4 Day Academy at Camp Sumatanga

On Sunday, October 6th I traveled from my camp reunion weekend in Mentone, AL to Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, AL for a 4 Day Academy. This is my 2nd time to Camp Sumatanga, but my first to spend the night and more. It's my first retreat here.

What caught my attention way back was the word "wilderness". I don't exactly remember when I started seeing it advertised, but it caught my attention, it resonated with me, it drew me in. Several of the books on the reading list intrigued me too. One book is by the founder of the Wild Church Network, Victoria Loorz. Since I have a Wild Church (Bamboo Encounter), that was another reason to consider the time away.

But, could I pull it off? The week was going to be difficult to get away. It happens to be the week of my 60th birthday. On one hand, what better way to spend entering a new decade than to spend it on an Academy time apart?!?! Then, it's also the 6 months anniversary of my Dad's passing. 6 months. It's hard to believe Dad has been gone 6 months.

When I considered all things, looked at the faculty and the books, I really wanted to be able to go.

A camp reunion the weekend prior meant I would be gone Friday--Friday. 

Somehow, it all worked out. 

I'm here.

The 4 day Academy officially begins today-- Monday, October 7th, but I came in early because I was already in Alabama for the camp reunion.

After the reunion ended, I drove on the Lookout Mountain Parkway some. Then I headed to Little River Canyon Center. The center was beautiful. It had a great gift shop where I picked up a new sticker for my water bottle. I found a mosaic bench. 

Then I changed into my hiking boots and hiked the Bridge Trail from the Center over to the falls. It was a neat trail with great trees, rocks, and 'shrooms. The loblolly pine was a favorite. The waterfall didn't have tons of water flowing, but it was sufficient and beautiful. 

From there I took the recommended backroads to Camp Sumatanga. I saw cotton fields. I almost stopped at the Little River Canyon Preserve Mouth Park area on highway 273.  I did get some coffee at Scooters coffee in Attala before arriving at the camp.

I got my assigned room and settled in. 

I checked out the worship space and took some pictures.

Then I went to dinner with the team at a seafood restaurant in Gadsden. 

I am very much looking forward to the time apart this week and the rhythm of the Academy.

Today I plan to do some walking and hiking around Camp Sumatanga. Riley and I have been here once and we explored the trail around the lake. Before things begin this afternoon, we'll see what all I can find on this beautiful campus.

The theme for this week is "Welcoming the Wilderness". I imagine I will write more about that as the week continues. It is a theme that resonated with me and drew me in for many reasons, as did the Academy rhythm.

I went back in my blogs and found a post I wrote about my first 5 Day Academy from 2010: "What IS the word of the day? Living into the calling..." It is interesting for me to go back and see the beginnings of my ordination journey from that 5 Day Academy. I had completed my Certificate in Christian Studies, but that Academy led me to apply for my M.Div. and to start the Ordination process. In the post I mention walking with others through the wilderness (a part of my calling) and spiritual direction. It took a while, but I did do a spiritual direction training program from 2021-2023 and got my certificate January 2024. As for walking with people through the wilderness, it is something I do. It's not specific to any part of my life or calling, but flows through everything. It's just a part of who I am. Therefore, being at a 4 Day Academy that focuses on "Welcoming the Wilderness" is perfect for me.

Here is another post from my first 5 Day Academy: "Reflections".

If you are interested in reading more about my 2 Year Academy experiences, you can search the blog site for "2 Year Academy", "Academy #32", "bilingual Academy". We met quarterly for 2 years and that impacted my life significantly.

There's something to be said for the rhythm of spiritual practices and returning to a place. Even though my Academy places have been different, except for the 2 year, the Academy IS the place, the space. The location is important, but secondary to what it is and does. I haven't been in a setting yet that hasn't enhanced my Academy experience. 

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post. I am looking forward to this time apart. I have already had great conversations and have been encouraged.

Stay tuned for more from the "wilderness"--

Deb