Dear Christ Church,
Since my first Parish Retreat in 2017, I have loved every Parish Retreat. Whether it’s cheering on basketball tournaments with pep bands, learning from amazing teachers like Julie Canlis or Steve Garber, or the joy of watching Fr Cliff breakdance, this is one of my favorite weekends of the year. I love getting away each year with a community that loves God deeply but takes itself lightly.
We’re opening our Fall 2022 Parish Retreat registration and want everyone to come! This year’s retreat will be October 28-30th out at Highland Lakes in Spicewood.
Here are my top 5 reasons to come to Parish Retreat
-
Community: I have a quote that pops up on my computer every week that says, “Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them.” Whether newcomer or seasoned Christ Churcher, you’ll meet many new people at Parish Retreat.
-
Open to Joy: Angela Williams Gorrell will lead us through this theme, Open to Joy, and will focus on turning towards joy in the midst of grief, difficulty, and pain. Angela will lead us into a joy that is both theologically rich and immensely practical as her scholarship comes out of her personal experience as a chaplain in a women’s maximum security prison.
-
Fall in Texas: Late October in the Hill Country with crisp autumn air is some of the best time of the year. You might even join some of the staff camping under the stars.
-
Dance Party: Okay, not just a dance party, but that’s a fun feature. There are moments of joy and spontaneity throughout the weekend like impromptu pickleball tournaments and campfire s’mores. Plus, settle in on Friday night as the Austin-based band, Briscoe, kicks off the weekend with a concert.
-
Prayer Focus: Compline is offered nightly during retreat in a beautiful, candle-lit chapel. As part of our Sunday morning worship, we take extended time for a Healing Prayer service, bringing before the Lord all areas of our life that need healing.
Fr Cliff will soon be returning from his sabbatical and will be present at Parish Retreat. This will be a relationally rich time to connect with our Rector as well.
Peace,
Matt+