Strength for the Journey, Part I

Strength for the journey.

We all need strength for the journey, don't we?

This is a multi-layered topic, as it is also the name of a yearly retreat in the Holston Conference.

Let's explore the history of "Strength for the Journey", what strength looks like in general, what things might give us strength for the journey, and what this retreat is all about.

First, let me share how I got here.

I first learned about "Strength For The Journey" as a lay person while attending Burks UMC. It was one of the ministries in the Holston Conference that Burks UMC contributed to. I think it was listed on "The Advance", a list of organizations, ministries, and missionaries that can help a church become a "5 Star Church" by donating. Here is a PDF of "The Advance". "Strength for the Journey" is still listed. It falls under category "I" "Support for Action Ministries".  It is Holston Project #300. 

It is a ministry that has had my attention for years. I had always hoped to learn more, to attend. But my schedule wouldn't permit and I was involved on the conference level with the Hispanic Ministries Team (a team I enjoyed serving with for years.) 

At last year's conference, I went by the Strength for the Journey and spoke with John King. I bought a t-shirt from a previous year to support them. I shared with John my interest and he told me to talk with his wife Gaye. 

I later learned John had some stained glass supplies and glass he was willing to sell as he was decreasing his stained glass time. I went to their house in December to purchase some items and we talked about "Strength for the Journey". The timing of the retreat fit my schedule and the theme of "Wilderness" was right up my alley. I committed to being part of the staff. 

Yesterday I drove the three hour trip to Steiner Bell Lodge on the Wafloy Mountain Village Retreat Center in Gatlinburg, TN. It was a beautiful day to drive and the mountains were beautiful. Upon my arrival, the GPS sent me to the main entrance. I was lucky and blessed that a colleague turned in that same road and I flagged him down. He told me it was one road further and I followed him.

I followed him up the winding narrow road to the top. It reminded me of the road to the Hinton Center in Hayesville, NC. But more narrow and more winding. It isn't a road I would want to do in the dark.

When I got to the top, I saw the building and the welcome sign. 

Though it was my first time here and there was much unknown, I was able to lean into the new adventure. I'm still leaning. We had a staff meeting last night and it was good to get to know people and to go over the week. There are three of us "newbies" this year. Some of the participants came in yesterday and I am getting to know them. The rest of the participants come today. We begin a journey of wilderness together.

There will be tie-dye, hiking, small groups, and much more. Because of the predicted rain, we were encouraged to take a look at the view before the staff meeting. I went out on the front porch. This was the view.

Wow.

How beautiful are the mountains.

I'm not sure what this week has for me fully or what I have to offer. I do know that I am here to be fully present, to walk with, to listen, to share the love of Christ. I have a feeling that I will get much more than I give. I met one participant last night who shared about a book she wrote. I ordered it and it will be waiting for me when I get home. 

I will share from my perspective and experience without giving away any confidentiality.

I promised some history at the start of this blog post.

For all the details, you can click on the link: Strength for the Journey Holston Conference.

Here is some information found there:

Strength for the Journey (SFTJ) is a compassionate ministry of the Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church that provides a safe, caring, and healing community for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Through annual retreats and year-round connection, participants find space for spiritual renewal, emotional healing, and supportive fellowship.

A Place of Renewal

Since 1997, Holston’s Strength for the Journey retreats have offered a peaceful sanctuary in the Smoky Mountains where participants can rest, reflect, and reconnect with God and one another. Each retreat is designed to:

• Heal your spirit and nourish your body

• Provide time for reflection, recreation, and rest

• Encourage open discussion, spiritual guidance, and worship

• Offer opportunities for art, journaling, hiking, and community connection

Every aspect of the retreat is centered on love, acceptance, and renewal. Participants often describe the experience as “a place to be me, to be who I am without judgment” and “a time that strengthens me to live with renewed energy and joy.”

