Pastor/Spouse & Family Retreat

A long weekend of rest, connection, nature, and worship by the sea

New in 2022! Families are welcome! We are blessed to have several pastors with young children and coming to retreat is often impossible. This year the retreat will be family friendly, from infants through teens! Our program time will be community connecting and enjoying the outdoors. Kids 3 and under are no cost, those 4-17 will be $125 each. All children do need to be included on the registration form (at the bottom of this web page).

Long Weekend Format! To try to include those who have a spouse whose work makes a week away difficult, the retreat this year begins with dinner on Thursday and ends with lunch on Sunday. The Ministry Commission will be sending letters to church leadership to ask that this Sunday not be a vacation day, but a special day away in thanks for your service throughout the pandemic.

Location! Take a deep breath and settle in for a time of serene relaxation, reflection and rejuvenation. Celebrated as Monterey Peninsula’s “Refuge by the Sea” – Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds is a breathtakingly gorgeous 107 acres of ecologically diverse beachfront land. Situated within the quaint and scenic town of Pacific Grove, Asilomar offers guests the simple comforts of cozy cottages and historic lodges – and an unforgettable escape from the demands of everyday life. (Interactive Map)

Asilomar’s origins date back to its opening in 1913 as a YWCA Leadership Camp. In its first year, 300 young women attended Asilomar’s first YWCA student leadership conference. By 1921, Asilomar was able to accommodate 500 people, and was open year-round as a meeting and conference space for religious groups, college conferences and women’s training courses.

After years of successful restoration work, the dunes are now abundant with nature plants and wildlife and are a Natural Preserve. Asilomar’s conference grounds provide a beautiful example of Arts & Crafts style architecture with historic structures dating back to the first 13 buildings designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan between 1913 and 1928.

Crocker Dining Hall is an essential part of the Asilomar experience. Meals are served in this spacious and welcoming gathering spot with high-beamed ceilings, stone pillars, and incomparable views of the forest and the dunes of Asilomar State Beach. The daily menu highlights fresh, seasonal, local produce procured directly from their network of regional, organic farmers. Learn more and check out Asilomar at www.VisitAsilomar.com

Program: 2022 will be a more relaxed time without a formal retreat leader and sessions. There will be group time for games, sharing, worship, and a fun group outing to explore the Monterey Peninsula. There will still be time to explore the area on your own as well. And all meals will be taken together in our own area of the dining hall.

COVID Protocols: At this moment mask requirements in California are being dropped for vaccinated individuals. Our plan for the retreat is that when we are gathered indoors for group sessions we will be masked as there are likely to be children present who are too young to be vaccinated. We hope all will feel positive about helping to provide this protection for the youngest among us.