Strength for the Journey, part 2

Part 2

There's a song in the Worship & Song book (3113) that was introduced at the beginning of the retreat: "A Wilderness Wandering People". What a perfect song for the theme, the time, the retreat. It wasn't planned, it just happened. When the music leader opened the worship book, that's where it opened. Serendipity. 

The lyrics are below. I invite you to read through them and reflect on them. What word, words, or phrases stand out to you? Hold those as you listen to the song in the link below the lyrics.  

A Wilderness Wandering People      
Jim Strathdee
© 1996 Desert Flower Music
 
1. We are a wilderness wandering people on a journey of the soul.  

May we find our destination in our longing to be whole. 

Our Holy God is calling to us. 

With Jesus by our side  may compassion be 

our compass; may the Spirit be our guide.
 
2. May we cherish all our children, let us heal our family’s pain. 

Help us cure our city’s madness, let love and justice reign. 

Reconciled with one another in prayer and praise and song, we’re the body of Christ together and we know that we belong, we belong, we belong, we belong.

As I read the lyrics, here is what stands out to me:

• a journey of the soul
• longing to be whole
• compassion
• guide
• cherish
• heal
• let love and justice reign
• reconciled
• together
• we belong

What this time apart reflecting on the wilderness has meant to me is a little bit hard to explain, but I will attempt it. 

I came into a community knowing very few people. About a handful of staff, if that. I knew some names of others from conference, but didn't know them well. Others I didn't know at all. Then there are the campers. I didn't know a single one.

There was a sense of belonging from the get-go, a sense of acceptance, connectedness, love, and grace. I have experienced acceptance and grace in community before. I have written about it. The Emmaus Community has been a major community of acceptance and grace for me since 1998. Yet, this week has been different.  These people didn't know me, they received me, accepted me, and allowed me into their lives. 

It has been life giving to 

• worship together
• do crafts together,
• listen to people's stories
• enjoy campfire time together
• laugh together
• share meals together
• fellowship together
• etc. 

I would venture to say that this week has been life-changing for me. It has allowed me to use the gifts and graces that the Creator has given me and to receive the gifts and graces from others.

The weather has offered thunderstorms, rain, and breezes. The beauty of the changing weather, the view of the mountain, the mountain laurel, the roses, and other blooms has sunk into my soul. I didn't know how much I needed the nature therapy.

Do you want to learn more about Strength for the Journey? 

Here's a link to an article written by Buzz Trexler from May of 2025 that offers great insight into the retreat:

Holston's HIV/AIDS ministry draws 'campers' from 5 states

This week is giving me strength for the journey.

Peace, 

Rev. Deb

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.

---

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