Oktoberfest 2009

We had a wonderful Oktoberfest on October 25th at Briarwood.

Starting at 3:00, people gathered for a time of fellowship and fun.  We got reacquainted with old friends and met some new ones.  From young children to senior citizens, our first hour was time of enjoyment.



Click image for close up view
 

 Fellowship
FELLOWSHIP TIME
Jeramy - our Assistant Chef
Hard at Work
 
Fellowship 2
FELLOWSHIP TIME
Chatting and Enjoying
our Time Together
 		 
Fellowship 3
FELLOWSHIP TIME
Meeting New Friends

Fellowship 4

FELLOWSHIP TIME
Getting Reacquainted
with Old Friends
 		 


 



 
After a time of fellowship, those gathered heard from Executive Director Rob Moore and Chairperson of the Board Jim Cutler about some of the AMAZING things happening at Briarwood.

Report 1
HEARING ABOUT BRIARWOOD
Pastor Rob Reports on the
AMAZING Things that Have
Happened During the Last Year
 
Report 2
HEARING ABOUT BRIARWOOD
An Amazing God
Does Amazing Things
 
Report 3
HEARING ABOUT BRIARWOOD
Jim Cutler, Board Chair,
Shares some
Stories about Briarwood
 
Then it was time for an AMAZING Oktoberfest meal - in the best German tradition!!

Dinner 1
DINNER TIME
Even the Youngest Ones
Enjoy the Food at Briarwood
 		 
Dinner 2
DINNER TIME
We LOVE Briarwood Food -
Thank to the Chefs -
Norm and Jeramy
 
 
Our day ended with the blessing of the new Oak Grove cabins.  Pastor Jane Mar, Bishop Assistance, led the service of blessing.  Pastor Rob invited several people to step forward for a special "Blessing of the Threshold."


Blessing 1
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Everyone Gathers in and
Around One of the New Cabins
 		 

Blessing 2
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Each Room is Blessed		 
Blessing 3
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Pastor Rob and Phil Begin
the Blessing of the Threshold

Blessing 4
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Phil Writes the Number
"20" in Chalk on the Door Head
 		 
Blessing 4
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Jon Thompson, Facilities
Director, Writes the Letter "C"
 

Blessing 6

OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Pastor Rob Introduces
Tyna Oslie, Retiring Member
of the Briarwood Board

Blessing 7
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Tyna Writes the Letter "M"
 		 
Blessing 8
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Pastor Rob Introduces
Representatives of Bethany
Lutheran Church, the
Congregation who Gave the
Money for the New Cabins
 
Blessing 9
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
The Letter "B" is Written Above
the Threshold

Blessing 10
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Pastor Rob Introduces
Matt Baumhardt, Operations
Director of Briarwood
 		 
Blessing 11
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
Matt Writes the Numbers "09"
 

Blessing 12
OAK GROVE CABIN BLESSING
The Blessing of the Threshold
(Explained Below)

 
The "Blessing of the Threshold" was the final part of our AMAZING day.  Written in yellow chalk above the threshold was the following:

                                             20 + C + M + B + 09

This is a traditional Epiphany blessing for homes.   The numbers represent the year the cabin was blessed (2009).  The initials have two meanings.  The first are the initials of the three Magi who brought gifts to Jesus.  They were given the names "Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar" in the 7th century.  As Jesus was blessed with the gifts of the Magi, so we ask Jesus to bless our new cabins and those who stay in them.

The second meaning of the three letters is from the Latin "Christus, mansionem benedicat."  This translates "Christ, bless this home."

May all those who stay in our new cabins - and all of Briarwood - truly experience blessings - and may they experience the love of God in the natural setting of Briarwood.

 







 
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