The leaking Bethel water pipes, the September 11 peace prayer, and the ministry fair – they all came and went; and in the turmoil of all these events we haven’t paid much tribute to the work of the Labor Day retreat and to the team that made this retreat happen. Other first-time attendees have been asked to reflect on the retreat as well, but I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some of my thoughts. 
This year’s theme, “Bethel’s Modern Family,” had been intentionally chosen to underscore and reinforce our congregation’s current emphasis on radical hospitality. All too often, when we think of hospitality, we may think of a host or a group of (“inside”) hosts inviting (“outside”) guests to an event – be it a dinner at someone’s home or an educational lecture, a political rally, a fundraiser for a non-profit group, or a worship service.
Most often, churches, too, think of hospitality that way – a group of members invites others on the outside or periphery of the church to participate in some activity or event. In the history of Bethel and the Labor Day Retreat, this may have meant in the past that this three-day weekend was geared more towards more traditional families – mom, dad, and one or more school-age children. 
This year’s theme – “Bethel’s Modern Family,” was different, as I have learnt from talking to a variety of individuals. Singles, empty-nest parents, divorcees, teen-agers, young adults, retirees – there was room for all of us at this retreat. There were activities and presentations that engaged people from all sorts of ages and abilities. This year’s Labor Day Retreat felt more like a group effort than other such retreats in recent years; it was palpable that this year’s event had been planned and coordinated by a diverse group of Bethel folks for a much broader spectrum of the congregation.
Much planning went into making sure that the program leaders included both the young and the old and everybody in-between. Activities were designed to include not only those who spent the entire weekend at Mt. Cross, but also those who came up just for one day. An especially convenient feature this year was that the Bethel bus, driven by Jamie Jacobson, drove repeatedly to and from the camp.
Another highlight of the retreat was the main speaker, West Valley College communication professor Randy Fujishin, and the skilled manner in which he got retreat participants to talk to each other and to practice newly-learnt communication and to overcome our fear of praying with other people. Each of us, Randy grippingly reminded us, has only a limited number of years to live. Thus, we better use our time wisely and practice our God-given ministry of communication now, instead of waiting for a future time. Now is the time for us to respond to God’s love, by consciously sharing it with others!
With his emphasis on faith-sharing and ten-second prayers, Randy’s presentations help each one of us to practice the same kind of radical hospitality in our own lives, which we have pledged to make a hallmark of out congregation as a whole.
On behalf of our entire congregation, I’d like to take this opportunity to warmly thank all who designed and lead this wonderful retreat: Liz Barton, Dan Dixon, Tyler Freckman, Rich Hahn, Anna Hoegel, Tom Hoegel, Jamie Jacobson, Chris Larsen, Susan Leavitt, Holly Lofgren, Mike Lorenzen, Patricia Meyerholtz, Rhonda & Dave Nyberg, Tiffany Radig, Molly & Charlie Schrey, Brian Schuette, Patrice Sera, and Sam Sudarsanam.
The team met on Sunday night to listen to and to reflect on the comments left on evaluation forms, to discuss the future direction of the retreat, and to brainstorm about ways that this year’s emphasis on faith sharing can be extended beyond the Labor Day Retreat. This much is for sure, this is not the last time you will have heard at Bethel about meta-communication, smiling at others, showing appreciations, and offering 10-second prayers!
Nicely said Gabi!
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