Equipping, empowering, connecting, and celebrating the churches of the Michigan Conference

Last week, I led my first retreat for the clergy of the Michigan Conference. I was thrilled that eighteen busy pastors took three days away to think about preaching through the Festival of Homiletics at the lovely Tower Hill Conference Center in Sawyer, Michigan.

On the first night, when we shared why we were there, a number of people said they were excited to reflect on their sermon craft, but I’d say an equal number said they weren’t exactly sure why they signed up for a preaching retreat, because sermon preparation had become more of a chore than a joy! I didn’t judge. I get it and I’ve been there. Whatever your calling may be, you know you need a retreat when the spiritual gifts that once excited you now feel like a burden or, even worse, a bore. 

This is why we need a chance to get away, to share the load and the longing for refreshment. It’s not a family reunion or a vacation with friends. It’s not a social occasion but a spiritual connection where you get together simply because Jesus is your friend in common. If you end up making a new friend or reconnecting with an old one, that’s a bonus.

I felt that bonus on the second evening of the clergy retreat, when I walked out to the beach on Lake Michigan and saw our clergy sharing snacks, stories and loud laughter around a bonfire. I felt it in our closing communion on the last day, led by two pastors, one two weeks from retirement, the other brand new to the conference. 

I also felt it the week before, when I was speaking to the annual meeting of the Antler River Watershed in London, Ontario, when I got to meet our United Church of Canada cousins, across the border.

(Just picture the Michigan Conference annual meeting with different songs, more politeness and weird agenda items like “The Candidates Address the Court.”)

Online, but mostly in person, the lay people and the clergy from all the churches were clearly ready to share the load and the thirst for refreshment, clearly uplifted by worshiping together, which culminated in a beautiful service and celebration of ministry, lay and ordained.

They were doing what we plan to do for our Michigan Conference annual meeting October 27-28 this Fall, committed to the option to join online, because that is now basic hospitality, but also inviting people to come into town in-person, and arrive the night before with no agenda other than visiting for a little retreat time. We may not think we have the time or energy to meet all Jesus’ other friends, but we’re always refreshed after we do.

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Thank You to

United Church Funds

With deep gratitude to those entrusted at United Church Funds

to disperse Brown Scholarship funding for this incredible opportunity for Michigan clergy

The Michigan Conference UCC was the recipient of Brown Endowment Funding in 2023 to offset the cost of this time of rest, respite, and retreat for clergy and members-in-discernment. The partnership with Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center and United Church Funds made it possible for a total of 17 Clergy from the Michigan Conference UCC to attend the retreat at 50% cost.