On Wednesday September 4th clergy gathered for an afternoon of spiritual retreat, rest, and renewal. Arriving on the scene with the retreat underway, it was immediately apparent that something sacred was happening. The air itself felt softer, gentler. The pace was much slower than normal. Participants were scattered across the beautiful property of Epworth UMC in Bethlehem, engaged in quiet contemplation.
Soon the retreat leader, the Rev. Peter Jamieson rang a small gong, signally to the group that it was time to gather back together. In the fellowship hall, participants assembled and shared the insights that emerged from their time of silence. As the conversation developed, spiritual insight wove its way through personal sharing. DS. Hun Ju Lee offered the reflection, “Where humans end is God’s beginning.” Another clergy person mused in response, “When we surrender, we experience God’s presence.”
Another shared “I’ve been going through a season where it feels like everything is out of my control… I experience God in those moments when I reach my end.”
Following this time of sharing, the Rev. Peter Jamieson, leader of this spiritual retreat, gave the group another opportunity to spend quite time with God. He invited everyone to try on a mindfulness exercise. He gave these instructions: “Go outside and notice things you wouldn’t otherwise notice. See the small things. Take a picture. Find something that you have discovered. Something you might otherwise never see. Mindfulness is taking the time to see.”
The ten souls who had gathered scattered across the expansive lawn of Epworth UMC in Bethlehem to see what they could see. They returned with pictures to share and stories to tell. A few people noticed that there was one tree that edged the property that was already taking on its colorful fall coat. Another noticed that a bluejay that had died in a wheelbarrow. Another noticed a tiny purple flower growing in the grass. Another person noticed that an autumn variety of clematis was climbing in and among a pile of sticks.
This slow attention helped those present identify timeless truths. Life and death are interconnected. Beauty is found in unexpected places. God can be found anywhere. There is particular delight in noticing the goodness of God together.
The greatest gift of all was the invitation just to be present, to notice the beauty of God’s good earth, on a sunny late summer’s day.
The retreat concluded with communion outside, near Epworth’s green chapel. Underneath the shade of trees, pastors sang Taizé hymns, and Rev. Hun Ju Lee, blessed the bread and the cup, and shared it with all those gathered.
With a concluding hymn the retreat ended. Strengthened by time spent in God’s presence and in the company of others those who had gathered returned to their ministry contexts with refreshed spirits and renewed hope.
If you are looking for a time to connect more deeply with God and with others, add the upcoming Clergy Spiritual Retreat to your calendar. The next one will be Oct. 2, 2024, from 12:30-3:30 at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Office, 980 Madison Ave., Norristown, PA.