Fall Spiritual Renewal Weekend

I can’t think of a more church-y or intimidating word than “covenant”. In a society that is filled with broken promises, shattered vows and hypocritical institutions, it’s a word we tend to avoid.“Covenant”, though, is getting a little more attention these days. Because of recent changes in marriage laws, it is a word that is making its way into mainstream media more often.While we tend to relate covenant to marriage, there are many forms of covenant. Workplaces, communities and groups invite us to make covenants and covenants are nothing new. They are as old as the ancient stories that are told throughout Scripture.But what does “covenant" mean?If it is simply a “contract,” why don’t we use that word?If we are just talking about a serious commitment, why don’t we simply perform “Serious Commitment Ceremonies”?Maybe it would do us some good to re-visit the ancient practice of covenant and to imagine together how it can be expressed more faithfully in our lives and communities.This will be the focus of our Fall Spiritual Renewal Weekend, October 23-25.We will begin the weekend on Friday evening with games & desserts at Kevin & Susan’s home at 7 p.m. On Saturday, we will gather at Resurrection Episcopal Church from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for a day of renewal, learning and outdoor picnic-ing together. Our retreat leader, Dr. David Garber, will help us explore the meaning of covenant in light of the biblical covenants between God and humans, as well as humans with each other. We will also be challenged to rethink how covenant might play a role in our relationships, with the Christian community, and with God. Afterward, those who are interested will walk the trails at Fort Caroline together. We will return to Third & Main for a community worship gathering on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. (our usual time).The cost is only $15 per adult. If this creates a hardship for you, please let us know.