Beloved, this is a 36 hour “time away” for the Elders of Rio Texas Conference to laugh, pray, and learn together. Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath will be joining for a two learning sessions on Monday. Cost includes lodging at Light on the Hill and all food. There is an option to stay off site however all meals are included (as we really want to spend time all together!) Thanks to Annual Conference and BOM for covering the remainder of the costs for this retreat!
Cost:
- Double occupancy room and food: $160
- Single occupancy room and meals (very limited): $260
- Meals only: $60 (your are responsible for your own lodging)
To help defray the costs of this event, you can seek reimbursement for up to $150 through the Clergy Wellness Program at riotexaswellness.org
Lodging:
- Stay at Light on the Hill or you can secure your own lodging (note, all rooms are double occupancy unless you want to pay for a single room)
- Roommate preference (you and your roommate will get room keys together upon arrival)
Our speaker is the Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath.
We are at the forefront of a new reformation, one that is freeing the Christian faith from the sinful structures of patriarchy, racism, classism, many phobias, and exploitive forms of mission and evangelism. The new reformation is all about the emergence of a generous, hospitable, equitable form of Christianity that heals the wounds of the world. Dr. Heath believes much of the work for the church in the years ahead must focus on healing the wounds inflicted by Christendom so that the beauty and inclusive goodness of the Gospel can be heard, seen, and experienced. Her work as an author, speaker, retreat leader, and consultant focuses on helping leaders and organizations lean into the healing, liberating, and spiritually transformative journey into which God is calling the church in this new era.
Along with her spouse and several friends she lives at Spring Forest, a new monastic community in rural North Carolina, where she serves as Abbess. They tend a forest and small regenerative farm, and we have a range of ministries that support immigrants. They
Dr. Heath has served in pastoral and academic ministry, including serving as the McCreless Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology, and Dean of Duke Divinity School, and the founder of Neighborhood Seminary and co-founder of the Missional Wisdom Foundation. She is the author of thirteen books, including, Trauma Informed Evangelism (co-authored with Charles Kiser), Loving the Hell Out of Ourselves: A Memoir (co-authored with Jeanine B. Heath-McGlinn), God Unbound, and The Mystic Way of Evangelism.
She will lead us in discussions about how we live together in community, holding each other accountable in love and learn to live together as an order.
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Dr. Celia Halfacre at pastorcelia@gmail.com or Rev. Karen Horan at khoran@riotexas.org.