This week I am enjoying my annual retreat from reality.  Though my husband would probably say that I retreat daily…..nonetheless–I am enjoying R & R, family time, vacation, and worship all rolled into one!   I am at Lakeside on Lake Erie for the week —I grew up coming here this time each year with my family as it is the week of East Ohio Annual Conference for the United Methodist Church.  Since my Daddy was a UM minister it was part of what we did each year.  While he sat in business meetings , long one, I might add, the family got to play.  After I got married I introduced my husband to Lakeside and he fell in love with it as much as me, I think.  Through the years we brought our family up during annual conference week as often as we could.  We rent a cottage with the family and cram into spaces that we wouldn’t normally cram into.  We have a lot of togetherness.  So far this week so good.  It is early yet….

One of the best things to experience is worship –especially the service that begins the week of Annual Conference on Monday morning.   It is the service of Holy Communion and Remembrance.  What a powerful service.   Opening hymn:   And Are We Yet Alive? (words by Charles Wesley)

And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face?   Glory and thanks to Jesus give for His almighty grace!

Preserved by power divine to full salvation here, again in Jesus’ praise we join and in His sight appear.

What troubles have we seen, what mighty conflicts past, fightings without, and fears within, since we assembled last!

Yet out of all the Lord has brought us by His love: and still He doth His help afford, and hides our life above,

Then let us make our boast of His redeeming power, which saves us to the uttermost, till we can sin no more.

Let us take up the cross till we the crown obtain, and gladly reckon all things loss so we may Jesus gain.

 

But the most moving part is the remembrance part where the names of clergy, clergy spouses and laity who have passed on during the past year are read and candles are lit—all after the singing of “For All the Saints”….for any of you who have heard this sung by  a large group of clergy and laity it is unforgettable.   I carry it with me all year.

So this week I am going to enjoy time away–away from my usual blog hops and postings but I am sure you will be seeing some pictures of one of the places that I love the most!   And of course I have to post on June 15th who the winner of my Hobby Lobby giveaway is!!!    And Teapot Tuesday….so I guess I still will be posting…..Enjoy your day—I am!