Welcome to Family Encounter
Helping families to be attentive to God and one another
Marriage Enrichment Program
Spiritual Formation Retreat for Pastor Couples
Summary: This retreat is specifically designed for Pastor couples. The call to pastoral ministry forces the marriage relationship to face unique challenges. The setting of the retreat is a farmhouse in what is known as Big Valley, Pennsylvania. Couples come for a two-night, three-day retreat, beginning at Noon of Day One and continuing through Noon of Day Three. The focus of the Retreat is tending to the Spiritual Formation journey of each spouse and as a couple. It's purpose is to experience God's encouragement as the couple is led through various spiritual disciplines. The retreat is designed for up to three couples, in part due to space considerations in the farm house and to provide enough time and opportunity for couples to get to know the other couples.
Resources used during the retreat:
- Video: A Vow to Cherish
- Books: Spiritual Formation :
- Celebration of Discipline - by Richard J Foster
- Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups - by Richard J. Foster (Editor), James Bryan Smith (editor) (Editor)
- New Seeds of Contemplation - by Thomas Merton
- NSRV Spiritual Formation Bible - by Timothy K Jones
- Sacred Reading - by Ken Boa
- Spiritual Classics : Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines - by Richard J. Foster (Editor), Emilie Griffin (Editor)
- The Life You've Always Wanted - by John Ortberg
- The Way of the Heart - by Henri JM Nouwen
- Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity - by Eugene H Peterson
Outline of Schedule
Day One:
Noon Arrival, Welcome and Unpack, Lunch on Picnic Tables in wooded area
1:00-2:00 Tour of facilities and Grounds
2:00-3:00 Hike in Woods
3:00-4:00 Free time, Rest
4:00-5:30 Couple Directed Spiritual Exercise: Lectio Divina 1
5:30-6:00 Rest
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Group Game time- Dominos, Rook, Croquet
8:00-9:00 Couple Exercise 1 - Spiritual Markers
9:00-10:00 Fireside Chat 1
Day Two:
7:30-8:30 Breakfast served in room by Husbands
8:30-9:00 Devotional focusing on Song of Songs (Solomon)
9:00-11:00 Time of Directed Silence
11:00-Noon Free
Noon-1:00 Couple Lunch Picnic woods/meadow
1:00-3:00 Group Ropes Course: Low Elements
3:00-4:30 Video: A Vow to Cherish
4:30-5:30 Couple Exercise 2 - Cherishing Vows
5:30-6:30 Hot Dog Roast/Smores
6:30-7:30 Couple Directed Spiritual Exercise - Lectio Divina 2
7:30-8:30 Group Game time
8:30-9:00 Fireside Chat - Trust
9:00-9:30 Couple Night Hike - Trust
Day Three
7:30-8:30 Breakfast served in room by Husbands
8:30-9:30 Couple Directed Spiritual Exercise - Lectio Divina 3
9:30-10:00 Couple Exercise 3 - Changes
10:00-11:00 Pack up
11:00-Noon Dinner candlelight luncheon
Please contact Ethel and Bob if you are interested in attending a retreat like this - by emailing bob@familyencounter.org or ethel@familyencounter.org.
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