Seen Around Church: Week of November 30, 2025
December 3, 2025The SMPC All-Church Retreat, “Created for Community,” will be held at William Black Lodge in Montreat, NC from March 6 (beginning after dinner) through March 8 (ending around 11 a.m.)
We have 23 rooms reserved. Our retreat leader will be Rev. Dr. Laura Cunningham, a Presbyterian pastor and Spiritual Care Volunteer in Alexandria, VA (bio below).
This retreat is designed for all ages. For young elementary or younger children, we will provide a separate children’s option during study sessions. Older children will stay with the group.
Registration & Costs
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Deposit: $65 per person (covers all four meals)
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Room Costs: $250–$310 for the weekend (collected later)
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Financial Assistance: Available upon request
SMPC Staff Lead: Rebecca Guzman; Retreat Planning Committee: Steven Ritchie, Frank Graham, Joel Winchip, Jeana Lee, Ruby Robinson
Schedule
March 6
Friday Evening
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Arrival (dinner on your own beforehand)
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Community-building activities as people arrive
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Welcome & introductions
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A brief “Created for Community” teaser from Laura
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Fellowship with snacks, dessert, and beverages
March 7
Saturday Morning
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Light morning movement/icebreaker
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Session 1 with Laura:
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What makes community? What breaks community?
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Scriptural stories of broken and restored community
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Small groups engage creative storytelling or drama
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Regather to crowdsource: “What makes community happen?”
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Saturday Afternoon
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Lunch together
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Choose-your-own outing (sign-ups)
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Hike up Lookout Mountain
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Playground time
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Black Mountain shopping
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Arts & crafts
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Coffee + reading / quiet rest
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Saturday Evening
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Dinner
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Session 2 with Laura: exploring how Christ creates new community
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Campfire with guitar (options still being explored)
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Optional games, music, crafts, or fellowship
March 8
Sunday Morning
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Worship with communion
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Theme: New community in Christ, empowered by the Spirit
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Departure around 11:00 a.m.
About Rev. Dr. Laura Cunningham (she/her)
Laura is a 25-year Presbyterian pastor and Spiritual Care Volunteer in Alexandria. She has served churches across National Capital Presbytery and currently ministries as a “free-range” pastor. She finds joy in gardening, woodworking, watercoloring, mountain climbing, cooking, and cultivating relationships with her young adult children and clergy spouse. A lifelong Presbyterian, she continues to rediscover the Spirit’s movement and the gift of prayer.
About Montreat:
Montreat is a special place! Check out some of the photos below of the special times our SMPC youth, women, staff, members and friends have enjoyed at Montreat. We promise you’ll leave feeling refreshed and connected!
