Men's Newsletter - Spring 2022

Men's Retreat 2022
David White

Question:

What do late night buffalo wings, frisbee golf, roasted dogs and marshmallows, basketball, learning how to frustrate your wife, and singing have in common?

Answer:

They’re all things that we did at the first annual SLPC men’s retreat!

I am still praising God for the positive response of SLPC men to gather for a retreat! 44 of us descended on the Traber Center at Camp Sankanac for a great time away together. We heard powerful teaching by former SLPC pastor, Dr. Tim Witmer, about God’s calling on us as men from 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 – “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

Friday night he used the metaphor of the Christian life as a war (including stirring illustrations of his own son’s combat-decorated service in Iraq) to challenge us on the importance of deepening our relationship with God. After Tim’s talk, we divided into discussion groups to apply the teaching to our own lives. (Hats off to the younger men’s group who had their discussion outside to get the campfire going!) While we talked, camp chef Amanda brought out trays piled high with spicy buffalo wings, along with all the necessary extras. We picked the bones clean and then many headed out to roast dogs and make s’mores over the roaring fire. Afterwards, the men who took advantage of Dana Swieson’s donation of ear plugs had a restful night’s sleep.

Saturday started with Amanda’s egg sandwich on a croissant with fresh spinach and provolone, along with Canadian bacon and a fresh fruit and yogurt bar. Tim talked in his morning session about leadership at church, work, and in the home, and surprised us all by teaching us how to frustrate our wives. (Most of us already knew this information and are quite adept.) It led to a lively conversation in our discussion groups about how we need to appreciate our wives, consider all they do for our families, and love them unconditionally. This was a powerful time of honesty and desire to become the men God created us to be. After soup, chicken salad wraps, a great rice and bean salad, and Amanda’s famous cookie bars, we had a couple hours to roam the camp – playing frisbee golf (frolf to aficionados) on the grounds, basketball and floor hockey in the brand new gym, and ping pong, shuffle board, and pool in the decidedly not new basement game room.

In his final talk, Tim challenged us to sexual integrity, contrasting Joseph and David’s different responses to temptation. Our time ended with another great discussion group time and challenge with the importance of brotherhood to live the Christian life. And Aaron Scherr got the most correct matches on our quiz, SLPC Men: the Good, the Bad, and the Embarrassing, winning a mammoth bag of beef jerky.

Special thanks to Bob Alek, Mike Martin, Scott Orthey, Scott Hegman, and Brendan Hodkinson for planning the worship times!

Mark your calendar for next year – our second annual men’s retreat will be even better!

Want to help plan for next year, or other men’s events? Email Dave: dwhite@slpca.org