Thursday, September 16, 2021
Retreat
Rob Stevens
Saint John’s Parish Retreat
at Camp Merrowvista
September 24-26
Why do we go on retreat? There is not a single answer to that question, but this year I find that going on retreat is necessary for a few reasons:
Play. We haven’t had many opportunities to play in the past 18 months. Play is so necessary and sometimes we must “get away” to remember how to play.
Rest. Our homes can be sanctuaries of a sort, but there is often a project or chore that needs our attention. Going away on retreat gives us the permission to rest.
Laugh. Laughter eludes me. I smile a lot, but a belly laugh is rare. Laughter is truly medicine for the soul. Letting go of the daily routine sometimes creates space for laughter.
Connection. We all long for it and this past year has made it quite challenging. A retreat offers the gift of time to connect anew.
Not everyone will be able to join us this year at Merrowvista… however, I pray that we can all find moments of retreat to play, rest, laugh and connect with our loving God.
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“Slow down. Savor each moment. Stop and notice my presence within it. See me in the smile of a child, taste me in your first sip of morning tea, hear me in the bees buzzing in the garden, feel me in the soft fur of your dog, smell me in the fragrance of lilacs. Delight in who I am, not just in the big and seemingly important parts of your day but in the ordinary, easily discarded moments of encounter.”—Frederick Buechner
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If you’re curious about the retreat at Merrowvista and are interested in hearing about our plans, please hop on a zoom session led by American Youth Foundation's Programs Director Matt Loper tonight, Thursday, September 16th, at 6pm eastern. All are welcome. Retreat registration is online and requires no payment up front. Each household will be invoiced personally by St. John’s. (St. John’s is happy to work with any household for which the financial obligation presents a barrier.)
From the vaults: a musical montage to our 2019 Parish Retreat, the last time we were at Merrowvista together, featuring the song "Crowded Table" and photos from that amazing weekend.