The Hands of Martha and Hearts of Mary Retreat!

Three days of crafting, praying, and fellowshiping together. 

A small group of women from Easley Presbyterian Church gathered in mid-October to enjoy the crunching of leaves as they made holiday creations and talked about the art of spending slow time with Jesus. 

The scripture verses from Luke, where Jesus visits Martha and Mary, guided our conversations. We talked about the invitation for Martha to slow down enough to hear what Jesus had to say. The women talked about all the ways they busy their hands, taking care of others and acting out the love of God. We also talked about how it is a challenge to slow down enough to sit at the feet of Jesus, but with community, we can invite each other to be like Mary. And we can also ask each other to be like Martha to share in the spirit of hospitality when God is calling us to use our hands. 

Suellen Holmes thoughtfully led the group through the steps for each craft, allowing room for personal style and skill to shine through. Even the women who announced early on that they didn’t attend the retreat with crafting skills left calling themselves crafters. The smell of hot glue guns lingered in the room as hands were covered in paint and glitter. As the few days together drew to a close and they started packing up, their cars were overflowing with new creations, and their hearts overflowing with love. 

Ginna Lister, Easley Presbyterian’s Director of Christian Education, wrapped each person in a hug as they said, “See you Sunday!” Ginna mentioned early on in the retreat that this was the first event she was attending where she wasn’t in charge. She was, of course, instrumental in registering the group and advertising the opportunity, but once she arrived, she was encouraged to participate and be present. Ginna quickly found herself, a self-proclaimed Martha, with the invitation to be Mary and living fully into the nature of the retreat. 

The women loved each other well as they told stories and asked for prayers. Some even brought their own craft supplies and instructions as they found more time to gather around the table. The three days were spirit (and glitter) filled and exactly what each person needed. The retreat started as a simple question from Ginna one hot summer afternoon and grew into the ideal fall retreat, guided by Suellen Holmes and Katie Henderson. 

Suellen and Katie were just as pleased with the results of the retreat and the community they were a part of for those great three days. Fellowship is eager to continue these boutique retreat offerings for churches and community groups in the area. Whether it is spiritual nourishment, creative energy, or time spent on the lake, the staff at Fellowship Camp and Conference Center is eager to design and host your community's ideal retreat. 

Turning Clay into Community - The 2025 Lakeside Pottery Retreat

When 28 enthusiastic participants from 9 different states gathered at Camp Fellowship for our inaugural pottery retreat, something magical began to take shape—just like the clay on the throwing wheels. From the moment the weekend kicked off, we witnessed not just the forming of beautiful creations, but the forging of friendships, the sharing of creativity, and the birth of a new rhythm of retreat life.

A Gathering from Near and Far

The three-day retreat welcomed 28 artists, hobbyists, and curious newcomers from Connecticut, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and South Carolina. Some arrived having worked with clay for many years, while others came entirely for the experience of trying something new in the serene setting of our waterfront and woodlands campus. The diversity of backgrounds (and clay-crafting experience) made for rich conversations, shared learning and a real sense of community.

Clay, Conversation & Community

The retreat schedule balanced hands-on teaching/building sessions with downtime for reflection, conversation and evening fellowship. Mornings began in the pavilion in our outdoor studio. As hands shaped clay—centering, throwing, trimming, building —we watched silence alternate with laughter and lively exchange. Between sessions there was time to wander the grounds, sip coffee, or simply pause along tree-lined paths to take in waterfront views and let inspiration quietly set in. Several people in the group decided to take the kayaks out for a relaxing paddle together.

Evenings brought more than just finished pieces; they brought shared dinners, show-and-tell, and fireside chat. Many brought beautiful mugs and other pottery items they had made to trade in a swap.

Creative Growth + Personal Renewal

What started as kneading clay turned into something deeper. Several participants told us how much they enjoyed the retreat. As one attendee said “the thing I enjoyed most was the camaraderie of fellow potters, the natural setting, and the focused time to create”. By the end of the retreat we saw beautifully shaped creations. More importantly, we witnessed people leave with a renewed sense of connection — to their craft, to themselves, and to one another.

What’s Next?

Because this retreat was such a success, we are already planning the next one! We’re aiming to build on what worked and add a few new elements. Whether you are a seasoned potter, or are newer to the hobby, our next retreat promises to be just as enriching — and even more connected.

Save the Date & How to Join

Details (exact date, pricing, registration info) will be posted soon on our website and via our newsletter. If you’d like advance notice, please drop an email to info@campfellowship.org requesting further future information and we’ll let you know as soon as registration opens. This is a special opportunity to carve out time in your busy life for creative renewal, community connection and the joy of making — set in the beautiful setting of Camp Fellowship. We’d love for you to join us. As Joey stated after the last participant drove away, “What an amazing group of people, with their generosity, their skills, and their creativity! I’m so grateful they all decided to come.”

