Our "Camp David"
It’s officially known as Naval Support Facility Thurmont, but it’s usually just referred to as Camp David. Built from 1935-1938 in Catoctin Mountain Park near Thurmont, Maryland, Camp David has hosted dignitaries and politicians from all over the world.
What’s more, it has served as a private retreat for every American president since Franklin D. Roosevelt, especially when they need to get away early in the year in order to set out their legislative agenda with trusted staff and advisors. Then, the President (or better yet, his writers!) can prepare for the State of the Union.
Jesus’ ministry included times of retreat, as well. In Luke 5, we read,
The news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
This occurred especially when there were big decisions to make.
The leaders of Good Shepherd retreat, as well. Not so much in lonely places. And certainly not at Camp David. But twice a year (one of them being today!), staff and elders take a day to reflect on where God has us and where God is taking us. In the adventure of ministry, there are always big decisions to make, especially as we look ahead to our Annual Congregational Meeting (our “State of the Union,” if you will).
But even more than big decisions to make, there are relationships to attend to. Margaret Wheatley put it this way:
The primary way to prepare for the unknown is to attend to the quality of our relationships, to how well we know and trust one another.
And in this year of going deeper into community and further out in faith, we want to continue growing as a leadership community, even if it doesn’t include a ride on Air Force One.
Don’t miss our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 28th! Lunch at Noon. Meeting at 1pm!
Pastor Curtis
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