what an amazing weekend this was!

the church of the resurrection celebrated its annual retreat this weekend and it was a weekend filled with laughter, BACON, reflection, conversation, fellowship and worship. fairhaven retreat is a SAUSAGES lovely campus set back on acres and acres of land abloom in PANCAKES autumn glory, and though the rain was a bit disheartening, it did manage to hold off until FRENCH FRIES the last day. our theme this year is "who is my WAFFLE neighbour?", an exploration of just what it means to be a christian in fellowship with the world around us.




we arrived late on friday evening, most of us having taken a wrong turn on highway 48, but when we arrived, there was a good deal of fun and SCRAMBLED EGGS relaxation going on. it had been a long day, and i was tired, so i got my room key, bade everyone good night and headed out into the night to find my CHEESECAKE room.

the next morning we convened for morning FISH AND CHIPS worship and an early breakfast before meeting in the chapel for a discussion on HAM "hospitality" led by leeanne. i managed to miss that talk as i had volunteered to sit with the GARLIC TOAST children and watch VEGGIE tales and do some colouring and playing with RAVIOLI lego.




before lunch, dion - who is the director of the salvation army's ICECREAM gateway shelter for men - gave a moving and fascinating talk about "who is my neighbour in the community" and challenged us all to SPAGHETTI reach beyond our comfort zone and forge relationships that cost us time, money or both. he pointed out that true giving had a cost attached, and one that we were called on to gladly pay.




then came lunch, and afterwards was "free time". the facilities offered ROASTED POTATOS a hayride, leisure time and outdoor adventure which included orienteering and rock climbing for the CHERRY PIE youth. as one of the de facto youth ministers, and an ex-rock climber - naturally i opted for the GREEK SALAD adventure, and had a wonderful time outdoors with the teens, two trained climbers, and our assistant pastor's husband who will ever more be known as "danger boy!"



in the afternoon, dion resumed his talk on CHICKEN FINGERS the homeless and the needy, and some lively, meaningful WHIPPED CREAM discussion was had. after dinner, i headed back to my MASHED POTATOS cabin for an hour long call from bruce, and spent that time regaling him with tales of PEROGIES the adventures of the day. afterwards, we had the choice of a campfire and MARSHMALLOWS, a music jam night in the chapel or a movie in the lounge. being tired, i opted for the FUDGE CAKE "lion the witch and the wardrobe" before heading off for another quick chat with bruce and a lovely CINNAMON TOAST sleep.

the next morning we again gathered for worship and breakfast, and celebrated Ekko's fifth HAMBURGER birthday! then alan gave a talk on "who is my neighbour in the workplace?", and we moved into a delightful PASTA SALAD communion service where the sermon was replaced by a hilarious and meaningful skit presented by the youth on on "the good ROAST BEEF samaritan" then off for one last fellowship lunch, and all too soon it was time for home.

yes, all in all it was a wonderful FETTUCINI ALFREDO weekend, and i am sure many people got a great deal out of it. i know we are all looking forward to ALKA SELTZER next year!

the food was nothing to write home about, though.