Clergy and Clergy Wives Retreat 2024

The recent Clergy and Clergy Wives Retreat for the Mid-Atlantic Diocese of the Charismatic Episcopal Church was held on the scenic Kent Island, MD, providing a restful setting for reflection, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. During the retreat, the clergy gathered to renew their vows, reaffirming their commitment to ministry. A special moment was celebrated as Fr. Sam Foss and Deacons Caleb Northwood and Eli Northwood graduated from St. Michael’s Seminary, with the exciting announcement that Deacon Caleb Northwood will soon be ordained as a priest. 

 

The worship music was anointed and heartfelt, led by Deacon Caleb Northwood, enriching the retreat experience. It was a joy for all to welcome Fr. Sam and Trinity Foss’ new baby, David, into the community. Bishop Rob Northwood shared an inspiring message focused on the word “Gather,” a directive that he felt was given by the Lord to guide the Diocese forward in unity and purpose. 

 

Sarah Northwood provided practical insights on utilizing social media to reach the lost and strengthen church communities, encouraging all to leverage digital platforms effectively. Husbands and wives then had a chance to meet separately with the bishop and his wife, creating spaces for tailored support and fellowship. The clergy wives agreed to start meeting online monthly to support each other through prayer, committing to stay connected and uphold one another in their unique roles.  

 

The retreat was a refreshing and unifying experience, strengthening bonds within the diocese and setting a purposeful vision for the future. 

 

 

2021 Clergy and Wives Retreat Recap

2021 Fall Clergy and Wives Retreat October 7th-9th (Synopsis by Fr. Jeffery Welch)

Early in October this year our Bishop Rob Northwood hosted all the clergy and their wives of our Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic CEC at a Spiritual Retreat at Solomon Island’s Holiday Inn. The Lord gave us beautiful weather on the ride there and all through the Retreat. We were blessed with several guests especially our Patriarch Bp. Craig Bates and his wife Cathy and Rev. Dr. Bob Engle From World Vision and The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI).

Bishop Rob led us in Holy Communion Friday morning bringing us the first message through the sermon. He emphasized our Church’s mission to take the full gospel into all the world through signs and wonders as well as preaching and teaching. We do this because “our” Church is not ours!  It belongs to our Lord Jesus. As in the story of the Samaritan Woman at the well, we are called to find ‘key’ people who will help open up whole communities to the gospel.  He concluded that we needed to form small discipleship groups within the parish to minister and reach outside our parish.

Bob Engle taught the next two sessions. He shared his experiences as a World Vision missionary to the inner city (with his family) since 1982 and how God called him to learn different cultural languages. It was not always easy.  But just like Jesus’ example there is no ‘gain without pain’! His talks were filled with ‘truth nuggets’ such as “If you want people to learn to build a ship, teach them to love the lonely immensity of the sea;” All the while emphasizing we are in an invisible spiritual war between two Kingdoms; How the currency of the galaxy is souls; and Jesus is LORD of all. This means the Church is central to our Christian life, the gospel is the basis of discipleship, the Holy Spirit empowers us for action, and we need to embrace and share the Kingdom of God. He added there is no great commission without a great submission to Christ.

Our Patriarch Bishop Bates preached at the Holy Communion on Saturday morning as the Retreat ended. He shared extensively of his personal spiritual journey including how God led him into the CEC and it’s early growing pains (as any creature of God experiences). He emphasized our need to re-commit to all three “streams” of the CEC, particularly true revival through our evangelical efforts. He emphasized the priesthood of all believers, not just the ordained clergy, and that true revival comes from committed laity involved in liturgy, charismatic ministry and going out to make disciples of all nations (including differing cultures). He left us with this golden truth-nugget: We don’t bring people to Christ… we are to bring Christ to the people where they live.

Great fellowship was enjoyed by all at meals and times of relaxed sharing while seated outside each evening. It was a refreshing and wonderfully challenging Spiritual time. Thank you Bishop Rob.