Brethren Men's Retreat—20th Annual

Camp Myrtlewood
Friday Feb. 18th—Sunday Feb. 20th, 2011

Good Brothers All, IT'S BEEN 19 YEARS NOW AND IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER BRETHREN MEN'S RETREAT!! THIS YEAR'S RETREAT IS JUST OVER THREE WEEKS AWAY! SO, MAKE PLANS TODAY TO SHOW UP—WITH BELLS ON!!!

We'll do our usual thing and plan what we're going to do on Friday night when we get here. However, we have a few things laid out ahead of time that we can plan on. Our Native American Brothers will join us on Saturday and lead us in a traditional Sweat Lodge Ceremony. Our brother Barry Joyce recently found out that he has prostate cancer. Barry is hoping to be with us that day and we are looking forward to focusing our energy with healing prayer.

Uwe Mirsch is coming from Cottage Grove with a very special surprise! He has wanted to head up a special service project during Men's Retreat for several years. Uwe has a great project planned for anyone interested in sweating in another form. Believe me, this is going to be really cool!

We don't have a leader for Saturday morning's session. We've had great bible studies and other sessions in past years. If you're interested in leading a session, let Doug Eller know at (503) 287-8455.

Sunday morning worship is usually a potpourri-style worship. If you are interested in being one of the planners please let Doug know. Everybody brings their own offering of prayer, song, dance or whatever and the worship is always quite special.

BRING YOUR USUAL STUFF: Bibles, bedding and books. Clean underwear, musical instruments, stories, jokes, raspberry waffles, etc. (Ed Groff will be in Hawaii this year—so somebody else will have to bring waffles and Ed's iron if we're going to have anything to eat at midnight on Saturday).

PLEASE EMAIL US AT: manager@campmyrtlewood.org to let us know that you're coming and if you have any special dietary needs, allergies, etc. You can also phone Sol Weil (our new Assistant Co-Manager) at (541) 572-5307—He'll be in charge of registration and collection of your $60. Let Sol know if you need a scholarship. Also, let us know if you plan to stay on Sunday night and help us eat up the leftovers.

PREPARATORY READING: Marcus Borg's The Heart of Christianity and Borg and Dominique Crossan's new book The First Christmas are both great reads. If we don't find anything else to talk about (not likely), maybe Borg and Crossan will give us a bit of a nudge toward some good conversation.

You know, these Brethren Men's Retreats just seem to get better and better year after year. I have no doubt that this year's gathering will ring true in the same light! May we all carry the Light!

Many blessings and much love! Brother John