Ekklēsia Hōraios
The Church Beautiful Retreat is an opportunity to gather with other missional and microchurch practitioners for a time of encouragement, relationship-building, vision-sharing, and soul care. This year, our theme is "Reimagining The Six Dynamics." There are six dynamics that we find present in our faith communities as we seek to live out our missional call in our neighborhoods: embed, initiate, practice, mature, hub, and extend. The approach varies from setting to setting. Through our conversations, we hope to learn from one another and explore new possibilities for being the Ekklēsia Hōraios in our neighborhoods.
The Greek words for Church Beautiful, Ekklēsia Hōraios, convey nuances of meaning that encapsulate much of what Communitas North America is about. More than a building, ekklēsia speaks of the people who gathered together for a common purpose. Hōraios speaks of things that flourish, have life and vigor, or are timely. We seek to be communities of faith that are gathered together to bring flourishing, life, vigor, and beauty to our communities that are appropriate for the time in which we live.
This fall, we are hosting three Ekklēsia Hōraios retreats in different locations on different weekends. You will find a brief description of each below. Each location will have the same basic schedule, with minor changes. Select the location and weekend that best suits you.
Stronghold Center is a four-season retreat and camping center located in Oregon, IL. The facilities include wilderness cabins, a camping area, dining and meeting rooms, and seven retreat houses. Located along the bluffs overlooking the Rock River, the beauty of nature is evident in a variety of environments. We will be using the Barrick Lodge (pictured above).
The closest major airport is O'Hare in Chicago.
Please register by September 30 to ensure that we have space available.
You'd be hard-pressed to find vistas as stunning as these. Dozens of awe-inspiring waterfalls spill from basalt cliffs, lining the Historic Columbia River Highway, like the famous Multnomah, Bridal Veil, and Latourell falls. The landscape seems to grow bigger, grander, and brighter as it rolls east. Walk along a waterfront, discover hidden waterfalls, follow the wildflowers at Rowena Crest, or challenge yourself with a trek up the Angel's Rest Trail.
The closest major airport is Portland, OR
Please register by October 15 to ensure we have space available.
Childcare will be available for families with young children.
The registration fee for all Church Beautiful retreats is $250 per individual and $350 per couple. This fee covers housing, three meals on Saturday, and two meals on Sunday. Families with children are asked to pay an additional $25 per child to help cover the cost of food and childcare. We will also offer a day rate of $100 per individual, $150 per couple, and $15 per child for those who wish to attend on Saturday only. If you cannot afford to pay the retreat fee in one payment, installment payments or partial scholarships are available.
Please click the button below to register.