The Cohort Initiative

In-Person Gatherings

After a long stretch of exhausting ministry, the disciples came to Jesus and told him everything they had done in the community. He knew that these acts of love were draining and so he encouraged them to “‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat (Mark 6:31-32).” Jesus was teaching them that they needed time apart from the daily grind, time together with him, if they were to sustain both their own spiritual growth and their ministry. The irony is that they, like us, started out for that rest but where waylaid by still more demands so that they were sidetracked from the renewal that was their primary call.

The Communities recognize that this challenge continues to affect our lay leaders. Self-care takes a backseat to the demands of life. Prudence stops us from spending resources for our renewal.

So, to support our fidelity to Christ’s call to “come away and rest a while,” the Communities offer three, fully-funded, in- person retreats for participants gatherings throughout the year. The retreats provides fellowship, replenishment and opportunities for practice, and ample space for rest.

The Opening Retreat

The first retreat prioritizes fellowship; an introduction to the covenant group model and to one another within the cohort; worship using the resources of the Anglican tradition; discussion of the experience of leadership, and time for rest and personal practice.

The Mid-Year Retreat

The second retreat offers sustained time for group spiritual practice and seeks to engage participants in leading elements of practice and worship. It will also provide time for face-to-face engagement within covenant groups and discussion across the cohort to share learnings

The Closing Retreat

The closing retreat will be organized around practices and worship that participants have designed and hope to bring back to their parishes. Participants will be invited to consider how they want to maintain relationships with the cohort. They will also articulate what personal and ministerial commitments they intend to make in order to continue cultivating their own spiritual growth as they lead others.

The second year will be convened entirely through the three retreats, in which they will have experiential training as spiritual leaders and more extended time for conversation. In the second year, participants are also supported to strengthen networking bonds for their parish work and receive experiential training as spiritual leaders

Clergy-led formation groups