At the end of a week-long retreat in a mountain camp setting a somewhat different kind of worship service was taking place. It was at the end of a day that had been set aside for introspection and talking about feelings of self-worth. There had been some discussion about how to deal with feelings of guilt and the need to feel forgiven, and how it is often easier to forgive someone else than to forgive oneself. Since this was a retreat of church people there was frequent reference to the forgiving nature of God. But now the whole day was coming to focus in a time of worship.

All the people were gathered around. They did some singing and read several portions of scripture. There was a brief talk about forgiveness - forgiving others and forgiving one’s self - and the need to put aside past hur…