Church Office Professionals' Retreat
​with Becky Pomeroy
July 9-11, 2016

This retreat is designed for those brave souls who serve our churches and ministries in administrative roles. Our church administrators constantly pour into the lives of others; now it's their turn to be replenished. You are invited to spend time away from the office and in fellowship with people who understand why you need a break!

Church Office Professionals' Retreat 2017: "A Pain in the Pew"
In your work, you are keenly aware of the pain that is carried by many individuals in your congregation. You know who is in the hospital, who has lost a loved one, who is struggling – you know who is in pain. Often, being in the repeated presence of so much pain takes a toll on us emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually. We are caring people and we absorb other’s pain without realizing that we are doing so.

The flip side of “pain in the pew” is coping with challenging people who cause us a different kind of pain. How do we deal with those personalities who make us want to lock the door? Come safely express those concerns and find solutions. Take home new strategies to address people who routinely find fault with your work, hang out in your workspace, call you to talk for an hour... and many other “pains.” We’ll laugh together as we find wholeness in ourselves and those around us.

Can we be compassionate to others and care for ourselves at the same time?

Becky Pomeroy

Becky ​is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has a private counseling practice in Erie, PA. Her clients are individuals who are in transition in their lives and are seeking to move through change.   She also works  with  clergy, clergy family members,  church staff and non-profit agencies who are also aware of being stuck and looking for clarity on the path forward.
Becky’s belief is that we are called to be on a journey with God. Her work is to partner with others on this path. Sometimes this is joyful, exciting and sometimes grueling and messy… always stretching us further than we thought possible.  

Jenell Patton

Jenell ​currently serves at Mercyhurst University as the Assistant Director of Campus Ministry and Assistant Volleyball Coach. Jenell is a graduate of Messiah College with a B.A. in English/Secondary Education. She then went on to earn a Master’s in Higher Education Administrative Leadership from Geneva College.
She has worked in various capacities in higher education for more than twenty years. Jenell is passionate about integrating faith into the real world. She believes that through experience, people learn to comprehend their faith as relevant in daily living.

WPAUMC Clergy 
This event is in coordination with the Continuing Education efforts of the WPA Conference and is intended to help clergy meet their education requirements and fulfill their spiritual needs.
Continuing Education Units: 1

Event Pricing:
Tuition - $50    
+ Room and Board - $132           
= TOTAL - $182
Private rooms are available upon request at an additional charge of $10/night.

This retreat begins with a 5:30 dinner on Sunday, July 9, 2017 and continues through lunch on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. Check-in is at Groves Lodge on Sunday between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.

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