellyne Montgomery
Andy Montgomery
Lucas and Larissa Swanson Neece
Phil and Karen Olin
Harlene Padding
Claudia Peters
Linnea Pett
Gail Prutow
Dennis and Lea Rehberg
Rev. Casey and Victoria Reinkoester
Barbara Reinkoester
Rev. Kent and Mary Beth Seldal
Marilyn Sneller
Hannah Standard
Scott and Vicki Syverson
Dave and Linda Toerper
Esther Uhlenhopp
Nathaniel and Sharon Underwood
Dolores Underwood
Leah Wilson
David and Jann Wilson
Jane Brooks Young
Steve and Rebecca Ziegler

Those with the Lord:
Rev. W. M. Alling
David Allison
Norma Arnold
Rev. Max V. Belz
Jean Belz
Tom Bingham
Ted Bollman
David Davis
Donald Donaldson
Marian Draper
Prue Dupee
Doug Eckardt
Hazel French
Dean French
Robert Kyle
Dorothy Kyle
Lee Malone
Robert Malone Sr.
Rozella Morgan
Rev. Ted Noé
Ruth Noé
Stan Peters
Ken Remer
Maurice Riedesel
Caroline Riedesel
Dorothy Thompson
Arthur Underwood

*If you see someone missing, or want to make contact, email info@friendsofcono.org

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2019 Camps Reached Kids at Cono

Donate online HERE - Designate for RH Cono 

Some have already started a recurring gift, which is very helpful.

We are asking for gifts and prayers  – to help the new Cono.

Ridge Haven is doing its part...Let's help them.

Camps going on this week and next on campus. The future lies before us!

Mailing address for checks written out to: 

RH Cono, 215 Ridge Haven Road, Brevard, NC 28712

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2020 Vision for Cono

from Wallace Anderson, Exec. Director 

I am excited to share with you the 2020 Vision for Ridge Haven Cono. As we continue the work of establishing Cono as a camp and retreat center, we also will begin efforts for year-round ministry to the surrounding area.

While growing numbers and expanded programs are exciting—the incentive for our work continues to be the hope that lives may be changed through the good news of the gospel. Please, even before you continue reading, pray that the Lord will bring many to Himself through this ministry.

The testimonies we have received from those that have attended our first few camps at Cono have encouraged us forward. I recently attended a Northern Illinois Presbytery meeting where pastors reflected on their experience at Ridge Haven Cono this past summer. One pastor shared that three kids in his youth grouped prayed to receive Christ the last night of camp. Afterwards his group sat in a circle for over an hour and a half where a mini “revival” (his word, not mine) happened that has continued to bear fruits. Wow, it doesn’t get any better than this. I am humbled and thrilled to see what God has in store for us.

Continuing to Establish Camps and Retreats

It has been evident for a while that the new work at Cono needs its own designated staff. The geographical distance between the Ridge Haven campuses creates clear limitations. The Lord has been gracious to sustain us while we have managed Cono remotely from Brevard, but continued growth will require a significant on campus presence.

For the past two summers, we have taken a group of our summer staff from Brevard up to Cono to run camp there. This is logistically challenging (to say the least). These staff members work through Friday night camp in Brevard, wake up up early Saturday and travel 15 hours by car to Cono to prepare for camp the following Monday. The Lord has provided – but it is far from ideal.

Vicki Syverson, our part-time operations manager at Cono, has done a fantastic job while she and her husband work full-time as police officers in nearby Cedar Rapids. My wife, Paige, and I had hoped last year to join Vicki by splitting our time between Brevard and Cono. But at the time, we were unable to leave Brevard as my mother moved in with us having advanced Alzheimer’s. As of this week, my wife Paige and I are living three weeks at Cono and then two weeks in Brevard to have additional “feet on the ground.” What makes this move possible now is very bitter-sweet as my dear mother passed away on August 28th. While we miss my mom dearly, it is such a comfort to think that after so many years of mom not remembering us or even remembering God at times, she now knows Him fully and she knows that He never forgot her! I know that she is excited to know that we will now be going to Cono.

Paige and I, along with the Ridge Haven Board, are more excited than ever about the possibilities at Cono. We have faced one road block and then another with all the state regulations at Cono, but the Lord continues to make the “rough places plain.” Slowly, but steadily, momentum is building.

