Rest & Renewal for KO Clergy

Thirty authorized ministers from the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference gathered last week for three days of rest and renewal in Lindsborg, Kansas. This year's event was generously supported by the Richard and Helen Brown Endowment through United Church Funds.  We began on Sunday August 20 with an evening of conversation around dinner, followed by a reception hosted by Rev. Amy Kay Pavlovich at her Fair Trade store, Connected. Amy Kay is a Lindsborg resident and UCC pastor who serves an ELCA congregation in Marquette, Kansas.

On Monday, a beautiful service of communion was led by Rev. Dr. Mandy Todd, another Lindsborg resident and UCC pastor who serves Bethany Village Retirement Community.  Mandy and her husband Russ Ware (KO Communications Strategist) provided beautiful music and prayers, starting the day off by centering us in a faithful spirit of Sabbath.  Throughout the day we built relationships by engaging with the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers, taking an iPhone photography class with local National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson, riding Lindsborg's famous quadricycles, or simply catching up at a local coffee shop.  

On Monday afternoon, the focus shifted as we tried a new experiment: Boundary Training as day 2 of the retreat.  In previous years, Boundary Training has been offered just before Annual Meeting, but in response to requests for a change, we're trying different format.  An online Boundary Training option will be organized soon for those who could not attend in person.

Monday afternoon's crossover session focused on self-awareness of boundaries as a form of self-care; and after another shared dinner, we reconvened on Tuesday morning for session two, working through some case studies and considering how the UCC accountability processes work in and through our relationships as peers and colleagues.  So far we've heard positive feedback and we'll continue to evaluate as we plan for next year!  Many sincere thanks to everyone who participated in and supported this meaningful gathering.