A Time to Reflect, Connect and Look Ahead: St John’s Staff Retreat
From 25–27 August, the St John’s staff took some time away from our usual routines to pause, reflect, connect and look towards the future God is preparing for St John’s.
Our staff retreat took place in the beautiful coastal town of Pringle Bay, giving us the opportunity to step away from the busyness of parish life and spend intentional time together. The focus of our retreat was to reflect on where we are as a team, discuss the future of St John’s, and prayerfully consider where God may be leading us next.
One of the highlights was a devotional reflection on the Ten Commandments from the Bible Project available on the YouVersion Bible link, which gave us an opportunity to think about what it means to live faithfully and intentionally as people of God. Through reflection and discussion, we were reminded that ministry is not simply about what we do, but about who we are called to be and how we live out our faith.
We also spent time in reflection and brainstorming sessions, sharing ideas, hopes and dreams for the future of St John’s. These conversations allowed us to listen to one another, think creatively and consider how we can continue growing as a parish and as a staff team.
Of course, a retreat wouldn't be complete without a little adventure! We explored Pringle Bay, drove around the town, spent time at the beach and enjoyed a nature walk along a river which flowed through our backyard. We even had an unexpected visit from a troop of baboons at our cottage—certainly an experience that gave us something to laugh about and will probably be one of the stories we remember for years to come!
There was also plenty of time for simply being together. We played 30 Seconds, shared meals, braaied, laughed and enjoyed each other's company. These informal moments were just as valuable as the structured sessions, reminding us of the importance of connection and community within our team.
As we look towards the year ahead, we leave the retreat feeling encouraged, refreshed and excited about what God has in store for St John’s. We trust that God is guiding us and look forward to discovering what comes next and are faithful to the journey God is leading us to.
We are grateful for the opportunity to step away, listen, dream and grow together—and we return ready to continue serving God and the St John’s community with renewed energy and hope.
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