December 2004

Thirteen Years of Kanuga

by The Rev. Billy Alford

The June retreat at Kanuga is one of the few places where you can really see the impact of AIDS on our nation. It’s one of the few places where you can still see sick people, and it’s stunning to realize that 99 percent of those attending are members of minority groups.

All this was particularly apparent to me this June at the thirteenth annual retreat because I had been unable to attend for a number of years. In the early years I had a more active organizing role. One of the prime movers was Peter Lee, who was then a NEAC board member, and the relationship between NEAC and Kanuga, built up with the help of former executive director Ted Karpff, remains strong. This year I was able to represent NEAC at organizing meetings. Bruce Garner continues to be a moving forceÑand helps us get more quilt panels than we probably should!

This year’s leader, Bill Doubleday, a professor at General Seminary, brought to the retreat a history of working with those affected by the disease that goes back to a chaplaincy in New York City before AIDS even had a name. He was ideally suited to lead us through the three major sessions about “Spiritual Resources for the Journey,” which were on Hospitality, Compassion, and Reconciliation. Fran McKendree took care of the music in his predictably brilliant fashion; it’s a pleasure to know he will return next year when Bishop Michael Curry will lead the retreat.

Those attending are not necessarily Episcopalian, but it’s clear that they all find hope and healing. Kanuga is a wonderful place for them to relax. Not only is there highly competent medical care readily available, but it’s also a place where people can let their hair down and talk about what’s really bothering them with others who are dealing with the same problems. That’s why so many look forward to coming back next year. I hope to be among them.