Dear dear friends and fellow pilgrims,  Happy Advent to you!  A new year dawns.  A great year has passed.   I want to tell you about the amazing 2014 that Coracle has had.  Truly, God is giving us great grace to see our mission actually happen, “inspiring and enabling people to be the presence of God in the world by offering spiritual formation and Kingdom action.”   And I’m writing to ask your help to enable Coracle to keep on doing “Spiritual Formation for Kingdom Action” in 2015.  Read to the bottom for more about that.   First I want to share such good growth that has happened this past year.

At the end of this letter there are some testimonies from folks who have been touched deeply by the ministries of Coracle.  That’s what matters.  And there were far more folks!

• Over 400 people came to Corhaven for 24 group retreats/events that were held here.  (325 and 20 in ‘13)
• Retreatants and guests at Corhaven including kids spent the night over 300 times! (85 in ‘13)  They came from Washington and Virginia and Baltimore and Philadelphia and Georgia…and China and Cyprus!  Many were clergy, ministry leaders, justice workers, and people in deep pain.
• Beyond that, more than 85 days this past year saw other individuals taking a day retreat out here (60 in ‘13)
• More than 60 people now are receiving regular spiritual direction through Coracle (40 in ‘13), through the ministry of 11 spiritual directors and associates.  (7 in ‘13)

It’s a bit overwhelming.   Thanks be to God!   Thanks be to you!   There’s more that has happened….

• Yes!  The Woodshop addition was completed and is full use, dramatically expanding the ministry at Corhaven through the provision of bathrooms and a kitchen….
• We began the “Soundings” seminar series in northern Virginia, drawing over a hundred people…
• We started the Corhaven Kids Club for local children to offer character formation, create community, learn about Jesus, and have a lot of fun…
• Coracle was able twice to minister in China and participate in God’s great work in that great country…
• We continued our partnership with World Relief, offering spiritual formation retreats for its leadership…
• We celebrated 5 years at Corhaven at the remarkable “Field to Fork” feast in September…

Indeed, it’s overwhelming what God has done in 2014!   Thanks be to God!  Thanks be to you!

And next year is right around the corner.  We hope and pray and are committed to go from strength to strength.  Here’s what’s on the screen for 2015…

• We will continue on pace to do what we do–offering group retreats and personal retreats at Corhaven, and much spiritual direction and ministry here and throughout the Washington metro area and even beyond…
• Very importantly, in January we will begin bringing more of Coracle to northern Virginia.   Wade Ballou, one of our spiritual directors, is coming on staff as our Community Minister for NoVA, and will start small groups for spiritual formation and prayer, as well as helping with the Soundings seminars and more…
• Coracle will co-lead another pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine, minister with the Anglican Communion in Cairo, and continue to work closely with World Relief…
• Throughout the year we’ll be working to hallow the sacred ground that is the slave cemetery on the property at Corhaven…
• and more…

Indeed, it’s overwhelming.  Pray with us!  And, would you help us do this?  A financial gift at this year’s end will enable us to do it.   Our budget for 2015 is $136,000.  Half of that will likely come in through the year, so we hope and pray to raise $50,000 of our budget by December 31st.   Your gift now will really help us throughout next year.   You can donate online by visiting https://inthecoracle.org/support/  or by writing a check to “Coracle” and mailing it to 2883 Quicksburg Road, Quicksburg, VA 22847.   Your gift means the world to us, and will enable next year to happen.
Thanks be to God!  Thanks be to you!

Yours on the journey,

 

 

 

 

On behalf of the Coracle Board:

Rich Dean (Chair), Bill Deiss, Katie Lundstrom,

Carol Jackson, Rob Krech, and Soren Johnson

 

PS:  Numbers don’t tell the whole story.   Testimonies do!  Here are some comments, chosen from so many, from those who have been touched by God at Corhaven.

 

I expected to come and hear God in deep and important ways.  Instead I heard God in the bubbling of the stream, the crunch of the leaves falling and sound and smell of wood burning.  I felt the presence of God, it was more personal, tender and restful then I imagined for what would happen when I came.

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It has been two weeks since I had the chance to be with you at Corhaven.  I have shared with many friends and family about how God met me in a different and more powerful way than ever before!  I am humbled and amazed at the way you all have arranged your place to make a profound impact in my heart and life!  I do anticipate coming back next year.  Thank you so much!

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These few days have been perfect as the Lord continues to affirm thoughts and desires that I keep ignoring…because of fear.  Through scripture reading, prayer, and a few timely books I picked up – I received clarity and answers to questions I’ve had.  The key phrase I leave with – “God will make a way.”

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At our women’s retreat, without exception, each of us experienced ‘the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living’, in our drive through the rain, our walks in the woods, the thoughts shared, and comfort food.  Thank you for providing a sacred space for all of this.

 

THANKS BE TO GOD!!!   THANKS BE TO YOU!!!