What a retreat!
My family joined about 40 others from Unity this past weekend for our All-Church Retreat to Montreat’s Presbyterian Conference Center. About half of the group had never visited Montreat before, and the other half couldn’t wait to get back. I have a couple of highlights from the retreat that I’d like to share with you:
- Growing Deeper In Relationships: One of the most rewarding aspects of spending a weekend with people is that you really begin to get to know them. It is great to see one another for a couple of hours on a Sunday morning. But it can be even more meaningful when you huff and puff your way up to Lookout Mountain together. Or when you share three meals a day with one another. Or when you play board games late into the night. I believe this retreat helped us grow in our relationship with one another.
- In-depth Study of the Fruit of the Spirit: We had four worship sessions throughout the weekend. The focus of our time together was the Fruit of the Spirit. On Friday night we studied Love and Joy. The next morning we discussed Peace and Patience. That night we studied Kindness, Goodness, and Faithfulness. Sunday morning was spent in worship while studying Gentleness and Self-Control. It felt like a special opportunity to get to spend a weekend studying one specific text from Scripture. Our goal was to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit so that we could become more like the people God created us to be. What a great journey to be on.
- God’s Beautiful Creation: Fall in the mountains is really special. All of the trees were in full color. Just walking around the Montreat campus was a treat for the senses. It was a reminder of just how beautiful this world is.
Did you miss the retreat this year? Don’t worry. We are already planning next year’s fall retreat. Details will be available soon. Until then, go enjoy this beautiful fall, and praise God for God’s wonderful creation.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
-Galatians 5:22-23
See you on Sunday!
-Pastor David
P.S. Our Stewardship campaign lasts through Nov. 18. Estimated Giving Sheets are available at https://www.unitypres.org/connect-with-us/giving/ or in the Gathering Area at church. Thank you for your support!
