Reflections on our Parish Retreat

The Way the World Could Be – Reflections on our Parish Retreat

One of my favorite t-shirts acclaims:

“Bethany Village at Camp McDowell – The Way the World Could Be”.

Bishop Kee Sloan named the fully-accessible addition to Camp McDowell “Bethany Village” because Bethany was where Jesus met his friends.

Our St. James Parish Retreat stayed in Miller Commons, but we enjoyed breakfast and lunch at “The Doug”, the main dining room of Bethany Village.

I daresay all of Camp McDowell is where Jesus still meets his friends. Our parish retreat was full of the joy of Jesus as we gathered in community as the Spirit moved us.

Worship included comforting Compline, refreshing Morning Prayer, and spirit-filled Holy Eucharist in St. Francis Chapel.

Throughout the weekend, folks chose activities that resonated with them:

• Contemplative moments with praying the labyrinth and lectio divina

• Holy Hikes at all levels of difficulty – Bankhead National Forest, Clear Creek, Sloan Lake

• Fishing in Clear Creek, hidden ponds, and Sloan Lake

• Painting pottery crosses

• Indoor games – Mah-Jong, Mexican dominoes, the Library Game

• Outdoor games – The ancient Viking Game

• Delicious dinner from Jim and Nicks and a fabulous low country boil

• Simple moments of conversation, casual fun, and meaningful fellowship

Our St. James Parish Retreat was a glorious glimpse of the way the world could be, living into the overall mission of Camp McDowell:

The mission of Camp McDowell is to show the way the world could be through worship, learning, rest, and play in the beauty of God's Backyard.

As we enter Holy Week, we will continue our journey with Jesus, ever discovering through him, a true model and hope for the way the world could be.

God’s peace, Judy Q