Five Years and Counting

My church, Christ Church Unity, has a wonderful program called the Prayer Chaplain program. I have served as a Prayer Chaplain for four years and last weekend I just completed my 5th training to enable me to serve again. This will be my 5th year. I almost didn't make it.

Towards the tail end of last year, I had developed resentments. That's 12 step parlance for a crummy, rotten, no-good attitude! I'm not going to go into it all here, mainly because I can't even remember what my main malfunction was but, at the time, I was DONE.

Then came the call to ministry and that girl died and a new girl writes to you today. I know that sounds goofy and all woo-woo but it's true. For after all, nothing and I mean NOTHING, blows up my skirt like praying with people. I love it and it is what I am here to do...at least for now.

So I did go to Prayer Chaplain Training last weekend and it was transformative...in a most unsuspecting way. And to think I almost missed it. The 16 of us went to a retreat center in Fruitland Park, Florida, which is situated on a lake and completely shaded by lovely old oaks.



 Inside a small chapel on the retreat property

Outside of the chapel

Walking meditation Labyrinth

Many swings at the center beckoned us to retreat, to relax

We prayed with each other and laughed and cried together. We sat around a campfire, shared meals, and entered the silence for a few hours. We experienced healing touch and sang and shared our open and vulnerable hearts. And each of us left that place more open, more compassionate, more able to touch our congregants with authenticity than before we arrived. It was the very best retreat I have ever attended.

It helps to go with no expectations. My ego had little chance to get in the way.