My “regular” readers have surely been aware of my absence for the last few weeks.  So, where have I been?  On quite the adventure!  During the week of July 14-18th, I spent time at the Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry on the Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee.  Imagine being in a place where you are surrounded by people who care about and work for children’s issues in North America?  From the powerful voice of Marian Wright Edelman to the challenge made by the Rev. Dr. Luther Smith, Jr. to help build a community for change, participants were energized and presented with tools to help all of us advocate for the needs of children.

Following a few days of work in my office, I again “hit the highway” to take part in a spiritual retreat - SOULfeast.  Wow, what a blessing!  Again, surrounded by people who care for the soul and/or in search of care for their souls, I stood in awe!  From the Labyrinth to the plenaries led by the awesome Marjorie Thompson, from the re-connection with former classmates to my own transformation as I led a workshop on “Martha and Mary”*, and from the calmness of Lake Junaluska to the powerful lightening storms above the hills, I left SOULfeast with a renewed sense of why I am in ministry for children.

On returning to my office this week, I realized that FOCUS 2009 - the United Methodist quadrennial event for all people in ministry for children - will begin in less than a year.  My prayer for this event is that participants will come with open hearts and depart with full hearts.  We plan to create an event that will ignite that fire within us to go out an continue God’s work with a new zeal!

Next week, I will once again bring a new topic for your thoughts and response.  Blessings to you, my friends!

peace,
melanie

*Luke 10.38-42
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴²there is need of only one thing.* Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 7:00 am and is filed under Children's Defense Fund, FOCUS 2009, SOULfeast. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.