Retreating has been in our church’s DNA since the beginning, so it was only a matter of time before our online Tuesday church gatherings decided to start retreating in person once a year in the winter. This year marked our third winter retreat together. Thirteen of us journeyed from four different states to a large house at Lake Eildon in the cold Victorian High Country. 

During my private reflections, the name of Caleb came into my mind.  So, I went to my Bible to remind myself about his life and influence he had on the people of Israel.  I found snippets of his story, although brief, in the Books of Joshua and Numbers and was impressed by the strong faith he demonstrated in his God, a lesson that we could all learn from.

Excerpt from Daily Bread Devotions Community of Christ

He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

We sat in silence for a time, bearing witness to her sadness. Her poem spoke of joy hidden within the pain. It held all her grief, joy, tears, laughter, and family. We had our hearts opened to her heartbreak – and sensed the suffering behind her words. Finally, to break the silence, we attempted a response. “We can all relate to this,” said one person. “Life is all about the hills and valleys and finding joy in the moments between.”

Every year at both kids and youth camp we write “warm fuzzies”, or affirmations. There was one year at a youth camp where I concluded that we didn’t need to do this. I figured that we do it every year and it normally involves me being up into the late hours finishing off my notes. But that year the campers revolted and organised it themselves!

‘There’s an Essence within you that can neither be enhanced nor diminished. it spans Universes and embraces the minuscule, the infinitesimal.’1

Last Christmas morning I watched on TV the Royal Christmas Carol Service held in 2022.  It was hosted by Her Royal Highness Catherine Middleton, Princess of Wales in Westminster Abbey.  I was impressed by the message given by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE.  The challenge he gave to the congregation and the world was to “Find the Words” for us to say when we are faced with the need to offer compassion or encouragement to someone in need.  

It was an article about Jervis Bay that captured my attention a week ago. The story was about two twin aboriginal girls from the Wreck Bay aboriginal community. When you think about Jarvis Bay what comes to mind? Pristine calm blue water, sandy beaches, mangrove trees, woodlands, sea grass and marine life? I imagined seeing the girls as young children splashing along the shoreline, hearing their laughter as they picked up shells, listened to stories around the campfire or explored the bush that surrounded their home. 

“How about we make a paper doll,” I said to my grandchildren. “What are paper dolls?” my granddaughter asked and soon, at my instruction, the children were enthusiastically drawing, cutting, gluing and colouring. I demonstrated a few techniques but quickly the children began to develop their own solutions and creative responses to their art. The paper doll needed a friend, then they needed a theatre,  a narrative, and an audience.  We explored and shared and it brought us closer together as we problem solved. Isn’t it interesting - given the right conditions - how learning becomes thoughtful, compassionate and interdependent;  how with positive intent our very interactions can model empathy and deep listening skills and allow children to flourish. As Kass Unger explains in Reflections on Children’s camp, in the guided, thoughtful processing of story, the children were learning to develop faith, meaning, worth and so much more.