撰文／Aletbea 译／思恩｜圣灵月刊348期-2006.09｜主题／婚姻休止符
今年参加英文文宣写作研习营的学员，在温哥华教会信徒的热情欢迎下，来到卑诗省的温哥华。由于弟兄姊妹殷勤的招待，我们很快地适应这个暂时的新家，并开始为期一周的课程。
环伺会堂，处处可见神的创造之美，提供诸多写作的灵感；诱人的拱形木门迎接着寻找安静祷告场所的信徒。身为一位英文文宣写作研习营的学员，当我走进温哥华教会的会堂时，随即可从亲切的弟兄姊妹中深深地感受到神的爱，以及学员间的友谊。
去年也曾在新泽西的“喜乐坡教会”，参加英语文宣写作研习营，当时我期待能够拥有静谧的时间，以便能够为神写作，不被家中俗事干扰、分神。我也期待能够有向别人学习的机会，希望能因此得到启发。今年随着参加人数的增加，尚不至于没有机会向其他同灵请益及寻求协助的机会，因此个人对写作营的期待也不致于落空。
今年，由谷慕霖弟兄及石汝莲姊妹制定写作方向并提供指导，帮助每个学员琢磨、修饰自己的作品。在祷告会上，杨传道也贡献他的智能。其余的参与者，不论是新人或是老手，彼此都交换了许多建议和评论。不论在同侪互修文章的上课中，或是课余时间，大家也多忙于彼此修稿润饰，彼此鼓励，互相支持、打气。
我们立刻开始写作，以较短的属灵文章为主，借此刺激我们预备心为神写作。几天之后，在开始撰写长篇的文章之前，许多有爱心的弟兄姊妹带我们到户外踏青，欣赏神所创造奇妙的美景。
山峰上的一抹云白及青葱的峰顶，是我们在阅读他人的属灵短文时可供远眺的背景。稍后，身旁美丽的林木增添了些许凉意，这时的我们正为长篇的属灵文章做脑力激荡。
对所有的人来说，这是一个收获丰富，写作成果丰硕的一周。不管在纸稿上或是在平日相处中，我们也都交换对彼此的写作深思过后的想法。在同侪互评、读经或是写作的时间，我们也分享许多智能的言语及对彼此的建议。除了致力于属灵短文及长篇文章的写作之外，也投入相当多的时间在追求灵性上的增长，一切都是为了能够为神写出更好的文章。
今年圣经研读的经卷是《诗篇》，让我们借着研读神的话语和祷告而得到造就。在许多的写作时间之外，诗颂课程带来短暂的休息，并让我们能够借着诗歌来歌颂神。白天到户外散散步，也可以抒发整天坐在室内所孕育的精力，疲乏的思路能够再次得到复苏。
一个星期很快就过去了，但靠着神的恩典，英文文宣写作研习营有很好的成果，大家都投入相当的时间与神交通、为神写作，彼此学习和启发，分享许多欢笑和情谊，在这里无时无刻都可以感受到神的爱环绕着我们。
The participants of this years English Writers Retreat （EWR） were greeted by warm and welcome smiles of Vancouver, B.C. church members. Their kind hospitality allowed all of us to settle down quickly into our new, temporary home for the week-long event.
The beauty of Gods creation surrounding the church provided ample inspiration, while the inviting chapel with its arching woodwork welcomed those seeking a quiet place of prayer. Walking into Vancouver Church as one of the EWR participants, I could feel only the love of God from the kind and caring members, as well as in the fellowship shared among all the writers.
Having participated in last years EWR in Hillsborough, New Jersey, I was looking forward to a time of quiet and rest, in which I could write for God and not be distracted by worldly things that surround me at home. I was also looking forward to a time in which I could learn from others and be edified. With more participants joining this years retreat, I was hardly lacking in any help or advice and I had no cause to be disappointed in my expectations.
This year, Bro. Stephen Ku and Sis. Elaine Shek for-ged the way for the rest of the participants, providing guidance for all and helping everyone refine their writings. Preacher Timothy Yeung also offered his wisdom in prayer sessions. The rest of the participants-both veterans of EWR as well as first-timers-exchanged plenty of advice and comments, edited each others work inside and outside of peer editing sessions, and gave plenty of spiritual support.
We immediately began writing, starting with a relatively small piece, a devotional, to give our brains and hearts a slight kick start to begin writing for God. A couple days later-before we began our full-length articles-helpful church members took all of the participants out on a small excursion, where everyone was able to appreciate the wonder of Gods creation.
Lovely white, mountain peaks and grassy hilltops provided the backdrop for us as we sat down together and studied spiritual works written by other authors. Later on, a lovely, if slightly chilly, wood surrounded us as we began to brainstorm for our full-length articles.
It was a fruitful and productive week for all. Many reflections and thoughts were shared, both on paper and in companionship, and many words of wisdom and advice exchanged through peer editing, Bible studies, and work sessions. We devoted ourselves to writing devotionals and full-length articles, with ample time spent in spiritual cultivation in order to better write for God.
The Bible studies this year focused on several《Psalms》, which allowed us to spend time cultivating ourselves through the word of God and through prayer. Hymn sessions also gave a brief and welcome pause to work sessions where everyone could fellowship and praise God in song. The daily walks provided an outlet for pent-up energy and rusty brains as a result of sitting indoors all day.
The week passed by all too quickly, but by the grace of God the entire EWR was fruitful in providing time spent with God, time writing for God, and time edifying and learning from each other. Many smiles of laughter and companionship were shared, and the love of God surely touched and surrounded us all throughout the entire time.