We only had an inkling of what we were in for. Our first CATC weekend was summer 2017, and early on in the weekend we asked each other, “Can we do this every year?” We have not missed a chance to staff CATC Central ever since! Initially, we desired more of each others’ full presence and attention. Then, we were drawn to the rewards of fellowship, being healed in community. But it was the fun which ultimately hooked us. The playful, collegial spirit of CATC from the beginning let us know we could lay down our performance fears, our perfectionism, even the desire to be perfectly understood and accepted, and enjoy each other in the context of deepening spiritual friendship.
Couples who staff also appreciate the chance to face fears and imaginations about serving together as spouses, and enjoy the process of ministering to others, together. Staffing CATC provides valuable opportunities to work through those moments when tempers flare or toes are stepped on, moving into compassion and curiosity. For us, the CATC experience is a deep well of endless connection, healing, and joy. It has been an honor these past two years walking with leaders and staff, as we puzzled through how to establish CATC in the Eastern Region, and grow and sustain it in the Central and West regions. The friendship we have enjoyed with each staff container on our journey as CATC Regional Coordinators is an unexpected treasure–a gift that keeps generating more insights and connections.
Marriage is generative in several ways: man and wife pool together their resources (time, talent, treasure, etc.) to accomplish Kingdom work with a different kind of dynamism than our single brothers and sisters in Christ. A couple can hold space for others in Christian community, while also holding each other up in the toughest of times. Often, we must do this at a slower, deliberate pace, as it takes time and energy for two to become one in all things. Marriage can also generate new life! We are present to the reality that children come with joy and ease for some, but great heartache and loss for others. Three summers ago, we buried our oldest daughter, Gwyn, at age 11. Many MATC, WATC and CATC weekends prepared us for that extravagant, graveside work, which continues today, especially as we accompany our oldest living daughter, Lorraine, who just turned 11. There are also two members of our family, Marian and Sylvia, who exist in part because of the renewed intimacy CATC brought us. These “CATC babies” are not mere souvenirs—they are embodied Ebenezers, memorializing God’s faithfulness, “living stones, a spiritual house that is being built into a holy priesthood.” (2 Peter 2:5)
As baby Sylvia approaches 10 months, we embrace new insights, longings, and limits. So, we are stepping out of our current role as CATC Regional Coordinators, with hope for the future, and gratitude to those who have mentored and accompanied us, especially the Gibsons, the Vadens, the Brays, the Dennises and the Stillmans. Endings and new beginnings are life’s work, and some transitions are harder than others to accept. We remain present to how Gwyn’s death deeply shapes our family’s rhythms, our enjoyment of work and leisure, and our seasons of community and solitude. We grieve other, heavy losses: marriages we’ve known and loved, people who are no longer present with us for many reasons, like an empty chair at the dinner table. We continue running things in parallel–holding fullness and loss at the same time, trusting that our Lord will turn our water into wine, as He did for the marriage at Cana.
Thinking of staffing CATC this year? We pray you’ll sign up soon, and save the space on your calendar, with intention and hope for what God will do in your marriage, and those you will invite! If you are experienced CATC staffers interested in leading a future weekend, please email us or Rob Gibson!