NEW YEAR RETREAT

 Bishop organized a retreat with a speaker for priests and their spouses (all women as there are no women priests except me in this diocese). I realize how the language and references change when women priests are added to the mix.

Speaker was The Very Rev. Dr. Joseph Osei, Was a lecturer, dean of cathedral in Kumasi amongst other positions. A very engaging presenter.  

                                     

While he was busy with the priests, His topic was leadership. While he was busy with the priests his wife was leading sessions with the clergy wives. There is a very clear expectation that the wives participate in all church matters. Babies under one year were brought along to the retreat. Wives did the cooking with some help from the Bishop's staff. Another instance when I realize spouses in Canada, cooking for the retreat ???? Toto, we are not in Kansas any more.  

I got to meet Solomon, 5 months next week and an absolute delight. Still too young to react to my colour. a little older and they recognize I am very different and then scream++++. 

      

 me  and 

 Solomon's Daddy, Rev. Christian Gorman (who took care of me so I did not trip on the uneven stones)

me going with the flow, eating fufu and fish for lunch

can't find pic that I saved will get help in office on Monday

Retreats here have lots of prayer time, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, with everyone standing, walking back and forth, and mumbling or talking their prayers out loud, it becomes like a din of noise in the room.

Retreat was very good for me. I wonder though for the priest who are in parishes had just been through Xmas week along with New Years celebrations and then attend these days to be able to grasp anything from the retreat. (here  there is no option to not attend). So they soldier through, amazingly, fully participating, I am really impressed.