Some things seem to happen easily and some things happen because many people work tirelessly to manage mountainous obstacles.

Other things happen because they were meant to be.

Crossroads Ministries, a mutual camping ministry of the Diocese of Newark and the Lutheran Synod of New Jersey, falls into the last category.

On July 13, Lutheran and Episcopalian, campers, counselors, friends and relatives, all gathered to dedicate the McKelvey Chapel, an outdoor worship space at the Camp Crossroads given in honor of Bishop Jack and Linda McKelvey and in thanksgiving for their ministries in the Diocese of Newark.

A stone altar stands in front of an eight-foot Celtic cross, carved from Honduran mahogany. The cross extends an additional five feet in the air on iron mounts. Bishop McKelvey celebrated the first Eucharist in the chapel on a warm and sunny afternoon.

The icing on the cake came at the dedication of the new pool at the campground. Bishop McKelvey had promised that when the pool was ready, he'd be pleased to be first in the water, fully clothed. His Lutheran counterpart, Bishop Roy Riley, agreed that this was an excellent plan, and promised to join him. Both bishops dove in eagerly to the loud cheers of everyone present.

The baptism was a story which began 10 years ago, shortly after Bishop McKelvey was elected Bishop Suffragan of Newark. He had a deep commitment to camping ministry for young people, and in his new position he took on the task of developing an existing camp program called Eagle's Nest that was struggling because it had no permanent location.

Under Bishop McKelvey's guidance the camp program began to thrive beyond anyone's expectations. But still - no campsite in sight. The Lutheran Synod of New Jersey, led by Bishop Riley, owned a campsite. However, it had become too large an undertaking for the synod to manage alone. Camper numbers were going down and maintenance expenses were going up. Bishop Riley was looking for ideas and alternatives. Bishop McKelvey had both.

Bishop McKelvey is now the diocesan in Rochester, but his leadership will be remembered. When he left the Diocese of Newark, he and his wife asked that the gift planned for them by the diocese go to Camp Crossroads which is located in Port Murray.

(The Rev.) Carolyn Lumbard