2020 Spring CYE and Adult Retreats Postponed
In response to updated recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health, Conference staff assessed all outdoor ministry and faith formation programs scheduled during the upcoming 8-week period. Although most of the scheduled retreats would have fewer than 50 participants, the realities of shared lodging, communal dining, and interactive programs would not allow us to maintain recommended social distancing between participants and other essential protocols to limit community spread and person-to-person transmission of COVID-19.
As a result, we have made the difficult decision to postpone all retreats and youth events schedule through mid-May 2020. Conference staff will immediately contact all registered participants for the:
- Meditation Retreat
- Courage to Lead Program
- Spring 2020 Conference Youth Event
Registration remains open for all other events scheduled from late-May through October 2020. Please continue to check COMMAntary and the Conference website for updated information regarding 2020 outdoor ministry programs.
During the coming weeks, staff will work with the Faith Formation Team and other program partners to develop opportunities for youth from around the Conference to gather online for a time of social connection, community building and shared action.
We will also develop an online contemplative mini-retreat for adults from around the Conference. If you have questions about either of these opportunities or would like to join the planning team for either of these experiences, please contact Rev. Kevin Brown.
These are indeed challenging days, filled with much uncertainty and many difficult decisions. And in the midst of the current chaos is the Spirit’s call to be a faithful and courageous Church. May we imagine together new and relevant ways to connect our communities, express care for our neighbors, and live Christ’s transforming love in the world.