“My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”
This past weekend was our parish retreat at Kanuga Camp and Conference Center in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina where we lifted our eyes to the hills and pondered the words of Psalm 121 and the assurance that God is with us in every situation.
After arriving on Friday afternoon, we gathered at the firepit for a sunset compline led by Rob Turk. Afterwards, we roasted marshmallows for s’mores and the kids played flashlight tag.
On Saturday, we met in the Gooch meeting hall for a Disney-themed get-to-know-you game and a Bible study on our theme scripture, Psalm 121. Then, Rachel Horkan led us in a group art project where we made an altar cloth for our Eucharist service the next day. In the afternoon, we explored the many things there are to do at Kanuga. Some went hiking, some boating, and some swimming. Some played on the beach while others enjoyed the rocking chairs on the inn porch. After dinner, we met in the wooded St. Francis Chapel for another compline service led by Hope Westervelt and our youth. Then, we returned to the Gooch building for trivia night, hosted by Nidia Svare and Tim Hoskins. Congratulations to the Purple Team for your hard-fought victory!
On Sunday, we made our way back to the forest chapel for Holy Eucharist celebrated by the Rev. Cynthia Knapp with music led by Jonathan Poe and Lacey Chaney. Then we took group photos in our retreat T-shirts in the chapel and by the lake. Then we packed up and made our way home to Georgia.
Thank you to everyone who participated, the Christ Church staff, the Retreat Planning Committee, and all the staff at Kanuga!
