Emergent Gathering reflections 1

Last week we experienced our first Emergent Gathering in New Mexico. I think technically it's in Glorieta but we soon found out that the Baptist camp where the Gathering took place pretty much *IS* Glorieta. We have a similar camp here in Colorado called the YMCA of the Rockies and it's very comparable in style of cabins and dorms and available facilities.

The irony of an emergent event being held at a Southern Baptist event camp did not escape us…but that's all I'll say about it…oh, except that we were there during an "adult" conference (meaning, seniors). This will be funnier to you after my next post "Sprouted Bagels, Knit Caps and Communities Called Seven".

We checked in on Monday, the Gathering began Tuesday after lunch. So we had some time to go to Santa Fe for lunch and to buy some groceries and then just hang out with the girls.

We spent some time at the main lodge area playing video games and pool. I played Ms. Pac Man for the first time in probably 15 years and lost pretty badly. It was very nostalgic for me. When I was a kid, we would often drive as a family to my dad's work conferences - doubling them as family vacations. The one "treat" we would always get was handfuls of quarters to spend in the video games that the hotels always had. Galaga, Centipede and Pac Man were usual fare. I also played Galaga in Glorieta and lost even worse than Ms. Pac Man hehe.

One thing I will always remember about this trip was the big hill leading up to our apartment. This hill was killer. It was so steep and we often had to climb it carrying back packs and pushing Aliyah in the stroller. All at a higher altitude than we live at. (which means it was very high)

But the funniest thing about this hill was the GIANT Bible statue and cross about half way up. It had Psalm 23 (in the King James of course) printed on it and people would have their pictures taken while sitting in front of it. Now, I say it was funny but only because it's part of a culture that is just no longer ours.

So I lost to pac man, but several times I day I defeated big bible hill - - and I had sore butt muscles to prove it.

Next >> sprouted bagels, knit caps and communities called seven

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2 Responses to “How I lost at pac-man and defeated big Bible hill”

  1. on 14 Oct 2007 at 7:36 amtraveller

    Thanks for your blog. I enjoy reading it since you give me much to consider and ponder.

    I am interested to read the rest of your blogs on your time at Glorieta. This is a special place for my wife and I as we met there in 1973 while working on the summer staff. It was a formative experience for us. But time passes and things change. We would no longer call ourselves Southern Baptists….it is our denomination left behind. Indeed, we would not call ourselves anything now. I do not even like emerging or emergent. But I do like the journey we are on with Father!

    It is surprising that the management at Glorieta would allow your group to meet there. After all, you must be, at a minimum, wayward if not out right heretics.

    BTW, I have climbed that same hill many times before it had the Bible and cross. Blessings!

  2. on 14 Oct 2007 at 7:42 amMak

    thanks for dropping by traveller. I was surprised that they let us be there too. It’s to their credit that they did though.

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