Companions' Retreat

Thanks to everyone who wished us well for Mary Mag Day.  We had a wonderful celebration, and then immediately packed up and went to the Catskills for a five-day retreat with the Covenant Companions.  After our plans for a stay at a retreat house fell through, we rented a house: easy!  We shared preparing meals, setup and cleanup, and leading worship.  It turned out to be a great way to build community.

On the first night we rejoiced as Lorraine Coscia-Ackerman made her first annual covenant commitment.  After a year as a Candidate, we agreed that she is ready to begin to share in leadership and active contribution to the Companions network.  Lorraine also served as our "kitchen honcho" for the retreat, and did a great job.

We also were thrilled to receive Dario Ghersi as a Candidate for Covenant Companionship.  Dario lives in Omaha, where he is a professor of bio-informatics.  After nine months in the Covenant Group, he desired a deeper commitment.

We missed our fifth Covenant Companion Candidate, Amy Malick, who had other commitments that week, but we were able to Skype her in for some of the conversations and conferences.  It's almost impossible to find a time when everyone can make the trip, so we're grateful for the technology that lets us be together in other ways.

So what did we do?  We shared stories, to get to know one another more.  We spent two days in silence, reflecting on questions Shane and Elizabeth asked and conference talks they delivered.  We discussed reading we had done, and we told more stories around a campfire.  We took walks, together and alone.  We challenged one another to grow into the full stature of Christ.

If you are curious about the Covenant Companions, please feel free to contact us.  If you want a community to support you in intentional living and mission, if you feel a resonance with our Charism and Covenant, we'd love to get to know you and talk with you.

And if you are simply listening and praying for us, thank you!  This is only possible through prayer.  Pray that this field may grow and bear fruit in the lives of all who need the message of new life.  Thank you and bless you!