Pastors' Fellowship & Communion, 2021
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Dear Pastors,
This past year has been difficult. We’ve watched you step far outside your comfort zones and into new worlds of online worship and socially distanced pastoral care. We’ve been inspired by the way you've led with creativity, courage, and faith, despite your own uncertainty, fear, and feelings of loss. Knowing that this year, more than most, you need a break, we were heartbroken to have to cancel the Annual Leaders Retreat. We can hardly believe that for two years now we have not been able to get away together in a setting where we can rest, renew friendships, and spend time in worship. We are hopeful that the time will soon come when we can once again gather in person. What a joyful moment that will be! Even though we may not be able to gather in person, technology does make it possible for us to gather virtually. In appreciation for your hard work and imaginative leadership, we have invited congregations to free you from responsibilities on Sunday, April 25, so we can spend time with one another online. At 11 a.m. we'll take an hour to renew relationships and get to know pastors new to our Conference. At 3 p.m. we will gather to reflect together on this past year and celebrate communion. Even if you’re not able to participate in the morning gathering, we’d love to see you in the afternoon. We also encourage you to take some personal retreat days or plan a vacation sometime soon. Where you go, what you do, and how long you’re away aren’t as important as simply taking time to be — with yourself, your loved ones, and with God. To help you get started, you can find some links for retreat ideas or complete plans in the sidebar. Thank you for your faithful leadership during this difficult year. We are looking forward to seeing your faces, hearing your voices, and praying together! — from the Pastoral Leadership Committee |
Register for the virtual
Pastors' Fellowship & Communion events here. Register by April 12 to receive a special care package, complete with communion elements, or anytime before April 25 to receive the Zoom links. Retreat!
Ready-to-go Retreat Plans (from various sources) *Personal Spiritual Retreat, Stephanie O'Brien "Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." - Jesus *Unhurried Living 24 hour retreat schedule, with modifications for half-day or full-day retreat *House at Rest, by Roger Weber For pastoral anxiety: On a dark night kindled in love with yearnings Oh, happy chance! I went forth unobserved, my house being now at rest. Saint John of the Cross *A Day with God: A Guided Personal Retreat of Prayer and Reflection, Rev. T. L. Weitzel Written for a congregation in 2000, valuable time with God, even today. DIY Retreat--Guides for Planning
*Draw Near: Creative Prayer Ideas for Beleaguered Preachers, Lynn Baab *A Guide for Home Retreat, Biola University |