REFRESHing Retreat 2024

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The rhythm of the waves breaking against the Twin Rocks and Rockaway Beach sands on the central Oregon Coast set the tempo for the Seminary’s 2024 REFRESH Retreat, June 12-15. RES students, instructors, and staff members spent four days and three night together at their comfortable beachfront lodging, kicking up sand along the beach, hiking through a dense, moss-strewn Pacific Northwest forest with old-growth cedars and firs, enjoying an annual beach kite competition, dining together, and doing devotions together. The RES Refreshers welcomed several pastors and their spouses from the USA, Canada, and Hungary, who were attending the nearby Reformation Covenant Church Family Camp, to two evening events: a social and a roundtable discussion on the challenges of moving from being a student to becoming a new pastor.

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RES President Atwood and wife Beverlee hosted and cooked for the students and their families during the retreat. Registrar Lauren Shearer helped organize the event and arranged for the rental housing. Thanks to all those who made the retreat such a delight and participated in the seaside socials. Thanks also to the Reformation Covenant Church pastors and elders for inviting the REFRESHers to join their Session’s discussion of ongoing ecclesiastical issues, such as church polity, the wisdom of handling church growth with multiples services, pastoral vestments, etc. The REFRESH Retreat lived up to its name nicely: it was a REFRESHing time of fellowship, reflection, renewal, and recreation amidst the beauty of God’s amazing creation. Plan to join us next year for REFRESH 2025.