The Great love

While sitting in the meeting room or the dining area I have observed,
through the course of the retreat, people drifting in and out of the
rooms. Their actions, their interactions, and their movements have
reminded me of the scene in "The Big Chill" when each of the
characters move through the kitchen one by one, pouring coffee and
trying on their new running shoes. The characters in the film came
together, and while together for the weekend, they rekindled love,
renewed relationships, and created new ones.

I have been sitting here in our meeting room since the close of our
last worship service together at the retreat. Again, I have
witnessed people moving in and out, but instead of books, flowers, or
worship materials being brought in, they are being carried out.
Following our worship service, informal fellowship has continued;
hymns have been sung, and passionate conversations about seminary
experiences and preaching have been shared. I will miss these people
- their hugs, their voices, their laughter, and even their shared
tears. Tomorrow I will return to my life, but I will return with a
profound sense of community, and a far deeper commitment to follow
God's call.

One of the most striking aspects of the weekend is of the incredible
gifts of Spirit that have flowed through this place. My brothers and
sisters here (and I claim each one of them!) are talented, gifted,
intelligent, loving, thoughtful, compassionate, holy, powerful,
lighthearted, and open-minded children of God. Some of the stories
told here are beyond belief in disappointment, grief, pain, and
outright abuse. These people inspire me to stay in this church, the
church of my birth family's heritage.

Similar to the experiences of the characters in "The Big Chill," I
have experienced here a time of affirming love for our community, of
renewed relationships with brothers and sisters, and the creation of
new friendships. However, there has been no chill here in ANY sense
of the word. This weekend has been all about a commitment to
justice, and a great spreading of love as Christ taught us to love.
I pray that our church will soon allow us to share our love with ALL
of our brothers and sisters in Christ by recreating our church in the
spirit of Jesus' inclusive love.

Thanks be to God for this retreat; for all who took part in the
planning, for all who were here, and for all who have remembered us
in prayer.