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Wendy Healy 203-744-6367
wendy@ldrny.org
John Scibilia 866-864-1600
john@ldrny.org

''New Ground' appoints the Rev. Ann Tiemeyer as director

NEW YORK, N.Y. - May 9 -- The Rev. Ann Tiemeyer, pastor of St. Jacobus Lutheran Church, Woodside (ELCA), has been appointed director of the New Ground Day Camp program throughout New York and New Jersey.

The new camp program, funded by Lutheran Disaster Response through Lutheran Disaster Response of New York, and operated by Koinonia, aims to put children on "new ground" in the aftermath of Sept. 11. Children affected by Sept. 11 will be able to discuss their fears and concerns in a safe place with trained counselors, as well as enjoy the fun and games of the summer camp experience. The week-long day camps begin July 8 and run through mid-August at more than 25 camp sites in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey.

"A camp program like this has never been so important," said the Rev. Tiemeyer, "especially give the recent New York City Board of Education report that found tens of thousands of schoolchildren still traumatized and affected by Sept. 11."

The Rev. Tiemeyer has firsthand experience in dealing with the aftermath of trauma after helping a Lutheran congregation near Los Angeles cope with the affects of the Northridge earthquake in 1995.

Since Sept. 11, she has heard children in her congregation in Queens express fear and concern. "Many children have a lost sense of security," she said. "Some don't want to be far away from parents, while others want to sleep with my light on now. Kids don't tend to talk about their feelings until they feel that the adults around them are secure," she said.

"When adults are starting to heal and get over a trauma, that's usually when kids start to talk. Camp will be a fun and creative way for kids to begin healing. Even if kids are doing OK and don't feel the need to talk, camp New Ground will still be a good fun time."

As director, the Rev. Tiemeyer has been busy developing curriculum, which will focus on the Old Testament story of Joseph, and how God wrapped Joseph in love. "We'll be overlaying the life of Jesus and his parallels throughout the New Testament. The kids will learn about the power of the resurrection and 'new life'." In developing curriculum, the Rev. Tiemeyer has consulted with Melanie Josephson of Camp Noah, the well-established national Lutheran camp program that helps children following disaster. Camp Noah has worked with children who experienced floods in the midwest, as well as devastation from other natural disasters.

The Rev. Tiemeyer is also working on ways to incorporate therapeutic solutions to the healing process, such as inviting therapy dogs to come play with the campers, and other interesting things.

"Our kids are frightened, but with time, they'll be able to develop ways to sort through the pieces and begin to heal and know God's love."

For more information on New Ground, check out the LDRNY website at www.LDRNY.org.

This summer, you'll find camps at the following places:

QUEENS
St. John's Lutheran Church / Lutheran School of Flushing and Bayside
Atonement Lutheran, Jackson Heights
Holy Trinity, Bellrose
Trinity Lutheran at Martin Luther High School
St. Jacobus
Grace Lutheran, Forest Hills
Redeemer, Queens Village
Prince of Peace Church - Cambria Heights

BROOKLYN
Trinity Lutheran Church
Salem Lutheran
Our Savior

BRONX
Calvary Lutheran
Transfiguration

LONG ISLAND
Incarnation - Bridgehampton
Hope Lutheran, Selden
Trinity, Hicksville

NEW JERSEY
Advent Lutheran, Fort Lee

STATEN ISLAND
Christ Lutheran - Staten Island
St. Paul/St. Luke Lutheran Church, Staten Island