Story Telling

Trinity as a model of our community. Pause. Trinity as a model of
community.

As we enter the circle we share our stories. As we sit in our
rooms... where two or three are gathered and share the heavy burdens
we carry... Christ is there... community is there... trinity is there.

Thank you for your comments...

Tonight we read the comments aloud collected thus far, and are so grateful for your support and care. We will read the comments every morning and evening.

Our program for the evening is over, and now I write to a hymn sing in the background and much chatter outside.

We are grateful.

Going Running

The planning team bought me a fabulous mid-western running suit
today--a hot pink tshirt with "Got Jesus?" on the front in silver
letters and bejeweled and bedazzling grey pants with rhinestones, or
really jewels that match the lettering on my shirt. It takes a gay man.

DP, BTown and Mieke are going running before the next airport pick-
up! Ah yeah...

Position of Privilege

Today is the morning of what has become annually the most sacred aspect of my ministry. Waking up in this beautiful space with three other beautiful souls as we wait for the rest of the Children of God to arrive. The first year I had a very looming sense of trying to keep my own life a secret. "Shhhhh.....don't tell anyone I'm straight." What I learned from this group of profoundly called pastors is that they care about my life and are equally as excited for me when I have fallen in love and remain there. So the first year of awkwardly sharing that "I kiss boys" ( "so do I" was the most caring response by some of my brothers in faith) has been able to transform in to genuine truth-telling.

As the only straight person of faith in this gathering, I am in a position of privilege- privilege in that I have been welcomed into this sacred circle. Privileged to be with these brilliant, passionate, loving persons of faith who are called by God to serve in ordained ministry...that they would even want to serve in our denomination.... and for the PC (USA) to say no is the most self-destructive behavior the
church can engage in.

And we wonder why the church is dying.....

Living Christ

It's 6:30 and I'm the first one up. There is a warmth in the air as from an approaching summer day despite the thermometer's reading of 64 degrees. I'm used to rural setting and waking up before everyone else so this morning is comforting. I had dreams of dignity and responsibility, and I see that is what today is to be. It is the day when everyone arrives but we have not yet spiritually arrived. It is the day when everyone arrives but we have not yet formed our community bonds yet. It is the day when we are pumped up with the responsibility of right relation but not truly feeling the group trust. We are tied to our own homes and not to our present moment. We enter the present moment today and we form our bonds of trust and love. We all become a living Christ to each other as we build each other up. The practice of Christ's life made manifest in us all.

p.s. It takes a (soon-to-be) pastor to wonder how many people will be able to do textual criticism and determine the different authors or sets of authors for each post. I'm a dork.

We Have Arrived

This afternoon the weather here was gorgeous, bright, blue skies and puffy clouds, a bit nippy but fresh and clear. Mieke arrived from New York, Kate had already done the grocery shopping, and a few of us met at the retreat center this afternoon after a lovely drive from Detroit.

The hospitality bags are now organized, with gorgeous scarves knitted with love by women in a Presbyterian Women Circle, which were then dedicated in worship last Sunday. They prayed for each participant as they were being made. There are also many more goodies, including home-made soap that a participant made special for each of us and Presbyterian Welcome John Calvin Mint Tins.

The energy is relaxed and high, we had a lovely meal cooked on the grill this evening and have already shared many laughs. We look forward to the place buzzing tomorrow with arrivals--there will be 20 Inquirers and Candidates this year as well as several resource people.

We hope you continue to visit! Comments of support will be read each morning and evening to the whole group.

Retreat Schedule

After many months of prayer, work and inspiration; the planning team has published the finalized retreat schedule. Always open to the workings of the Spirit, some things are subject to change with revision in the moment, but our basic outline is here:

Thursday, June 7
Arrivals

5:30-6:30 Dinner and Fellowship

6:30-7:00 Welcome, Review, Accountability, Meal Sign-Up

7:00-8:00 Naming the Movement and Our Location Within It

8:00-8:30 Small Groups8:30-9:00 Sharing Feedback

9:00-9:30 Worship


Friday, June 8

8:30-9:30 breakfast and fellowship

9:30-10:30 Three Stories: Sharing Our Faith and Finding Connections

10:30-12:00 Sharing Our Journeys in Small Group

12:00-1:00 Lunch and Fellowship

1:00-2:30 Free Time

2:30-3:00 Introduction of Guests

3:00-4:30 Transgender 101 and Sara's Journey

4:30-6:00 Small Groups

6:00-7:00 Dinner and Fellowship

7:00-8:00 Bible Study

8:00-9:00 Worship


Saturday, June 9:

8:30-9:30 Breakfast and Fellowship

9:30-10:30 Morning Worship and Communion

10:30-12:30 Small Groups

12:30-1:30 Lunch and Fellowship

1:30-3:00 Large Group Accountability

3:00-5:30 Free Time and Opportunities for Appointments

5:30-7:00 Grill Out

7:00-8:00 Worship and Strength for the Journey


Sunday June 10
Breakfast and flights!