purpose in whatever work (pd or vol) you do?
La Casa de Maria Retreat Center |
Renewal for the Work Weary Soul a Faith at Work EventJuly 10-12, 1998Santa Barbara CALeadership TeamPeter Bankson - VP at Communities-in-Schools, staff member at The Seeker's Church of Washington DC |
Comments from Participants...
See you next year!!! (Oh, what are the dates so I can mark my calendar!)
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“Renewal for the Work Weary Soul” weekend in Santa Barbara drew a large
diverse group, united in getting a handle on coping with too much good
stuff on the plate and how to keep energy levels working optimumly. Gathering
around Jesus and the feeding of the 5,000 as well as Jesus’s model for
afterwards, a significant number of first-timers as well as those who have
grown roots through Faith at Work experiences found newness for this era
of speed and purpose.
“There’s something here to discover about my work,” was an early reaction. Clues to the discovery process began with individual recognitions of who has already been a good teacher for us. Connecting soul to that place within where body and spirit come together, increasing listening skills, seeking bigger pictures, comparing CEO models with Jesus’ style relationships, learning what mountain rest walk is all led into connecting life stories in helpful ways. Looking around us and re-learning “what to say yes to” is one aspect; realizing that, while our memories of Jesus focus on giving, careful Biblical study shows us times that he sometimes walked away. Aah, permission! It’s OK! Nandor Kiss, who dates his lifestyle and FAW connections all the way back to Sam Shoemaker, describes his new call as “being a catalyst.” Marjory Bankson used “heart transplants” to illustrate “something happens when you step into your creativity.” Looking broadly at other cultures, with her leading, teaches how much we depend on people’s experiences, stories, and applications “to know God is alive and well–we must remember!” Peter Bankson observed “I can’t figure it all out–I have to trust.” By weekend’s ending, and looking at our individual calls, some extraordinary thinking was emerging. Listen to just a few: “We believe God scatters good stuff in all,” “we are a story-telling people,” “we need to recognize closure so that we can be open to a new call,” “collective discernment is important,” “let your life be the translation of this weekend.” Levels of vitality were visibly higher Sunday morning than the Friday arrival; it was an exceptional weekend on practical and spiritual levels. One first-timer’s comment–“I didn’t really want to come, but,” with
a warm smile, “I’m really glad now that I did.” Also glad she came 3,000
miles for the event was the recipient of a harmonious, almost angelic,
“Happy Birthday” sung as a lively round to start things off!
(Reflections by Jean Spencer)
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