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Spiritual Growth Coordinator Marilyn Ramsey
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The Clarion |
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As I reflect on the first 4 months of this year, it has flown by. So much to do and so little time to do it! Before I go any further let me ask you to take time to stop, breathe and smell the roses. Too often we get caught up in the busyness of life and forget about ourselves. Please take time to commune with God and don’t forget that our creator is also our constant companion who is with us wherever we are. We can lean on the everlasting arms when things overwhelm us. It’s the ordinary things of life that sometimes “gang up” and cause us to get stressed out – so smell those roses and take some time for yourself. One of those times we have is the Spiritual Growth Retreats in April. This year’s retreat was exceptional with Rev TroyAnn Poulopoulos leading us on the path to a closer walk with our Lord. The theme was “Lord, Why Am I InThe Desert?” and many of the participants said this was something they really needed. I guess we all have that dry spell from time to time and it doesn’t mean we are bad people. We just need some guidance to get back on the path. |
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The weather was beautiful and the scenery was and/is always spectacular. Several of us saw a lone eagle catching a fish in its talons or just sitting in a tree waiting for the right moment to fly on down the river. Spring was bursting out all over. Our totals were up and I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. We had a lot of fun and our spirits were renewed by study, music and the friends, both old and new, that we saw at Lakeshore. And don’t forget the wonderful food that Lakeshore is known for and provides. We were sustained in both body and spirit. Next year the retreat will be just as wonderful, so plan on the last weekend in April as those are the dates scheduled. The prayer banners we made will be displayed at CMEE and yes, this is the last year for CMEE at Lambuth University. The name may change and we MAY be back there next year, but right now it is all up in the air. Stay tuned for further developments. And since this is the last year for Lambuth, why don’t you plan on coming to CMEE (registration forms are online – see FORMS in the menu of the Clarion) and let’s make this the best one yet. The university has been a center for West Tennessee Methodists for several decades and many of you have graduated from there. We all have fond memories and will hate to see it end, but all things do come to an end.
And on that note, I will say “God Be With You Til We Meet Again”. Marilyn Ramsey Conference Spiritual Growth Coordinator |