Ministers retreat for renewal: Singing God’s Story

By Phil Hamm

Ministry leaders had a wonderful opportunity to refresh their souls during the ministerial retreat at Wilderness Edge Resort and Conference Centre in Pinawa, Man., November 26–28, 2022.

Retreat organizers Scott and Debbie Dick (Ste. Agathe, Man.) and Michael and Katrina Vanderzwaag (Mennville, Man.) led us in icebreakers and recreation activities. They did a fantastic job arranging “friendly” ping pong, pool and curling competitions. After the meals and evening worship service, many people sat around and enjoyed getting caught up with other ministry leaders and sharing personal challenges. We connected as we shared and prayed together around great food.

In preparation for the retreat, those coming were asked to share a book that had impacted them in the last year. Throughout the retreat, ten names were drawn from a hat and those individuals received a book that someone had recommended. Happy reading!

The theme Singing God’s Story was developed through singing together led by Mo Friesen, EMC’s new Director Next Generation, and Janine Parkinson (Rosenort EMC)— which was a great way to provide uplifting therapy. Speaker Patrick Friesen explored four themes: Singing Creation’s Praise, Singing the World’s Pain, Singing Salvation’s Victory, and Singing Eternity’s Hope.

We began Saturday evening by Singing Creation’s Praise. Our spirits were lifted by the lyrics and the heavenly harmonies. We were encouraged to reflect on the wonders of creation and the grandeur of our Creator. We live in such a diverse creation showing God’s creativity.

Mo Friesen and Janine Parkinson lead ministerial members in song.

Patrick’s passion is photography, but our eyes see more than a camera lens. However, a camera can create a composition displaying the wonderful detail God used to create the world. In our worship we should not only focus on the present but on eternity—past, present and future. God has given us creativity to innovate and create new expressions of worship.

Sunday morning the theme of Singing the World’s Pain was our focus. Janine shared several of her compositions on lament. The psalms are full of lament. One example is Psalm 22. We were encouraged to take a psalm and pray through the psalm while personalizing it.

One of our EMC associate missionaries, Elvira Cote, who is focused on ministry among Indigenous People in Canada, shared some of the pain that she has endured even from her own people as she seeks to share Christ. Many in that community have seen abuse and much pain but the key is to forgive those who did harm. When you forgive, you receive peace from God.

Patrick shared that lament is a cry to God because we know that God will work in response to our cries just like parents care for their children when they cry out in pain. What we practice in the good times is our strength in the bad times. We are to fill our minds with God’s love and care. As the song “Does Jesus Care?” says, “Yes, he cares.” Where is the pain in our community? We need to see the world’s pain because life is not pain free. Lament is not our final prayer. We can finish our intercession with a hallelujah.

Speaker Patrick Friesen describes how, as we live in the world, we anticipate the glory of heaven without neglecting our current community on earth.

Sunday evening the theme was Singing Salvation’s Story. We need to keep our focus on Christ, his death and resurrection. Our worship services can become rituals and rituals form habits that we become comfortable with. When rituals lose their purpose or meaning, we begin to practice superstition. We need to understand what we are doing and why we do it. When we make choices for worship, we need to do it with intent. The songs that are chosen need to tell the story of God. After a message the music needs to solidify the commitment that people make in response to the message. As people go back into the world, they need to act out the commitment that they have made.

Monday the focus was on Singing Eternity’s Hope. We sang a “fourth stanza medley of songs” which expressed our hope of heaven. Many of our songs have a message of hope and eternity in the last verse of the song. Our salvation is not just future but it is past, present and future. We live in the world but we anticipate the glory of heaven. We should not, however, neglect our current community here on earth. We closed our times of worship with communion lead by our new Conference Pastor Andy Woodworth.

The retreat is one of the best ways to get to know others in the leadership and continues to be a fantastic way that newer pastors can get to know and establish a relationship with others in the Conference. Also, it is a great way to rejuvenate our spirits before the busy Christmas season. Thanks to all who organized this uplifting, valuable experience.

Phil Hamm is chair of the EMC Board of Missions and a minister at Leamington (Ont.) EMC.