To Conference Men and those who love them,

You are invited now to register for the Pacific Northwest Conference - United Church of Christ Men’s Retreat - January 29-30, 2021

The retreat will be held online, starting Friday evening, January 29, 2021, from 7:30 to 9 pm for music, worship and introductions, continuing on Saturday with program led by Phil Porter from 9 to 11 am and 2 to 4 pm, and ending on Saturday evening, from 7:30 to 9 pm, with the Wisdom Circle. All men are welcome.

The theme will be “Embodiment in a Disembodied Time” and our host will be Phil Porter of Interplay. Phil has been with us before and he is eager to be with us again in these strange times.

From Phil: I don’t have to tell you that we’re living in challenging times. A steady stream of situations, crises, happenings, and wonderments swirls around us. We are traversing new territory without much of a roadmap. When things change, it is important for us to look anew at how we’re living in the world. What creates stress? What creates grace? How are we “in our bodies.” It may be time to reevaluate. Through idea-sharing, helpful tools, storytelling, personal reflection, and wisdom sharing, we will explore ways to enhance our sense of being in our bodies, embrace our humanity, and invite mystery. We will celebrate our connections with each other—the new ones and the ones tested by time. Expect to laugh! It comes with the territory and is great medicine .

Phil Porter is the co-founder and co-director of InterPlay, an organization and movement that has spread around the world. He is an ordained UCC minister and served on the staff of First Congregational Church of Berkeley for over 20 years. He is also a visual artist, graphic designer, composer, author, and self-proclaimed “body intellectual.” He will share tools and practices that can help us embrace who we are and how we are in the world, including ideas about Body Data/Body Knowledge/Body Wisdom, Inner Authority, and the Physicality of Grace. He has also recently developed new skills in making Zoom meetings lively, enjoyable, and revelatory.

The cost of the retreat is $50. A portion of the registration will be donated to the Pacific Northwest Conference Camps, Pilgrim Firs and N-Sid-Sen. Here is the link to register: http://www..ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=367&campCode=nss&idSession=295536

For scholarship assistance, please contact Hans Danker, jdank@msn.com

We gather & explore in faith & in love of our fellow humans & God’s creatures. We are open to all & are an Open & Affirming gathering of brothers, fathers, sons, uncles, cousins & co-workers & old & new friends.

We welcome all male gender identifying people including our transgender brothers regardless of race, ethnicity, “abilities” etc.

Advent blessings, Rick Russell, member of Planning Team and Prospect UCC, Seattle