Rooted in Compassion

Originating in 1988 in the California-Pacific Conference, Strength for the Journey has spread across the country, reflecting the Church’s calling to embody compassion and hope. The Holston Conference was the first in the Southeast to host a retreat, beginning in 1997. Today, this vital ministry continues through the generous support of churches, individuals, and organizations across multiple denominations.

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This PDF gives a little more history of the beginnings in 1988 and tells how to set up a retreat. This guide is from 2018, so there might have an updated version somewhere. I am proud of our Holston Conference for being the first in the Southeast to start a retreat in 1997.

In my research, I found information from Cal-Pac Conference on a documentary. 

Here are two links:

Cal-Pac Article 

The Body of Christ Has Aids Documentary

I also found a song "Strength for the Journey" by Michael John Pourier, written in 1988,

Here are some links to read about it:

Strength for the Journey song information

Strength for the Journey songsheet

Where and how do you need strength in your journey?

Maybe there is something here in this post that offers you hope, encouragement, strength. 

Thanks for joining me on my journey. I look forward to learning more about Strength for the Journey this week and to offering and receiving strength for the journey.

Peace, 

Deb

My 1st stained glass repair

two of the major breaks and cracks

Today I began the work, the journey of repairing a stained glass piece for someone. They had reached out yesterday to ask about the repair. I sent pics to my teacher, mentor, who said it's repairable an suggested I do it.

GULP! 

The only repair I have attempted so far is on one of my pieces. I have begun it, but haven't finished.

I found some glass that I thought matched in my collection. 

Today I picked up the piece and headed to the glass shop. 

I started the repair. 

First things first-- remove the sections of glass that are cracked.

Deconstruction time. 

I scored the glass some with a cutter, then used a small hammer to crack the glass. I used pliers to get the pieces out.

I will admit that breaking the glass and getting it out was fun. 

Deconstruction is a healthy process. It clears out that which no longer works, is broken, or is in need of repair.

Oh, the piece I am working on is a cross. (see 1st pic above)

It is not lost on me that deconstructing this cross can be compared to faith deconstruction. When we realize ways of thinking or practicing our faith no longer work, are broken, or are indeed of repair, we try new practices. I have heard the expression: 'the practices that got you here won't work going forward '. I have found that to be true. Ways of praying lost their meaning. Time with the Creator and study changed. Instead of studying for information,  I began to study for formation and transformation. I began to look deeper into practices of lectio divina, silence, solitude,  centering prayer, contemplative photography, etc. I didn't throw out the baby with the bathwater. I discerned what was still useful for me. It has been a process, a journey. 

As I am working on the repair for the cross, I see the parallel. I am removing the pieces that no longer work. I am not removing everything. As I removed glass today, there was a feeling of accomplishment, that I was doing something to improve the piece, to make it stronger. 

I am not where done with the repair. I just started it today.

I see how deconstruction is necessary and then how reconstruction follows. 

Instead of being stuck in a broken state, the cross will be new. Yet, it is still the cross it was. Only, it will be without holes and major cracks. It will be more whole. 

Again, I see how that process has worked with my faith. 

Currently, the cross is now in a state of disrepair, deconstruction. Looking at it, one might wonder how thisstep was necessary or helpful. But i ha to remove what was broken in order to create space for the new pieces.

I will keep you posted on my first repair piece. 

I might continue to share how my faith journey has changed, how it has grown deeper, how new practices have made me more whole.

Peace on the Lenten journey that continues this Holy Week. 

Rev. Deb

Listening to people tell their stories-- "Just Like You" at Barking Legs Theater

Listening is powerful . When we listen, we learn. Not only do we learn, but our perspective and our world expands. Our understanding, compassion, and empathy can increase. We are able to find similarities between ourselves and "the other", whoever that "other" might be. 

Last night I had the opportunity to listen to 9 (I think) individuals share their story. The setting was a theater, so it wasn't like having a conversation, listening, and being able to ask questions. It was pure and simple listening. Listening to individuals share their joys, their heartaches, their journey. Each person shared from their personal experience of being them, being human. Each story was as unique as the individual. 

