Terra Nova Church » Men

MEN’S RETREAT | leaves today

Scott Womer [worship arts pastor] — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:53:52 +0000

Very early this morning, 24 men from Terra Nova got up early to tackle the Adirondack Mountains for the hike into two cabins and one lean-to in the Johns Brook area of Adirondack National Park. No cell coverage. No running water (unless you count icy Johns Brook), no plumbing, and an out house that smells like death.
The trip has always gone by the name Peggy O’Brian, which is the name of the first cabin we used for this trip. It sleeps 12. As the trip grew, we added Grace Cabin, and this year, we added a lean-to as well (and we have a waiting list). Next year, we will have to figure out a way to allow as many people as possible to experience this great trip, while still maintaining a smaller group atmosphere. While a good percentage of the time is unstructured for hiking, hanging around, reading, whatever you like . . . there is a clear spiritual component to the trip. Something about nature allows us to hear from God in a unique way. If you missed the trip this year, be sure to sign up early next year.

POKER TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER | for joseph’s house

Matthew Miller community extension — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:19:32 +0000

Homelessness continues to be a problem in the city of Troy. Lot’s of people are trying to call attention to this problem and we all wish the homeless population wereÂ ZEROÂ . Spencer Martin is doing his part by organizing a poker tournament fundraiser on April 19th. It starts at 1pmÂ in the big room at the back ofÂ Terra409. The buy in is $40 a personÂ and all proceeds go to Joseph’s House Shelter in Troy. If you have questions, email Spencer MartinÂ HERE. Additionally, be sure to sign up in the lobby of Revolution Hall in the coming weeks.

18 men + 3 black bears + 1 God = Terra Novaâ€™s Peggy Oâ€™Brien Trip [Paul Gordon]

Guest Blogger — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:38:13 +0000

Over the past 9 months Nicole and I have begun to establish a new church home at Terra Nova. The process has been a challenging one as prior church roots are replanted and new relationships must be cultivated. During this time, I had heard stories of past Adirondack trips from several men of the church. Therefore, when the 2007 trip was announced, I decided to take the opportunity to spend some time getting to know other men of Terra. The Peggy Oâ€™Brien trip, in my eyes, was going to be a 3 day backpacking trip with 18 more or less strangers. Come to find out, the 2007 trip was the first trip for more than half the group.

I wonâ€™t bore anyone with trip details, but so you are aware, the menâ€™s retreat to Peggy Oâ€™Brien is a 3.5 mile hike from Keene Valley into the heart of the Adirondacks. We stay in 2 rustic, backcountry cabins situated near quaint Johnâ€™s Brook for 2 nights. The time spent on the retreat was loosely structured with short devotional times on Friday and Saturday morning. Saturday morningâ€™s gathering also included a time of worship with singing, prayer and communion. The large amount of free time is intentional in an effort to recognize that each man comes to Peggy Oâ€™Brien at a different place in his spiritual walk. As a result, freedom is given to each person so they can interact with God as they or the Spirit leads.

While there was plenty of time for men to be men, or boys to be boys, it was encouraging to see everyone taking chunks of time to commune with God, or each other, on intimate levels. Some men found this through quietness next to a stream, which allowed the pace of their life to come to a trickle so God could be heard through reading, music, or prayer. Some, including myself, sought new relationships during a long hike up Haystack Mountain. Others defied Mother Nature by chasing black bears through the woods with digital cameras. A select few went only for the annual consumption of a Baxter Mt. burger washed down by a pint of Lake Placid Breweryâ€™s Ubu Ale.

I viewed the trip as an opportunity to establish new relationships with other men that I had been seeking. Truthfully, I didnâ€™t enter the trip with a God focused agenda; however, Godâ€™s agenda proved to be slightly different. It is remarkable what He chooses to do in our lives when we take the time to be still and listen. Unbeknownst to me, God brought me to Peggy Oâ€™Brien to answer two prayers I have been praying for quite some time.

Several years ago my best friend, one I considered a brother, moved away, and since then I had been looking to fill that void. Over the course of the weekend, God showed me I didnâ€™t need to replace the relationship, but focus more on that relationship. Friends you can truly love are sparse in our lifetime and I realized I cannot dispose of this relationship because of geography.

Secondly, the Adirondacks have always been my retreat; the place where my life comes into focus through the subtle nudges of Godâ€™s voice. The place where the vast creativeness and sovereignty of our Lord is so prevalent, I must leave renewed. I will close with my second answer to prayer which is illustrated below through my amateur poetic heart.

4960

s peak to me
o r spit me out!
u nleash your will, for too
l ong have i selfishly satisfied.
w hy do i see this same silence and
h ear everything that blinds me?
i s this all meaningless?
s pirit, still my soul,
p lace me on my knees.
e verything must have purpose.
r eveal yourself!
s peak to me!
fear ME.
keep MY commandments.
eccl. 13.12

Peggy O’Brien 2006

Scott Womer [worship arts pastor] — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 23:32:00 +0000

Last Thursday, 15 men from Albany, mostly from Terra Nova, shouldered their packs and headed into the Adirondack High Peaks. This was the 3rd Annual Peggy O’Brien retreat, held in the Johns Brook Valley, 3.4 miles in from the main road. Staying in two cabins, equipped with propane stoves and lamps, bunks, and a very unappealing outhouse, we spent 3 days climbing mountains, swimming in ice-cold pools under waterfalls, playing poker, and eating pounds of bacon and gorp. But beyond that, we spent time getting to know each other, talking late into the night and learning about community. With daily devotions by Nat Marshall and Matt Miller, along with a Saturday morning communion service with worship led by Rob Keparutis, we learned about our responsibility as men of God and the importance of leaning on each other. This, like the years past, was an incredible time. If you see one of the Peggy O guys, ask them to tell you about all about it. Good luck shutting them up……..

Imago

Scott Womer [worship arts pastor] — Mon, 01 May 2006 20:39:00 +0000

To all men reading (if you are of the female gender, don’t skip this, just nag your significant other about it,

Don’t forget about IMAGO (Terra Nova men’s Bible study) starting tomorrow morning (Tuesday 5/2) from 6:30 – 7:30am. Ed has a real heart for seeing men raised up to lead and love like Christ. This will be a intense time of study and prayer. Don’t be the only one not there, it will be so embarrasing for you..the private Imago jokes, the secret hand-shake, the free decoder ring…you don’t want to be THAT guy………

A Call to the Men of our Tribes

Ed Marcelle lead pastor — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 02:00:00 +0000

So, who is up for getting up early, getting together and sharing life, prayer, and Timothy? It has been on my heart to gather the men of terra together and start studying and praying together. The goal is to gather every Tuesday morning. We will rotate between Bible study and prayer. 6:30 in the morning means we can meet before work and still have time to grab breakfast, tea, or whatever @ Deli-icious.

Paul wrote to Timothy to instruct a young man [probably 30] in the faith. Guys, Adam was meant to be so much more. As fallen Adam’s sons seeking the life of Second Adam, Jesus, we must keep pushing. We need brothers to do that. I believe men alone are simply sinners, self-obsessed, and psychos.

Who’s in?