You can let them know you are coming and what you are bringing, here. David and Matt are providing pulled pork sandwiches and marinated chicken. YUM!!! Thanks so much, David and Matt, for using your gifts of hospitality!

The Poetry Group

a description and invitation by Torrey Benware

The group grew out of a conversation over the dying embers of a Resto Fall Retreat bonfire, when several of the last few around the fire casually mentioned that they wrote poetry. Many of these members knew Richard Hines individually and had traded poems, but we decided to meet all together in order to share our writing with more people who would be interested in providing feedback, encouragement, and inspiration. 

Over the past year and a half, our group has grown organically through word-of-mouth, and we typically have 6-12 people at each gathering, making the meetings quite intimate, which is great for sharing writing that can sometimes be vulnerable and emotionally charged. While sharing personally-written poetry is definitely not a requirement to attend, the majority of the group members are poetry writers as well as appreciators (though 2-3 members have not shared personal poetry). Everyone who does attend, however, does bring at least one poem to share–either one they have written or one that they appreciate from someone else. Also, our group tends to be fairly balanced between men and women, and also represents an age range from people in their late-20s to retirees.

Prior to most meetings, we set a theme around which each poet will write (or bring) a poem to be shared. Several meetings have followed the liturgical calendar, with themes/poems on Advent, All Souls Day, Ash Wednesday, Ordinary Time, and others. Other themes have included kitchen tables, martyrdom, dust, breath, and apocalypse. We have also included a few poetry challenges, like “write a poem about a mustard spoon” or “write a poem in response to another member’s previously-shared poem”.

If you would like to get in touch with the group, you can contact Naomi or Torrey Benware and learn more about the group.

The poetry group has been a great blessing to all of our members. We have been vulnerable with one another; we have shared very personal desires and emotions; and we have encouraged one another to be bold in writing creative and beautiful works of literary art. We have also laughed and shared many great meals and drinks–poetry group members know to bring tupperware for leftovers! It’s a special place.

I am so grateful for the ways this group has grown up within our large Restoration community. Thank you for using your artistic gifts of spoken and written words!