Spiritual Life Ministries

Spiritual Life Retreat for Ministers
Spouses, Chaplains, and Retired Ministers are also invited to attend.

January 24 – 26, 2023

The Herald B. Monroe Lodge at
Camp Christian
10335 Maple Dell Rd.
Marysville, OH 43040

Drink of One Spirit:
Living Our Truths in Community
Led by Rev. Monique Crain Spells

Thomas Merton wrote, "The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived." As clergypersons, the busyness of Advent and Christmas, will have passed, and the season of Lent will be just ahead on our calendars. During the pause between these two seasons of our lives, the Ohio Spiritual Life Committee invites you to take a break together and come away to the annual Ministers' Spiritual Life Retreat from January 24 -26, 2023 at Camp Christian to explore the theme "Drink of One Spirit: Living Our Truths in Community" together as clergy colleagues.

Retreat Description:  Given the numerous ways we encounter God and the heart of God among one another, what does it look like to “drink of one Spirit” as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12? We have online worship, in-person worship, Facebook Live videos, Twitter posts, radio, YouTube, text messaging, email, websites, and the phone. How do we ensure our community of faith is drinking of one Spirit—the Spirit of God as witnessed in the ministry of Jesus? We will explore characteristics of the Spirit, practice tracing the Spirit, and design a gauge to guide our walk and ministry of faith.

Monique Crain Spells is an ordained minister in the Christian Church Disciples of Christ who has connection to the church since 1988. She currently serves as Director of Christian Education and Faith Formation for Disciples Home Missions and the National Convocation of the Christian Church. Prior to this call, Monique served eight years in theological education administration at Christian Theological Seminary and Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. She has actively engaged the wider Indianapolis community as an advocate, educator, playwright, preacher, and past moderator for the Christian Church in Indiana. It has also been her privilege to serve as a church planter, Hope Partnership clergy coach, and Past President of the Fellowship of Black Disciples Clergywomen. Monique received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a focus on Public Relations from Purdue University and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary. She is completing her Doctor of Ministry coursework around the power of rituals at Lexington Theological Seminary.

The Retreat begins with registration on Tuesday at 1:00 and ends on Thursday at noon. All retreat supplies, meals, and overnight accommodations are included. The registration fee for the whole Retreat is $160 perperson if you register by January 13. After the 13, the cost of the whole Retreat will be $175. Options are also available for Monday overnight and for one-day only.  You can register online or through the mail with the registration form (both linked above.)

Retreat participants are asked to bring a favorite snack and/or beverage to share with the group. Also, please bring any of your favorite resources or books on spirituality to share on a book table during the Retreat.

If you are unable to attend the retreat, you are invited to be in prayer support of the retreatants during this retreat . . . but if you cannot attend and are in need of prayers yourself, please email Rev. Beckie Linn Gregory at pstrgrl68@yahoo.com so the retreatants may offer prayer support for you.