Just over a month after the signing of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, the Continental Army, under the leadership of General George Washington, found itself in a perilous situation. The American forces had been unable to repel a British attack on Long Island, and after a devastating defeat at the Battle of Brooklyn, some 9,000 American troops were trapped against the East River. In an effort to save his men, Washington ordered the collection of all available flat-bottomed boats to ferry his troops across the river to Manhattan under cover of darkness and rain. The Massachusetts fishermen who manned the boats muffled their oars with rags and left campfires burning to deceive the British. Though many soldiers had yet to be evacuated from Brooklyn by sunrise, a dense fog obscured the final stages of the retreat, allowing all 9,000 troops to escape along with much of their equipment and artillery. As one Continental officer later wrote, "In the history of warfare I do not recollect a more fortunate retreat."

We always regale bravery in the face of danger, but often the face of overwhelming odds it’s best to retreat and regroup. George Washington happened to be very good at retreating and his skill in tactical retreats, is partially responsible for the fact that we are not British. Many of us feel overwhelmed today, not by redcoats, but by the general busy-ness of the world in which we live. Sometimes our souls need to retreat, lest they be overwhelmed. Our ancestors knew this. Even Jesus wandered in the wilderness before embarking on his ministry. Even during his ministry Jesus would find time to get away from it all to rest and pray. That’s why during this Lenten season, we will invite you to retreat with us.

On Saturday, March 4, we will ask you to come retreat to the church and spend 2 hours in prayer and contemplation. There will be different prayer activities in which to participate, so there should be something for everyone. You can come any time between the hours of 9 and 5 on Saturday, March 4, but we ask that you plan to spend at least 2 hours in retreat. Take time this season to let Jesus restore your soul.