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What a great week we had at Lake Junaluska for the Festival of Wisdom and Grace! Ten of us from Surfside UMC traveled to the mountains of Western North Carolina for a time of learning, spiritual renewal, and fellowship. The Festival is an annual event for older adults, geared toward finding purpose and renewal in the second half of life. It is offered by our United Methodist General Board of Discipleship Ministries.

The week included worship, workshops, and time for relaxation. This year’s theme was “Letting Our Stories Speak.” We reflected on our own stories of life and faith, and listened to several gifted storytellers bring the Biblical story to life in new ways. Bishop Frank Beard preached! And while we received lots of information, we experienced transformation along the way.

Pastor Jeff Sweeney and I had the opportunity to participate in a cohort of leaders (approximately 10 of us from across the U. S.) of ministries by, with, and for older adults. We are grateful for this program which is being sponsored by a grant from Discipleship Ministries. We spent a day of intensive learning while at the retreat, and will meet by Zoom four more times between September and May. Our hope is that our participation will prove to be fruitful for ministries back here at home.

There is much to be shared about our time away. I know you will be hearing about it from those who attended this year: Dorothy Wallace, Jeanette Nunziata, Linda Manning, Robert Fortenberry, Mike and Sandy Rockmore, and Pam and Ray Newell. Ask them about their experience. Spiritual growth never stops – it is the process of sanctification.

And go ahead and place the dates for next year’s Festival on your calendar – August 17-20. The inspiration for the theme is this quote from Richard Rohr’s book Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life: “When you get your ‘Who am I’ question right, your ‘What should I do?’ questions then to take care of themselves.”

May we always find ourselves looking forward to what God has in store for us in each season of life!

Blessings for the journey+
Pastor Mary Teasley