More to follow...

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If you would like to look at pictures of the reunion, or view a loop of pix

from the decade you attended, click here

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Our Contact Information
Ridge Haven Cono (www.ridgehaven.org)
215 Ridge Haven Road
Brevard, NC 28712
828-702-9510

Who's Buried At Cono Cemetery?

When honoring these saints, take caution with weather conditions.

(SEE BELOW)

If you should visit the Cono Cemetery this season, leave your car behind — it's very wet these days!

Cono Reunion – June 28-29, 2019

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…Singing, eating, playing sports, laughing, reminiscing…

on campus at 3269 Quasqueton Ave., Walker, IA 52352

Register for the Reunion here

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Click here for Reunion schedule of events

Or email for info and schedule: friendsofcono@gmail.com

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Donate here (specify Ridge Haven Cono)

You're Invited!

Save November 11th to celebrate with us at Cono!

You're invited...

Cono will start a new era on November 11, 2017, when Ridge Haven, the Camp and Conference Center of the PCA, officially takes over the property, and begins to establish a camp, conference and retreat center there. These may begin as soon as next summer. A few details in the land transfer are being addressed and these are expected to be finished quickly.

As Cono/Ridge Haven begins this ministry, their first and foremost commitment is to churches in Iowa, those churches' youth, their health, and their growth. From that, Ridge Haven hopes prayerfully to expand Cono's reach into the Midwest, including other cities in Iowa, but also the metro areas of Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, and Omaha. Ridge Haven's hope is to draw youth and adults in a new way. The 17 buildings and 192 acres at Cono will soon be put to active Gospel use again.

Toward that end, please join us Saturday, November 11, 10 a.m., as a day that as many of us as possible will join together for a joint celebratory worship service at Cono—as the land deeds are turned over to Ridge Haven and a new ministry is inaugurated.

If you would, email iowapresbytery@gmail.com so that we can plan lunch together.

Our Contact Information
Friends of Cono Christian School
1130 Main Street

Ackley, IA 50601

828-702-9510

828-702-9510

Settlement Reached in Cono Case

An out-of-court settlement was reached, returning all the land and buildings to the Iowa Presbytery. WE ARE THRILLED. The transition of the property and buildings will take place on September 1. The current occupants' organization gets to keep the financial assets (about $650,000) and will receive an additional $350,000 over the next five years. While this part may not seem optimal, it is great that this chapter is over. Pray for the Presbytery, as they ponder the next step! The day that we are all welcomed back on campus, when God continues to be beautifully glorified and children fill the buildings -- is coming. Thank you for your interest and support.

Please keep praying : Pray for a vibrant restored ministry at Cono soon!

Sticking with it... You can still give to the cause. Any extra will go to the renewed work.

Give to:
Iowa Presbytery - Cono
1130 Main Street
Ackley, IA 50601

Dear Friends

Dear Friends of Cono,

Much has happened in recent months that adds to the drama and the importance of the future of Cono.

In recent days both sides have looked at ways to settle the matter out-of-court, something many would like to see. It would avoid some expense and also would reduce the spectacle of Christians who are grappling over what they think is the right thing to do. To date, no out-of-court settlement has been reached. A request for summary judgement by the other side is to be heard in late March, and the trial itself is set for April 17-29.

All of this reminds us to remain faithful in our support of the cause. This legal phase is nearly over (unless there would be an appeal). The future of Cono hangs in the balance. In particular, we have $32000 that will be matched if we donate. Please help claim this money that will help us end the legal season in a responsible fashion.

Send check (and make out) to:

Iowa Presbytery - Cono
c/o Kevin Schwab
1130 Main Street
Ackley, IA 50601

Please keep praying. Pray that the Iowa Presbytery will prevail, and that the Iowa Presbytery (PCA) can quickly move toward using the property --for God's glory-- in the near future. The PCA's Ridge Haven is the denomination's thriving camp and conference arm, and with input from historic Conoites, the Friends of Cono and the Presbytery, will decide how best to use Cono in the future.

signed,

Casey Reinkoester - caseyreinkoester@gmail.com
& Andrew Belz - abelz100@gmail.com