I’m going to get the boring stuff out of the way so I can tell you about me. I have a Bachelors in Science from the University of Illinois in Aerospace Engineering and a Masters of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary. I’ve worked making eye glasses, walking dogs, inspecting sewers, tutoring, and designing software. I’ve been a part of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) my entire life and while I could use the title Reverend, I prefer to be called just “Clayton” or “Hey, you!”.
Now that we have that out of the way, I am beyond excited to journey through life as the Resident Minister and Caretaker at Walter Scott! This place is somewhere I have recognized as a home since I was 5 years old. I’ve attended camp as a camper, served as a counselor, volunteered on weekends, served on teams for camp facilities, and led non-profits supporting this sacred space ever since. I have a deep and abiding passion in my life to care for God’s Creation and recognize its intertwining with spirituality. I believe at my core in seeing the image of God reflected not just in each person, but this divinity in every last piece of the world around us.
I look forward to serving all who come here with the radical hospitality I see demonstrated in the person of Jesus and tending to the land such that we might be mistaken for gardeners as the resurrected Christ was.
I live at the house near the entrance to the grounds along with my spouse Alix (a special education teacher who I could not do this without) and our two cats: Chewbacca “Chewie” and Crookshanks “Roo”. We also have some bonus cats living with us currently, Janeway and her no-longer-kitten Chai.
That’s all I have for this introduction, but stop by the camp offices sometime, pull up a chair, and share a cup of tea/coffee and conversation with me.
Peace on the Journey,
Clayton Summers (he/him)
Resident Minister & Caretaker
[email protected]
(501) 570-6685
