5-2015-Retreat-Broch.. - Church of the Ascension

Church of the Ascension
Parish Retreat
Loving Your Neighbor: The Good News in
your Home, Workplace and Neighborhood
With The Rev. Taylor and Karissa Bodoh
Taylor and Karissa began discipling college students
at Florida State University a decade ago. Teaching
students how to lead, serve and plant ministries in
their own unique "corners" of the campus, they began
to dream about how the Anglican Church could grow
through contextualized, missional communities like
those planted in Tallahassee. The Bodohs, along with
their two daughters, Avila (8) and Norah (6),
continued to discern this calling while studying at
Trinity School for Ministry and worshiping at
Ascension for the last few years. They returned to
Tallahassee last summer with a team of ministers and friends to plant a
church and mission network, starting in their own neighborhood.
During our retreat Taylor and Karissa will be helping us explore how we
talk about Jesus, with our family members, coworkers, and neighbors, in a
way that is not sales-pitchy, or contrived, but rather a matter of having
authentic relationships. "Christians and non-Christians both have something
in common", writes Rebecca Pippert. "We're both uptight about
evangelism." How true! Because of this awkwardness, Christians often hold
that “Jesus stuff” back when it comes to our casual or even close
friendships. But if that’s the case are we not being inauthentic? Is our fear of
being labelled causing us to hold back the most precious and beautiful thing
of all, which is also the core of who we are as disciples?
Weekend Highlights
October 2 – 4, 2015
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
The weekend is not only a wonderful opportunity to receive great teaching,
but also to enjoy beautiful natural surroundings and to get to know others.
Corporate worship and prayer ministry are highlights for many. The
weekend has something for everyone –married or unmarried, preschool,
college-aged or empty-nesters. Children and youth will enjoy concurrent
programming that follows the same theme as adult teaching. There is also
plenty of free time! Saturday afternoon we will have several optional
activities (hikes, ‘ducky races’ and games). There will be an opportunity for
small group discussion and fellowship as well as a chance to hear from
Ascension missionaries. There will be campfires, smores and hot chocolate.
The weekend concludes with Sunday morning worship followed by lunch.
The Weekend
Friday
Registration begins at 5pm
Dinner in the Dining Hall at 6:30pm
Teaching Session #1 (Children, Youth, Adults)
Saturday
Breakfast in the Dining Hall
Teaching Session #2 and #3 (Children, Youth, Adults)
Lunch in the Dining Hall
Afternoon ‘free’ time with many planned activities available.
The grounds include many acres for hiking, mini golf, athletic
fields, basketball, volleyball and more
Small Groups
Dinner in the Dining Hall
Teaching Session #4 (Children, Youth, Adults)
Campfire
Prayer Ministry
Registration
Please visit www.ascensionsionpittsburgh.org to download
registration forms. We will receive registrations by mail or email in
August. You may also visit our registration table in the parish hall or
on the lawn after all Sunday services beginning August 23.
Registration closes Wednesday, September 23.
Mail forms to:
Email forms to:
Parish Retreat Registrar
Church of the Ascension
4729 Ellsworth Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15213
parishretreat@gmail.com
Payment
Checks are to be
made payable to
Church of the
Ascension with
Parish Retreat on the
memo line. A 25%
deposit is due at
registration. Balances
are to be paid in full
by September 23.
Sunday
Breakfast in the Dining Hall
Sunday Worship
Lunch in the Dining Hall
Scholarships
While Church of the Ascension subsidizes the cost of accommodation
for all participants, scholarship help is available to those in need.
Please don’t hesitate to ask at the registration table. If you are able to
give a scholarship donation, you will receive a tax-deductible receipt.
Thank you!
More info at www.ascensionpittsburgh.org
Questions?
Email: parishretreat@gmail.com
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
The facility is a 600 acre retreat center located about 40 miles
southeast of Pittsburgh, at the foot of the Laurel mountains.
Ascension has gone to ‘Laurelville’ for over 30 years - indeed
‘Laurelville’ is for many the short-handed way to refer to the Parish
Weekend! There are various types of accommodation at different
price ranges. We also offer a variety of meal plans. Hopefully there is
something to suit each and every budget. Please note that no pets or
alcoholic beverages are allowed by Laurelville Management. Thanks!