It seems like we had a successful transition from our traditional camping retreat in Warwick to a seminar style class in the Warwick conference center. It was a first-timer, and it brought us many advantages: no wet tents, no cooking and no cleaning up, and additional participants who may not have joined us in the tents.
Of course, we missed some nature. Even the little bit that we had planned was taken away: Dark clouds prevented us from stargazing on Saturday night, and light drizzle rain made it impossible for us to celebrate worship outside. Yet, this would not have been any better had we stayed on the campground! Rather, we were very happy to worship in the bright seminar room the center had provided for us; please see the corresponding pictures.
This year’s theme centered on the astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei. We familiarized ourselves with his biography, some of his discoveries, as well as documents pertaining to the church trial he had to face in 1633. At length, we discussed the meaning of the exoneration that was issued 359 years later. Was the Vatican on target when it called the trial’s verdict unfortunate and premature?
I was surprised how critical our Warwick travelers were. Obviously, none of us denied the truth of the Copernican world view. However, several of us felt that there was no need for the Church to apologize for the verdict of 1633. This is how they argued: Galileo had not been indicted for his discovery, but for the publication of the same as fact. By rejecting this publication, the Church took an early stance against what some have called “the wheelings and dealings of scientists”. While scientifically outdated, this stance holds ethical value today. As you can see, it was quite a discussion this year in Warwick.
Would this entice you, dear reader, to join us next year?
Tagged as:
Galileo,
Warwick
by Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills on July 12, 2009
in Events
This year’s retreat will be one night shorter and will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Aug 8th and continue until Sunday, Aug 9th, after morning worship.
Taking into account that 2009 has been declared the Year of Astronomy, we decided to place our retreat under the theme, Heaven & Sky. We will try to have a hobby astronomer accompany us so that we might be introduced to the wonders of the nocturnal sky. Most of our activities will still be outdoors, including our open-air worship service on Sunday morning.
The hotel reservations have been made already, but there are still two ways for you to participate in the retreat.
For those of you who still want to camp, you are more than welcome to do so. You will just need to pay the daily fees for the use of the center, including the meal plan. These are not exorbitant prices. I have the numbers if you are interested.
Also, we invite anyone who just wants to come up for the day to consider coming. Again, the same fees and meal prices will have to be paid. I will be going up in a separate car on Saturday and coming home in the evening, so I have space for two people. Please let me know if you would like to join me.
Tagged as:
Warwick
On Apr 4th, a group of us gathered at the beautiful home of Cindy and Claude Betancourt in Doylestown, PA, in order to review our annual church retreat to our denominational retreat center in Warwick, NY. As you may know, the Warwick Center is a 465-acre hilltop estate 50 miles northwest of New York City. [ more » ]
Tagged as:
camping,
Heaven and Sky,
retreat,
Warwick,
Year of Astronomy
It’s been “About 15 Years” since our first camping trip to the Warwick Conference Center. We are inviting everyone who has ever been a part of this community building adventure to join us Aug. 8th – 10th this year for our annual trip. For those to whom camping does not include a tent, consider staying in the Main House, but don’t miss out on the fun. Some may even want to consider coming for the day on Saturday and enjoying the community meal and campfire. This year, we will be learning about a “Mummy” and his friends. For all the details, speak to Lauren or Gary Bernhofer.
Tagged as:
camping,
Children,
Christian Education,
Events,
Warwick
by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills on September 3, 2006
in General
Have you ever been to the RCA retreat center in Warwick? Our annual camping trip offers a great opportunity, and going camping is something very precious in our materialistic culture of consumerism. Why? Because the outdoors bring us back in touch with nature and its processes that are so different from the competitiveness of the many rat races we run every day.
In addition, a good tent will help our children to overcome some of their alienation from the natural world. In it, they can actually hear the raccoons scavenging the leftovers by the fire from last night; they can marvel at a butterfly on the canvas still wet from the dew, and they can hear the magnificent concert of the birds in the wee hours of the morning.
However, it is not all nature in Warwick. We painted a fence with Rev. Paul Nolton, our Regional Synod’s Coordinator of Volunteers. We also swam in the pool, built and flew our kites, listened to Bible readings, had evening devotions and a Sunday morning open-air worship, and a Bingo game and puzzle on the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. The latter followed a suggestion by our Board of Elders who had pondered in an earlier meeting this year how to foster more understanding of the sacrament among our youngsters. Enjoy the pictures and consider whether you might want to come with us next year.
Tagged as:
Pastor's Desk,
Warwick
