It is hard to believe that our next retreat is just around the corner on July 11-13, 2021. The topic of this retreat is A Leader's Journey into Solitude and Silence. We look forward to the ways God will meet us in the teachings and experiences offered on this retreat.
Reflecting on Our Last Quarter…
What a joy it was to have more of our community physically present on retreat and to begin getting to know one another in smaller groups during Group Spiritual Direction. From what we have heard, the small groups went well and many of you reported that you were able to hold to the structure and experience God’s grace within this expression of spiritual companionship. Thanks be to God!
As we come together now fully in-person, we no longer have to work within our previous constraints. We have shifted some of the groups so that most consist of 5 members with improved gender balance. You might be concerned to hear we have made changes but let's trust that the structure will continue to hold us well even with the changes that have been made.
Sunday night you will eat dinner with your small groups so that you can get to know each other and reflect on the last quarter using the reflection questions below. We hope you have made plans to arrive on time so you don't miss this important connection but if you will be late, please let us know.
COVID and the Upcoming Retreat...
Illinois has been opening up and loosening it’s restrictions as the number of new COVID cases has decreased. The most recent change has been that both the CDC and the State of Illinois are allowing those who are fully vaccinated to stop wearing masks and practicing physical distancing.
If you have been vaccinated and wish to remove your mask, you will be free to do so but be prepared to approach others carefully since you don’t know what their comfort level is. Your choice not to wear a mask will indicate that you have been fully vaccinated.
There is more to say about how we will navigate this together on retreat and we will. This is, quite simply, an opportunity to keep learning how to love one another and to respect one another’s personal choices and sense of agency. We will offer as many options as we can for feeling safe but if you are concerned or have questions now, please respond to this email and someone will be in touch.
Community Commitments and Covenant...
Please reflect on the teaching regarding spiritual community and review the Community Commitments and Covenant handout we distributed at the last retreat. Remember to bring your signed Covenent slip so we can commit ourselves to it together.
Reflection Papers...
Please prepare your reflection paper for your own benefit, for the certificate requirement, and/or as preparation for sharing with your small group over dinner on the first night. Use the following questions from your During the Quarter document to get you started:
- What was your prayer life like as you came into the last retreat? Do you sense that you are in the transitional place that was described in the first teaching?
- What have you noticed about your patterns of intimacy and non-intimacy (attachment patterns) with others? What observations have you made about how these patterns have affected your relationship with God?
- What has it been like for you to listen for your breath prayer? Have you discovered it? How have you practiced it?
- What other prayer practices did you explore this quarter? How have they impacted your life and ministry?
- How have the assigned resources supported and/or challenged you?
Email papers to TC17@transformingcenter.org by the Friday before our retreat. Those of you who wrote papers last quarter should be receiving them back either right before this upcoming retreat or soon after.
Oswald Chambers wrote: “The radiating influence from ONE person rightly related to God is incalculable.” May this experience of transformation in community help each of us to be that person! If there is anything that is of concern to you about your community experience, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Blessings on you all,
