There we chose our sleeping spaces (I got the room on the main floor; one of the perks of being the oldest person in the group) and unloaded our clothes and snacks.
This very isolated house, owned by a realtor, is available for groups like ours or families for rent any time of the year. It is perfect, as it has 3 floors, with bath and shower in the "basement" with several bunk beds, a bath and shower, and a master bedroom with jacuzzi on the main floor, and a loft with more single beds. All together, 12 can sleep comfortably in this house.
It also has a full kitchen and a living/lounge area with a big TV and a boom box. AND, a major attraction, on the porch is a HOT TUB.
We left just after noon on Saturday, having had Holy Eucharist together.
Mrs. Priest arranged this mini-retreat during this time that is so busy for her. She is amazing. We all brought snacks (and wine), which we happily munched on while she prepared a delicious dinner. Of course we tried to help, but she had it all under control, and by seven we were enjoying a delicious shrimp stir fry with a green salad.
People had chosen DVD's to bring ("chic flics"), so after clean-up and Compline (Which Mrs. Priest had all printed out for us), we watched "Mama Mia".
It was wonderful for me. I seldom see any full length films, as I can't sit through them with my restless legs, even at home. But this film is so fast-moving and so hilarious and has so much energy in the dancing and the singing that I didn't notice my legs.
It was quarter to one when I crawled into bed, and the others were quiet soon after. I woke in the morning to see a weak sun trying to light up the forest. As soon as I heard voices, I joined those in the kitchen to talk and laugh and drink coffee.
Mrs. Priest had brought the batter for a wonderful frittata, which she cooked while we visited. More coffee was poured, the fruit tray from the night before was brought out, and we feasted again.
There was much more than feasting and watching a chic flic, however. There was the getting to know one another in a more intimate way. We ranged in age from late 20's to 70's. Some of us were old friends, a couple were newcomers either to our church, or to such an intimate group.
Our children's ages ranged from 5 years to never-mind-how-old years, but mostly mothers of teens and early 20's were represented. The stories we told, the confidences we shared, the affirmation of feelings were the major activities
But at the center of all of this was our worship. The laughter was put on hold, although we were all content and happy, while Mrs. Priest led the old familiar Communion prayers. As we passed the chalice to each other, saying, "the blood of Christ, the cup of Salvation", we were wrapped in love for each other and the love of our blessed Lord for all of us. It was a solemn moment, but a joyous one.
O, and while others went for a walk in the early morning, I stayed behind to write in my journal. Mrs. Priest had put a CD of Hildegard Bingen's ethereal music, sung by a women's choir, in the boom box. That was my background while I sat in the quiet and wrote.
We are so lucky to have Mrs. Priest. In spite of her incredibly busy life with her husband, who is the Rector of our church, and her two girls, 7 and 11, she has a way of creating holy spaces wherever she goes. In addition, she is responsible for our lively Sunday School program, which brings alive the Scripture for our children.
Today, at the main service, Mrs. Priest had created a liturgy for our "Rite 13" kids. These are children who are turning 13 and have been part of a special program for this particular age group. The Church feels this Rite of Passage is one that the whole Church should celebrate. The parents and sponsors presented them and vowed to help them on their journey to full adulthood. The children vowed to keep Christ at the center of their lives and the congregation vowed to support both the children and the parents.
These kids will now become Confirmands, studying for Confirmation. At the Confirmation service, after a year or two of study, they will affirm the vows made for them by their parents during their baptism.
As usual, Mrs. Priest had put together a moving and meaningful liturgy. Rite 13 is a national and non-denominational program, but Mrs. Priest used the various materials to create a service that represented our congregation and our denomination. Grandparents came, along with parents, and friends came. The responses from the congregation were heartfelt and firm. "We WILL support these children and their families as they continue their journey to adulthood."
In the middle of the Lenten Season, the retreat and the Rite 13 liturgy were a wonderful counterpoint. Today the sun was out and it was a bit milder. DB is talking a walk in the light (at 6 p.m.), and my plants and I are rejoicing that spring is truly here, even if the temperature doesn't indicate it.
We'll probably have more snow, but it won't last, and it won't bother the spring bulbs that are now beginning to put up their green heralds. Soon, the crocuses will be blooming, and with longer days, we will all feel better. It was a long, gloomy, hard, and VERY COLD winter here in Western New York.
Whatever the weather, life is good, especially with rich worship part of one's life. Thanks be to God.
Friday night, seven of us women from our church wound our way in separate cars down a muddy dirt road, at the rim of the Chautauqua Gorge, to a house in the woods.
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