Dear Friends,

As I write this early on a Saturday morning, birds are singing, and though the sky is gray there is not snow on the ground - or any in the ten day forecast.  The daffodils will blossoms this week and temperatures are above freezing!  What a long winter it was!  And at the end of it all, there is still hope.

Spring is that season of renewal, for plants and for our souls.  So I hope you can come up to Camp Catoctin for the retreat “Prayer: Renewal for Our Journey.” 

When I think of our meeting retreat, I think of the many conversations I have had over a meal, sitting on the grass near the sandbox, or on the dock, or on the shore of the lagoon.  I have shared time with my daughters there, and gotten to know other young people.  Every year we choose a theme, but we came to know a while ago that really, it was fresh air and fellowship that drew us to this amazing space.  There is something about living a bit simply that makes space for the spirit to emerge.

Sometimes the Sprit breaks forth in song, water play, hiking, cooking for others, worshipping with other, noticing a wildflower’s first blooms, or playing in the mud.  If you have children, you should bring plenty of extra clothes, because they will get wet.  Also, bring extra clothes for other young people as well.  One year Sarah went through not only all of her clothes… but some of Andy Tobin’s as well!  Then there was the year that Naomi fell off a log over the creek, and came up with half of her body absolutely mud-covered.  Or the meeting for napping that takes place around a baby soaking up the sun with a parent enjoying the moment with other Friends gathered around.  The beauty of those still moments - to be broken with a gleeful shout as someone catches a newt or discovers the lagoon in a new way.

So how is this prayerful?

There are those moments when I do name, maybe silently, the blessedness of that moment.  There are times when I pray for help, guidance, and patience. I read or was told not too long ago that the three basic prayers no matter what God you pray to are Help, Thanks and Wow.  I think I have experienced many such moments at Catoctin.  Through the course of nearly 20 year or more, I have rarely missed a retreat. 

The place, Camp Catoctin, and the dear Friends all create that Spirit we can better understand and celebrate so much better corporately than singly. Join us as we share our experiences of prayer and renewal!

Shine on!

Helen

March 29, 2014