Surrounded by towering conifers, overlooking the beautiful Payette River, nestled amongst the foothills on the outskirts of Cascade, Trinity Pines Retreat Center was occupied by over 200 Linder congregation members who spent the weekend together, renewing their dependence on God and deepening their relationships with one another.
The schedule focused on two pivotal ideas – spending time together to get to know each other more intimately and being strengthened in our faith journey through lessons on how to be rooted in our relationships with God and one another.
The free time activities included opportunities to play team sports such as soccer, volleyball, wiffle ball, and other lawn games like cornhole. Other activities to be enjoyed were zip lines, swings, rock painting, and for walkers, various hiking trails which crisscrossed the property. Indoor activities included checkers, cards, foosball, Jenga, and a variety of board games.
Saturday evening, the family was also treated to a Talent Show where various members sang, told jokes, read scripture, played musical instruments, and showcased other unique talents for the appreciative audience.
The series of lessons provided were primarily based on Galatians 5:22-25, exploring the fruit of the Spirit and how these characteristics contribute to deep roots in our relationships. The example of an Aspen cluster was used in several of the lessons to illustrate the intertwined connectedness we should have with one another as Christ’s body, the church.
Love, joy, peace, faith, and self-control were specifically highlighted in these wonderful lessons taught in the outdoor amphitheater, where our songs of praise and the words of wisdom from the scriptures echoed through the beauty of nature that surrounded this lovely area where we spent the weekend being rooted together in relationship.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another”. (Romans 12:9-16)
