Retired Clergy Retreat Provides Enjoyable, Fellowship and significant Connection

Oct 23, 2025

Story by Troy Griffin

The Annual Retired Clergy, Spouses, and Surviving Spouses Retreat was held October 7–9 at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine. About Forty  members gathered for 3 days of worship, studying, and fellowship, reconnecting with associates and embracing the gorgeous and peaceable surroundings of Lakeview.

Each day started and ended with worship led by Rev. Dr. Elijah Stansell, whose considerate messages centered on pleasure, gratitude, and purposeful residing in each season of life. His preaching helped set a tone of renewal and reflection, reminding everybody that God’s name continues lengthy after formal ministry might finish.

Stephen and Allison Martin led worship with heartfelt songs and spontaneous power.  They even took hymn requests from the group which crammed the room with acquainted voices lifted collectively in reward.

Those attending have been additionally capable of take part in workshops which offered sensible sources for them of their retirement. Amy Hume led a session which targeted on monetary sources obtainable by the Texas Annual Conference and Wespath Financial, providing instruments to assist clergy and spouses navigate retirement with confidence and peace of thoughts. Penny Dornbush-Coburn guided an informative session on elder care, offering invaluable perception into medical and group sources in addition to methods for planning forward as care wants evolve.

Beyond the formal classes, the retreat provided time for relaxation, laughter, and group. Attendees loved fellowship over shared meals, an ice cream social and moments of prayer within the chapel. There was additionally time to attach by service by assembling UMCOR reduction kits to be distributed by our Mission Center in Conroe. For the extra adventurous there was zip-lining throughout the lake, and a gaggle of our retired clergy and spouses took the problem. Kathleen Megill, a primary time zip-liner mentioned of the expertise, “the view is spectacular, it’s not something you normally think of doing but it’s just a lot of fun,” and he or she encourages anybody enthusiastic about doing it, to only do it!

A particular video greeting from Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey was shared through the Wednesday afternoon session, expressing gratitude for the devoted witness and ongoing ministry of retired clergy throughout the convention. Her phrases served as a heartfelt reminder that retirement from energetic appointment doesn’t imply retiring from God’s mission.