2025 Unconference

TRACK FULL – Please Consider Another Track

“Lifting the Veil” on the Apocalyptic Perspective

“It’s apocalyptic!” people exclaim in response to such varied incidents as the wildfires in Los Angeles, catastrophic weather events, climate change, immigration and migration, and the pervasive heartache of wars, persecution, and violence around the globe. But does this response actually have anything to do with the biblical understanding of apocalypse? And is there ongoing value for us today in the biblical apocalyptic perspective, with its roots in the Hebrew prophets and its pervasive influence on the New Testament?

Jane Patterson and John Lewis will explore the apocalyptic perspective through a close reading of key prophetic and apocalyptic texts in relation to current events, and a peek at how artists have interpreted apocalypses for their own times. Patterson and Lewis will facilitate a conversation that examines how we might properly use the biblical “apocalyptic” perspective as a clarifying lens for theological reflection on today’s world, as well as a creative framework for preaching, teaching, and Christian practice.

Leaders: Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson and Rev. Dr. John Lewis

Who Should Register: Anyone (lay or ordained) who preaches regularly. 

Cultivating a Pastoral Presence in Times of Uncertainty

Amidst seasons of profound change, the need for deep and steady pastoral presence is more vital than ever. This retreat will provide opportunities to strengthen your capacities to navigate distressing pastoral care encounters with grace and groundedness. Anchored in an Adapted Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) case study model, participants will engage in interactive sessions designed to deepen self-awareness, enhance reflective practices, and foster resilience.

Leader: Rev. Jana Milhon-Martin, Director: Center for Lay Chaplaincy 
Who Should Register: Anyone (lay or ordained).

Nurturing Our Spiritual Well-Being

Our culture often tells us that our worth is tied to our productivity, and for those called to serve in the church, that pressure can be even greater. The demands of ministry, family, and community leave little space for rest, and before we know it, our spiritual well-being is caught in the whirlwind of burnout culture.

This retreat is different. This is a time to truly step away—not to learn something new; not to add another practice to your plate, but to receive. To allow yourself to be nurtured, to rest, to be cared for.

For two days, we invite you to simply be. To let go of the need to “do” and instead receive the gifts of peace, joy, and renewal. Together, we’ll have honest conversations about how our broken systems have shaped our lives and how we might begin to make small, meaningful shifts toward spiritual resilience.

You don’t have to figure anything out. You don’t have to have a plan. Just come. Let your soul be nurtured. When you leave, you may return to life exactly as before, or maybe, just maybe, you’ll carry with you one small shift that ripples through your life and the lives of those around you.

Come, and have a real retreat.

Leaders: Rebecca Hall & Aneya Elbert, Iona Collaborative
Guest Speaker: Dr. Allison Hopkins, Texas A&M University
Who Should Register: Anyone (lay or ordained).