2024 Elder Retreat – Taking the Wisdom Journey Home!
Our world, including Crucible, needs servant elders – those who model and share their godly character and serve willingly and intentionally. It’s time for us to shift out of our first half of life’s “heroic journey”- that which got us where we are – to the second half of life’s “wisdom journey”, where we bring openhanded grace to share what we have learned with wisdom and humility. It’s easy to become old without maturity, to be opinionated without understanding, and wanting respect without having earned it. This retreat will initiate us on our elder journey together to grow as men of character, acceptance, and understanding. This retreat will help us bring our eldership with purpose and intentionality into our worlds.
When: Thursday, Oct. 24 – 7:00 pm (arrive any time after 4:00 pm), to Sunday Oct. 27 – 3:00 pm (optional departure Monday Oct. 28 at 10:00 am)
Where: Algoma, WI (45 min from Green Bay, WI; 3 hrs 15 minutes from O’Hare). Carpool from O’Hare can be arranged with local Crucible men.
Cost: $475
Retreat Eligibility:
- TCP Elder Council Members/Lead Elders, or
- TCP Lead Elder Candidates, or
- TCP Initiated men committed to living out eldership in their communities.
For those fitting eligibility criteria #3 above, priority will be given to men aged 60+, who are active in their own soul work through groups or staffing and who have a heart for serving their world by bringing elder energy.
Maximum retreat count: 30 men
About the retreat (what to expect):
- Housing will be in VRBO homes. Expect that you may share a bedroom and bathroom in a nicer facility. We’ll be utilizing all of the sleeping possibilities the site provides which may range from inflatable mattresses/sofa/futon or twin bed to king beds. One man per bed. Unless you choose to stay up talking, sleep should be adequate.
- Meals will be prepared by a Man of Service, eaten together, and we will rotate in to assist before and after meal times. Meals will be a little nicer than adequate.
- This weekend will have an initiatory arc while also having the energy of second level weekends where we all form the weekend container as initiated men.
- Like all TCP retreats there will be a combination of large group, small group, individual exercises, and solo time for work and contemplation. At times you’ll be able to choose from more than one option of learning experiences.
- We will be located on the shore of Lake Michigan. There will be time to walk along the shoreline (remember it’s not a FL beach), sit outside around a fire, etc. It’s October in WI. It could be warm or it could be very cold. Pack accordingly.
- For those flying to the retreat, this is close to Green Bay, WI. Drivers from Chicago can assist men flying into Chicago, Milwaukee, WI, or Green Bay, WI.
- Our meeting site in Algoma is pictured below.
Application Form (click here)
Applications will be reviewed within 3 weeks of submission and your acceptance will be confirmed shortly thereafter. First come, first served. A waiting list will be established when the retreat is full.
Payment is due upon acceptance.
Expect to receive pre-retreat assignments, packing list, and directions to the facility upon acceptance and payment.