I guess the people of God in the Old Testament had to do a lot of work to prepare for the Sabbath. So do we! I thought I'd pass along a letter from Dave Williams sent out to several people, requesting prayer for the upcoming Sabbath Retreat. (And the schedule below.) -Adam
Dear Friends,
As I prepare to lead a "Sabbath Retreat" for my fellow pastors next week in Colorado, I am keenly aware of the need for adequate prayer cover. The more I lead retreats like this one, the more conscious I am of the enemy’s desire to undermine any efforts we might make to help our spiritual leaders experience rest and renewal. I have experienced tangible resistance to the topic of Sabbath rest, in particular. This should come as no surprise, of course. If Satan can keep church leaders in a state of perpetual exhaustion, disillusionment and isolation, the rest of the body will tend to fall apart as well, i.e., “strike the shepherd, scatter the sheep” (cf. Mt 26:31).
With this in mind, I am writing to ask you if you might be willing to join me in prayer for this retreat, for each of our brothers and sisters who will be participating, for Gabe and Sarah as they lead worship, and for me as I offer teaching and spiritual direction. I am including a list of registrants below, and attaching a copy of the retreat schedule so you can pray more personally and strategically. Lord willing, this retreat will help each of us become better equipped to care for ourselves, not only for our own sake, but for the sake of those we are called to serve.
Thanks for your partnership in this vital ministry!
Blessings,
Dave Williams
2009 EFC-MAYM/RMYM Pastor's Sabbath Retreat registrations:
Dan & Janet Biernacki
David & Rochelle Bridges
Eldon & Gayle Cox
Tom Decker
Rich & Karen Miller
Darin Kearns
Dave Kingrey
Mark McDonald
Matt Macy
Adam Monaghan
Eric Linville
Charles & Vicky Orwiler
David & Jan Robinson
Charity & Richard Sandstrom
Ken & Lila Smith
Homer & Lois Smuck
Ben Staley
Lyle & Peggy Whiteman
Scott & Susan Rose
Jadon & Audrey Ross
John & Vicki Hinshaw
Francis & Bulah McKinney
Bill & Helen Powell
Forrest Brandt
Donnie & Rhonda Hinshaw
Gabe & Sarah Hancock
David Williams
Thayne Thompson
Gary Getting
Carol Whorton
Alfred & Mabel Lugalia
Eric & Lisa Mason
Jeff & Mary Naggell
Pastors Sabbath Retreat:
“Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Is Listening”
Discerning God’s Voice in an Age of Complexity and Confusion
May 11-14, 2009 - YMCA of the Rockies/Estes Park, Colorado
Sponsored by
Evangelical Friends Church-Mid America
Rocky Mountain Yearly Meeting
The Center for Spiritual Renewal at Barclay College
Monday, May 11:
4-6pm Check-in at Alpen Inn
6-7pm Supper Served
7:30pm Welcome Session
9-11pm Hospitality Room Open
Featuring Espressos by Thayne Thompson
Tuesday, May 12:
8-9am Breakfast Served
9:00am Morning Session w/ David Williams:
Discerning God’s Voice through Nature
12-1pm Lunch Served
1-6pm Free Time: Rest & Renewal
6-7pm Supper Served
7:30pm Evening Session w/ David Williams:
Discerning God’s Voice through Scripture
9-11pm Hospitality Room Open
Featuring Shakes & Malts by Gary Getting
Wednesday, May 13:
8-9am Breakfast Served
9:00am Morning Session w/ David Williams:
Discerning God’s Voice through Prayer
12-1pm Lunch Served
1-6pm Free Time: Rest & Renewal
6-7pm Supper Served
7:30pm Evening Session w/ David Williams:
Discerning God’s Voice through Community
9-11pm Hospitality Room Open
Featuring Limeades by Charity Sandstrom
Thursday, May 14:
7:30am Friends Ministers Fellowship Meeting
Everyone invited to participate
8-9am Breakfast
10:00am Check-out
Special thanks to Gabe & Sarah Hancock, who will be leading us in worship throughout the retreat.
