Sonya Schryer Norris

The Hermitage IV: My Goals for My Retreat

In the days leading up to my time at The Hermitage, I pulled out a fresh journal and sat down to consider what I wanted to accomplish. Some of my decision-making goals were temporal, and practical. I was really struggling with my attitude toward my health. As much as I intellectually knew that I neededContinueContinue reading “The Hermitage IV: My Goals for My Retreat”

The Hermitage III: Arriving

The Hermitage is about an hour and forty minutes from where I live. I stopped four times on my way there and showed up almost 45 minutes late. I knew I was going to be off the cell grid and emergency (!!) texts and phone calls pulled my car off to the side of theContinueContinue reading “The Hermitage III: Arriving”

The Hermitage II: Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

Let’s back up to this summer, specifically late July. I was reading the Gospels and opening myself to convert to Christianity. I even had an idea about where and when I would make my final determination: at The Hermitage. I like making plans. I like to know what to expect. And I felt like IContinueContinue reading “The Hermitage II: Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”

The Hermitage I: Introduction

This fall, I went on a three-day retreat at a southwest Michigan center called The Hermitage. It offers space for up to twelve in an atmosphere of silence that invites prayer and contemplation: “Creating an environment of attentiveness to God.” Most of the sleeping space is in the main residence but there are three cabinsContinueContinue reading “The Hermitage I: Introduction”

Church Tour: Central United Methodist Church

This morning, Marie and I attended a 9:30 service at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Lansing across from the Capitol. I’d only been inside this enormous church once but it was that experience that made them a definite for Church Tour. I was participating in a rally against the Second Gulf War onContinueContinue reading “Church Tour: Central United Methodist Church”

Checking in on Church Tour

For the past 5 months I have been on Church Tour, reading the Gospels, and trying to open myself up to Christianity. Trying to set aside my previous beliefs about Jesus and see where this new path would take me. Allowing Christian religious services and practices to touch my heart. I have been a regularContinueContinue reading “Checking in on Church Tour”

St. Martha’s Catholic Church

This week, my church buddy Jacob and I attended St. Martha’s in Okemos. This is the home church of my colleague and trivia team buddy Clare and she was our very lovely hostess during mass. Marie had to drop her hubby off at the airport this morning so she joined us for lunch after theContinueContinue reading “St. Martha’s Catholic Church”