Home From Malibu! (Day One)

Reflecting on the beauty, provocative invitations, and all around goodness of this week's retreat (part 1)

This week in Malibu, fifty-one of us from around the country gathered for healing, solidarity, and re-imagination. In many ways, we followed the usual retreat flow: Day one for gathering and beginning to rest, Day two for prayer, solitude, and delight, and Day three for the practical tools to serve our communities. We want to BOTH learn how to live unforced rhythms of Grace AND empower our churches to live unforced rhythms of Grace AS WE invite our neighborhoods, cities, and world into unforced rhythms of Grace. The way of Christ is such good news for all.

In light of a bruising election season and the tumultuous world in which we are trying to live and lead others, this retreat also had a distinct focus on peacemaking. What does it mean to cultivate peacemaking in our hearts, get proximate with those on the margins, tangibly work for justice in our neighborhoods, and lead communities of peacemaking? Let’s reflect back on the retreat…

Arriving.

As we arrived to Serra Retreat, most of us walked out to the point and gasped at the view of Malibu, the mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. Pictures can’t do it justice. And honestly, the beauty of this part of the world was a constant companion for our prayers, reflection, and conversations.

As always, we gather in the round with the communion table at the center of the room. The space reminds us that this is a communal experience, not focused on any leader, with Christ at the very center. We began with worship (check out the opening liturgy), did the “How am I arriving?” practice, shared in triads, and as we always do, sang the Common Hymnal’s glorious song “The Kingdom is Yours”.

After a break, we went on a field trip down to the Labyrinth. Sophfronia explained the heart of this embodied practice and encouraged us to explore it during the retreat.

The World in Which We Find Ourselves.

When we returned, Jon and Nina helped us cannonball into the reality of the world. Jon said, “Okay, let’s name the elephant in the room and talk about the election.” And he guided us into a fearless yet winsome conversation about engaging this season in the Way of Christ. He also offered a bit of history—reminding us of a similar season in American history, 1968, and the ways Christ-followers responded. I really appreciated that Jon “widened our aperture” to see this moment as both unique and part of a much bigger movement.

From this place of open awareness, Nina invited us into a self-reflection practice based on Hebrews 11. She gently unpacked these four tangible invitations:

(1) Look with hope back to the great cloud of witnesses—
both historic and in your own story.
(2) Notice and throw off every weight that slows you down.
(3) Name the sin that easily trips you up.
(4) Run the race that has been laid out for you.

Jon and Nina

What Happened to Me?

After dinner, Jonathan shared a tender personal story and tied it to the historic text of Ezekiel 37. He taught “In moments where our lives seem to be falling apart, some questions really are better than others.” Asking Who did this to me? is a question of blame, and it won’t serve us well. Similarly, What’s wrong with me? is a question of shame, and will only shut us down. However, the question What happened to me? is a question of holy curiosity that opens up immense space for God to do God’s healing work. Friends, this is the way. It’s not easy!! But it can create space for the deep transformation we long for.

Night Prayer.

Finally, as is our practice, we ended the night with a contemplative Compline service based on the New Zealand Prayer Book, an original song from Matt 11 (MSG), and the trust that God will watch over us as we sleep. Here’s a recording of the liturgy…

Even though it happens every retreat, I’m still blown away by all that happens in these first few hours of retreat. At 2pm, we are mostly strangers from around the country, but as we finish Compline with this gorgeous collect…

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen. (BCP)

…we end the day as a new community. It is a mystery. And a miracle. Thanks be to God!

Join us tomorrow to reflect on day two.

Grace and peace,
Aaron and the retreat team

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