This is an exciting weekend for our parish. After several years, we’re finally able to have a retreat once again! It seems like an eternity since the last one, and I for one, can’t wait to get there. 

There is plenty to be excited about: We have two great speakers in Kate and Sean Norris; there is a lot to do at Sandy Cove (swimming, basketball, games, walks along the water, campfires...); there will be a talent show on Saturday night; plus opportunities to put up our feet up and relax.

Most of all, I’m excited to just fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. After the isolation and craziness of the past two years, it will be a breath of fresh air just to be with people I love dearly. We will sit, chat, tell funny stories, share how we’re really doing, and enjoy each other’s presence. Doesn’t that sound – as the Scripture says – truly "good and pleasant"?

But what about those who can’t make it to the retreat? Won’t they miss out? Or what about when we come back from the retreat? Won’t those times of fellowship come to an end?

No(!) God has already blessed us by drawing us all together in the first place. We are bound by His Spirit, and we are joined in service of the King. There are many reasons we should be divided – politics, class, backgrounds, demographics, etc. – but we aren’t. We are united together because we’re united around Him. It’s amazing how diverse the people of our parish are – yet we can pray, serve, and fellowship together. In fact, we dwell together as brothers and sisters in unity whenever we gather for worship. Clearly, that’s a sign that God is present among us!

So as children of the same Heavenly Father, let’s find ways to dwell together as often as possible. Let’s share a meal: perhaps at one of our fellowship lunches or the upcoming Parish 'Steakout' Dinner (register here). Let's grab some coffee, open our homes, get our families together at a park, pray for one another, or share how we’re really doing. Let’s just be together as often as we can. We don’t need a retreat for that. We just need Jesus, and we’ve already got Him.

How good and pleasant it is!

Fr. BJ