Health Joy and Excellence Institute presents:
For Everyone Born: Clergy Symposium and Clergy Retreat 2025
October 20-24, 2025 at Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp, Bishop’s Falls, NL
Register by October 3, 2025
What does it mean to proclaim “for everyone born a place at the table?” Join colleagues in ministry for a transformative gathering that explores this question through the lens of postcolonial theology. Framed by the powerful imagery and conviction of the hymn For Everyone Born, this two-part event offers both a rich educational symposium and a reflective spiritual retreat.
The Symposium (October 20-22) will provide a comprehensive survey of postcolonial theology, its core concepts, and their implications for the daily practice of ministry. Together, we will engage questions of voice, power, and presence in preaching, liturgy, sacraments, and congregational life. Together, we will explore how postcolonial theology challenges colonial legacies and opens the church to justice, joy, compassion, and peace.
Following the academic exploration, the Retreat (October 22-24) will offer spacious time for prayer, discernment, and renewal. Rooted in the guiding questions—Who are we? Who are our neighbours? What is God calling us to do?—this retreat will help participants ground postcolonial insights in personal and communal vocation. With scripture, silence, song, and story, we will listen for God’s call to be creators of justice and joy in our unique contexts.
Come and claim your place at the table. Come and prepare to extend that welcome to all.
Dates:
Clergy Symposium: October 20-22, 2025
(Check-in time 3:30 pm on Monday, October 20. Ending with lunch on Wednesday, October 22.)
Clergy Retreat: October 22-24, 2025
(Start time 3:30 pm on Wednesday, October 22. Ending with lunch on Friday, October 24.)
Registration Deadline for Both Events: October 3, 2025
Venue:
Cost:
- $250 per event or $500 if attending both events (includes accommodations, meals, nutrition breaks and program fees)
Travel:
- Participants are required to pay for their own travel and meals enroute.
- With prior approval, financial assistance up to a maximum of $500 may be available to help those travelling from Labrador (contact Heather Sandford hsandford@united-church.ca).
Agenda:
- Will be emailed prior to event
Notes:
- Please bring warm clothing for a bonfire (weather permitting)
- Bedding is provided
- If you play an instrument and would like to share your gifts, please bring it along
- Bring comfortable clothing and shoes. There are beautiful trails to discover
- Map – Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp, NL-360, Bishop’s Falls, NL: Within the boundaries of Central Newfoundland, approximately 12 km from the town of Bishop’s Falls. Turn off located 6 km from TCH on Route 360, situated at the Great Rattling Depot on the Exploits River.
- These are Continuing Education events
- Cancellation/Refund: We ask for payment in advance by October 3, 2025. However, if there is a pastoral charge emergency and you cannot attend, refunds can be arranged (contact hsandford@united-church.ca)
Contact Person:
- For any information before, during or after the event, please contact Rev. Heather Sandford, Regional Minister hsandford@united-church.ca
Thank you to the Coughlan College Trust Fund and the Institute for Health Joy and Excellence for subsidizing this event
