Dear friends,

Whether it’s your reward that compels you, or your fuel that sustains you through the coming year, if you are like me, Winni is a week of love and joy that can keep you going. Life is hard, and our week together is a haven that can at once heal us, stretch us to be more, inspire us to do more, and remind us of the good that exists in this world.

This year, with all the challenges of the pandemic, perhaps you were holding camp as your candle in the dark more than ever. As we all live through the emotional struggles of this challenging time, it is so hard to know we won’t be together, much as we know not having “in-person” camp is the safest and most loving decision. This note............

From Travis and Carrie Leap: Co-Deans

Change. It’s something that we all have at least a little bit of trouble navigating. Yet, most often change is thrust upon us and we must react accordingly. This pandemic has brought so much change to all of our lives - it’s amazing how different our world looks now compared to a few months ago.

One thing that has not changed is the resolve and the depth of the Winni community. I have been so encouraged by the outpouring of love and desire to support one another. As we move forward throughout the coming year, I implore each of you to do what you can to support one another and our community. Reach out to your fellow campers anyway you can... Host a Winni campfire..............

 Ooo-Eeee-Oooo-Eeee....Ouch!

 Winni News! 

Please find below, your official permission to clear Winni off your calendar for this year. Our crack archivist, Kate Fiorvanti,tells me that this is not without precedent - apparently World War II got in the way of NNESRE meeting back in the 1940's. However, this is the first time that it has been cancelled due to an abundance of love, respect, and care for one another. Hopefully, our caution now will create the space for everyone to return to camp in 2021 - healthy and confident for a great week. Below are the comments from the folks at the helm during this challenging time:

From Joe Morrissey - Chairperson for the ...............

Dear Beloved NNESSRE Community,

I send this reflection from New Hampshire where I am social distancing as much as possible...

Having feelings is what makes us human. Let them all in, accept that they just “are,” so you can let them out. You are no less strong for feeling fearful, just as you are not weak for feeling joy.

If you are like me, your emotions are running the spectrum these days: from apathetic to angry, from harried (what no toilet paper?) to happy, from grim to grateful. Hearing the latest stats of infection, I have felt panic. Touching a key pad at a checkout, I feel afraid. Could I get sick? Could those I love get sick?

Yet, seeing the red-bellied woodpecker return to my bird ............