Members return year after year for camp meeting
Adults gathered in rocking chairs and porch swings for after-dinner socializing at White Oak United Methodist Campground on Thursday while children played football in the inner circle or dug for doodlebugs under the camp's central tabernacle.
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Members of the choir sing hymns during the United Methodist Camp Meeting at the White Oak Campground near Thomson.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The choir's gospel floated from the tabernacle as they practiced for the evening's worship service.
It was the typical routine for the calming time between dinner and the evening service, said Ashley Garner, who has attended the camp's annual eight-day spiritual retreat with her family since she was a small child.
The three cabins, which campers call tents, belonging to Garner's family housed four generations of her family this year.
"Through the week, more than 70 will come through," said Garner, who is originally from Columbia County but traveled from Woodstock, Ga., to attend the retreat. "It's like a family thing. If you have vacation time, you take it during this week."
United Methodists have flocked to the camp since it was believed to have formed in 1820. George Smith reportedly preached to 5,000 to 10,000 people at the campground in 1820 and 1821, according to a reference in The Life and Letters of James Osgood Andrew, written by George Smith in 1882.
The ring of the old bell summoned campers to gather under the tabernacle's roof for the evening worship, which, for the first time during the week, was not held through thunderstorms.
"We have had consistent nights of rain and big crowds, so we are expecting big things tonight," Mike Wall, chairman of the event's board of trustees. "The preacher made a remark that if it continued to rain last night, he was definitely going to preach on Jonah tonight."
John Gilleland makes ice cream in his family's tent during the recent camp meeting at White Oak.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The Rev. Steve Dodson, senior pastor of Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church in Augusta, did just that Thursday. After being upstaged by the beating rain on the tabernacle's tin roof and having to wait for a break in the waves of rain and thunder to be heard, Dodson decided to tell the tale of the Old Testament prophet who endured heavy storms while at sea and being swallowed by a large sea creature while trying to escape God.
"Last night was probably the most fierce rain I have seen in a long time," Dodson said. "This is the first time I have preached here, and it is exciting."
Dodson was the guest preacher for the weeknight services. He enjoys portraying a colorful character he calls "Pastor Paul" at speaking engagements, promoting the healing benefits of joy and laughter. Though campers did not meet "Pastor Paul," Dodson shared some of Paul's humorous stories in his sermon.
Dodson got to experience the joy and laughter with campers during a funny storytelling session after dinner.
"This kind of environment brings that out," he said. "It's a good healthy environment where families gather together."
A thunderstorm approaches as the United Methodist Church Camp evening service gets underway.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Children return to their family's tent at the White Oak United Methodist Camp Meeting. Many of the families at the camp meeting have been attending since the camp was located at the current site in 1873.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The Rev Steve Dodson has to shout to be heard over a thunderstorm as he preaches in the pavilion at the White Oak United Methodist Camp Meeting.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Mary Hopper, from Wilcox County, plays with her grandson Reese Hardin, 1, as her family gets ready for the evening service. Hoppers family has been attending the church camp for 64 years.
Photo by Jim Blaylock