This weekend would have been our
Annual Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont.
There is a long tradition of our community driving a few hours into the mountains to spend a weekend with one another. We sing songs. We worship. We stay in old houses. We have social hours on the porches. We eat fried chicken.
In response to COVID-19, we have cancelled our retreat for this year. A time we would have spent close together is now spent separately from our own homes. This is exactly what we need to do; however, it makes me think -
What do we love most about retreats like this?
One of my favorite parts of this particular retreat is the "open mic" time on Saturday evening. This is a time when people are invited to share a "talent" with our group. The first year I planned the retreat, I admittedly was nervous about what would be presented during this time. To my surprise, I was excited to see folks share jokes, stories, musical talents and beyond. I especially remember longtime parishioner Roger Whitfield grabbing a book from the shelves of Tucker Hall (where the open mic was hosted) and reading
"The Lady of Shalott."
Roger has recorded this reading
here
for you all to listen to today.
What stands out to you in this poem?
Poetry is pretty incredible. April is even National Poetry Month. On Wednesday evenings, Charlie leads us through discussions of the Book of Psalms. This ancient Hebrew poetry connects us to the past and grounds us in the present. Sage wisdom. The metaphors. The stories. The tales of places far far away that feel close to our own hearts.
Do you enjoy reading poetry? Why or why not?
Do you have a favorite poem or poet?
Mary Oliver is one of my favorite poets. I have been reading one of her poems each day during this time of physical distancing.
I invite you to read one of my favorites as a prayer for today:
"Wild Geese"
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting
-over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
Amen
.
