Sustaining the Courage to Serve
Date Posted:
6/22/2016
A 2016-2017 Courage & Renewal® Retreat Series for clergy in the UMC Texas Annual Conference
In this retreat-based program, using the Circle of Trust® approach, you can discover new ways to embrace multiple roles, reclaim balance between your personal and professional life, and lead from a place of wholeness.
With help of skilled Courage & Renewal® facilitators, and guided by unique principles and practices, you and your fellow participants create a community of mutual respect and engage in prayerful listening to one another and to God’s inner guidance.
What to Expect
In a five-retreat series over a 14-month period, you will gather with the same cohort of 20-30 clergy to engage in deep conversations within a trusted community of peers.
In large-group, small-group, and solitary settings, the retreats provide opportunities to:
- Explore Sabbath practices that renew heart, mind, and spirit;
- Reclaim authentic leadership that honors one’s gifts and acknowledges the power of limits;
- Create a community of mutual respect and caring that welcomes the soul and honors diversity;
- Learn about the discernment process called Clearness Committee;
- Embody the principles and practices which create safe space for spiritual formation;
- Bring back insights and experiment with new ways of leading in one’s own faith community;
- Practice healthy ways to hold tensions inherent in a life of faith and service; and
- Discern helpful approaches to “real life” challenges with colleagues.
Series Dates
To receive the full benefit of this program, participants are expected to attend all 5 retreats. You are responsible for full program payment even if you miss a retreat.
Fall: Identity and Integrity in Leadership
November 7 – 9, 2016
Winter: Death and Dormancy in Ministry
February 20 – 22, 2017
Spring: Power of Paradox
April 24 – 26, 2017
Summer: Abundance of Community
July 24 – 26, 2017
Fall: Harvesting Our Learning
November 6 – 8, 2017
Schedule: Each retreat begins at 3:00 pm on Monday and concludes at noon on Wednesday.
Peer Learning Circles: Participants will be divided into cohorts of 4-5 individuals. These cohorts will provide peer support by telephone and online communication between retreats.
All retreats will be held at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center, 2 hours southeast of Dallas. This beautiful 1300-acre property includes three lakes and an array of hiking and nature trails.
400 Private Road 6036, Palestine, TX 75801
Phone: 903-538-2711
See brochure to learn more