That's not me. We were sitting on a mountaintop during All Saints Vevey's annual fall retreat -
"Weekend Away" in British vernacular; meeting in a hotel in Leysin, the next valley over from L'Abri in Huemoz - a startlingly similar vista.
I always forget the beauty of a mountain feel - the way a sharply contoured landscape brings everything into sharp focus, regarding your standing in the world. Different but similar to being "perched" on a beach facing the Pacific, say - poetically the sky often signified the divine; the ocean, death; ie, the other side. We rode the telecabin
to the top to take in at the spectacular view
watching mountain bikers and mountain scooters race downward, or the guy above.
An Anglican Bishop of Ireland delivered a series of studies on Elijah, interspersed with meals and fellowship. Lots of children now at All Saints, resulting in a strong response to teach and provide a sense of community - a key element for survival in a secular culture entirely indifferent to belief.
The woman above flew in from England, using Scripture Union materials (the main press for Bible curriculum in the UK), integrating children's teaching with the adult course.
A presentation of the Baal gods versus the one true God, followed by communion. "Family Service" (a UK concept introduced last visit) is usually a good-intentioned disaster, making church fun in a Sesame Street kind of way, but Clive, the rector, has struck a great balance now, delivering a service that children access and adults appreciate. As any educator knows, no small task teaching multi-levels.
On a side note, I'm always impressed by how much Europeans drink, the Weekend Away no exception: drink before dinner, throughout a long meal, and afterwards, following dessert.
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