Forward Today: More than enough
Dear friends in Christ: We welcome back Margaret Ellsworth, Forward Movement’s Content Marketing Manager, as our guest author this week.
Greetings from Cincinnati!
I’m pleased to share this blog post not from my usual home office in Idaho, but from Forward Movement HQ in Cincinnati, Ohio. For the second year in a row, my colleagues and I are all gathered together for a staff retreat. And it truly felt like a retreat. We did a lot of work, it’s true: we pondered strategic priorities, we brainstormed big ideas, and heard updates from the newest project that’s growing from our work.
But the time together felt just as restorative as it was productive. At the retreat center where we gathered, we got to know each other – many of us for the first time, since our team has grown so much this year. In between our work sessions, we took time to pray and read scripture together.
Our Bible study passages skipped around from the Old Testament to the Gospel, reading stories that were less familiar but echoed a familiar message: there is more than enough. More than enough materials for the artisans in the wilderness to build a spectacular tabernacle. More than enough grain to feed the people of Egypt – and their neighbors too – in the coming years of famine that Joseph foresaw. More than enough fish for the disciples to share at breakfast with the risen Jesus.
This week on retreat I also found more than enough. More than enough time to work, and to pray. More than enough time for campfire conversations and goofy board games. So little time to get to know my colleagues face-to-face – and also, more than enough time to build connection that will sustain us through the coming year.
I’m excited for all of us to get back to our desks, to use all this more-than-enough that we’ve been given to inspire disciples and empower evangelists throughout the church. Pray for our staff, and for our mission – and know that we’re praying for you too.
Yours faithfully,
Margaret Ellsworth
Content Marketing Manager
More from our ministry:
No better place to begin Bible study: A Journey with Genesis Bible Challenge
Take time to refresh your passion for lay ministry: Revive
Advent calendars are ready to ship! Order yours today
Read this year’s Forward Movement Annual Report