JYM Retreat at Woolman Hill
May 10-12, 2013

Our next JYM Retreat will be held May 10-12, at Woolman Hill Retreat Center. Registration for this retreat is now open. As you may know, this retreat usually fills to capacity, which requires us to move to a wait list, so please consider acting sooner than later if you would like your child to attend.

Note: If registering a second child for the retreat, there's no need to complete two forms. Just scroll to the bottom and add a second child's info in the "Guest Box." Thanks!

As with every retreat, parents are welcome to join us as the JYM Retreat community holds its own Meeting for worship on Sunday at 10:30 AM in the historic old meetinghouse. 

A TIME OF TRANSITION:

Over twenty-five years ago I responded to a clear and persistant leading to somehow begin a retreat program for children that has grown to what it is today. As most parents know, I announced over the fall and winter months that I planned to retire as coordinator at the end of this program year and that Gretchen Baker-Smith would carry on as coordinator of both the elementary and junior high retreat programs. 

As I coordinate and lead what will be my final JYM Retreat, words here cannot do justice to the enormity of what I feel within and all that has transpired down through the years. Some of the young people who have attended our retreats as children now staff with us as adults. And our staff, a rock-solid community in its own right, with many who have been with us since nearly the beginning, remain in total as a group of the most gifted, sincere and Spirit-filled adults that I have ever had the privilage of knowing and working with year in and year out. The good news is that many of these adults will continue to staff furture retreats, as will I, just not in a coordinating role from one retreat to the next.

My hope and plan, spiritually at least, is to be available to staff two JYM and possibly two JHYM retreats in the coming year. So while I will not be leading the program beginning in September, I will be around, and staffing, as way opens and as time allows. (For those of you who attend YM Sessions in August, my role there as the "Pastoral Counselor" will continue for the forseeable future.)

I remain prayerfully grateful for the many years of confidence and trust that parents have placed in me within our program. And when I consider the hundreds and hundreds of children whom I have had the privilage to know and nurture along their given journeys in life, I'm left speechless and humbled by the sheer weight and wonder of it all.

Thank you, and may Grace continue to attend to you, and each person within your family. 

Theme:  "River" (From the song by with the same name by Bill Staines)

As the time has arrived for me to pass the reins of leadership on to the very capable hands of Gretchen Baker-Smith beginning in September, I can think of no better song, in both words and tone, than "River," by Bill Staines, that in essence captures how I feel within at this time. The lyrics also afford us, as a community, an opportunity to explore life's movements and transitions, which are also necessary for all of us to grow both personally and spiritually. 

Nearly every line of "River,", in one way or another, relates in some way to the work and ministry of all these years within the JYM community. For certain the love and the memories I have known down through the seasons is a song onto itself that I will carry always in my heart that I too, "will sing wherever I go." And for that, Friends, I am forever grateful, indeed. Thank you. 

I have posted a YouTube video of Bill Staines singing "River," on my blog that I encourage you to view and enjoy. I've included his lyrics also, and some opening text that helps explain things to those who follow my blog who are not connected to our retreat program as Friends.

Please enjoy the video HERE. (But remember to come back and sign your child up for the retreat!) 

Additional Information

For additional information regarding our overall program, First Timer Information, Staffing policies,Weekend Schedules, etc, please visit our site at http://www.jymretreats.org. Junior Yearly Meeting Elementary Retreat is a program under the care and oversight of New England Yearly Meeting of Friends.

Need First Timer Information? Please click here! (Takes you to the JYM Web site. Use back arrow to return.)

Future JYM Retreat Dates (Mark those calendars!)

Sept 13-15, 2013 at Woolman Hill
November 15-7, 2013 at Westport Meeting
January 17-19, 2014 at Wellesley Meeting
May 16-18, 2014 at Woolman Hill