Renew & Retreat is a Christian Formation Retreat for Family Ministries, presented by Roots & Wings, a ministry of the Virginia Synod, ELCA. All are welcome and encouraged to participate, to include other Synods, denominations, and ecumenical partners.

 

Immersing All Ages in the Language of Faith

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Whether age appropriate or an intergenerational setting, what tools do we use and what steps can we take to encourage faith talk beyond the walls of the church building?

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We will discuss resources, both material and people, being used in our own congregations and others. We will process and determine concrete, realistic steps to take in our own settings to encourage faith talk in daily life between all ages. Milestones named at the 2016 Renew & Retreat will be revisited as a follow-up and updates on the newest trends for milestones in the field of intergenerational ministry will be shared. Participants will have opportunities to get to know one another and tell about their own ministries in the context of how we walk alongside others and support them in their faith journey.

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Debbie Streicher, facilitator, is Co-Director at Milestones Ministry and serves as past president of the Christian Education Network of the ELCA. She has coached and helped congregations across the country and in Australia develop faith formation programs for all ages in the congregational setting for almost 30 years. Her background is in teaching language. Coupled with her passion for family ministry, she uses her knowledge and experience learned from teaching foreign languages to help parents, grandparents, and other adults understand the importance of daily immersion in the language of faith. Her vision is to involve all ages in faith formation, strengthen family relationships through Spiritual growth, and empower God given gifts to do ministry.

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Lodging in the Farmhouse is modern-rustic (has air conditioning and Wi-Fi) and scratch-made meals are provided Tuesday dinner through Thursday breakfast.