Please click here to view details for the 2026 summer Women's Retreat.
ALL-CHURCH RETREAT
September 18-20, 2026
What is a retreat? (and why we want YOU to come!)
The purpose of the All-church Retreat (ACR) is to provide us with an opportunity to step away from our regular routines so that we may connect more deeply with the Lord, and each other. It’s an event like none other! You’ll get to worship, learn, rest, play, and engage with all ages in our church community. If, after reading the information below, you have more questions, we are happy to share all the nitty gritty! Reach out to Amy Carlan or Michelle Collins.
TIMELINE
The doors open at 5:00 pm on Friday and the first large group session starts at 8:15 pm. The retreat ends by 10:30 am on Sunday.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Adult and kids birth - fifth grade will stay in Assembly Inn. Middle and high school students will stay in Winsborough Lodge located just across Lake Susan from Assembly Inn. Four meals will be provided for everyone by Assembly Inn’s Dining Hall and we will have a spread of snacks available for consumption during the day. For details on the inn and lodge, visit Montreat Conference Center.
WHAT’S THE RETREAT LIKE FOR PARENTS AND KIDS?
Infant - Preschool
One of the unique aspects of the ACR is that parents of little ones get to spend time with their kids, but also get time to learn and grow. We take a crew of childcare workers with us - awesome caretakers that your kids already know from Sundays - and during our four large group sessions, your kids get to hang out with them and learn about Jesus. Not only that, these caretakers will be hallway monitors on Friday and Saturday nights if you want to stay up late to chat with other adults. Trust us - this is amazing and we are happy to connect you to other parents who will verify the awesomeness.
Elementary Kids
Elementary kids adore the retreat! They get to play and learn about Jesus with our elementary leaders while their parents are in small groups. We are happy to connect you to elementary kids who will gush about retreat (we are talking about core memories!).
Middle & High School
Middle and High school students will stay in their own lodge together not far from Assembly Inn where parents stay. They are welcome to come on their own, even if their parents do not come on the retreat. Middle school students will join us for the beginning of the large group sessions for worship and testimonies but have their own speaker. The high school students will join the adults for large group sessions the entire time.
COST
We really believe the retreat is a one-of-a-kind way to connect to the Lord, and community, and we want everyone to go! This is why we significantly supplement the actual cost of the retreat so that it is affordable for everyone. If you are able to afford paying the actual cost, that will help us continue to offer the retreat at a great price and to offer scholarships. On the other hand, if our base cost is too much for you, we still want you to come! Please contact Amy Carlan for scholarship information.
Retreat “base” cost per person (what you pay):
Adults $150
Students $100
Elementary/Preschoolers $100
Household Maximum $450 (this is not a family maximum but a household maximum)
Retreat “actual” cost is $300 per person.
Go ahead and mark your calendars and sign up for this amazing time of growing closer to the Lord, and to one another, in a community of faith. We look forward to seeing you there!
OUR SPEAKER
David has been a friend to First Presbyterian for many years... as an encourager in times of transition, as a friend to our pastors and many covenant partners, and as a guest preacher. Currently, David is the resident theologian and an ambassador for the Transforming Center, as well as a Spiritual Director. Before joining the Transforming Center staff, David served in pastoral ministry for 36 years, 22 of which were in Winston-Salem.