Thank Yous

A special thank you to our retreat teacher and host, Joey Holmes from Laurens, SC. And to everyone who attended, brought their heart and hands, shared their energy and stories — thank you. Your presence made the retreat an amazing experience. To those considering joining us next time: we can’t wait to meet you, to spin clay, to build community, and to make new memories together.

Lander University ESSO Club Hosts Successful October Bird Count at Camp Fellowship

On Saturday, October 11, 2025, the Environmental Science Student Organization (ESSO) from Lander University gathered at Camp Fellowship for a day dedicated to observing and appreciating the incredible diversity of birdlife around Lake Greenwood. Eighteen enthusiastic participants took part in the October Big Day Bird Count—an annual worldwide event encouraging birders of all experience levels to get outside and record as many species as possible within a single day.

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Between morning and evening counts, the group observed 46 different bird species and a total of 374 individual birds! From the graceful Great Blue Heron to the energetic Tufted Titmouse, the day offered a fascinating glimpse into the variety of feathered friends that make Camp Fellowship and its surrounding habitats their home.

A few highlights included:

• Bald Eagles spotted soaring over the lake

• A rare Yellow-throated Vireo among the hardwoods

• Ten Pileated Woodpeckers making their presence known throughout the forest

• And a lively showing of 28 Chipping Sparrows in open field areas

You can view the full trip report, including all species observed, on eBird here. eBird, managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a wonderful tool for anyone interested in birdwatching—it allows users to track sightings, explore species data, and connect with other birders across the globe.

The ESSO team also invites birding enthusiasts to check out the 2025 October Big Day results for South Carolina to see what others across the state observed during this special event.

Connecting People and Nature Through Science

Events like this highlight Camp Fellowship’s ongoing partnership with area colleges and universities through the Lake Campus Program, which offers opportunities for hands-on environmental learning, research, and outdoor recreation. From bird counts to ecology workshops, these programs foster a deeper connection between people, place, and the natural world.

We are grateful to Lander University’s ESSO club for hosting another successful and inspiring event, and we look forward to many more days of discovery together!

TLC: Flying High with TLC's Program on Raptors

The Learning Current, a program of the Lake Campus at Fellowship Camp and Conference Center, recently hosted a captivating program on the ancient art of falconry. Joining us via Zoom from Colorado was Anne Price, President of the Raptor Education Foundation, who brought centuries of history, modern practice, and even a live falcon into our homes.

What Falconry Is (and Isn’t)

Anne began by helping us understand what falconry truly is: the art and practice of hunting with trained raptors. She explained that falconry is not simply keeping birds of prey in captivity, but instead a highly skilled partnership between human and bird. With roots stretching back thousands of years, falconry is one of humanity’s oldest forms of hunting and continues today as both a cultural tradition and a conservation-minded practice.

Through a series of engaging slides, Anne introduced us to the specialized equipment falconers use—hoods, gloves, and jesses among them. She walked us through the step-by-step process of training a raptor, a method built slowly on trust and respect for the bird’s natural instincts. Only once a bird feels comfortable does the real training begin.

Anne also emphasized that falconry today is highly regulated. In many countries, aspiring falconers must pass rigorous exams, complete lengthy apprenticeships, and hold permits before ever hunting with a raptor. She reminded us that this careful oversight reflects falconry’s modern emphasis on conservation and responsible wildlife management. Many captive raptors, she noted, actually live longer, healthier lives than their wild counterparts, thanks to protection from predators and natural hazards.

Meeting Yelchin

The highlight of the evening came when Anne introduced us to her falcon, Yelchin. With calm assurance, she demonstrated how a falconer places a hood over a bird’s head to soothe and settle it. For many participants, this glimpse of the human-raptor bond brought the entire presentation to life.

This program was part of The Learning Current’s ongoing mission to bring high-quality educational experiences to our community through the Lake Campus at Fellowship. Whether exploring the natural sciences, history, or culture, The Learning Current creates opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together.

We are deeply grateful to Anne Price and the Raptor Education Foundation for sharing their expertise and passion with us. To learn more about their work, visit raptoreducationfoundation.org.

For upcoming Learning Current programs, visit campfellowship.org.

“I Feel the Earth Move…” at Camp Fellowship

Carole King’s famous lyrics—“I feel the earth move under my feet”—have taken on a new meaning in the Lakelands region and at Camp Fellowship! No, it’s not just a song stuck in your head; in recent months, the ground itself has been humming with subtle reminders of the dynamic world beneath us.

