Whether your congregation has one confirmand or a large group,
we can all learn something from each other’s
church experience and faith journey!
This retreat is not intended to replace your own congregation’s curriculum
or practices for a confirmation class,
but to come alongside it and support what your students are learning.
We’ll focus on broader questions of why we join the Church, what we want our churches to be like,
and how we can actively engage in that work.
Participants will join mixed small groups to hear ideas from people from different congregations,
and also have time with their home group to continue with their own lessons and curricula.
The retreat is intended for whatever ages your congregation counts in their confirmation program,
and whatever stage of the confirmation process you’re in, recognizing churches do this differently all over.
JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 2, 2025
$165 per person
scholarships available (contact colleen@massanettasprings.org)
Arrival Friday: 7-8 PM
Departure Sunday: after worship, by noon
Registration will open in June.
Monday, December 2: group holds expire, extra spots made available to wait list
Monday, January 20, 2025: final day to register
Questions about the retreat?
Contact Colleen Earp, Program Director: colleen@massanettasprings.org
Rev. Mark Mares, keynote
Mark (he/him) serves as an Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian church in Ann Arbor, MI. Pastor Mark grew up in a Puerto Rican Pentecostal church called Templo Jerusalen, Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal M.I. (a church his grandpa planted in the 1970s). After attending college at Hope College, he went on a journey of navigating all that he was learning, with his faith, experiences, and relationships. He ended up finding a home at a church in the Reformed Church in America (RCA). In 2017, following his graduation from seminary with a Master of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary, he was ordained in the RCA. After serving four churches in Upstate NY, Mark was called to serve as Minister of Youth & Families at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, MI (FPC). In the fall of 2022, he was installed as an Associate Pastor, continuing to work with youth, families, mission, and social justice at FPC. Mark loves competition and is an avid fan of all types of sports, especially Detroit teams & the University of Michigan. He also loves books and holds a special place in his heart for graphic novels/comics—especially talking about them with others, with a cup of coffee or tea in his hand.
Abby Madden, music leader
Abby (she/her) serves as the Minister of Music at Arlington Presbyterian Church in Arlington, VA. APC sold its land to Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH), tore down the church building, and co-created Gilliam Place, a 173-unit affordable housing community on Columbia Pike. She has a B.A. in Music Composition and earned her M.A. in Theology and the Arts from Wesley Theological Seminary. Her musical repertoire spans a wide range of genres that began with the musical roots of the Mennonite Church.
Abby is the founder and director of Music at Gilliam Place, a program that offers free one-on-one music lessons to APAH residents. This initiative not only enriches the lives of residents but also supports and pays local musicians, strengthening the local music community. As a community organizer she collaborates with local artists to create regular community concerts, drum circles, and other musical opportunities for neighbors on and off the Pike.
Every church does confirmation a little bit differently, so this retreat is intentionally planned to gather confirmation students together in meaningful ways while giving space for home church groups to continue their own work, whatever that looks like!
We anticipate most youth participants will be in 8th or 9th grade, but we welcome whoever is in your confirmation class and will adapt our small groups as best we can to match the age groups present. We typically group older students in their own small groups.
The program will include small groups made up of participants from different churches to discuss some of the similarities, differences, hopes, and dreams for our faith and our churches.
The schedule will include time for home church groups to meet and work on their own lessons and curriculum, statements of faith, or whatever they need to get done for their own confirmation!
Housing will be in Richardson, our dorm-style suites. Youth can expect to have one or two roommates and share a bathroom with two or three suitemates of the same gender. Adults will be housed nearby, and will share suites and possibly rooms with other adults of the same gender depending on registration numbers— what a wonderful opportunity to meet friends and colleagues in ministry! All linens provided.
Registration Process
Registration for group holds opens on Monday 6/3/24.
$165 per person, some scholarships available (contact Colleen at colleen@massanettasprings.org)
IMPORTANT DATES:
Monday, December 2, 2024: group holds expire, extra spots made available to wait list
Monday, January 20, 2025: final day to register
For questions about registration, contact Cherokee Adams, Registrar, at cherokee@massanettasprings.org or 540-434-3829.
to register your group
These instructions are for the group leader.
Step 1: Fill out the form below with general group information and estimated numbers to reserve spaces for your group. Please note: you must bring 1 adult for every 7 youth. We will then generate a “group hold code” and send it to your leader. If you have questions, Cherokee Adams is registrar. She can be reached at cherokee@massanettasprings.org or 540-434-3829.
Step 2: Once you receive the “group hold code,” share it with your group and send them to the “Participant Account” link below. Parents/guardians will be able to register their youth and adult advisors will be able to register themselves using that “group hold code.”
Step 3: As a leader, you will be able to log into a separate account to view who has registered and completed all forms. The “Leader Account” link is below. To register yourself, use the SAME username and password at the participant link above.
Step 4: For church/group leaders only. Leaders will be able to log into their separate account to view who has registered and the remaining bill for the group. Checks are the preferred payment method. Once EVERYONE (adults included!) in your group has registered, please mail a check to Massanetta Springs with “Confirmation Retreat 2025” in the memo line.
Scholarships are available thanks to a generous gift from the Jerry Smith Memorial Golf Tournament hosted by Hedgesville Presbyterian Church in West Virginia in May 2024.
Jerry Smith
Gerald Preston Smith, Jr. passed away peacefully in August 2023. Jerry was many things: a husband, father, and grandfather; an outdoorsman; a sports fan; a business owner; a beloved friend and neighbor.
Jerry was also an active, lifelong member of Frederick Presbyterian Church in Maryland. He served as a deacon and worship assistant, and took great joy in mentoring youth through confirmation and mission trips.
Jerry is survived by his devoted wife, Rev. Vanessa Smith of Hedgesville Presbyterian Church. In loving memory of his commitment to the youth of his congregation, Rev. Smith offered the proceeds of the May 2024 golf tournament to support scholarships for the Massanetta Springs Confirmation Retreat.
To request a scholarship, contact Rev. Colleen Earp, Program Director: colleen@massanettasprings.org.