Retirees connect at annual retreat
Registration for this year’s Retired Clergy/Spouse Retreat, at Canyon Camp on Oct. 10-12, will begin early this month.
Clergy retirees and their spouses should watch for the September issue of the newsletter Off Their Rockers for information on registration. A discount is available for new retirees.
Larry Jacobson described the camaraderie that awaits. He is a retired elder who pastors at OKC-Lambuth. He wrote the following.
"We get together every fall. This time we’re giving it a Western theme, because our keynote speaker is Tex Sample, though he’s really not from Texas. So the theme is ‘Don’t Fence Me In!’ That’s appropriate, don’t you think, for retired United Methodists? Most of us have paid more than our share of U-Haul rentals. We’ve lived in enough towns and know enough characters to write a personal history of Oklahoma.
"That reminds me of a story told to me by a Texan who preached mostly in Oklahoma. He said he didn’t really like it here at first, but read in the Bible something that changed his mind. He quoted Saint Paul: ‘I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’
"See, when you’re retired, everything reminds you of a story. So you share it, and pretty soon everyone is laughing! And when we laugh together, we’re creating fellowship and unity. Then we can also cry together, pray together, and love each other. We become truly united United Methodists! And Jesus always shows up.
"Be sure to put the date on your calendar. Call some friends to join you! You’ll be glad you did."
Tex Sample is a professor at the Saint Paul School of Theology campus in Kansas City.
Bishop Jimmy Nunn plans to visit the retreat to meet the retirees, said Vicky Langston of the planning team.
Other activities will include a program on therapy dogs, a greeting card workshop, and brain teasers for "Minding Your Mind." There also will be Western music, folk dancing, chair volleyball, storytelling, and music led by Ginger and Wes Howl.