Retreat Schedule and Topics

2.5 CEU's available

MONDAY
    7:00pm    Opening Worship and Session I
        “Creating Worship with Deep Soul:  Speaking of the Deepest Things We Know”
This session sets the stage by addressing the question, “What makes the difference between worship that feels like “business as usual” and worship that elicits an experience of “deep soul?” And we’ll lay the foundation for attending to various forms and expressions of worship in a postmodern age.

TUESDAY
    Morning    Session II
        “The Art of Sensory-Rich Worship:  Moving from ‘Plug & Play’ to Intentional Design”
This session focuses on worship design as an art form.  We will discover what it means to be “symbolists” who uncover meaningful metaphors with the community.  The advantages of planning thematically and collaboratively will be explored and we’ll experience what it means to enhance familiar worship forms as well as engage cutting-edge and out-of-the-box alternatives.  

    Afternoon    Session III
        “The Technique of Sensory-Rich Worship:  Think Like a Filmmaker!”
This session draws on Marcia’s latest research–what we can learn about communicating a message from filmmakers.  We’ll experience, and experiment with, the concept of “layering” words, music, visuals and action in a way that takes “multisensory worship” to a new level no matter the size or style of your worship!

    Evening    Spiritual Renewal - Free Time
Each segment of free time will offer you opportunities to do what your spirit requires for renewal.  You may choose recreation (we’ll offer suggestions from hiking to seeing a show, movie or shopping), time to rest, read and reflect or join others who want to spend time doing worship planning.

WEDNESDAY
    Morning    Spiritual Renewal Free Time
Two session of spiritual renewal are always planned back-to-back in order to give you ample time–in this case you may want to stay out late and sleep late! Marcia will be on hand mid-morning to demonstrate the Worship Design Studio App.

    Afternoon    Session IV
        “Primal Patterns:  Reading and Riding Dynamics, Energy & Flow”
This session will focus on the dynamics of energy and the effects produced in worship through music, color, lighting, spatial relationship and leadership styles, to name a few.  A deeper understanding of our own individual energetic life patterns will give us insights into our choices, our relationships, and our leadership effectiveness.

    Evening    Session V
        “Scripted & Unscripted:  The Dance of Order & Spontaneity”
This fun evening of improvisation will involve a drumming circle and theater games and a personality profile in order to practice our gifts of order and spontaneity and apply it all to worship leadership.  Non-participant companions are invited to join in on this session.

THURSDAY
    Morning    Spiritual Renewal Free Time
These two sessions of free time are planned back-to-back to give you ample time to plan a day-long activity if you so choose.

    Afternoon    Spiritual Renewal Free Time
A nearby scenic afternoon paddleboat cruise on Lake Tahoe is an option.

    Evening    Session VI
        “Making Ritual ‘Rich-ual’"
As leaders of worship, we are in the position of guiding persons through major life passages.  This session will explore how to make those times unforgettably “rich” and deeply meaningful through the design and our leadership.  We’ll include rites such as communion, baptism (and other times of initiation and change), commitment to service, weddings, funerals and others.

FRIDAY
    Morning    Session VII and Closing Worship
        “Worship Leadership as Spiritual Direction”
All week we will be contemplating our identities as leaders of worship.  This closing session will be the culmination of those reflections and a time to assimilate all we’ve experienced.

We will conclude by 11am to get you on your way!

Questions about content?   E-mail Dr. Marcia at marcia@marciamcfee.com

Questions about registration?   E-mail Mark at mark@marciamcfee.com