All Church Retreat 2025
May 16-18
Living in times when the powers and principalities of this world seek to uproot us from our faith and turn siblings in Christ against one another, we will step away to beautiful Laurelville Retreat Center for renewal and courageous conversations.
Goals for the Weekend
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We will build cross-cultural relationships: strengthening relationships and making new connections
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We will be reminded all of who we are and what we do comes from God who created us and redeemed us.
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We will have a stronger sense that we belong together—so much so that our individual thriving is undivided from one another.
Eastminster Presbyterian Church's All Church Retreat is located at Laurelville Retreat Center. The camp is fully accessible. We will stay in hotel style rooms: no need to bring linens, towels or sleeping bags.
Meals: We do not serve dinner on Friday night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided on Saturday. Breakfast provided on Sunday. To learn more visit: https://laurelville.org
Transportation to Camp
There is no need to come to church first, please go directly to Laurelville Retreat Center. All those who have requested a ride at registration have been matched up with families to give them a ride. If your transportation needs have changed and you foresee needing a ride, please contact the church by Wednesday May 14th.
Check in at the Dining Hall: When you arrive at the retreat center, drive straight until you see a large building with a front porch (don’t go to buildings to your left or right, the Dining Hall is straight ahead). At check-in you will get your room assignment for the Solarhouse or Guesthouse. You can also make payments, pick up your name tag, and your small group assignment at the check-in table. After check-in (if there is still time) you can go to your room and get settled in. Check in begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening and the programs starts at 8:00pm. If you arrive after 8:00 come directly to the Meetinghouse. We’ll leave the light on!
What to Pack:
This retreat will be kind of like going to stay at a Holiday Inn in the woods-- surrounded by nature with all the comforts of home (and someone else to cook for you!) Our rooms come with towels and bedding, so you don’t have to bring those. Dress is casual for all sessions, worship, meals, games and free time. Weather is predicted to be in the mid-seventies with occasional showers, so bring clothes for warm weather, sunblock, and boots or shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.
In addition, we suggest you bring:
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A Bible & pad or notebook
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Some individually wrapped snacks for the snack station in your building (Please be generous and bring snacks to share)
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Games or projects to share (box games, puzzles, crafts, art supplies)
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A flashlight for evening strolling outside
Schedule
Friday
May 16
6:30-7:45pm Check in at the Dining Hall (Receive room keys and gather general information for the weekend, sign-up for talent show)
8:00-8:20pm Children dropped off in gym. Adults gather in Meeting House.
8:30-9:00pm Adults and youth gather in Meeting House to get to know one another and share themes for the weekend. Band has line check in Gathering Space.
9:00pm Children picked up from the gym
9:15pm Share a good book in Solarhouse, 2nd Floor (pack a good book you recently read, and we will share why we love the book) or Free Time
10:30 Quiet hours until 7am. Must be in rooms and quiet.
Saturday
May 17
8:00am Morning Prayers at Waterfall with Rev. Aaron Teter
8:30am Breakfast in Dining Hall (Sign-ups for talent show “acts” due by 9:30am)
9:15am Elementary children dropped off at gym
9:30-10:30 Youth and Adult Keynote 1 with Brenda Salter McNeil in Meeting House.
"Remember Who You Are" (Jeremiah 1:4-10)
Adult Praise Band Rehearsal in Gathering Space.
10:30 Pick up children in gym
11-12:00 Worship in the Gathering Space.
12:30 Lunch at Dining Hall
1:30-2:45pm Free Time (i.e. jewelry in guest house, basketball, nap)
2:30pm Youth Praise band rehearsal in Gathering Space.
3:00-3:30pm Children's Choir to Gathering Space for rehearsal. (Parents are responsible for getting children to and from choir practice)
3-4:00pm Elective times: Dance Cardio, Spiritual Direction, Kickball in gym, Youth Small Group (8th grade through high school) Tie-dye, hike, or an Eastminster update with Pastor Aaron. Children's choir join free time when able. Parents are responsible for children during elective time. Adult Praise Band will begin rehearsal at 3:30 in Gathering Space.
4:15-5:30pm Worship in Gathering Space
5:30pm Dinner in Dining Hall
6:15pm Elementary children dropped off at gym
6:30-7:30pm Youth and Adult Keynote 2 with Brenda Salter McNeil in Meeting House. "Finish Line Faith" (Hebrews 12:1-3)
7:30pm Children picked up in gym
8:00pm Talent Show
9:30pm S’mores and campfire at fire ring
10:30pm Quiet hours until 7am. Must be in rooms and quiet.
Sunday
May 18
8:00-10:00am Clean, pack and check-out (must be checked out before worship) Rooms must be cleaned out before worship.
8:30am Breakfast
10:00am Worship in Gathering Space
12:00pm Clean up Meeting House and Depart
Keynote Speaker
Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNiel
When you hear the name Brenda Salter McNeil, three words immediately come to mind: Passionate, Powerful and Prophetic. She is a woman of God who is gifted as a teacher and preacher and is a leader in the international movement for peace and reconciliation. Her mission is to inspire, equip and empower emerging Christian leaders to be practitioners of reconciliation in their various spheres of influence. She is an Associate Professor of reconciliation studies in the School of Theology at Seattle Pacific University, where she also directs the Reconciliation Studies program. She also serves on the pastoral staff of Quest Church in Seattle, WA. Dr. Brenda is recognized internationally as one of the foremost leaders of reconciliation and was featured as one of the 50 most influential women to watch by Christianity Today. She is the author of Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0, A Credible Witness: Reflections on Power, Evangelism and Race (2008), The Heart of Racial Justice: How Soul Change Leads to Social Change (2005), coauthored with Rick Richardson and her newest book Becoming Brave: Finding the Courage to Pursue Racial Justice Now.
