At perhaps no other point in the church year does the leadership feel their ministry at a "low ebb" more than during the weeks following the hectic Christmas season and the beginning of the new year. We would like to suggest this perfect prescription for lifting your spirits, renewing your vision and deepening your devotional life.

FOR THE MINISTER OF MUSIC

The Gathering will give you an opportunity to do a whole lot more than just read through new music. Especially built into our schedule are times for you to relax, and devotional speakers to refresh and renew you both personally and in terms of your ministry! The laid-back schedule allows for time to get to know each other, to establish new friendships with others in ministry and to share common goals and visions - an ideal time of bonding and renewal for every registrant.

The rafters will ring during reading sessions introducing you to all the newest and best in church choral music for Spring & Easter 2012 from a variety of leading publishers! Outstanding clinicians and great music fill the days, while the evenings provide refreshing times of fellowship, concert and inspiration.

FOR THE SPOUSES

There's also a special track on Monday afternoon, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday mornings,for those in the "support role" of ministry. These special times of encouragement and inspiration will deal with areas of particular challenge to spouses of those in ministry.

FOR EVERYONE

The primary purpose of this retreat is to allow time to relax, refresh and renew yourself and your ministry. Woven into the three days are special times of fellowship with composers, speakers, clinicians and fellow ministers of music from throughout the nation. The relaxed schedule allows for time to get to know each other, to establish new friendships with others in ministry and to share common goals and visions—an ideal time of bonding and renewal for every registrant.

There's also time to get away individually if you desire. Built into the program are free times for you to take a walk on the beach (there's something therapeutic about the pounding surf), enjoy golf or tennis, tour the beautiful island, or do whatever you desire. We even have a trained counselor on hand for all three days, available for individual sessions if you find yourself in need of a word of encouragement or some other type of support in your ministry role.

All in all, The Gathering affords just what the slogan suggests, "a retreat for church music leadership" to help start your new year with sharpened focus, a refreshed personal devotional life, and an expanded vision of ministry for 2012!