There were some common themes expressed between them. One was "hate"-- how families, friends, and society had responded to them with hatred, rejection, fear, etc. That made me sad on many levels. 

As a follower of Christ, hate has no place in my world. Yes, it creeps in at times when things are horribly wrong, unjust, corrupt, etc. But it's not so much "hate" that wells up within me, but rather anger, disgust, hurt, etc. No matter the situation, I attempt to still show love and grace.

The stories I heard last night were those of transgender people. 

I do not believe that transgender people are mistakes. I believe that all people are created uniquely by the Creator (Psalm 139), are loved by the Creator (John 3:16, 1 John 4:10) and that Creator God IS love (1 John 4:8b, 1 John 4:16).

I realize that not everyone believes as I do. As you can see above, Scripture has led me to this belief that transgender people as humans created by God. Additionally, experience has led me to this belief, as have reason and tradition. If you happen to be of the Wesleyan background, you will notice that I have mentioned the four foundations of Scripture, experience, reason, and tradition. These have allowed me to form (or rather re-form) my theology and thinking.

Many people in the LGBTQIA+ community have been hurt by churches and Christians. Some have worked their way through that hurt. I know many strong LGBTQIA+ followers of Christ. They love God and love others as themselves, as we are called to do by Jesus as we live out the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36-40).

Last night wasn't the first time I have listened to transgender voices. However, it was the first time for me to hear so many voices and stories at one time and in one space.

There is another opportunity tonight at 8pm (Saturday, March 28) to hear these voices. They will be at Barking Legs Theater.

Here is the link to get tickets in advance: "Just Like You [Transgender Voices on Being a Human]"

I invite and encourage you to go, to listen, to go and listen with an open mind and an open heart. I invite you to listen for the human traits from each voice. I invite you to allow your understanding, compassion, and empathy to expand.

Thank you for listening to my voice, 

Deb

(image courtesy of The Seed Theatre)

Hammock Time at North Chick

I had learned that North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park would be closing today, Monday March 23, for about a year as they make changes and improvements to the park. They are adding an ADA creek pier for viewing, a bathroom, paving the parking areas, etc. Information on the closure can be found here. There will be sections open for hiking from different trailheads.

Since I haven't been to my favorite hammock spot in a while, I knew I needed to get there before I couldn't access it for a year. I don't know if the spot will change or not, but not being able to go there for a year (or hike, etc.) is a long time.

Between church and a meeting, I went there. It was already getting full, but it got more full as I was there.

As I walked in, I noticed trillium and phlox. I set up my hammock in the normal spot I found years ago. Then I took pictures of the flowers I had seen on the way in. In addition to the trillium and phlox, I found quite a few little brown jugs. 

I spent some time in the hammock before heading to the rocks on the water. I went to a big rock that has a "tiger paw" print in it. I doubt that is what it is, but that's what it looks like. It's one of my go-to rocks. After listening to the water for a while and watching it flow, I headed back to the hammock. I noticed there were people on rocks to the left and the right. 

I brought a book with me: Creation's Call: A Lenten Guide to Spiritual Renewal by Teresa Angle-Young and Jessie Squires Colwell. I have read some of it prior, but it was good to be in creation as I read some of it. It has exercises to do in nature, teaches about the connection of nature to God, offers Scripture readings for reflection. I popped around the book. It's an affirmation to what I know and have experienced in creation. Just one quote from the book for now: "In a world that often feels overwhelming, the forest offers us a sanctuary of peace and restoration. The stress-reducing effects of spending time in nature can complement the biblical call to cast our anxieties upon God, who cares for us. As we immerse ourselves in nature, we find ourselves better equipped to truly entrust our worries to the divine." (78)

Nature time calms my soul, restoring peace and calm to my being. There is a physiological effect we get when we are in nature, among the trees, near the water. And that is what I was hoping for during my hammock time yesterday. Though I have several places I like to hang in my hammock, this place allows me to hear the roaring of the creek. It allows me to play on the rocks. Yesterday I even got to see a few kayakers go by. It's known as a good place for skilled kayakers and it is a fun thing to see when they are there.

