2025 Congregational Pastor Retreat
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? 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. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
You’re Invited!
Dates & Cost:
November 5 - 7
$200 Per Pastor
*If you find that attending would be prohibited due to finances you may reach out in confidence to Rev. Casey Carbone.
**Due to the nature of this retreat and the topics covered, participation is limited to pastors only (not open to partners at this time).
It’s good to get away—away from the noise, the demands, the constant hum of a world that rarely pauses. Sometimes we retreat to learn, to grow. But other times, we step back not to gain more knowledge or complete another task, but to simply be. To unplug. To set aside the compulsion to produce and perform. In that sacred pause, we reconnect—with ourselves, with creation, with the Spirit that has been present all along, waiting quietly for us to notice.
That’s what this year’s pastor retreat is really about—taking an intentional pause. It’s a chance to break the rhythm of consuming and performing, and instead simply be—to dwell in the presence of something spiritual, something sacred. In the midst of all that swirls around us—news headlines, deadlines, personal demands—don’t we all long for a moment to pause? To breathe? To remember that we are more than the expectations that we and others place upon ourselves?
We hope you’ll consider joining us for this year’s clergy retreat. If you’ve spoken with those who attended last year, I’m sure they’ve already shared what a blessing it was—a time of renewal, connection, and grace. And for a retreat focused on grounding (or perhaps re-grounding) ourselves, what better setting than Mercy by the Sea, nestled along the Long Island Sound—a place where land meets water, and stillness invites us in.
Location:
Mercy by the Sea
167 Neck Road
Madison, CT 06443-0191
“Mercy by the Sea believes in the sacred nature of the individual and all of creation. Our programs, retreats and events encourage individuals to listen into and trust the still inner voice. From that place deep longings, creative imagination and fledgling efforts in service of a greater good can emerge, be nurtured and spread in the world.”
Retreat Leader:
Cami Twilling
Cami Twilling, based in Colorado, is the Director of Earth & Soul (a Celtic initiative of study, spiritual practice and compassionate action inspired by the teachings of John Philip Newell). As well as heading up the overall work of Earth & Soul, she facilitates the spiritual practice component of the Earth & Soul Annual Retreats. Previously she was the head of Contemplative Spirituality and Youth Ministry at Trinity UMC in downtown Denver. She has studied meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition of Shambhala and received Spiritual Direction certification from the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to leading mountain and urban retreats, she has led international pilgrimage groups to Iona in the Western Isles of Scotland and work teams to Guatemala to build houses in communities that have suffered from political strife and economic hardship. Cami is passionate about the relationship between spirituality and action and believes that spiritual vision and practice can play a vital role in helping to heal and transform our lives both individually and together.