The statements and views made on Retreat to St. Thomas' blog posts do not necessarily reflect the views of the Episcopal Church, or St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh. Views and beliefs are of the writer / contributor. 


“Finding Your Spark”

8/12/2024 By Sharon Werner


“Go out and do the work I have given you to do.” What is your calling? Your vocation?


Finding your path can be hard. Some people know it from the time they were children, and others never seem to settle. I have felt adrift most of my life, unsure where I should be going or what I should be pursuing, when all the while, God kept me on the right path. And with time and the willingness to open myself to God’s will, I have landed where I belong. Don’t get me wrong, I’m human. Every time something gets too challenging, I question things. But now, I get back on that path quicker and with more assurance and peace.


I am here – managing this Retreat Center, my brainchild, to do my part in helping my church fulfill its mission and taking care of the 42 acres blessed to us. I think about how I got here. This was a calling for me. And I feel everything I’ve done has led me here. My past jobs, social connections, time on the vestry, experiences, and other interests… I am more and more aware of the connections in my life and how one thing leads to another. Sometimes it’s a matter of patience and biding your time until God is ready. Think of the Bible story of the Wedding of Cana when Jesus turns water into wine. Before He does, He tells the mother of Jesus “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4)


But you can always use a little earthly help to give you some clarity and direction.


Don’t know where to begin? We have classes on “Finding Your Spark” and “Gifts Assessment” at Retreat to St. Thomas. We have a picturesque and peaceful 42 acres to meditate through a nature walk or labyrinth, and beautiful spaces to read inspiring texts. But most of all, we have a welcoming group ready to support you and help you along whatever path you tread.


“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13


Peace Be With You.

 

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GOD, THE GARDENER

7/8/2024 By Sharon Werner


I love gardening. Plunging my hands into rich soil. Planting seeds, flowers and vegetables and tending to them. Providing water to sustain them. Keeping the weeds from stealing their nutrients. Watching them grow - a source of beauty and strength amid a world that tries to destroy them. Weeds, bad weather, animals and insects foraging. The beauty they attract - butterflies, bees creating honey, the vivid colors and lush foliage. The food they provide.

God is the ultimate gardener. He created the Garden of Eden after all. He created Man and tends to him. He provides all that we need to live. And if we drink from His cup, we will have eternal life. He provided His only Son to save us against sin - those bad “weeds” of evil and sin that try to destroy us.

John 15:1-4 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

You may not think of God as a gardener. People hire gardeners to tend to their land, use gardening as a hobby, plant flowers to liven up their yard, or plant a vegetable garden to feed their family.

God, the Father, is our Creator. 

A creator is a person or thing that brings something into existence.

Creativity is the use of the imagination or original ideas to make something.

Think of landscaping- sculpting out a garden bed, designing a pattern of plantings for visual appeal, combining the right colors and textures. Using nature to stimulate your senses and inspire you. Creating life and beauty out of a blank slate.

God as our gardener created and designed, nurtures and sustains all life. He maintains the careful balance needed to grow and thrive, and to offer sustenance when we wilt.

Not everyone feels like a creative person or likes to get their hands dirty in a garden. Some feel they don’t have a “green thumb.” But everyone has their own creativity inside of them. Find ways to nurture something or someone. It’s an amazing feeling. And it’s an act of self-fulfillment as well. Gardening and being creative help eliminate stress. The simple act of pulling weeds helps your heart, causes your blood pressure to lower.

Retreat to St. Thomas’ has teachers that led many types of creative and gardening classes. There are community gardens on our church campus that are for rent to create your own nurturing space. There are opportunities to work with our Landscape Committee and learn a wealth of knowledge of caring for our Earth through the earth.

So go ahead and get your hands dirty and feel blessed.


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Saint Thomas: Coming through Doubt

6/4/2024 By Sharon Werner


St. Thomas was one of the twelve Apostles. There are three significant mentions of him in the Bible.

 

When Jesus said He was returning to Judea to visit His sick friend Lazarus, Thomas urged the other Apostles to go with Him, despite the certain danger of the trip.  Thomas said: "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

At the Last Supper, when Christ told His Apostles that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded they did not understand. He received assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

The most known mention is when the risen Christ first appeared, Thomas was not among those disciples who saw Him. When the others told Thomas, he did not believe and requested physical proof of the Resurrection, hence where the term “doubting Thomas” developed. When Christ reappeared and asked Thomas to touch his wounds, Thomas’ realization of the truth and exclamation of “My Lord and My God” made Thomas the first public profession of faith in the Divinity of Jesus.

 

Everyone has doubts and fears - even highly successful people. Those feelings can be overwhelming, even incapacitating. You might be embarrassed by your doubts or questions. As Episcopalians, we are a faithful people of questions and open to exploring those questions. God’s love is so definite that we can ask questions without fear. Our trust in God and in His love for us help us in our doubt. There are many ways to explore our questions – through prayer (both alone or with a group), reading the bible, joining a bible study, and quiet time with God. If there is a direction in your life you are unsure where to take, discern on it. Sitting and listening for God’s direction, meditating on the issue, looking for signs and support around you can help immensely. Joining a spiritual retreat can be rewarding, companionable and fulfilling as well. Grow in the knowledge and love of God.

Peace be with you.

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Six Essentials to Get From a Writing Retreat

3/6/2024 By Sharon Werner


Writing retreats offer writers time away from busy family and work schedules and allow them to focus completely on their creative process. Here are six essentials to get from a writing retreat:

1.     A peaceful location: If you want noise and distractions, stay home! A serene surrounding and calming atmosphere let your mind calm and let the creative juices start flowing.

2.     Space: Sometimes you welcome a group of like-minded individuals pursuing your common love, sometimes you need solitude. Have space to roam. Embellish your descriptions in your writing by actually seeing and experiencing your surroundings.

3.     Inspiration: Find inspiration in creative architecture, historical buildings, calming nature trails – whatever serves as your inspiration.

4.     Direction: Set a goal before you go on your retreat, whether it’s to start the creative process, finish a book you’re working on, or learn something new to add to your writing process. A group retreat with similar goals can help you stay focused and guide you in the steps you need to take to achieve that goal.

5.     Companionship/feedback: Whether your aim is to get published or just to write for a creative outlet, it’s good to get feedback from fellow writers and experienced authors. And make some new friends while you’re at it!

6.     Good food/sustenance: Working all day builds up an appetite. Good, nutritious food helps sustain your mood, your energy and keep your focus.

To book your next writing retreat at Retreat to St Thomas, contact us Retreat to St Thomas - Contact