Shannon's Corner

  Transition is much like a river—constantly flowing, ever-changing, and shaped by its surroundings. Some rivers, like the Nile or the Amazon, are vast, long, and deep, symbolizing transitions that are slow and significant, shaping the landscape of our lives over time. Others are turbulent and risky, marked by rapids and sharp turns that demand courage and resilience.   A river after a storm, murky and swollen, mirrors transition that feel overwhelming and unclear. On the other hand, a dry riverbed waiting for rain speaks of a season of stagnation, with the promise of renewal and vitality just around the corner.   When we reflect on our own river of transition, vivid images may emerge.   Reflection of Rivers:   1. What image best describes your river of transition?  2. What emotions are evoked by this image?  3. What thoughts and memories come to mind?  4. Where are you located in the image?  5. Who is with you, or are you alone?  Throug...

  SHANNON’S CORNER Gratitude…Happy Thanksgiving! In the last newsletter I shared that God turns pebbles into tidal waves so have I got a story for you. I was asked to read the history of Cherry Run Camp and a piece of its history spoke loudly to me as it has impacted my family for eternity.  Around 1934 the pastor of the Rimersburg Methodist Church, Wilson R. Ross known as “Daddy Ross,” and the Men’s Bible Class took an interest in revitalizing Cherry Run Camp as it had fallen into great disrepair and deep into debt.  Fifty some years later, my dad was the pastor of Rimersburg Methodist Church, and it was at Cherry Run Camp in the 60’s where he came to know Jesus as his Savior.  The story of Cherry Run Camp is one of God’s Spirit moving across generations to form and to sustain a place which has become a spiritual home for many.  I am so, so grateful for God turning this pebble in the 1930’s into a tidal wave for eternity. A global worker from across the ocean i...

  The word road can be a great descriptor and/or image to help express and embody what our transition experience is. A road can lead us to our destination but the road itself is not the destination but the journey we take to our destination. One of the most common questions asked by kids when in the car no matter the distance is ‘ Are we there yet? ’ Like kids, we can become inpatient with the journey and just want to be there already. But...the roads we take can be bumpy, windy, or heavy with traffic yet these difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. Like roads, transition is the journey toward our beautiful destination of transformation. Reflection with road: What thoughts, emotions, or memories come up? What details speak to you? What connection in your life do they make? Perhaps with a current, past, or future transition. Share in the comments which image describes your road of transition .

Words and images can serve as guiding markers as we navigate through a season of transition.   A threshold takes you from one place into another, a point of transition. The spaces that lie between who we were and who we are becoming. These periods can be unsettling, as they often represent leaving behind the familiar to venture into unknown territory. Each threshold brings with it an invitation: to leave behind what no longer serves us and to embrace what lies ahead.   Reflection with thresholds: ·        Look at each image. ·        Notice which images stand out to you. ·        What thoughts, emotions, or memories come up? ·        What details speak to you? ·        What connection in your life do they make? Perhaps with a current, past, or future transition.   Share in the comments which image stands out to you.  

  This is the fourth relational dynamic that can impact our relational health, often leading us to feel disconnected. In relationships—whether with others, with God, or even with ourselves—we all encounter challenges. Our instinct is usually to come up with solutions to address or manage these problems. Yet, we often don’t realize that the assumptions we hold and our reactions to the issue can shape these solutions. Sometimes, rather than helping, our solutions make things worse.   Think of a time when you had directions to reach a destination but ended up getting lost. Maybe you tried to solve the problem by checking the map yourself or asking someone nearby for help. Despite your efforts, you might have found yourself even more frustrated, confused, and disoriented as the directions (your attempted solution) didn’t actually lead you to your destination.   Attempted solutions can sometimes keep us from moving forward, making the situation worse by creating a cycle of dis...