Celebrating the beginning of building
Our 21st annual Celtic retreat is over, from my perspective the best that we have ever had. Sitting amongst the trees, soaking in the beauty of the land, participating in Jeff Johnson’s melodies, fellowshipping with friends old and new enriched and enlivened our day in ways that I could never have imagined.
Morning worship
I always love the decorating of the altar which begins our retreat with a sense of connectedness to the land.
Decorating the altar
Jeff’s evening Selah service was a particularly worshipful and contemplative time for me.
Jeff Johnson Selah service
We had lots of fun activities for the afternoon. Artistic crafts to do, prayer trails to walk and labyrinths to meditate in.
Painting prayers on rocks became works of Celtic art
Prayer flags became works of art too
Unexpected art – Kayra makes a Celtic cross
The logs became the focus of our time together in so many ways. They provided places to sit and meditate, a focal point for lunch conversations and in the afternoon the centre of our dedication of the beginning building.
Meditating sitting on the logs
lunch on the logs
Dedicating the logs
And the eucharist led by episcopal priest Bob Dietel was the crowning glory of our celebration
Eucharistic elements on the altar
For more photos check out Andy Wade’s great slide show on the MSA blog :
Celebration, Retreat Prayer and Imagination.
And the liturgies should be posted this afternoon.