Church Admin Training

This retreat is designed for those who serve in a church, ministry, or similar organization in an administrative role. Prioritize this time to gain new skills, fellowship with folks who understand, and recharge your batteries. Don't worry - your to-do list will still be there when you get back, and we promise you will be better prepared to tackle it. 

Retreat Leaders

Donna Doutt
Donna Doutt is a Local Pastor who came to ministry originally as a lay speaker, motivated by her mission experiences in Rwanda and Zimbabwe. As a former staff member of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference, with many years of service in a variety of roles, including church secretary at her home church, she has a deep understanding of church polity, administration, and people. Donna believes God placed her in positions along her faith journey with strong and empowering people to guide and encourage her. She was a member of the inaugural Zimbabwe Immersion experience, and continues an active role within the Conference by serving on the Zimbabwe Partnership Committee with whom she taught a class at Africa University in Zimbabwe for lay leaders.  She is currently senior pastor at Savannah United Methodist Church in the Butler District. Donna and her husband, Buck, both born and raised in Beaver, continue to live there, and have three living adult children, one deceased son, Paul, nine grandchildren, and are now blessed five great-grandchildren.  Traveling together with their extended families is their greatest joy. 
Rev. Connie Hoeke
Rev. Connie Hoeke is an ordained elder in the Western Pa. Conference of the United Methodist Church. She has served several churches in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Knoxville, Tn. She is currently associated with the Summit United Methodist Church in Erie and serves in Worship Leadership, including Communion and quarterly preaching. She also is involved in Pastoral Care, co-leader of Stephen Ministry, leads an annual Spiritual Women’s Retreat, and teaches Bible and book studies on a variety of topics. She also serves on the Erie-Meadville District Anti-Racism Team and is Chair of the Conference Discipleship Team. She has completed the 2 year Academy of Spiritual Formation sponsored by The Upper Room, and is currently in the process of training to be a Spiritual Director. She will graduate from this program in August, 2022. She is married to Rev. Dr. Thomas Hoeke, who is lead pastor of Summit UMC, proud mother of 2 married children and thrilled to be grandmother of Pauline and Archer.

July 17-19, 2022

$175/person

Sessions

When the Wind Blows the Door Open
​Death and Loss are two things that we all face at times in our lives and never more than these last 3 years. With our lives turned upside down by the pandemic, we have been introduced to all kinds of loss, including death of loved ones and many others we don’t know. It is important to grieve these losses, and others not associated with the pandemic, in order to sustain our own health. In this section, we will explore many types of loss and learn techniques for grieving. Rev. Hoeke will lead us in an interactive discussion about grief, and ways of healing with God’s presence, in order to move forward with our own lives. Also addressed will be ways to be a help to others we interact with, often being the first one who receives the notification of a death. 
Prayer is Not Just Found in Worship
​Prayer and meditation are very important for our own Spiritual formation. Through different types of prayer, we grow closer to God and learn to see ourselves as God’s beloved children. Meditation moves us toward a desire for God’s presence that we have never known before. During this section, Rev. Hoeke will guide you through different types of prayer and meditation so that you may experience God at a depth that warms the spirit, soul and body for all who are involved in prayer. Once we learn to rest in God, we can see others as beloved children of God too and reach out to them in new ways.
Stuck in the Middle: Office Politics
​Like it or not, no office is free from politics. It’s inevitable. But as Christians, we may feel helpless when we get caught up in office/church politics. What causes office politics and conflicts is simply a focus on self-interest at the expense of others; so don’t let that “other” be you! You can handle these problems without compromising your personal Christian values. We’ll work it out together.  
*As is tradition, we will share tea time and ditty bags again this year. For questions on this, contact pastordonnadoutt@gmail.com.

Event Information

  • Event starts with dinner on Sunday, July 17 and concludes with lunch on Tuesday, July 19. Check-in is in Groves Lodge between 3 and 5pm on Sunday. 
  • Pricing includes two-nights stay (private hotel style room with linens), six meals, and course tuition. Discount available for those willing to select or be assigned a roommate. Please contact Olmsted for commuter rates. 
  • Register online, print and mail the registration form, or call to register at (814) 945-6512