Ministers Institute 2021

An opportunity for rest and renewal for clergy in the Upper Midwest. Choose your retreat setting and dates based on your comfort, health needs, and availability.

Personal Retreat

Register to receive the retreat materials by mail. The materials will include all supplies and instructions to hold a personal retreat. We suggest setting aside at least 24 hours. This may be done in the comfort of your own home or you can book a retreat option of your choosing. (The CCC is available for personal or even small group retreats. Please contact Crystal at reservations@newtonccc.org or 641-792-1266 to discuss availability and cost.)

Cost is $30 to receive the retreat materials by mail.

Community Retreat

Register to attend one of 4 sessions for a physically distanced opportunity to engage the retreat materials in community with other UMW clergy. Materials will be waiting for you at check-in. Some of the retreat activities will be done wearing a mask in the presence of other clergy, while other activities will be completed individually. Meals will be served in the dining hall with the option to take carry out containers to your room instead.

All lodging will be private rooms and bathrooms (unless you indicate on your registration form that you are registering along with someone from your own household). Lodging will be assigned (either the Main Lodge Rooms or the Cabins) based on mobility needs. Linens and basic toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion) will be provided for all lodging.

Cost is $185 total, which includes 2 nights lodging, 4 meals, and retreat materials. Each session is limited to 25 participants.

Date Options for Community Retreat

Jan. 8-10, 2021

Jan. 11-13, 2021

Jan. 18-20, 2021

Feb. 8-10, 2021

Participant Resources

As so many of this year's participants will be experiencing the retreat on their own, we encourage you to use this space as a connection point.

Here are the video resources for the event:

Share a comment about your experience!

Art Gallery

Please share pictures of your work during your retreat! Email pictures to office@uppermidwestcc.org and your pictures will be included in the slide show below.

Retreat Schedule:

The planning team's hope with this retreat (whether you select to attend a Community Retreat or select the Personal Retreat option) is that all aspects could be carried out while remaining physically distant from others. As such, the schedule it very fluid to allow for personal preferences and needs to dictate how your time is arranged.

For the Community Retreats, the schedule will flow something along these lines:

Day 1

4 p.m.-7 p.m. Registration/Check-in to Lodging (participants are welcome to arrive early and either have dinner delivered/go into Newton for a meal or to have dinner prior to arrival and check-in)

7 p.m. Opening Worship

7:30 p.m.-? Begin to engage in the prayer practices described in the material

Day 2

8 a.m. Breakfast in the Dining Hall (option to receive a take-out box to take your meal to your lodging)

9 a.m. Engage in the prayer practices described in the material

12 p.m. Lunch in the Dining Hall (option to receive a take-out box to take your meal to your lodging)

1 p.m. Engage in the prayer practices described in the material

5:30 p.m. Dinner in the Dining Hall (option to receive a take-out box to take your meal to your lodging)

6:30 p.m. Enjoy the CCC

Day 3

8 a.m. Breakfast in the Dining Hall (option to receive a take-out box to take your meal to your lodging)

9 a.m. Closing Worship

Check out of lodging by 11 a.m.

Participants of the Personal Retreat are encouraged to keep a similar schedule.