Here at Mount Hebron
Presbyterian Church we continue to minister through our online
presence. Our sermon from last Sunday can be found on YouTube here
and in written form here.
One of the places I like
to go to refresh my spirit is Bon Secours Retreat Center, in Marriottsville, Maryland. Pictured above is the path and bridge around
the small water feature.
I am lucky that it is only
a short drive from my home. It truly is a place of refreshment and
hope. Our Presbytery has hosted a number of Clergy retreats there. I
have also visited for personal retreats.
Right now, as with many
such centers, they are having to discourage people from visiting.
However, they continue to reach out through their online resources.
Rev. Stephen Wade has
served as a spiritual director of one of their summer week-long
directed retreats for many years. On the Bon Secours blog, he offers
the following prayer, by Pope Francis, to the Bon Secours community
with hope and thanksgiving. I thought it was well worth sharing.
“Tonight
before falling asleep
think about
when we will return to the street.
When we hug
again,
when all the
shopping together will seem like a party.
Let’s think
about when the coffees will return to the bar,
the small
talk, the photos close to each other.
We think
about when it will be all a memory
but normality
will seem an unexpected and beautiful gift.
We will love
everything that has so far seemed futile to us.
Every second
will be precious.
Swims at the
sea, the sun until late, sunsets, toasts, laughter.
We will go
back to laughing together.
Strength and
courage.”
I hope you are able to
find moments for positive reflection and refreshment during these
uncertain times. For some music, MercyMe sing “Even If.”
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