Árdís - 01.01.1966, Blaðsíða 18

16
ÁRDÍS
lo the past but of vital inspiration and practical benefit to the
present and future.
If we lose sight of the important fact that the story of “Sun-
rise” is a continuing one, we fail to realize that the visions and
objectives of the founders did not belong solely to one age nor to
one race nor one creed, but to all our youth. For they were sincere
in their belief that it was possible in reality to enter upon and
experience a closer walk with God amid the wondrous beauty of
his natural creation. They were equally certain that a good cam-
ping program could make young people aware of this. This mis-
sionary zeal did not waver from day to day nor did it embrace
only a privileged few. This inspired objective was originated
within the scope and framework of the Icelandic Lutheran Synod,
in response to the needs and conditions of the local community.
In the early days the members of the staff were drawn from near-
by sources and the majority of the campers came from the sur-
rounding districts. These were the formative years — the years
that survived so many storms and near disasters. These were the
times that tested the soundness of the ideas and the strength and
resoluteness of the purpose. This was the decade that to my mind
was embroidered with the finest efforts and the fondest memories.
But we must not linger too long in the rather quiet secluded
garden of the past, nor indulge in nostalgic reminiscings, for if we
look about us we can see that the scene had dramatically changed
and the little island had suddenly vanished. The Icelandic Lutheran
Synod had become a part of a continental organization — the
United Lutheran Church of America. This new merger, what-
ever else it may have done, brought about potentially new chal-
lenges and new opportunities for service, and the vague outline
of a co-ordinated and greatly enlarged field of endeavour. A new
and expanded camp program was becoming visible on the horizon.
We realized that there were others in our new Synod that could
share our camping facilities. Our offer of co-operation was gladly
given, for the prospect of the fullest possible use of the camp
could be anticipated when it became available to all the new
congregations that made up the recently formed Synod.
“But alas the new changes that on wings did fly,
our weary footsteps soon passed by” —