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After acting manager resigns, team of three oversees N-Sid-Sen

Mary Lu Hubbe does some deep cleaning in the kitchen top. Photo by Leah Atkinson Bilinski Linda Crowe scrubs kitchen cabinets, above, middle. Leah Atkinson Bilinski folded and stacked linens, below.  Photos by Carol Bellinger

In mid-March, the PNC Board of Directors received, with sadness, the resignation of Brian Wallace, acting managing director of N-Sid-Sen, who began in the role in mid-January.

As he began working, he found many repairs that needed to be addressed.

The Board said he had accomplished much, but the scope of maintenance needed at N-Sid-Sen combined with demands of day-to-day operations and marketing were too great.

So, the Conference Board of directors has formed a temporary team of three to provide the needed stability, management, maintenance and hospitality.

Randy Crowe will serve as resident manager with full time support from Linda Crowe. They will be living at N-Sid-Sen beginning the end of May.

“I’ll be doing what I know best, overseeing the operation, supervising staff and providing a warm dose of hospitality,” said Randy. “It will be good to spend time with Linda on site, unlike the 21 years of my time at N-Sid-Sen when we lived apart.”

Joining them on the team part time will be Bill Bourdon, executive director of the Outdoor Ministries Association of the national UCC and consultant, along with Shirley Asmussen of the PNC Outdoor Ministries Committee.

Bill will come once a month for a few days to write and put together an operations manual for the future of the camp. Shirley will be on-site one week a month to help develop procedures for the manual, to recruit volunteers and to be there during the two weeks of UCC youth camps.

While Rev. Phil Hodson, designated conference minister, other staff members and volunteers of the Conference assess N-Sid-Sen’s needs, which began with Brian’s help before he leaves, there is work being done to build a better future for N-Sid-Sen.

“N-Sid-Sen is a sacred place for community building, training up our children and adults in the faith, and providing an oasis and missional outpost of extravagant welcome in rural Idaho,” said Phil. “It is also one of the most beautiful UCC camps in our nation and an asset to this Conference and God as ministry is engaged.”

The board and Phil are dedicated to ensuring the future of this camp and retreat center, as well as Pilgrim Firs.

Even though the Board has many concerns related to the Conference, and they are giving N-Sid-Sen the attention needed and are entrusting the needed work to those who are gifted to address it.

Phil has put together an N-Sid-Sen Vitality Task Force to begin discerning a long-range plan for the camp.

While this temporary team sets to work, the Outdoor Ministries Committee is preparing for the summer, and Phil presented the Board with several options for immediate oversight at the camp.

“We are hopeful for several prospects as to what a fruitful interim period might look like in the immediate future,” he said.

Phil has been brainstorming with Andy Warren, conference accounting manager, Mark Boyd, managing director of Pilgrim Firs, who had taken on some responsibilities after Brian left.

They ask for prayers for their efforts, the Conference and for those N-Sid-Sen’s hallowed grounds have served and will serve. Phil and the Board also ask people to consider what they might give as volunteers and in financial support.

“We trust in God that we have everything we need in our collective Conference body and other groups that support N-Sid-Sen to build a bright future on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, calling to us even now as waves lap on the shores and eagles fly overhead,” said Phil, quoting Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you,” and reminding “God is with us. We are with you, too, Conference friends.”

With N-Sid-Sen in need of some loving attention, conference staff and some volunteers who’ve already been on the ground.

At the Outdoor Ministry Committee’s invitation, volunteers came for a work camp to clean buildings and do some maintenance projects March 27 to 29.

For information, call 208-689-3489 or visit n-sid-sen.org.

 

Pacific Northwest Conference United Church News Copyright © April 2025

 

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