From “In The Spirit” Newsletter
by Merileen Thorson

When Bruce and I agreed to serve as co-chairs of the Deacon committee three years ago, it was with some reservations as well as some reluctance. We agreed that Bruce could handle the meetings side; he’s much better at that than I am, and I’d handle “details”. That seemed workable.  The same reluctance I felt at chairing deacons came when it was time for the first Prayer Retreat.   Silence. Growing up on a farm, there was plenty of silence in the wide open spaces, but also plenty of noise—animals, machinery, siblings…so, a prayer retreat….spending eight  hours in silence and prayer?  Read more