All Spaces Filled! We hope to offer another opportunity this Spring! Stay Tuned!
Holding your breath in ministry? Feeling empty, drained or running on fumes? Perhaps dry, weary, and unmotivated because the demands and pace of life are seemingly unsustainable? Are cynicism, frustration, and resentment growing?
“It’s time to breathe.”
This opportunity to make space and go at God’s pace is for individual Clergy, Clergy Couples, or Clergy and their Spouse (this is not a marriage retreat).
If you are feeling burned out and want to get away to renew in nature, listen, discern, and surrender… This could be a turning point in your spiritual journey. This could be a moment in which your entire life shifts. This retreat could be what you look back on as the space you made for God to solidify who you were created to be and reclaim your passions.
Free yourself for a retreat at Highclere Hall, a 160 acre farm estate nestled in the scenic Virginia Highlands offering a peaceful retreat for all since 1855 surrounded by some of Appalachian Trail’s most stunning landscapes!
Mike Maxwell, your certified life coach, ministry burnout veteran, and pastor with 25 years experience will guide you to renew your vision, restore your passion, and refresh your soul amidst the timeless charm and hospitality of a family farm as you explore opportunities for wildlife watching, agri-excursions, and nature bathing. And don’t forget about your visit with Tartan, Bonnie, and Paisley the miniature Highland cows and other farm yard friends!
This renewal retreat is an opportunity for God to provide healing through creation and companionship as you rest, recalibrate and reconsider a sustainable rhythm of life. Escape the digital noise and join us in making space to go at God’s pace so you can rediscover hope, enthusiasm, and refreshment for your soul.
Where:
Highclere Hall - https://www.highclerehall.com/
233 Stone Wall Lane (Route 660)
New Castle, VA 24127
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (pick up/drop off available)
Highclere Hall is sequestered about a 45 minutes drive from Roanoke, VA where you pass through mountainous landscapes including Dragon’s Tooth and McAfee’s Knob, one of the most photographed locations on the Appalachian Trail. Blacksburg, a dynamic college town known for its welcoming community, innovative spirit, and the Virginia Tech Hokies lies equidistant on the other side of your retreat. The historic and famous Greenbrier and Homestead Resorts are also located nearby.
A note about mobility… We will treat you like the Ritz, but you are on a farm and participants will be invited to walk to different locations such as the stream, the hillside or the barn and engage in activities as able.
When:
October 28-30 - The retreat begins with lunch on Tuesday, October 28 at noon and ends with lunch at noon on Thursday, October 30. Guests can expect to leave the retreat property by 1pm.
Included Meals:
Enjoy delicious “Farm to Fork” homecooking and Virginia hospitality. Dietary options to accommodate food allergies, such as gluten free and dairy free are available upon request when noted in your registration.
● Tuesday - Lunch, Dinner, & Refreshments
● Wednesday - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Refreshments
● Thursday - Breakfast & Lunch
CEU (Developing):
Cost/Person (Spouses may attend and participate in all aspects of the retreat for half price): SPECIAL RATE for 2025!
$600/person includes Lodging, Food, Activities, Instruction
This retreat is intended for individual Clergy, Clergy Couples, or Clergy and their Spouse (this is not a marriage retreat).
Several rustic yet comfortable lodging options are available from a single/couple occupancy cottage to several rooms in a ranch style house. Each person/couple will have a separate room.
Some rooms have their own bathroom and some rooms share a bathroom. Decisions will be made based on the requests and needs of the participants. Contact Mike@sideporch.life or 804-433-6215 for specific lodging details and inquiries.
The renewal retreat experience includes:
● 2 pre-retreat Zoom sessions with renewal coach Mike Maxwell and other participants
● one-on-one opportunities with Mike during the retreat
● 1 one-on-one Zoom follow-up session with Mike.
Participants will also have optional opportunities to kayak and fish the ponds, explore the grounds and gardens, create through art and music, work the farm, hit the ATV and UTV Trails, go on a wildlife picture safari, interact with the animals, and more! (Additional excursions from Highclere Hall are available at the conclusion of the retreat and can be coordinated with Highclere Hall property owners directly - https://www.highclerehall.com/).
Leader:
Mike Maxwell has 25 years experience in pastoral ministry and is a certified Life Coach. After a personal experience with moderate burnout and renewal, Mike has come out on the other side with a passion to help others going through a similar season find peace with God, recognize and open self to God’s guidance, dip their toes in a different rhythm of life, and move closer to the abundant life God intends for them. For these reasons, Mike developed a nonprofit to help with burnout prevention and renewal. You can learn more about Mike and Side Porch, Inc by visiting https://www.sideporch.life/
Preparing for the Journey:
Prework will be emailed by the leader three weeks in advance, which includes Health Snapshot, Renewal Retreat Questionnaire, and a link to a property orienting video “Down on the Farm.” The pre-work handouts and video should only take about an hour and will enable you to get a sense of what to expect and what it’s going to be like. Also, there will be two pre-retreat zoom/video sessions with renewal coach Mike Maxwell and other participants so that we can get to know one another prior to the retreat. In order to orient our hearts in anticipation of all God is going to do in and through this set apart time, we ask that you commit to praying this breakthrough prayer each day prior to the retreat:
Almighty and Gracious God who brings dead things to life, prepare my body, mind, and soul for this renewal retreat. Help me let go of all the demands on my plate, so that I can have ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to sense what you are doing and want to do in my life. With mustard seed faith and eager anticipation, I pray. Amen.
Agenda:
The purpose of this renewal retreat is to create space for you to go at God’s pace so that you are able to reflect on your current state, assess where you want to go and determine initial steps to go in that direction. Teaching sessions will combine the principles of renewal movements and recovery ministry, as well as incorporate time tested spiritual disciplines.
While each of the meals, devotions, rest & recreation activities, and group activities are optional, we value what God teaches us while being in community. Further, although this is not a traditional silent retreat, there will be opportunities for silence and solitude. If pursuing CEU, then participation is required for all Sessions 1-4 in order to earn the full CEU.
This renewal retreat is designed so that when you leave, you will have taken a spiritual journey that will carry you forward in a whole different way!