I spent time in the hammock, listening to the roar of the water, looking up through the tree tops to the sky. At times there were clouds. At other times, it was just blue skies.

After hanging for a bit, I got up and went back to the rocks. Someone had moved from the big flat rock, so I headed there to check out the scenery. I was able to get close to the water and enjoy the coolness of the rocks.

Yesterday's weather was perfect for hammock time. I stayed about an hour and a half. Though I did have somewhere to be in the afternoon, I decided to leave because it was getting hot, into the 80s. The bright sun felt good, but I didn't have on shorts.

I made a list of what I saw, heard, smelled, and felt while hammock hanging and playing on the rocks:

• Blooms
• Buds
• Butterflies
• Coolness of rock
• Warmth of sun
• Kayakers
• Sunbathers
• Roar of the water over the rocks
• Little brown jugs
• Blue skies
• Lots of people on this last day prior to the closure for renovations
• Somebody smoking weed
• 78 degrees Fahrenheit
• Clouds flowing, expanding, dissipating
• Fresh air
• Climbing on rocks
• Peace and calm for my soul
• 80 degrees Fahrenheit when I left
• About an hour and a half of nature time

As always, my hammock time and the time by the creek and on the rocks was good for my soul, body, and mind. It is one of my spiritual practices. It allows me to also practice silence and solitude. I am grateful to have places nearby me where I can go easily into nature, creation. Though I will miss this spot and the park, I look forward to the upgrades.

Here are other photos I took while there. Contemplative photography is another spiritual practice I engage in while in nature.

Enjoy some outdoor time, wherever you are!

If you're not able to get out, maybe some of my photos will help you "be" in nature visually.

Peace, 

Deb

(ALL PHOTOS ARE MINE)

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Other articles about the North Chick closure:

News Channel 3 article

Tennessee State Parks article

Outdoor Time

Yesterday I was able to get in some outdoor time at Big Soddy Creek Gulf. It's a "go-to" place for me. It isn't too far away and it has all the required parts: water, woods, rocks, waterfall. It was a gorgeous afternoon and I was able to enjoy the scenery while getting some exercise. It was fun to see the wildflowers popping up in their colors. The creek was full and flowing, as was the waterfall. It is always good for my body, soul, and mind to get outdoor time. Yesterday was no exception. The nature therapy was perfect. Being outdoors in creation is a spiritual practice for me. Within that one spiritual practice, I get to practice several others: silence, solitude, contemplative photography. I am able to breathe in and out deeply, allowing the fresh air to fill my lungs. The beauty of creation was a gift. I am grateful to have experienced it.

As I walked back, I jotted down the things I had seen. Here is the list:

• Shade
• Sun
• Rocks
• Woods
• Water
• Roar
• Trickle
• Buds
• Blooms
• Silence
• Solitude
• Peace for the soul
• Blue skies
• Warmth
• Yellow
• White
• Purple
• Butterfly
• 74 degrees Fahrenheit
• Trout lily
• Phlox
• Toothwort
• Trillium
• Redbud
• Waterfall
• People
• Dogs
• Kids
• Bikes
• Breeze
• Fishermen
• Trout
• Hammocks
• Bridge
• Brick

The water I heard and saw was both loud and soft. There was the roaring of the creek and waterfall and the trickle of water coming down over some rocks. 

It was the first time I ever saw fishermen with fish-- a string of trout, up to the limit, I'm sure. 

The path was active, yet still quiet. It was definitely a great time of silence and solitude, peace for the soul. 

Here are pics from the hike. Enjoy the scenery:

Prior to going into the woods, I had seen a "meme" on Facebook. It read: 

"Nature doesn't care about your pace; it just cares that you're there. The squirrels won't judge your outfit and the trees are always happy to see you."  I am glad that my tie-dye shirt wasn't judged by the squirrels. 

It was definitely good to get some fresh air on a beautiful day before the rain rolls in.

Peace, 

Deb