Fellowship and the SEC have been digging into this natural phenomenon! AND NO—we’re not fielding an athletic team to compete against our favorite colleges and universities. BUT—we are working with our version of the SEC: the Science, Environment, and Conservation (SEC) Committee of the Camp Fellowship Board of Directors. This group of ecologists, geologists, engineers, foresters, biologists, and thoughtful community members helps ensure that Camp Fellowship lives into its mission by engaging in sound ecological management, ongoing research, and meaningful exploration of the natural world.

The SEC at Work

The influence of the SEC can be seen throughout camp life—from guiding sustainable forestry practices to shaping programs that encourage wonder and respect for God’s creation. Their insights have been particularly valuable in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when Camp Fellowship faced not only the loss of hundreds of trees but also new questions about the resilience of our land and waterways.

Most recently, the SEC turned its attention to a surprising natural phenomenon: earthquake swarms in the Coronaca area, just a few miles from Camp Fellowship.

Earthquake Swarms in the Lakelands

As detailed in a recent paper prepared by the SEC, prior to Hurricane Helene there had only been six earthquakes in the Coronaca area since 1980. In the year following Helene, however, scientists recorded two swarms totaling 26 earthquakes—all small in magnitude but unusual in frequency .

The committee’s research highlights several possible contributing factors:

• Extreme rainfall events—such as Helene’s 9 inches of rain in September 2024 and another 7 inches in August 2025—may have filled deep fractures and faults, reducing friction and making it easier for pressure to “pop.”

• Geologic features of the area support a direct correlation of seismic activity with the rainfall events.

• Loss of mature trees during Helene disrupted the natural water cycle, reducing the landscape’s ability to absorb heavy rains and filter water gently into the soil.

Why It Matters for Fellowship

So why does a camp care about earthquake swarms? Because Camp Fellowship’s mission is about more than recreation and retreat—it’s about helping people connect deeply with the created world. Understanding the science behind our environment equips us to be better stewards, educators, and neighbors.

The SEC’s work reminds us that creation is active, complex, and worthy of our attention. By monitoring changes, asking big questions, and considering the ecological impacts of events like hurricanes and earthquakes, Camp Fellowship continues to grow as a place of discovery, resilience, and faith.

What’s Next?

The SEC is recommending several steps, including the installation of a seismograph and weather stations at Camp Fellowship to establish a baseline for future study, mapping fault-related rock types on the property, and monitoring how groundwater levels respond to heavy rains. These initiatives would not only help us understand the science of our land but also open new educational opportunities for campers, students, and community members.

A Closing Thought

At Camp Fellowship, we really can say: sometimes we do feel the earth move under our feet. These small tremors invite us into a deeper appreciation for God’s creation and a renewed commitment to stewardship. Thanks to the SEC, Camp Fellowship is helping lead the way in blending faith, science, and conservation right here in the Lakelands.

TLC: Beekeeping 101

The Learning Current hosted Local Beekeeper Chad Farrell on September 2, 2025

Chad Farrell shows some of the protective equipment used in beekeeping.

On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, community members who visited Camp Fellowship for The Learning Current had the unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the fascinating world of bees. A special guest, local beekeeper Chad Farrell presented an engaging lecture on the vital role honeybees play in our ecosystem, the challenges they face, and the joys of beekeeping.

His lecture covered topics such as the life cycle of a hive, beekeeping equipment, and sustainable practices for supporting bee populations. Attendees also heard about the practical side of beekeeping, from hive management to honey harvesting, and even got tips for creating bee-friendly spaces in their own backyards by curbing the use of toxic weedkilling chemicals and planting bee-friendly pollinator plants.

This event was attended by people of all ages, and participants had a chance to ask questions, view beekeeping equipment, observe a live working beehive and even got to sample delicious locally harvested honey.

TLC: Music from the Mills (May 13, 2025)

Exploring the Music of the Cotton Mills: A Musical Lecture by Hunter Holmes

Attendees for the May Learning Current program were invited to step back in time and experience the sounds of an era often remembered for its hard work, resilience, and community spirit. On May 13th, a special musical lecture, Music from the Cotton Mills, brought to life the songs, stories, and rhythms that once echoed through the local mill towns.

The unique program combined a live performance by Hunter Holmes of Laurens, with historical storytelling, offering a window into the daily lives of mill workers and their families. From ballads sung at home to the guitar tunes played at community gatherings, the music of the cotton mills reflected the struggles, hopes, and creativity of people who found expression through song even in the midst of very demanding labor.

The lecture traced the roots of these traditions, connecting them to broader American folk and Appalachian musical heritage. Listeners heard the tunes and lyrics which carried forward the cultural memory and created bonds of solidarity in mill villages across the South, particularly in the Piedmont area of South Carolina.

While performing many of the songs on different instruments, Holmes also shared anecdotes and historical context, allowing those who attended to both hear and understand the significance of this music. Participants came away with a deeper appreciation for how art and culture can flourish even in the most challenging settings.