The image captivated me during each worship service of our summer Cabinet Retreat. For all eight prayer gatherings over three days, the image reflected in the towering windows of the chapel at Roslyn Retreat Center challenged me. Whether it was cloudy or sunny outside, at morning, noon, or evening prayer, wherever I sat in the chapel (right side or left, front or back), still I saw it, reflected on it, wondered about it. It was an arrow; pointing up and out from the chapel setting. I know it was caused by the reflection of the back window and eaves of the chapel in the expansive glass front. But as many times as I have been in worship services there over the years I had never before noticed that reflection. Coming so soon after our own Annual Conference I immediately noticed the similarity to the arrow on the logo of the theme "Moving Forward in God's Mission."I mediated, "Where in my life, God, are you calling me to move forward?" "What mission of yours, God, needs my involvement?" "Where, God, can I see you moving?" "What do I need to do, God, to help your mission?"I noticed that lines of the building which are so fixed appeared wavy in the reflection. "Where, God," I prayed, "are you inviting me to flex and bend and shift in order to move ahead?"As the heartbreak in our nation continues, as the discord in our denomination intensifies, as racism festers, and civil discourse breaks down, what signs do you see that call you and your congregation to take the next faithful step with God in mission? What bold new mission is God calling you to move forward? What in your heart or mind, spirit or activity needs to flex, bend, or shift in order to move ahead with and for God?

In the peace and hope of Christ,