A Weekend Away at “A Place Apart”

by the Cedarkirk Retreat Team

Two years ago, a group of Southwest Florida Presbyterians gathered for our first in-person presbytery event in twenty months to celebrate where we’d come since the pandemic. In the time since, so many of those assembled for a few days of dreaming, imagination, and fellowship waited eagerly for the encore. Last weekend, November 9-11, it finally arrived. Thirty-four pastors, ruling elders, deacons, staff members, and regular worshippers from Naples to Bradenton gathered together for a three-day retreat at Cedarkirk, the camp and conference center in Lithia (just east of Tampa) jointly owned by Peace River and Tampa Bay presbyteries.

Tucked into an unassuming corner of mid-Florida and nestled among majestic trees and fields, Cedarkirk – known as “a place apart” – is a picture-perfect setting for rest, refocusing, and retreat. We were eager to live into it as such, as we met to embody a central focus: the invitation found in Romans 12 to be the one body of Christ, united in our many parts.

Thursday evening began with a superb kickoff to match our theme – our General Presbyter, Rev. Melana Scruggs, shared thoughts from the book Quietly Courageous. At its core, a message: the modern church requires new creativity, imagination, and transformation. This thought centered us as we began to consider how God might be inviting us – both individually and collectively – into something new. Thursday also featured a delightfully fun magic show from our own Rev. Scott Andrews (whose stage name, formerly “The Amazing Mr. A”, is now “The Amazing Mystère”). Against the backdrop of a narrated tour through his own journey in street busking, our resident magician enchanted us with his inexplicably grand skills. We enjoyed dinner and a classic campfire with s’mores to begin the weekend.

Friday was a full day of fellowship. Rev. Terri Jo Crego called us to attention with some wonderfully rhythmic songs and chants, followed by geographically-inspired breakout opportunities designed to connect us with new and familiar faces alike within our presbytery cluster regions. Rev. Karen Wismer led us in the contemplative practices of Centering Prayer and Lectio. Amidst the quiet chirping of birds and  leaves rustling along the dirt, this mid-morning exercise awakened our souls to the Spirit’s presence among us.

After lunch, we enjoyed a trifecta of engaging workshops, each with a unique flavor drawing upon the gifts of their presenters. Revs. Jaco Bester and Syl Esteves, two pastors who grew up in Africa and South America, respectively, spoke of the cultural differences found in worship and life, and encouraged us to continue cultivating common ground with one another. Rev. Carolyn Wilson walked us through the importance of Biblical literacy in a world that often rejects it, equipping us with helpful ideas and practices for getting better acquainted with Scripture in our individual and church settings. Finally, Amy Cerniglia conducted another edition of the “world famous” drum circle. In a diverse round of talents, backgrounds, and identities, this group used music to connect with one another and with God. Fueled by cinnamon rolls and good conversation, everyone had just enough energy to close the night by singing some classic campfire songs (and learning a few new ones) with Cedarkirk Executive Director Matt Shick and Assistant Director Mark Orendorf.

We concluded our time on Saturday with a few final deep and meaningful hours of connection. Rev. Bill Clough shared the importance of mental health preservation for church leaders, as well as some of the ways we can destigmatize the subject within our communities. We then gathered at the outdoor pavilion for worship, as Rev. Mike Mansperger, our presbytery’s longest-tenured pastor, preached on Romans 12 – the chapter we have used throughout the year to set the vision for our presbytery’s togetherness. Through small group conversations, the sharing of communion, and music led by Amy and Rev. Elizabeth Deibert, our worship service provided us with one perfect sendoff. We left on Saturday afternoon, energized to wonder how God is challenging us to do a new thing, serve our communities more intentionally, and be the body of Christ together.

Though it’s only been a week, many participants are already eagerly waiting for our next Cedarkirk retreat, which we hope will be soon. When the time to register comes, we’ll be excited to see your name on the list. You don’t need to be a church leader to benefit from the offerings of this retreat – there’s something for everyone, regular worshippers included! Amidst busy seasons that always seem to be getting busier, there’s something beautifully soul-nurturing about retreating to the woods, checking the world at the door, and seasoning ourselves with the love of our sisters and brothers in Christ.

On our final day, Terri Jo encouraged each regional group to construct a human sculpture representing the community we feel, and the community we hope to continue constructing, in Peace River. Each of our groups got very creative, but one central element was strung across them all: love – for God, for our churches, and for one another. We’re excited to take this love we’ve experienced at Cedarkirk and bring it joyfully to our communities.

Thank you, Cedarkirk, for a wonderful weekend at “a place apart.” We’ll be dreaming about the memories we made together – and the cinnamon rolls – for a long while to come.