Wellspring

Friday morning we made our way to Penn Station in Baltimore, dragging our heavy suitcases behind us, to catch a Marc Train. The train took us to Union Station in Washington D. C. We had ten minutes to change trains and head for German Town. Some how we made our connections with no trouble. At the little station in German Town, Janet, from the Wellspring Conference Center picked us up and delivered us to our destination

Wellspring Conference Center is a ministry of the Church of the Savior, a network of small churches in Washington D. C. The land for this ministry was purchased by the church in the 1950s. It was originally a farm of about 200 acres. It is a beautiful piece of property with woods, meadows, creeks, a lake and a pond. There is the Day Spring Retreat Center at one end of the property, which provides a setting for silent retreats. The the Wellspring Conference Center hosts conferences led by the staff there as well as outside groups. On the grounds there is also the original farm house that is used for church meetings and classes, there is now an earth ministry, which is working to provide a model for green living, and includes two energy efficient homes and a green house and plans for another building where classes will be held and which will also serve as an art center. There is also an outside pavillion which provides space for different activities as well as worship services in the summer for the DaySpring Church.

We were there for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the Church of the Savior and to participate in a conference called, "Environment, Economy, and Us." There were 9 participants in the conference and 4 leaders, so we got to know each other fairly well in the intense, short time together.

We spent a lot of time the next morning, listening to the earth. This included a pilgrimage on the land, walking together in silence throughout the farm, and stopping now and then for an inspirational reading or to feel the creek water running over our feet. We also spent lots of time in worship, including a time of lament for the state that the earth is now in. In the afternoon, we pondered what a different way of living and a different economic base might look like, if (or when or before) the present one collapses.  It was sobering, but a time full of hope and excitement. It was an absolute joy to spend time "listening" to the earth, as well as listening to others who are also so concerned about it. We found ourselves to be the only folks there from that other coast on the other side of the continent, yet we were among a group of like-minded people. How I wished that we could accompany these companions through the ancient forest in Oregon, and listen together to it!

Just about everyone that attended the conference is a member of one of the churches in the Church of the Savior. All the rest of them are in Washington D. C. Since our plan in this second half of the Sabbatical is to spend meaningful time among these churches, we were provided with some wonderful contacts for doing so. Just about everyone there has spent or is spending a good deal of there time in one of the mission sites in the Church of the Savior. 

When the conference was over on Sunday, we were given a ride to our next destination, Andrew's House, in Washington D. C. Andrew's House is also a ministry of one of the churches. It provides housing for folks like us who are visiting or volunteering with the churches. The neighborhood where Andrew's House sits is central to the ministries of the Church of the Savior. Down the block is Joseph's House, a hospice for homeless people. Also in the neighborhood is the Potter's House, a bookstore/coffee house, and worship space for a few of these churches. Connected to the Potter's House is a health clinic. Down the block is the Festival Center, that houses the Servant Leadership School and is a meeting space for other churches. Across from that is Christ House, a rehab facility for homeless men and women. We have invitation from several of these places to come and experience. I know we have much to learn!

We took most of this day off for a number of reasons, that I may mention in a later blog. Today is our 34th wedding anniversary, so we may try out one of the hundreds of ethnic eateries in the neighborhood this evening. We've also been orienting ourselves to the public transportation system today as well. It's muggy and warm here and our summer clothes are finally being utilized! Thus begins phase 2 of our Sabbatical