Elders' Retreat

Leading Causes of Life
2008 Western North Carolina Order of Elders' Retreat

November 10-12, 2008
Kanuga, NC

Retreat Theme and Plenary Sessions

Too often our lives and ministries are defined by what's NOT working - interpersonal conflicts, unhealthy relationships, declining memberships. Yet for most of us, there is far more that IS working. "Leading Causes of Life" focuses on five themes that combine to make our lives and ministries healthy: connection, coherence, agency, blessing, and hope.

• Connection provides us with a community of faith to love and who love us in return
• Coherence and Agency remind us that we have meaningful work to do that gives us a sense of purpose and offers life to others
• Blessing and Hope remind us that we live our lives under God and are called to minister into God's good and glorious future

In the coming months the clergy of our Annual Conference will be asked to participate in programs related to Clergy Health and to Covenant Peer Groups. We hope this retreat will help "set the table" for deeper discussions around the overlapping themes of these initiatives, especially as they relate to care of the clergy soul.

We hope you will join Bishop Ken Carder and Bishop Larry Goodpastor as we explore these five themes that relate to our common "life together."

Sabbath Time

Even God rested! Our souls long for time to be still, to seek our own wisdom and to gather our thoughts. Throughout the retreat you will be encouraged to honor the Sabbath by resting, reading, reflecting, and rejoicing in the Lord your God.

Worship

At the center of our lives and vocation is the love of the triune God. Each day of the retreat will be suffused with worship. Scripture, music, ritual, prayer, contemplation: elements of worship that will bind us together in our common love of God in Christ Jesus.

Discernment Groups

Retreat participants will be placed into discernment groups that will spend time each day thinking together about life in ministry. A primary ingredient to the order of elder is the creation of relationships that allow for mutual support and trust. Sustaining the passion for ministry through consideration of our topic will be a primary focus of the discernment groups.

Faculty

Bishop Kenneth L. Carder is the Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at duke Divinity School.

Dr. Carder served, as bishop of the Mississippi area of the United Methodist Church from July 2000-04 and before that was bishop of the Nashville area for eight years. He has been the pastor of Church Street United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. and in Oak Ridge, Concord, and Bristol, Tenn., Abingdon, Va. and Rockville, Md. He is the author of three books, Sermons on United Methodist Beliefs, A Bishop's Reflections, Living Our Beliefs and a study guide for Who Are We? The Doctrine, Mission, and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. He has also contributed articles to several journals, including Christian Century, Circuit Rider, and Christian Social Action. Bishop Carder and his wife, Linda, have two daughters and sons-in-law and five grandchildren.

General Information

The retreat will begin with registration at 1:00 p.m. on Monday at Kanuga and will conclude with lunch on Wednesday. All participants are expected to be in residence at Kanuga for the duration of the retreat.

Registration

Early-bird registrations received before September 19 will be eligible for a $35 discount. All other registrations will be due October 9. Registrations will be confirmed, and will include pertinent program information, schedule and directions.Event fees are non-refundable.

Location

Kanuga is located just south of Hendersonville in the North Carolina mountains. It is easily accessible from I-85, I-40, and I-26. I-26, which intersects the other two highways, passes within eight miles of Kanuga. The conference center overlooks a broad lake and is surrounded by the mountain forest.The absence of telephones, televisions and internet access in rooms at Kanuga makes for an ideal retreat setting. Guests are entertained by the surroundings of the center, including: tennis courts, a full-size gymnasium, fishing, playing fields, and hiking trails. Kanuga facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. Smoking is not permitted in Kanuga buildings. Pets are not permitted on Kanuga property.

Schedule

Registration and check-in for the retreat will take place at 1:00 p.m. on November 10. The retreat will conclude with lunch on November 12.

Accommodations

Accommodations are provided at the conference center, either in cottages featuring a central gathering space and a screened porchor in the more traditional Lake Inn. All accommodations include twin beds and bed & bathing linens. The registration fee includes sharedcottage accommodations in double rooms with twin beds and shared bathing facilities.Private cottage bedrooms with shared baths are available for an additional $100. A limited number of Inn rooms with private bath are available for an additional fee of $75 per person, double occupancy, or $150 single occupancy. Please indicate your accommodation preference on the registration form. Rooms will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis. We will make every effort to accommodate your preferred room type. Common areas in the cottages and main lodge provide opportunities for informal conversation and sharing.

Meals

Meals are prepared fresh daily and served buffet or family style in one of Kanuga's two dining rooms. Menus to accommodate special dietary needs can be arranged with prior notice. Please indicate any dietary requirements on your registration form.

Recreation

Kanuga is the ideal spot for recreation, offering a number of possibilities for outdoor activities.Participants are encouraged to take full advantage of recreational times planned throughout the retreat. Bird-watching, lake fishing and hiking are some of the preferred recreational activities of Kanuga guests. The gymnasium also offers a choice of indoor activities, including basketball and volleyball. Participants are invited to bring equipment such as binoculars, fishing rods, cameras and hiking boots for recreation.

Continuing Education Credits

One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) will be awarded to registrants who attend the event in its entirety. If you would like a certificate indicating that you have earned this unit, please check the appropriate box on the registration form.

Questions?

Contact Duke Divinity School's Center for Continuing Education (919) 660-3448, toll free (888) 845-4216 or email div-conted@duke.edu.