DPF Mission Director Brian Frederick-Gray with the 2022 Peace Interns (Sophia Barnett, Erin Gresham, and Isaac Ackerman) at their In-Person Closing Retreat in Granbury, Texas
The 2022 DPF Peace Interns summer experience wrapped up in August with a Closing Retreat held in Granbury, Texas.
Sophia Barnett, Erin Gresham, and Isaac Ackerman had a week together at my parent's house on the Brazos River to connect with each other, process their summer experiences, think through next steps in their faith journey, and spend intentional time in dialogue with specific conversation partners.
Oh, and I got to meet them in person for the very first time (I tested positive for COVID the day before in-person Training Week, so had to join that event remotely).
We had a wonderful time together at the Closing Retreat. It was filled with laughter (and the occasional tears), fellowship, discernment, and lots of delicious food.
So many wonderful people helped make the Closing Retreat possible. DPF would like to thank Cheryl and Glenn Frederick for providing the retreat space (the swing by the river was a particularly big hit with the Peace Interns).
Peace Interns enjoying sunset down by the Brazos River; our nightly routine during the Retreat.
We would also like to thank all of the "Daily Conversation Partners" who joined us throughout the week. That includes Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel Natalie Teague, Rev. Amy Piatt & Rev. Justin Jeter from FCC Granbury, former Peace Intern Will O'Brien of the United States Institute of Peace, the DPF Executive Committee, and former Peace Intern Jennifer Williams (who surprised everyone by joining us for dinner one night!).
DPF Executive Committee Member (and 2020 Peace Intern) Jennifer Williams stopped by for dinner one night.
A huge "Thank You!" to DPF Travel Agents extraordinaire Nelia Beth Scoville and Joel Heim for booking all of the summer travel for the Peace Interns including the flights to the Closing Retreat and everyone's flights back home.
Airport Selfie with the whole group!
You can read all about the Peace Interns' summer activities on the "Follow the Interns" Blog and you can check out their curated resources and workshops on the Peace & Justice Playlist page.
As always, DPF is thankful for all of our supporters and the myriad ways that you support the Peace Intern Program each and every summer. Thank you for your prayers, for your financial support, for your Peace Intern Pen Pal offerings, and everything that you do for the Peace Interns. Blessings!