2024 Annual Retreat:
Preaching & Pastoring in Polarized Times
When: Monday, June 3 thru Wednesday, June 5*
*Lodging available for participants staying Wednesday night
Where: Camp Allen | Navasota, TX
Who Should Attend: Bi-Vocational Priests, Deacons, and Lay Leaders
Travel Costs: Participants are responsible for some travel costs (see details below).
Registration Fee: $50. Includes your retreat track choice + Camp Allen single room & meals.
Please register and pay registration fee on Camp Allen’s website.
Annual Retreat will take place during a larger retreat including the Iona Annual Deans’ Meeting.
RETREAT TRACKS
TITLE: ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN? Preaching the Gospel in Polarized Times
We pray, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” every Sunday just before the bread of heaven is broken and shared. But among those who are praying, how many have a clear sense of what the reign of God actually looks like, or how to align their daily lives very practically with God’s values? This retreat offering will engage specific readings from Lectionary Year B to help preachers guide their congregations in discerning how to live with integrity as faithful followers of Jesus and as citizens amid a noisy and contentious U.S. election year. The emphasis will be on the formational power of sermons over a season of preaching, and participants can expect to leave with a plan for preaching key texts in the months leading up to the November election.
Leaders: Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson and Rev. Dr. John Lewis
Who Should Register: Anyone (lay or ordained) who preaches regularly.
TITLE: DEFUSING POLARIZED DISCOURSE
In this season of aggressive rhetoric and heated arguments, what’s the alternative to rancor, reaction, and rehearsing the same old scripts? In this workshop with Steven Tomlinson, you’ll explore skills, strategies, and dispositions for moving past the surface of inflammatory exchanges to the opportunities for connection and healing. In role-play with your favorite scenarios, you’ll get practice building trust, holding boundaries, and advocating values in ways that make these conversations particularly promising opportunities for Christian witness and pastoral care. You’ll also learn how to frame disagreements in the congregation in ways that promote respect and patience.
Leader: Dr. Steven Tomlinson
Who Should Register: Anyone (lay or ordained)
Travel details
Participants are responsible for making and paying for travel arrangements from their home airport to Houston International Airport (IAH). Complementary shuttle service is available through Camp Allen, and should be coordinated by each participant at registration. Shuttle pick-up times at IAH Terminal B Limousine Area are 11:00am, 1:30pm, and 4:00pm. Departure times from Camp Allen to IAH Terminal B are 8:00am and 12:45pm. Please plan your air travel accordingly.
Camp Allen Accommodations: Participants will be assigned a single room (unless you request to share with someone). Lodging is available for participants staying over Wednesday evening. Shuttle service to and from IAH, Camp Allen meals and rooms will be covered by Iona Collaborative.
ANNUAL RETREAT & DEANS’ meeting COMBINED Schedule
Arrive to Camp Allen anytime after 3PM
| 6:00PM | DINNER |
| 7:00PM | Happy Hour, Meet & Greet, Special Speaker: Tony Baker |
| 8:15PM | Compline |
| 7:30AM | Morning Prayer |
| 8:00AM | BREAKFAST |
| 9:00AM | Track Time |
| Noon | LUNCH |
| 2:30PM | Track Time |
| 5:00PM | Happy Hour |
| 6:00PM | DINNER |
| 7:00PM | Worship with Special Guest, Rev. Leyla King (Diocese of West Texas) |
| 7:30AM | Morning Prayer |
| 8:00AM | BREAKFAST |
| 9:00AM | Track Time |
| Noon | LUNCH |
| 2:00PM | Track Time |
| 4:00PM | Official Close of the Retreat |
| 5:00PM | Happy Hour for Guests Staying Over |
| 6:00PM | Dinner for Guests Staying Over |
This retreat is part of the Thriving in Bi-Vocational Ministry program at the Iona Collaborative.
Funding comes from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., Trinity Wall Street Church,
and the Iona Collaborative.