The NWC Ministerial Association Retreat for pastors, church ministry staff and spouses, will be held Oct. 4-6, 2021, at Covenant Pines Bible Camp located in McGregor, MN.
Fall is coming. The changing of the season offers us crisp morning air. It invites us to wonder as we again witness the green leaves of summer transformed into shades of golden yellow, flaming orange, striking red and muted brown. Fall is a season of beauty and a season of transition. It is a bridge between the bright, warm days of outdoor summer fun and the shorter, colder days of winter that call us inside to read, do projects and sip hot drinks. Fall is a time to gather in the harvest of the field, to pause and to thank God for his faithfulness. We are invited to do the same this fall. We have an opportunity to pause, to gather with friends and colleagues and to thank God for his faithfulness.
This Ministerial Association retreat has been intentionally designed to offer those who minister in the Northwest Conference 3 days and 2 nights of time to pause and connect. Connect with God in the outdoor beauty of Covenant Pines. Re-Connect with each other after enduring the isolation inherent to the pandemic. Rest well, together and individually, within a retreat schedule that has been designed with the space necessary to allow the possibility for connection to become a reality. Come to connect, to re-connect and to rest. You are invited and welcomed into this space.
In order to focus on connection, re-connection and rest, our retreat content will be presented this year in brief, “COV Talk” format. We will begin each of our 4 sessions together with worshipful music. Worship will continue as one of our colleagues in ministry presents a COV Talk, offering us the opportunity to learn and ponder together. Additionally, there will be spaces available to meet with a spiritual director and, if there is interest, experience God’s presence communally through a group spiritual direction session. There is ample time in our relaxed schedule to not only connect, re-connect and rest, but also to enjoy physical activity and play. The Giant Swing, Climbing Tower and Pontoon Boat Rides will be staffed by camp personnel and available to us. Sharing together in Communion will conclude our final session together on Wednesday morning. This time will be followed by more free time and lunch. The camp respectfully requests that we leave the property no later than 2pm on Wednesday. Come and Connect, Re-Connect and Rest, Together. This time of retreat is for you.
The retreat costs can be found on the online registration form. All costs are per person. Costs cover housing for Monday and Tuesday evening, 6 meals, beginning with dinner on Monday and concluding with lunch on Wednesday and a nominal processing fee.
*Tuesday Only Option (3 meals, no housing): If you’d like to participate in the retreat but cannot come for the entire time, look for the Tuesday only option on the registration form.
*Sunday Evening Add-On Option (no meals, housing only): If you’d like some extra time away, look for the Full Retreat plus Sunday night option on the registration form.
*Church Planter’s Retreat: In order to participate in the Church Planter’s Retreat, please be sure to check the Full Retreat plus Sunday night option on your registration form.
Roommate Request: All parties need to request each other on their individual registration forms.
Private Rooms: These will be accommodated in the order in which the request was received. There is no extra charge for a private room.
Dietary Restrictions: Please note any dietary restrictions for the camp kitchen.
This is camp, not a hotel or resort. Therefore, everyone is responsible to bring personal bedding, towels and toiletries!
We will follow the Covid protocols put forth by Covenant Pines Bible Camp. We will continue to monitor the Covid situation and any emergent recommendations from camp, the State of Minnesota and the CDC. Covenant Pines offers private housing options, the ability to keep distance when indoors and plenty of outdoor space to connect with colleagues and friends.
Note: The retreat will be live-streamed
Start: October 4, 2021. Arrival begins at 3:00 pm, dinner at 5:15pm
End: October 6, 2021. Lunch begins at 12:15pm, depart camp by 2pm.
Everyone out (off the grounds) by 2 pm
Silver Beach Cabins – These cabins have fully equipped kitchens, ample dining room, a comfortable living room, multiple bedrooms and a couple of bathrooms.
Retreat Center – Each room sleeps 2-4 people. There is a private bathroom (half or full) in most rooms. Four public restrooms with showers are also available.
Backwoods Cabins – These cozy cabins sleep 9-11 people and have full, handicap accessible bathrooms.
Bald Eagle Lodge – Each rooms sleeps 5-7 people and includes a sink vanity. Full bathrooms are down the hall.
Davis Lake Cabins – Each cabin sleeps 6-12 people. Full bathrooms are located within short walking distance.
Housing will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Roommate requests are encouraged and need to be listed on each person’s registration form. Private rooms can be requested and will be accommodated if space allows.