Every autumn is marked by our annual women's retreat. This year is no exception. A giant growing pile of books, decorations, work materials, papers, and 'retreat stuff' line a long wall in my office as I blog. Tonight, I go home to begin packing and gathering my personal items to bring along.
I am a sucker for the seasons. Autumn, winter, spring and summer mark time in my life. Each season offers it own blessed favorites like crisp crunchy leaves, or hot chocolate, or earthly smells or hot summer days at the lake. Moreover, I am also a sucker for church seasons of advent, epiphany, lent, Easter, Pentecost, and kingdom-tide. Maybe it is the latent percussionist in me that relishes a firm, strong rhythm in life.
Somewhere in between the seasons and liturgical seasons there is a moment for women's retreat ministry. And it has it's own moment in my life and ministry rhythm. I can tell when I switch from preparing with nervousness to preparing with great expectation and joyfulness.
Retreats, themselves, if you lead many of them have their own internal rhythm and movement underneath all the busy action of sessions, meals, snack breaks, and worship. That too brings it's own joy and watchfulness.
Actually, watchfulness is a great word to describe my vantage point on retreat. Watchful of the women gathered and their needs (spiritually as well as emotionally). Watchful of my team and their amazing abilities and gifted-ness to lead and minister to other women. Watchful of the Holy Spirit weaving and moving among us... and then as we return to the fold of our larger congregation.
So, I covet your prayers this weekend as I am "watcher of twenty five Calvary women".
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