ALL-CHURCH RETREAT

RSVP now for our upcoming All-Church Retreat!

On June 7th-8th, 2024 everyone from the congregation is invited to gather to begin the process of building a shared vision for Redeemer including who we are, what we want to accomplish together, and the foundational principles for how we will relate to one another as a community of faith. The retreat will be facilitated by Susan Nienaber, a skillful church organizational consultant, therapist, and ordained pastor with over 30 years of experience. Read more about Susan below.

Please RSVP (yes or no) by filling out this form or by calling the church office (847-926-3550).

Please reach out to Mtr. Amanda or Paul Gleason with questions or to learn more.

NEW! Retreat Schedule

Our focus will be to learn about the dynamics of recovering from congregational challenges, to name where our congregation is right now, and to provide skills and tools to focus on a revitalized future, while strengthening our connections with one another at the same time.

Friday, June 7 (5:45 – 9 p.m., Lower Level)

  • Welcome, Introductions, & Dinner
  • Build Group Covenant
  • Session 1: The Phases of Congregational Recovery
    • Topics include: Where are we at now as a church?
  • Compline

Saturday, June 8 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sanctuary)

  • Morning Prayer
  • Session 2: The Importance of Congregational Learning
    • Topics include: What have we learned? Are there more things to learn?
  • Break
  • Session 3: Initial Work toward a Congregational Behavioral Covenant
    • Topics include: What norms & patterns of behavior in our congregation are healthy, and which do we need to leave behind?
  • Lunch (12:30 p.m.)
  • Session 4: Asset-Mapping & Next Steps
    • Topics include: What are our strengths and assets as a congregation? Where do we go from here?
  • Closing Eucharist

Prayer Initiative

In the weeks leading up to the retreat, we’re engaging a season of intentional prayer for God to break through with fresh vision and empowerment for the future he desires for us. Please set aside time to pray for Redeemer at either 8 a.m. or 8 p.m. (or both!). If prayer on the “8’s” doesn’t work for you or your household, choose another time that does. We encourage you to pray the prayer below each day, based on Colossians 1.

God is always more ready to hear than we are to pray; so let us pray with hope and joyful expectation as we wait upon the Lord!

About our Facilitator

Susan Nienaber

Susan Nienaber brings a background as a psychotherapist and mediator and combines compassion with independence when working with congregations. She embraces an unwavering dedication to the health, vitality and mission of congregations and of the leaders and institutions that support them. She serves as District Superintendent in the Minnesota Conference of the United Methodist Church and consults with congregations on issues of conflict, crisis, personnel matters, professional misconduct, leadership, and interpersonal dynamics. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, walking and biking, dining out with friends and family, and the performing arts.