USING COMPANIONS TO SHAPE A RETREAT

by Marjorie J. Thompson

Have you ever considered using portions of Companions in Christ to shape other kinds of spiritual formation opportunities in your congregation or ministry setting? We'd like to suggest that you give this prayerful and creative consideration.

For example, you might design a retreat using just one week of a Companions resource. Suppose I wanted to plan a one-day retreat (church-wide, or for youth, or for a men's or women's association). I decide to use Part 1, Week 2 of the foundational resource as the basis, because I think our people need to absorb more fully their deep identity in Christ. The world is always ready to give us our sense of identity through achievement, status, or appearance, but these are false and finally unsatisfying sources of identity.

So I build an opening worship time around a scripture text featured in Week 2, and include a few reflection questions around this theme to help people begin relating to it from their personal experience. I add a hymn and prayer, possibly drawing on suggestions for the "Opening" of the small group meeting in the Leader's Guide.

Then I develop a presentation of 15-20 minutes, based on the article in Week 2, drawing out what seems most important and perhaps expanding the theme with an illustration or two from contemporary sources or my own life.

Following this I select one or two of the "Daily Exercises" for that week, inviting people to go apart in quiet to reflect, pray, and journal. The morning would end with time for small groups to share their reflective process with the exercises, and a plenary gathering to share some of the fruit of the morning.

After lunch, I would use the "Deeper Explorations" of the weekly meeting as a basis for an experiential process with the whole group. This is easily expanded into several sections:

Reflect on Response to Readings: I might ask different people to read the two scripture texts and the Henri Nouwen quote. I would probably give a minute of quiet for people to journal notes of response to the first reading, two minutes after the second reading, and 3-4 minutes after the last reading. Then I would allow at least 10 minutes for paired sharing, and another 5-10 minutes for gathering phrases depending on the total number of participants. This would be about a half hour process.

Solitary Reflection with Scripture: I would encourage people to find a place apart for this process. I would also encourage them to walk during or after the reflection and journaling time. They might want to return to some reflection on the texts from part 1. Give this about 45 minutes.

Allow a 15 minute break with light refreshments.

Re-gather for the baptismal remembrance ritual. Take it slowly. Without rushing, read the Janet Wolf story. Allow time for people to blow their noses, as this is a moving story. Depending on the size of the group, you might need several stations around the room with a bowl of water at each. Decorate with smooth river stones or shells around each bowl and lay a small hand towel beside it. Invite people to come to the station(s) in pairs, the same person they shared with after part 1. You might play very soft, ambient instrumental music in the background as people offer each other their words of blessing and take time to pray with each other.

Invite everyone to a brief time of silent reflection on the gifts of the day (5 minutes). Then guide a simple "examen" process with questions like these:

Where did I experience God's presence most vividly today?
Where did I feel out-of-sync or troubled?

For what am I most thankful?

What do I wish could have been different?

Where do I feel renewed energy or purpose?

Close with a worship time of 15 minutes or so, inviting people to express their thanksgiving, praise, and petition in spontaneous prayer. Include music!

If you choose to create a retreat or workshop from some portion(s) of Companions materials, be sure to tell people where this is coming from. It is a wonderful way to interpret the content and formational purpose of Companions to the wider congregation, exposing them to a taste of the experience!