Retreat Time
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 3:38PM This last weekend I attend the all church retreat at Camp Brotherhood with my family. Not just my immediate family but also the community of people of all ages and stages that make up my greater church family.
Since I was a child, the all church retreat has been an important part of my life, with memories that are still vivid for me today. Memories like dancing on the feet of Bob Rodgers as a child or fighting to sleep on the top bunk of a 3 tiered metal bunk-bed at Pilgrim Firs. I remember gathering with the youth as a teen and having our youth director pick us each a theme song….mine was ‘Good Day Sunshine’. Square Dancing and volley ball, crafts and campfires. Now as an adult, with children of my own, it is wonderful to see their excitement of the continuing tradition. They enjoy their own special memories that often don’t include me, but the other members of their extended church family.
Retreats are a time to connect and learn about one another. To discover common stories, that can bind us together. It is a time to catch our breath and rest together as God’s people brought together by faith and love. We play, laugh, share meals, pray, explore, dance and worship together in a place apart from our over-extended lives.
The all church retreat is a cherished tradition of church life. One I hope continues to endure.
