"Our Life Together"

It is just two weeks away – the “Our Life Together” retreat for all of our clergy. Perhaps it is sneaking up on people, since this is our first time having it as a Pre-Lenten retreat, rather than a Post-Easter retreat. So, I am writing this E-pistle to remind our clergy to register, and I am also writing it to remind our lay leadership to encourage your pastors to attend. Our clergy need to be “fed” in order to be ready to “feed” the people they serve. Our clergy need this break, this respite, this retreat, and this challenge. So let’s encourage one another to participate, share, and be inspired.

This year’s Our Life Together Retreat (Thursday/Friday, February 16-17 at St. Luke’s in Indianapolis) will include some incredible leadership. Shane Clairborne will challenge us all with a “younger” perspective on the church and the faith, and then Karen Greenwaldt and her husband, Russ Harris, (a professional potter) will lead us in some formational experiences. Those from the former North Conference may remember that Karen and Russ shared and presented at the Annual Conference seven years ago. It is quite an experience to watch and participate with Russ as he works his potter’s wheel, while Karen helps us to seek God’s guidance to shape our spiritual lives.

So, I am excited about this year’s “Our Life Together” retreat, and I believe it will be a great preparation for the season of Lent and Easter. It is just hard to believe it is coming so quickly. I need to make sure I am registered and ready to attend.

Please join me, clergy.