We are not where we were; we are not yet where we will be. We are on our way.
This is true physically, relationally, vocationally, and spiritually. To be alive is to be in motion: Growing. Searching. Losing. Discovering.
We are stumbling from known to unknown, from history into mystery.
And friend, as you well know, the road is terrifying. And thrilling. And messy. And the In Between is often where we experience Christ’s most tangible presence. Being On the Way seems to open our eyes to the One who has been with us all along, AND animates the humble willingness to let God be our Guide.
We can't build a shelter on the mountaintop, as St Peter discovered. We can't remain for long in the valley of the shadow of death, as the Psalmist articulated. Most of life is In Between: leaving what was in the hope of living into what might be.
In the New Testament, amazing things happen when people are on their way from one place to somewhere else. Jesus is born when Mary is on the way to be counted in the census. Paul meets Jesus on his way to Damascus. Philip is on his way to Gaza when he meets the Ethiopian eunuch. Even Jesus himself is described as THE WAY in the Gospel of John.
In 2025, each PP&G retreat will help us find Christ on the way. Or better said: to be found by Christ on the way. We'll explore three gospel stories where Jesus met someone on the road and asked them a question that honored the exact place they stood, while inviting them further. Through these ancient texts and evergreen spiritual practices, we’ll make space for the Spirit of Christ to help us take the next right step into Love.
You don’t have to stumble this path alone.
You can join a motley community of priests, spiritual directors, pastors, worship leaders, therapists, youth pastors, liturgists, vestry members, elders, authors…leaders from every Christian tradition who haven’t given up on the broken but beautiful Church. Each retreat follows a similar framework and theme, and takes on a unique personality and energy, depending on the location.
Please let us know if you have any questions. If finances are an issue, we have a few partial scholarships available. Click here to ask about a scholarship! We will do whatever we can to support the work God wants to do in and through you.
May the God who wandered with the Hebrew people for 40 years in the desert call us more fully onto the journey. May the Christ who took on flesh to wander with lost sheep teach us what it means to be fully alive. And may the Spirit who lives within every beloved wanderer give us what we need to take the next, brave, faith-soaked, grace-empowered step. Amen.
Hope to see you in Houston.
Grace and peace,
Aaron and the entire PP&G Team
This is so exciting. Cannot wait to gather with you all in Boston!