We didn't have to shovel snow off the tabernacle roof this past winter (as we did the year before), but we did put on a brand-new roof, assuring that we should remain dry for the next 20-30 years despite any rains that may come.

The Mt. Gretna Campmeeting is 119 years old this year. (It dates back to 1892, while the Tabernacle dates back to 1899.) A lot of different worship services, musical events, dramas, children's programs (as well as some weddings and funerals) have made this a special and a sacred place for many people. Many lives have been changed or enriched because of God's presence here. We thank God for blessing the tabernacle, the campmeeting events, and the people who have been here.

The tabernacle comes alive again this summer with another wide variety of programs designed to delight, entertain, inspire, and challenge a large number of people with varied tastes and ideas. Our purpose as always is "to provide Christian spiritual renewal in this unique Victorian setting.

Programs at the Mt. Gretna Campmeeting were originally organized by the regional conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, which later became the Evangelical United Brethren Church (1946) and then the United Methodist Church (1968). Today the programs are organized by a local group of clergy and lay persons, representing several different denominations, but seeking not to forget our "roots."

This summer once again the Bible Festival is cooperating with two local businesses: Losers Music Store of Lebanon is helping to make the Massed Choir program possible and WDAC Radio is helping to provide some radio advertising.

We hope you will come to the tabernacle this summer as often as you are able. And bring your friends; introduce them to the uniqueness that is Mt. Gretna.

Check out our calendar page for the specifics of these programs. We hope to see you often this summer at the Mt. Gretna Tabernacle.

For many years, a visit from the "bishop" was an important part of the Mt. Gretna Campmeeting program. This summer we return to those roots, as we are happy to have the regional United Methodist bishop, Peggy Johnson, as one of our preachers (July 3). Before she became a bishop, she was deeply involved in a ministry with deaf persons, and she maintains that interest. In addition to preaching God's Word at the tabernacle, she will talk about and demonstrate that ministry to us. Two other preachers continue the tradition at the tabernacle this summer. The nationally-known preacher and author Tony Campolo returns here (August 24), with his unique evangelistic and socially-conscious preaching. And we also have one of our local U.M. pastors, the Rev. Bill Garrett, from Hanover, preaching on Sunday morning, August 7.

We have some familiar groups returning: Andy Roberts Jazz Quartet (June 19), with a program of what we call "Reverent Jazz"-hymn tunes and special arrangements that take us into God's presence; the popular New Holland Band (June 26), with its unique mix of patriotic, religious, classical, and popular tunes; Dave Stahl and The Sacred Orchestra (July 31, 10:00 am) - this worship service led by the big-band orchestra is a popular inspiration to all; Susquehanna Chorale (Aug. 21), always a beautiful way to spend an August evening, and this year we're helping the Chorale celebrate its 25th anniversary; and QuintEssentially Brass (Aug. 28), a new group which includes some of the members of the former Lancaster Brass, which ended our season for many years.

We also have several well-known groups which have appeared in the tabernacle before, but not last year: Men In Harmony (July 17), a men's chorus from the upper Dauphin Co. area, which has sung here two times before; Marie Barlow Martin (July 24), a former Broadway actress and singer now devoting her life to a ministry of Christian music; Brandywine Harp Orchestra, directed by Janet Witman - the soothing, ethereal sound of 12 harps playing together is a sound you won't want to miss; Maranatha Players (July 10) return with a drama, "Blessed By Fanny," a story about the life of blind hymn-writer Fanny Crosby. The drama will include opportunities for the congregation to sing some Fanny Crosby hymns.

In recent years Bob Troxell brought his Dixieland Band to the tabernacle for a worship service. This year he's back with a bigger and different band, the "Big, Big, Jazz Band." (Aug. 7)

Each year we gather local musicians to participate together in a larger group: The Handbell Festival (Sat., July 30), set up by well-known local ringer Bobbi Schmid, features the music of five local handbell choirs this year playing together under the direction of Michael Joy, a well-known handbell director. This festival at Mt. Gretna was a dream put into reality by the late Doug Smith, of Elizabethtown. A Massed Choir of nearly 200 voices (July 31) continues a nearly 50-year tradition at the tabernacle. This year's guest conductor is the nationally-know composer/director/pianist Mary McDonald. And the program this year also includes the appearance of QuintEssentially Brass for some special music and accompaniments.

A number of years ago, when the "Bible Conference" was having nightly services for two weeks, a favorite guest soloist was Christyan Seay, of Harrisburg. This year he's back (Wed., Aug. 3) with a full program of folk songs, hymns, and spirituals.

For many years our neighbors across Pinch Road have sponsored a Sunday morning jazz service, led by the New Black Eagle Dixieland Band. This year, the Black Eagles will be leading the morning worship on August 14 in the Chautauqua Playhouse. While not a part of the Summer at the Tabernacle series, this service has a great history of its own and offers all worshippers an opportunity to sing praises in a traditional New Orleans and Mt. Gretna style.

Continuing a tradition of several years the Bible Festival is cooperating with Pennsylvania Chautauqua in sponsoring three special children's programs in the tabernacle (Sat., 10:00 am):

• June 25 - Summit Search & Rescue Dogs
• July 23 - Crackers the Clown: Super Silly Magic Show
• August 6 - Jack Hubley's Birds of Prey

Come once; come often. Join our 119-year-old tradition at the Mt. Gretna Campmeeting with our "Summer at the Tabernacle" series of programs, sponsored by the Mt. Gretna Bible Festival. Remember, there is no admission charge for any of our programs, but we do ask for a generous freewill offering to help us cover our expenses. We will be looking for you this summer at the Mt. Gretna Tabermacle.