By: Jon Zirkle
On the first full weekend of March, twenty-eight men gathered at Camp Friedenswald in southern Michigan for a Mennonite Men retreat. After a COVID-19-related pause of several years, many celebrated its return. Despite a nearby tornado on Friday afternoon, weather did not cancel this long-anticipated retreat. Praise God!
The theme, Becoming Malleable Men: Practicing Faith and Being Formed, was shaped largely by Mike Martin, Executive Director of RAWtools. Unfortunately, Mike came down with the flu days before and was unable to attend from Colorado. Nonetheless, gifted camp staff and his already-prepared content allowed the retreat to proceed — one where we truly practiced malleability together.
Throughout the weekend, God’s creation provided ample symbolism for unpredictability, beauty, and adaptability. Heavy rain and thunder on Friday night altered our plans for an outdoor campfire, but drew us together around the indoor fireplace with powerful acoustics for prayer and singing. Several men jumped into icy Shavehead Lake on both Saturday and Sunday morning — a real bonding experience. Mild weather on Saturday cooperated for a hike to see thousands of young native trees planted at camp through a Mennonite Men JoinTrees grant, and camp staff Amy Huser and Jonathan Fridley shared about land management and creation care.
Saturday afternoon was a highlight for many. Optional activities included disc golf, cutting invasives, archery, forging metal, and chopping wood as service to camp. The evening closed with popcorn and fireside singing at Mosquito Hollow — a long and beloved camp tradition.
A focal point of the weekend was forging metal pieces brought from home alongside decommissioned weapon parts acquired through RAWtools’ peacemaking programs. RAWtools volunteers Jerry Martin and Abenezer Dejene guided us as we worked in pairs, each getting a chance to alter their partner’s forged piece. The symbolism ran deep: letting others shape our work teaches us to learn from one another rather than compete for control. On Saturday night, we forged in the dark by headlamp, then reflected in small groups. As Mike Martin puts it:
“The transformation I see at the anvil has so much carry-over into our transformation throughout life. It connects to conflict and harm and repair and reconciliation. We have plenty of good things that have shaped us as well.”
Sunday morning brought bird watching led by college student Peter Moser, then outdoor worship in glorious sunshine. We sang hymns as we attached our forged pieces to a tree-like sculpture, left at Camp Friedenswald as a lasting mark of that gathering. We ended in a prayer circle, new bonds formed.
As Abenezer reflected:
“The retreat provided a chance to reflect on my malleability as one shaped in the likeness of Christ. The fellowship and experience were a time of learning and reflection on how we can be shaped to serve others.”
Do men really need to gather? We need each other — for vulnerable sharing, small groups, singing, and staying grounded in prayer, God’s word, and relationship.
Men, these times are challenging. Find others to connect with — at a retreat, in a small group, or over coffee. Stay tuned for the next Mennonite Men retreat.
Photos by Jon Zirkle and Camp Friedenswald