Out of concern for the health and safety of our members, we have canceled Well-Being Retreat 2020, which was to be held Aug. 17-19 at Montreat.
Board University has introduced a new offering, Well-Being Respite, which allows members to pause, learn, reframe, and connect in a virtual space. Learn more about this online opportunity.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart."
— Deuteronomy 6:5-6
Rooted in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the focus of this year's retreat is what it means to love God with our entire being and how we pass the stories of our lives and faith from one generation to the next.
According to Mitch Albom, "No story sits by itself. Our lives connect like threads on a loom, interwoven in ways we never realize."
The Bible's story of God's relationship to God's people reminds us that community is essential.
Now more than ever, the way we understand our story is shaped by the way we understand ourselves and interpret the world around us. Perhaps an even greater truth is that our identities are shaped by other stories with which we have engaged … the stories of scripture and the stories we read, hear, or witness.
Our current reality is a poignant reminder of the importance of situating our lives in God's story and telling the stories about God's activity in our lives. This year's gathering will create space for participants to reflect on their story, to explore what it means to tell our stories with integrity, and to find points of connection with our siblings in Christ and to rediscover our place in God's grand narrative.
At Well-Being Retreat, you will
Active and retired members of the Benefits Plan — including ministers, employees, spouses, and surviving spouses — are welcome.
This annual gathering is an opportunity to participate in worship, fellowship, learning, and reflection. Each retreat centers on a different theme, always related to wholeness.
For all participants, Well-Being Retreat offers time away from the usual routines to think, breathe, and renew. It is also an opportunity for ministers to recall and renew their CREDO vows and learnings.
There is no conference fee for Well-Being Retreat. Participants are, however, responsible for travel, lodging, and a nominal meal fee. Payment for lodging and meals must be made at the time of registration.
The Well-Being Retreat turns five this year! A number of special activities will be woven into the program as a means of celebrating the Board of Pensions' commitment to the well-being of our members. As in previous years, we have worked diligently to develop a program that addresses topics of interest to the diversity of our members. Our workshop leaders have been prayerfully preparing and have a wealth of knowledge to share with you.
Workshop topics and speakers will include the following:
Email us with any questions.
This past August, more than 115 active and retired ministers and employees of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), spouses, and surviving spouses gathered by Lake Susan’s shore for rest, renewal, worship, and learning.
The tranquil beauty of Montreat reinforced this year’s theme: Life Is More — a reference to Luke 12, which reminds us that it is primarily spiritual, not material, pursuits that fulfill us.
“This event … [is] one of the best I have ever attended. It not only helped me with some of my own stuff, it gave me some great ideas to bring back to the local church. I can’t stress enough the importance of the workshops for self-care and for church care, a good balance of both.”
—Well-Being Retreat participant
