By Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr
An earlier version of this article misstated the date of the ancestral lands upon which the Collins Retreat Center is located. The text should have listed the Kalapuya, Chinook, and other peoples represented by the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. We regret the error and have updated the text to reflect the accurate information.
A powerful and restorative gathering recently took place at the Alton Collins Retreat Center, located on the ancestral homeland of the Kalapuya, Chinook, and other peoples represented by the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. Sixteen African American clergy leaders from across the Western Jurisdiction converged for the “Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century” (SBC21) Western Jurisdiction Lead Well Retreat. This in-person event, a culmination of a five-week virtual cohort focused on emotional and financial wellness, offered a vital space for spiritual renewal and community building.
The retreat was a collaborative success, led by a dedicated team of leaders. The cohort was organized under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Michael Bowie, Jr., the National Executive Director of the United Methodist SBC21. It was expertly facilitated by Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Senior Pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, and Rev. Candi Cylar, Lead Experience Director for the Candi Cylar Agency in Atlanta, Georgia, where she consults with organizations on the design, delivery, and implementation of strategic visioning and planning. Additionally, she serves as a consultant for SBC21. The retreat design, created by Rev. Dr. Angela Brown of the Cal-Nevada Conference and Rev. Dr. Adrienne Zachery of the Ca-Pacific Conference, provided a comprehensive framework for the participants.
Leaders from the Mountain Sky Area, Greater Northwest Area, Cal-Nevada, and Cal-Pacific conferences gathered in this secluded, wooded setting. The serene landscape, with its lush woods and creeks, served as an ideal sanctuary for leaders to engage in the S.P.I.C.E. framework, a method for checking in on their Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Connectional, and Emotional well-being.
The Greater Northwest Area extended a gracious welcome to the WJ SBC21 Lead Well cohort, marking the first time the organization held an event in the GNW region. Laurie Day, Director of Connectional Ministries for the Oregon-Idaho Conference, welcomed attendees on behalf of the Greater Northwest Area Resident Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, Ed.D. She presented the WJ SBC21 facilitators, design team, and the local hostess with gifts from the conference, curated with items indigenous to the GNW Area and Portland, OR. Although Bishop Bridgeforth was unable to attend in person, his commitment was evident in the meticulous hospitality and attention to detail provided.
Under the inspiring vision of Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr, the Collins Center was transformed into a sanctuary for holistic restoration, centered around the empowering theme “Rest as Resistance.” A variety of lounges and rooms were thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of the leaders. These included a yoga lounge to promote movement, a prayer room for deep meditation, a library for quiet reflection, and a massage lounge dedicated to physical rejuvenation. Additionally, a hospitality center provided refreshments and nourishment.
The experience was further enhanced by incorporating art therapy and nature walks, along with an elegant evening of exploration and conversations. The retreat’s carefully curated agenda promoted deep healing and empowerment over its four-day span:
Day 1: Monday, August 18 – Check-in & Registration, Welcome Dinner, Group Check-in & Prayer
Day 2: Tuesday, August 19 – Morning Devotion & Movement: Optional Walk or Yoga, Emotional Scavenger Hunt: Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Rest as Resistance: A session with Rev. Candi Cylar, Evening Chat: Testimonies of Resilience
Day 3: Wednesday, August 20 – Morning Devotion/Spiritual Discernment, Healing from Financial Trauma: A session with Rev. Dr. Kevass Harding, Art as Therapy
Day 4: Thursday, August 21 – Shaping Your Identity & Reclaiming Yourself: A final session with Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Final Blessing & Anointing Rev. Candi Cylar and Rev. Dr. Ron Bell
The retreat proved to be incredibly successful, highlighting the vital support from the GNW UMC community. A heartfelt acknowledgment goes to Gresham First UMC and Rev. Dr. Byron Harris, pastor of Vancouver Heights UMC, for their generous contribution of artifacts that helped create meaningful sacred spaces. Additionally, a special thanks to the members of the Altar Guild from Vancouver Heights UMC—Pat Hodney-Gould, Meridith Goodwin, Lu Chen, and Winnie Tauala—who dedicated their time to travel from Vancouver, WA, to Collins on a Monday afternoon to dress the altar beautifully. Their efforts established an atmosphere of divine presence and wellness.
At the retreat’s end, a new energy emerged. The clergy formed new bonds and strengthened old ones, reigniting their shared mission. This time of rest and connection wasn’t just a break; it was a powerful experience that empowered them to return to their communities, ready to be a beacon of hope in a divided world.
Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr serves as Senior Pastor of Gresham-First United Methodist Church, Gresham, Oregon.
