A Sabbath prayer
reminds us that “days pass and years vanish while we walk
sightless among miracles.” At a synod-wide Sabbath retreat,
one woman recounted discovering this ancient truth. “In
these few hours with this handful of people, I heard that God
loves me and delights in me just as I have been created. I don’t
need to drive myself to improve on what God has done and called
‘Good, very good.’ I feel complete, freed up to
love myself and others more.”
In such hospitable settings, miracles happen when groups of
people are simply present to God and to one another, allowing
deepening experiences of Christ’s reconciling presence.
The synod’s Spiritual Formation Resource Team creates
opportunities that awaken awareness of the daily miracle of
Christ’s transforming grace. This small network of people
provides resources, promotes retreats, and creates other occasions
for prayer practices and spiritual formation. Members contribute
daily prayers posted on the synod Web site, visible reminders
of this ministry.
The Synod of the Covenant’s 185,960 Presbyterians belong
to 795 congregations. Within its boundaries are Camp Greenwood,
Howell Conference and Nature Center, Presbytery Point, Camp
Presmont, Geneva Hills Center, Joseph Badger Meadows Camp, Kirkmont
Center, and Pleasant Hill Outdoor Center. There are three Presbyterian
colleges in the synod: Alma College, the College of Wooster,
and Muskingum College. |
