The United Methodist Full Connection Writing Retreat provides an opportunity for provisional elders and deacons to focus on writing Full Connection papers for the Board of Ordained Ministry in a supportive and Spirit-filled environment. The retreat provides participants with time and space for reading, writing, and reflecting alongside daily opportunities to engage with United Methodist faculty, staff, and other provisional members, and includes optional informal coffee breaks with faculty.
- What's Included
Your time at the United Methodist Full Connection Writing Retreat includes the following amenities and resources:
- Editing support from the Center for Theological Writing at Duke Divinity School
Participants will have the opportunity to submit one section, up to 20 pages, of their United Methodist Full Connection written work to the Duke Divinity Center for Theological Writing for editing and feedback. Written work must be submitted no later than Aug. 15 (for feedback prior to the retreat) or, if submitting work after the retreat, no later than Sept. 19 (for feedback by Oct. 31). Please note that the submission deadlines are nonnegotiable. - Duke Divinity School Community Activities
You are invited to participate in lectures, prayers, community worship, and other events taking place within the Divinity School or Duke University. - Continuing Education Units
Each hour spent studying, auditing a class, meeting with faculty, worshipping, or researching is worth 0.1 Continuing Education Units. - Accommodations
Two nights of accommodations at the Homewood Suites in Durham with complimentary shuttle service to campus, breakfast, and light dinner are included in the program cost. Additional nights are available for extra fees, should you wish to extend your stay. - Library Access
Enjoy full borrowing privileges at any of Duke’s libraries. - Parking
Access to parking on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday or complementary shuttle service to campus from the hotel.
- Editing support from the Center for Theological Writing at Duke Divinity School
- Cost
Due to the generosity of The Duke Endowment and the Parish Ministry Fund, scholarship tuition is available for participants from the North Carolina and Western North Carolina Annual Conferences. Because scholarships are limited, we encourage you to register early. If you are a pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference, you are eligible for an additional scholarship funds. More information can be found on the Western North Carolina Annual Conference website.
Program Cost
Optional Late Departure
Scholarship Tuition
$75.00
$113.50/day
Full Tuition $475.00 $113.50/day Full Tuition (No Accommodations) $250.00 - Schedule
Monday, Sept. 11 12:00 p.m. Arrival on campus 12:30 p.m. Lunch & orientation in AMCR 3:00 p.m. Conversation with conference representatives (optional) 6:00 p.m. Complimentary evening dinner at hotel Tuesday, Sept. 12 8:00 a.m. Complimentary full breakfast at hotel 9:00 a.m. Informal conversation with Dr. J. Warren Smith (optional) 10:00 a.m. Informal conversation with Dr. Randy Maddox (optional) 11:25 a.m. Worship, Goodson Chapel 6:00 p.m. Complimentary evening dinner at hotel Wednesday, Sept. 13 8:00 a.m. Complimentary full breakfast at hotel 9:00 a.m. Informal conversation with Dr. William Turner Jr. (optional) 10:00 a.m. Informal conversation with Dean Elaine Heath (optional) 11:25 a.m. Worship, Goodson Chapel Departure