16th Annual Brethren Men's Retreat

Hey brothers—it's time!! Sixteen years is a longer time than many of us can remember—time to get it right, again!

Friday afternoon/evening arrival—We'll keep the soup pot on for those who have to show up late. As always—we lay out/create the schedule/program on Friday evening. As always—WE are the "program." So, get with the program! Bring your ideas, craft stuff, musical instruments, Bibles and other inspirational literature, pair of sticks (in case you don't have any other musical instrument), raspberry jam and midnight waffles, stories (new and old), recorded tunes or films or slideshows or power point presentations about your trip to the back of beyond, peanuts in the shell, poetry and other writings, prayer concerns, photos of family, friends or past men's retreats (the three are not necessarily mutually exclusive). In short—feel welcome to share whatever is in and on your heart!

Also bring the basic material stuff: bedding (most guys just bring a sleeping bag and pillow)—mattresses are provided—toilet kit, towel, extra clothes; it's bound to be cold and wet at times, maybe some extra shoes too, your favorite hat, flashlight, rain coat and pants are always a good idea, gloves if you're prone to cold hands or if you are the sort who is always looking for a work chore to help out with, extra socks, earplugs, a writing implement of some kind—and don't forget those jokes—good or bad, it doesn't matter (we've all done both)!

I hope we have the wise guys from the east again this year. I know of one who is definitely coming—Brother Bob Etzweiler from the fair state of Vermont. Bob will be one of our resource leaders. He'll be sharing with us some of the stuff he does related to "connecting with the creator through the creation." Believe me, it'll be good!

Brother Barry Joyce of the Native American Church will again join us and "pour water" for our Traditional Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony on Saturday Afternoon. Brother Bill Hainey is putting a special activity together for guys who don't plan to participate in the Sweat. Brother Mike Titus is excited to be back with us after missing the past two retreats—anyone who knows Mike, knows that he tells the best jokes! Brother Rocci Hildum won't be with us this year due to pending oral and cataract surgeries and work-related responsibilities. Please keep Brother Rocci in your prayers!

If you might be interested in offering leadership for any special session or for Sunday morning's worship service please tell Doug Eller (503) 287-8455 or John Jones (541) 572-5307.

Please phone John Jones and Margaret Jones at (541) 572-5307 to let them know if you are coming. You can also email them at jjones@uci.net. We always appreciate your calls because it makes camp cleaning and meal planning so much easier!

Also, please tell John and Meg if you have special dietary needs, allergies, etc. Please don't be shy-special needs are not a problem as long as we know about them ahead of time!!

The retreat will officially end after lunch on Sunday. As always, guys who wish to stay over on Sunday night are most welcome-no extra charge, we'll eat the leftovers! ;-)

Cost this year is $50. Scholarships are available, so let John and Margaret know if you are interested, when you call or email them.

PS: Please pass this message on to other brothers-we don't want to leave anybody out who might not be on the current email list!

PPS: If anyone is interested in doing a bit of preparatory reading, I can recommend Marcus Borg's book The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith-specifically Chapter 6 titled Born Again: A New Heart. Also, check out the last essay (titled Adam's Story: The Peace That Is Not Of This World) in Henri J. M. Nouwen's book Seeds Of Hope. One last bit of reading might be included in this year's Men's Retreat focus-an essay by Bill Moyers, titled A Parable For Our Times that was published on Friday, December 22, 2006 by www.TomPaine.com. You might also be able to find it in the archives of www.commondreams.org.

It is pretty difficult to adequately describe Men’s Retreat. It truly is more of a state of being and an experience than it is a place or event. The annual Men’s Retreat at Camp Myrtlewood is not a traditional Christian Retreat. It is not a traditional anything. Men’s Retreat began with a small group of men in the Pacific Northwest District of the Church of the Brethren who wanted to get together and share. It has evolved, or is that devolved, into an annual event that inspires in men a loyalty and devotion that few other things will.

The event takes place on a weekend in February beginning on Friday evening and ending on Sunday. There is always an option of staying over Sunday and leaving on Monday. The event is attended by a group of about 20 or 30 regulars who have been attending for years and a few visitors from as far away as Ohio, Illinois, and Virginia; there are always newcomers and unexpected arrivals including a few lost travelers who always seem to find their way to Myrtlewood. This annual event has become for many of the regular attendees the high point of their spiritual life every year.

What is most truly unique about Men’s Retreat is the absolutely unconditional acceptance and love offered to each and every man who comes, whether you have been there for the last fifteen years or you got lost on your way to a motorcycle race in California (which has happened); no matter your physical and/or mental abilities and/or limitations; no matter your theology and lack thereof. All are more than welcomed, they are embraced.

On Saturday mornings there may or may not be a planned program with leadership (Men’s Retreat has cultivated a unique culture that abhors too much planning); there is time for hiking to Vista Point and sharing Camp Myrtelwood’s greatest gift of hospitality to people and nature; or just sitting in the lodge by the fireplace telling and listening to lies told with varying degrees of expertise and flourish. In the afternoon on Saturday there is a Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony in a lodge built on the Camp Myrtlewood Property. The weekend officially ends on Sunday after worship, though several men usually stay Sunday and leave on Monday.

There is usually a lot of music and singing, though music and singing may not be terms that would be universally applied to what happens when a lot of men without the benefit of female supervision pick up musical instruments. There is usually an eclectic mix of jokes both told and practical, including occasionally playing an unaware victim with Margaret’s soup and simultaneously jacking his truck up on blocks and then watching him try to drive away, which has also happened.

Do be cautious, come once and it’s very likely you’ll be back, every year.

17th Annual Brethren Men's Retreat