This year I attended my second HELM retreat. Both have been very meaningful and impactful retreats in many different ways. However, it was wonderful to share time in-person together as a community this year due to being virtual last year. Even though I had never met most of the HELM Fellows before, it felt as if I had known everyone for years. Each person that is part of this program brings such valuable gifts, intentionality, and acceptance. One moment from the retreat weekend that greatly impacted me was meeting within the Year 2 cohort group. It is such a unique and special opportunity to get to share deep and meaningful conversations with fellow Disciples over such relevant and daunting topics. For example, the book our cohort read this year was Why We Can’t Wait by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was an inspiring and eye-opening time to hear each person’s perspective and the lessons that they learned from the book. In addition, it was an amazing opportunity to go to Downtown Atlanta to visit the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. Getting to see where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived and did much of his work was an impactful and empowering experience. This was just one of the many amazing moments from the retreat this weekend. I am forever grateful to be part of such an amazing program that practices acceptance, justice, community, learning, growth, and activism. Thank you to all the HELM leaders and Fellows for creating a beautiful community for people to come together.
