Permission to Relax

As a seminarian from The New England Synod in Region 7, I had the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to this triennial WELCA retreat and won it. This was an excellent retreat on many levels. It came at a time when I desperately felt the need to get away and rest. I didn't even bring any homework with me!!

This is the only retreat I've ever been to, where we were told from the very beginning that it wasn't necessary to attend everything. Not only was there built in time to do as we wished, but we were encouraged to walk outside, take a nap, whatever we needed to do. That was different.

Worship and fellowship were wonderful at Mt. St. Alphonse in Esopus, NY. The retreat center overlooks the Hudson River. The picture at the right was the view from my room.

The keynote speaker, Sr. Anne Bryan Smollin, author, nun, counselor etc., was a hoot. She got her point across with wonderful humor. We were dying from laughter when she spoke. Other speakers and presenters were wonderful as well. We prayed, laughed, and cried together this weekend. It was so amazing.

And what did we take home from this? Not only were old friendships renewed and new ones made, but it was so vividly demonstrated to us what a teaching tool well done humor can be. If we all had God's joy bubbling up through our lives, people couldn't stay away from our churches.

Who is Listening?

Every two weeks, a small group of us who are older seminarians (second career or third, fourth whatever) get together for lunch on Friday at one of the local restaurants (that has good food cheap). We did this yesterday, much to my husband's delight since the refectory was serving fish and chips for lunch and Ray is not a fish aficionado.

We had been there a while eating and talking. Each of us was quite relaxed because although there was lots to be done this weekend for teaching parish and classes, we were finished with classes for the week and could let our hair down. Friday after classes is sacrosanct for this group. We do not do schoolwork on Fridays after class. That's what Saturday is for! After a while, a gentleman approached us and asked if he had heard correctly that we are involved with church and faith. We responded in the affirmative. He proceeded to ask prayer for someone he knew of that just had a baby and was in critical condition. We assured him she would be added to the prayer list and we would pray. Then he left and returned to the group he was with at his table.

We never know who is watching or listening to us, even in what we consider our time off or down time. In connection with this, I've been preparing to preach on Palm/Passion Sunday from Isaiah.

We need to be available to listen to God. But the flip side of the coin is we do not always know who or where someone may be listening to us. It might be in the most unexpected places. You never know where God may be at work.

flickr picture