Due to the current unusually high health concerns, the Spiritual Retreat, scheduled for March 13-15, must be cancelled for this year.
The retreat center has been required by their county Health Services Agency to not have any public gatherings for the next week or so.
Your registration fees will be refunded.
We hope that next year, we will be in a better situation, and that we can again offer you a spiritually uplifting and renewing retreat experience.
Let Your Light Shine:
Choose Hope for God’s World
Our 2020 District UMW Spiritual Retreat will be held among the redwoods of the Mission Springs Retreat Center in Scotts Valley, CA, March 13-15, 2020.
Retreat Leader Rev. Charlotte Bear will guide us in this year’s theme, “Let Your Light Shine,” focusing on the topic “Choose Hope for God’s World.”
Rev. Charlotte is a spiritual leader, a healthcare chaplain, a former broadcast journalist, a community advocate and activist, a wife, a mother and a US Veteran. She has been a pastor in our District. Her focus is in guiding people to reconnect with the sacredness of God’s earth, to have an impact through collective action and to build community resilience in response to a dramatically changing planet.
Please register (online or mail-in) by Monday, March 9, 2020. (Registration has been extended from March 4 because of the new one-day option being offered.) Register early for best availability of lodging options.
New One-Day (Saturday) Option: For those unable to attend the full weekend event, we are offering a Saturday-only option. This includes the Saturday program sessions, lunch and dinner, and the Gifts & Graces Talent Show. Register for this option by Monday, March 9, 2020.
Registration deadline is Monday, March 9, 2020 |
Registration has closed. If you have questions about registration, please contact our registrar. |
Plan for these special activities
Saturday evening’s “Gifts & Graces” talent show features performances (song, dance, poetry, skits, and more) by attendees. To get on the program, contact Emcee Lynn Hermoso in advance, or mark your registration form, or sign up with her during the Friday evening registration.
Additional Retreat activities: In addition to the program, we will have many other favorite activities, including “Wake Up / Warm Up,” morning matins, nature walks, and a “Mission Display” area to display your arts & crafts and mission projects from you or your local group.
Special opportunities to participate
Do you want to be part of making the retreat a special experience for attendees? You are invited to sign up during Friday evening check-in for one of these small groups or specific roles. Those marked by * will have their first meeting Friday after dinner.
- *Sunday Worship service
- *Choir, as part of Sunday Worship service
- “Gifts & Graces” talent show, Saturday evening
- Saying/singing grace at meals
Event Details
Retreat schedule
Friday, March 13 | 4:00 pm Check-in opens 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm *Volunteer teams’ first meeting 7:30 pm Program begins… |
Saturday, March 14 | Breakfast, lunch, dinner 8:30am Saturday-only attendees – check-in opens 9:00am Program continues (morning and afternoon) Afternoon free time 7:00-9:00pm Evening “Gifts and Graces” talent show |
Sunday March 15 | Morning programs Worship service Lunch (ends around 1pm) |
Scholarships are available for first-time attendees as well as returning participants. The scholarships cover part of the program, meals, and lodging in the lowest-cost housing option, after the applicants provide a modest share of the cost. Lodging upgrade (to one of the other housing options) may be contributed by your local UMW. (Note that as of March 1, the Scholarship Application deadline has passed.)
Registration deadline is Monday, March 9, 2020 |
Registration has closed. If you have questions about registration, please contact our registrar. |
What to bring
- Basics
- Good walking shoes for trails and grounds
- Flashlight, umbrella, jacket
- Bible, notepaper/journal, pen/pencil, tote
- $10 key deposit (cash, exact amount)
- Sunday offering to UMW Mission Giving
- If you are writing a check, make it payable to: El Camino Real District UMW
- Text-to-Give and online donation information is available here and will also be provided at the retreat.
- Optional
- For the community altar, bring an image or object that represents the Earth to you
- Gently used reading books for exchanging (leave 1/take 1, not for sale)
- For the Mission Projects display, bring examples of crafts or projects that you or your local do to serve or be in mission to others. Be sure to have a card or note that includes your name and a description of what you are displaying.
- For evening social time, bring board games
- If you are bringing any snacks to share, please be sure they are individually wrapped to maintain good hygiene.
Retreat Location: Mission Springs Conference Center,
1050 Lockhart Gulch Road, Scotts Valley, CA