Are you a pastor who is yearning for time away to prepare worship for the year? Or are you a commissioned pastor/ruling elder excited about getting your creative worship juices flowing in a community of other leaders? If you are the key worship leader for your worshipping community, we hope you’ll join us for a nurtured retreat where you can step aside for private or collaborative planning, along with moments to have your soul tended and minds sparked by a team of worship and music guides.

Whether you are longing to take in the Rocky Mountain vistas, seeking inspiration for your narrative or revised common lectionary preaching, longing for collaborative worship series planning, or hoping for a preaching tune-up, we think you’ll find the right formula at CAMP. View key details below and click here for a flyer with details. Register here.

When? Sunday – Thursday, August 11-15, 2024

Where? YMCA of the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park Center, Colorado

Who may attend? The event is designed for PC(USA) worship leaders (ministers of word and sacrament or commissioned ruling elders/pastors) who are responsible for worship/preaching in their PC(USA) worshipping community. Worship leaders from other Christian traditions are welcome to join in the fun.

What should I expect? This event is designed with a loose, supportive structure and a lot of freedom. The three key content days (Monday-Wednesday) we will provide morning and evening prayers, a framework/overview of a segment of the revised common and narrative lectionaries, a field trip activity, and music and worship guidance for individual or communal brainstorming. Participants may find a quiet spot for solitary preparation or team up with others. If nature sparks your creativity, head out for a hike, or take in the mountain vistas from your patio or balcony.

Who will guide us? This event is provided in partnership with Columbia Theological Seminary’s Preacher’s Studio for Renewal. Rev. Drs. Anna Carter Florence and Jake Myers will provide Revised Common Lectionary support and leadership to tune-up our scriptural interpretation. Rev. Dr. Robert Williamson Jr. (Professor of Religious Studies at Hendrix College) will provide Narrative Lectionary resourcing. Rev. Jon Frost (Pastor for Worship at Westminster Presbyterian Church, West Chester, PA) offers music leadership and support. And Rev. Erin Hayes-Cook (First Presbyterian Church, Hackettstown, NJ) serves as facilitator for collaborative Advent and Lent planning.

How much does it cost? PC(USA) participants within the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation service region pay just $50. (To prevent last minute cancellations, $100 is required to register with $50 refunded at check-in.) The registration fee for participants outside of the OPSF service region and non-PC(USA) participants is $125..

Lodging is arranged separately with the YMCA of the Rockies. We will stay in the Wind River Lodge. Each room features two queen beds, deck or patio, full private bath, mini fridge, and free Wi-Fi. The room rate is $159/night plus tax. To receive this rate, register with the YMCA of the Rockies by July 11, 2024. Call 888-613-9622 and identify yourself as ‘Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation 2024: Indiv’.

Questions? View our FAQs below. Contact Shelli Latham at slatham@opsf-omaha.org.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if I can’t afford this event? OPSF is committed to resourcing congregational leaders in our region. You may apply for a scholarship for lodging and travel directly on the registration form. Financial support is provided to ministers of word and sacrament and commissioned ruling elders based upon congregation size and continuing education budget.

What about dinners on Monday-Wednesday? Dinner is only provided in the registration fee on Sunday night. Check out these dining options at the YMCA of the Rockies or venture into Estes Park. Or grab the Town of Estes Park Free Shuttle and head into town for a bite.

Can my partner or child attend? Spouses, partners, friends, and children are welcome to stay in your room. You will be responsible for travel and meal expenses for non-participants. We ask that planning space and offerings be reserved for registered participants. All are invited to take part in worship and to sign up for field trips.

What are the recreational opportunities? Sign-ups for OPSF’s daily field trips will be provided to event registrants in the summer. The YMCA of the Rockies hosts a breadth of opportunities which CAMPers may register for on their own. Visit their Things to Do page for more information. Bring our YMCA card, which will allow you to access some events at free or reduced cost.

Do I have to be PC(USA) to attend? Congregational worship leaders from any denomination are welcome. Reduced pricing and scholarship assistance are only available to PC(USA) pastoral leaders or those serving PC(USA) congregations.

How do I get there/get around?

The closest airport is Denver International Airport, about 60 miles away.  Transportation to/from CAMP from Denver International Airport will be provided by OPSF if participants arrive (Sunday) between noon and 8 PM, and depart (Thursday) between 2 PM and 6 PM. We cannot guarantee van space for non-registered persons or for people travelling outside of these windows. There is plentiful parking for individuals with cars.

The YMCA of the Rockies campus is large. Participants are encouraged to make friends and ride-share to activities. All of OPSF’s educational, meal, and worship options are within a short walk of one another. We will transport participants to our field trips and have vehicles to shuttle individuals requiring mobility assistance.

Visit the YMCA of the Rockies Getting Here resources for more information.