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Youth groups improve Warner Farm
April,
2003
By
Tiffany Vail
Warner Farm, the Massachusetts Conference’s retreat center in Cummington, will open for the season in May with a few new features, thanks to the work of two local church youth groups.
One of the groups, from the North Hadley Congregational Church, worked to rebuild an outdoor chapel that had fallen into disrepair.
The youth group from the Second Congregational Church UCC in Beverly then developed meditative stations along the quarter-mile path to the chapel. They constructed cairns along the way, each with painted symbols and quotations. People who walk the path are invited to pick up stones along the way, and to contribute their thoughts in a notebook at the end.
Jean Koester, Minister for Program and Publicity for Warner Farm, said the projects have been a great addition to the facility.
“They were able to enjoy Warner Farm while also adding to Warner Farm’s potential,” Koester said. “I would encourage other groups to talk to me about what projects they might undertake both inside and outside at the Farm.”
Warner Farm is open to Conference groups for retreats and other events. It includes a rustic homestead with living room, dining room, kitchen and space for 30 overnight guests. There is also a barn with hardwood floors and lighting available for receptions and larger meetings.
The Farm is open May through November. For more information, contact
Sandy Evans at the Western Area office, (413) 589-7034.