"You are Invited!" (Reflection from Jake)

Dear Plymouth, 

"You are invited!" As someone who always likes to be included, that has to be one of my very favorite sentences of all time. It is up there with such favorite phrases as: "We have ice cream!" "Today is Friday." and "You've got mail!" You are invited! 

Yes, Plymouth, you are all invited to our All Church Retreat this September 14th through 16th at La Foret! This is our intergenerational, nature and indoors, reflection and fun, food and activity, growing tradition at Plymouth! Last year, the All Church Retreat team and I relocated the retreat to a weekend in September, and that seemed to work better for most. We have an accessible cabin reserved, food for every diet, and activities for every age and interest: art, food, fellowship, outdoor activities, labyrinth walks, etc. This year, The Rev. Dr. Mark Lee and I will be the staff members attending and helping the volunteers* run programming. 

Registration begins this upcoming Sunday in the Fellowship Hall. We have scholarships available (email me) to ensure that all who would like to attend are able to do so.

I always say that the All Church Retreat is one of my favorite ministry opportunities of the year, and even Gerhard (my generally non-church attending spouse) loves to attend! My favorite memory from last year was a "worshipful hike" complete with communion and song at the top of a small ridge! The year before, I remember worshiping in the historic Taylor Chapel overlooking Pike's Peak ("Great Shining Mountain" in Ute). Overall, it is the connections and deep conversations that resonate most in my heart and memory when I think of the All Church Retreats these past several years.

No two All Church Retreats are the same. Each one seems to reflect the people who choose to be present. You are invited to join us for a couple days of intentional community building, centering, and fun. You are invited, friends. 

In Hope, 
The Rev. Jake Miles Joseph (or really just Jake)

*A Special thank you to Katrina Starkweather, the Starkweather family, and all those on our organizing team! This is their dream, and I am just lucky enough to be here to support it!

Bubble Up to Gratitude: The All Church Retreat 2018

The All Church Retreat is scheduled for September 14 - September 16, 2018! The retreat will be held at LaForet Conference & Retreat Center in the Black Forest, northeast of Colorado Springs.

We will enjoy a full weekend conference focusing on gratitude. Our ministers, Mark Lee and Jake Joseph, will lead us in reflections that will help us Bubble Up to Gratitude! Activities also include: hiking, singing, praying, worshiping, eating, laughing, playing, sleeping, connecting, resting and so much more!

Register: The registration fee includes four meals. Cabins: $150/person age 5 and up,Yurts: $70/person age 5 and up. Children ages 4 and under are free. Scholarships are available! Please contact Jake Joseph if you would like to arrange for one. Register on Sundays in the Fellowship Hall beginning in June! Questions? Contact Katrina Starkweather.

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Author

The Rev. Jake Miles Joseph ("just Jake"), Associate Minister, came to Plymouth in 2014 having served in the national setting of the UCC on the board of Justice & Witness Ministries, the Coalition for LGBT Concerns, and the Chairperson of the Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries (CYYAM). Jake has a passion for ecumenical work and has worked in a wide variety of churches and traditions. Read more about him on our staff page.