Recharge and Reimagine The UP Gathering!
Dates TBD
Trinity Retreat Center
79 Lower River Road
West Corwall, CT 06796
Recharge and Reimagine The UP Gathering!
Dates TBD
Trinity Retreat Center
79 Lower River Road
West Corwall, CT 06796
Children's & Youth Ministry Retreat & Symposium 2026
Ready for a fresh perspective in your ministry? Join us for the UP Gathering 2026: An unfundamentalist & progressive gathering for those partnering with God in ministry with children and youth.
A refreshing and thoughtfully curated event where you can discover innovative strategies to engage young minds in God's story, connect with a forward-thinking community of fellow leaders and teachers, and find space for personal renewal and spiritual inspiration.
Two nights, six farm-to-table meals, with great discussions, and optional noontime and evening chapel. Enjoy afternoon tea, a visit with the donkeys & a labyrinth to walk. Or just read, relax and make new friends.
Attendance is limited to 25
What to expect
Not your everyday conference
This is a chance for you to be pampered, and to hang out with some really cool people who do the work of ministry like you do. Rest, talk, think, laugh together, and learn from each other.
Possible discussion topics
- Teaching difficult stories
- Storytelling, art & worship
- Intergenerational worship
- Creating an inclusive ministry
- Justice work with kids'
- Teaching through process
- Team building
- Add yours!!!
Invest in yourself
Walk the labyrinth, participate in chapel, enjoy delicious food, read, walk, rest & make new friends.
Get inspired
Opportunities for themed conversations that we'll craft around your interests.
Have fun
Afternoon tea and a bonfire!
Spiritual direction
Opportunities for one-on-one or group spiritual direction
Meet the donkeys
While you’re visiting the retreat center, you will have a chance to visit the donkey sanctuary on the edge of Trinity Forest. Their rescue embodies Trinity Retreat Center's mission to be a refuge for those who need peace, comfort, and healing on life’s journey.
Tentative Schedule
Sunday
4 - 5:45 pm - Arrival: Check In with the team, Settle into your room, and walk the beautiful grounds. If you are going to be late, please let us know.
6 pm - Dinner: Farm to Table Meals
8 pm: Visio Divina Spiritual Practice
8:45 pm: Get-together for introductions, light refreshments & games!
Monday
8 am - Breakfast: Farm to Table Meal
9 am - 10 am: Workshop One: TBA
10 am - 10:15 am: Break: Enjoy coffee or tea (bring your own water bottle)
10:30 am - 11:30 am: Workshop Two: TBA
11:30 am - 12 noon: Free Time
12 noon - Chapel Prayer (optional)
12:30 pm - Lunch: Farm to Table Meal
1 pm - -2:45 pm: Free Time (visit the Donkey Sanctuary, walk the labyrinth, explore the 2 libraries, work on a jigsaw puzzle, read)
3 pm - 4 pm: Workshop Three: TBA
4 pm - 5 pm: Afternoon tea w/cookies
5 pm - 6 pm: Free time or Workshop Four TBA
6 pm - 6:45 pm - Dinner: Farm to Table Meal
7 pm - 8 pm: Free time
8 pm - 8:30 pm: Compline Worship (optional)
Tuesday
8 am - Breakfast: Farm to Table Meal
9 am - 10 am: Creative Art Time
10 am - 11 am: Deeper Discussions
11 am - 11:15 am: Break (coffee, tea)
11:15 am - 12 noon: Closing Worship – Mini sermons
12 noon: Chapel Prayer (Optional)
12:30 pm - Lunch: Farm to Table Meal
1 pm - Departure
Register for the UP Gathering
Early Bird Pricing (before 2/1/26)
- shared room (2 nights/6 meals) $600
- private room (2 nights/6 meals) $700
- one day event (2 meals) $150