The Faith Stories Retreat for adults and mature teens is a weekend of humorous and poignant stories of faith tailored to the church seeking spiritual renewal.  It is particularly effective for smaller congregations, and churches involved in the search process for a new rector or pastor.  It is also provided as a "Faith Alive Sampler" for a church seeking to build support and enthusiasm for a full Faith Alive Weekend.

St. Christopher’s in Pensacola used the Faith Stories Retreat in April to prepare the congregation for a Faith Alive Weekend in October.  St. David’s in Wasilla, Alaska, used it to encourage church members to share their faith stories with one another.  A Faith Alive Weekend followed.

Grace Church – Millers Tavern and St. Paul’s – West Point, two small parishes in the Tappahannock region of Virginia, came together in song and sharing in the spirit of a family reunion.  It was a rich experience of community with an emphasis on God’s grace and love of His people.

The Rev. Bruce Geary, rector of St. Peter’s in Butler, PA, reports:  “You delivered what you promised: a fun time with good stories that surfaced our personal stories and left us with something to talk and think about regarding our own faith.  We are a spiritually healthier parish now!”

Carlann Scherping, Senior Warden of Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave, NC, reports, “The Faith Stories Retreat was billed as a light-hearted faith-centered parish event offering spiritual refreshment.  The weekend was exactly as billed!  We sang together and laughed a lot.  Our gifted speaker entertained us and inspired us with stories of faith that made us think about our own faith and how our church family might come together in some new and different ways.  Tom Riley asked, “What brought you to the Church of the Transfiguration?  What has kept you here?”  We were reminded what a precious church family we have, and we drew much closer in Body and Spirit.  (The Church of the Transfiguration has since held a most successful Faith Alive Weekend.)

The Faith Stories Retreat, led by Faith Alive President Tom Riley, is offered at no charge, thanks to support from a charitable trust. For a flyer about this weekend event, click Contact Us on the Faith Alive home page.