I’ve spent the last week at the Collegeville Institute, on the campus of St. John’s University, where the monks of St. John’s Abbey have been praying and working since the 1850’s. It’s a beautiful setting: lakes, woods, deer, loons – everything you could want in a place where you go to draw closer to God.

While I was there, I attended evening prayer with the monks one night, and later got a tour of the Abbey Church where they worship. I could feel the spirit of the countless prayers lifted over the years in that sacred space. On Sunday morning, I worshipped in a lovely little open-air chapel, which sits across the lake from the campus. I offered my prayers for all of you worshipping here at home.

Throughout the week, I was with twelve other pastors who are also writers. Our sessions were led by Eugene Peterson, himself a pastor-writer. He’s written many thoughtful reflections on the life of the church, but you’ll probably recognize him as the author of The Message, a modern translation of the scriptures. We spent a lot of time talking about the power of words. If you’ve read or heard any of The Message, you know that Peterson understands this – that words have the power to motivate, delight, teach, persuade. Words can challenge our actions and our understandings, remind us of our faith, and inspire us to imagine the world in a new way. This is no surprise to those of us who believe in the Living Word of God.

I had a really good experience this week, and I’ll be glad to share more if you’re interested. Thank you for the gift of time that made it possible for me to go. It was good to be away, to be renewed and get some rest, but it will also be good to be home. I’ve missed you, and I’m looking forward to catching up and continuing our ministry together.