Sept 18, 2026
Dear church,
As people of Christian faith, I believe we are called to hold in tension, every day, the call from God to work and the call from God to rest. Our faith calls us to be active. Love is a verb and we show God’s love in what we do. And our faith also calls us to rest from activity and productivity, to remember that we are more than what we do and accomplish.
In our life together as a church community, I am mindful of holding space for both. I want our church to be an active church, and we are. We do a lot together - we learn, we volunteer, we protest, we donate, we show up. Our actions speak powerfully the faith that lives within us. And I also want our church to be a community that practices and affirms the need for rest. I want to make sure we are creating spaces where we help one another slow down, unplug, breathe, and resist the urge to be “on” all the time.
It’s for this reason that, next to all that we’re doing as a faith community this fall, we have also planned a fall retreat, a day for our whole community to practice rest. Our fall retreat this year will take place on Sunday, October 11, at Gathering Pines Camp in Lakeville, about 25 minutes from church. It is a lovely setting; just by arriving there, your soul already feels the permission to let go and be present. The retreat itself will begin and end with camp-style worship. Throughout the day, we will have various learning sessions for adults, as well as activities and low-ropes challenge courses for our kids and youth. Everything is optional; the most important thing is that you allow yourself what you need to refuel and renew. Lunch and snacks will be provided - that alone is restful, right?
I know how hard it is to choose to spend a precious weekend day not getting stuff done. But this is precisely why we have planned this retreat - to help all of us practice the very things that are vital for our wellbeing - rest, renewal, connection - and yet are so hard to claim space for our in our busy, hurried lives.
This retreat is for everyone - kids, youth, parents, young adults, adults, retirees. It’s a chance for all of us to get off the grid for a day and remember who we are. I really hope you’ll join us! Registration is now open! Cost is $30/person. Please don’t let cost keep you from coming - reach out to me or Lisa Wolf if you need assistance.
In Christ,
Pastor Sarah