The team worshipped with the congregation of the Seattle First United Methodist Church in downtown Seattle on Sunday morning. Following the service they traveled by van to the retreat center for a week of work and a spiritual study, "It's a Way of Life". Their work efforts included building a covered shed; mowing acres of lawn; chopping and distributing firewood; pressure washing cabins, decks, and walkways; cleaning, mulching, and straightening an oyster shell labyrinth; building and pouring concrete recreational vehicle pads; weeding, mulching, and planting a memorial flower garden; clearing brush and battling mosquitoes to build a trail; hammering nails; raking sand and burying drain pipes; setting up a basketball goal; and erecting two telephone light poles.
Evenings provided time for the spiritual retreat with a study of the loving God, neighbors, and oneself in everyday living - social, school, politics, home, finances and religion. There were themed recreational games, small group discussions, and personal reflection. Each member received an envelope filled with care cards of support from other members. The graduating seniors led a daily devotional.
Free time included: walking along the Pacific peninsula beach; quickly checking out the ocean temperature; going to North Head lighthouse to view massive waves; roasting s'mores on the campfire; enjoying meal time together; making a snack run at the local grocery; kayaking in Willapa Bay; completing care cards; playing cards; driving along the Columbia River (Lewis & Clark); and viewing Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
The return trip was an expression of thanks and best wishes to the Youth minister, Greg Smart, who began a new ministry on June 28 with Sand Mountain United Methodist Church. The group returned to the hostel once more and enjoyed another exploration in Downtown Seattle including touring the former Worlds Fair site, a baseball game, and Pikes Market.
Some tired and weary travelers returned to Chattanooga, yet a new part of the country (Pacific Northwest) had been explored. There was a sense of accomplishment that completed work projects will assist the Ocean Park Retreat Center with their summer camp program. Of importance, is that each participant had the opportunity to grow spiritually.
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Roofing
