Join us at the Almont New Church Assembly March 20-22 for an All-Adult Be Love Retreat co-led by Rev. Sage Cole of the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative and Rev. Renée Machiniak of the Michigan Association of the Swedenborgian Church.
This year’s theme will be “Kindling Our Light in the Darkness.” Rev. Sage will bring pieces of Helen Keller’s Story into our retreat sessions and invite participants to share theirs, that together we might kindle each other’s light of love, truth and useful creative service.
Friday, March 20, 7 PM – Sunday, March 22, 10 AM ET
SESSION SCHEDULE
Friday 9:00 pm Kindling the Light Vespers (We’ll gather to introduce ourselves to one another and share how we are as the retreat begins, setting our intentions for our time together.)
Saturday 10:00 am Be Love Brunch: Celebrating the Light (This will be a show and tell circle, to share what awakens love in us! Bring an object, story, reading, song or a favorite food to contribute to our brunch. We will gather around the table in the Dining Hall, enjoy a second breakfast together for the soul and the belly. )
Saturday 3:00 pm Be Honest Tea: Exploring the Light (Grab a cup of tea, bring a favorite to share, and join a sharing circle. We’ll set up several meeting spaces in Pfister and the Dining Hall, to gather with others in conversation around topics that are important to you.)
Saturday 8:00 pm Be Useful Closing Circle: Sharing the Light (We’ll close our dire with a fire, and candle lighting to honor what’s emerged between us and set our intentions for moving forward.)
Sunday 9:00 am Closing Sunday Worship Service
Join us to explore the love at the ground of life, the wisdom that comes through our unique experience and the particular uses we are called to!
Meals: Friday there will be charcuterie and other snacks (contributions welcome!). Saturday and Sunday breakfast will be continental. Also on Saturday, lunch will be a baked potato bar with vegetarian chili and dinner will be a pasta bar with salad and dessert. Drinks provided will be coffee, tea and lemonade.
Accommodations: We will be staying in Heritage. All rooms are shared occupancy. Couples will be given priority over single persons for double beds (please note, one room can hold 3-4 persons on 2 twins and 1 queen). You will be able to request a roommate in the registration form. PLEASE NOTE: it is preferred that you bring your own sheets and towel. If that simply is not possible, you may rent them for $10. There are pillows and a blanket in the room for each bed.
Click here to register. Registration deadline is March 10. Space is limited, register soon!
After registering, your payment options are:
- Mail checks in the amount of $75/person, payable to ANCA to Betsy Aldrich, 120 White Fox CV, Round Rock, TX 78664, must be postmarked no later than March 4, 2026. If after that date, please use one of the other payment methods below.
- Pay through Zelle to 586-822-1001. $75/person if paid by March 10, $80 after the deadline.
- Pay cash or check upon arrival at the retreat, $80.
We hope to see you there!
