Heidi Wilkins
Director of Family Formation
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

St. Matthew’s has a long history of retreating to the mountains as a church community.  In 2023, we offered an Intergenerational Retreat for the first time. This first retreat was run by a group of six volunteers. We all helped in planning the retreat as well as leading one session, using GenOn curriculum to help guide us. We have held an Intergenerational Retreat each Labor Day weekend since. This has coincided with our church adopting Intergenerational LIFT (Living in Faith Together) Gatherings each Sunday morning during the school year. 

This year was special because we worked with GenOn to find a leader for our sessions.  We wanted someone who was skilled at Intergenerational Ministry, who could add some depth to our sessions, and create some excitement. 

We used GenOn's The Church Family Gathers for Retreat.  We were thrilled to gather about 20 people, including six children on the mountain this Labor Day weekend.

Our weekend begins on Friday evening with dinner and we conclude on Sunday afternoon following lunch.  Over the weekend, we sit together for our meals, gather for four intergenerational sessions, and worship outside on Sunday morning. Each year, we all marvel at how much time we have together over the course of the weekend. 

On an average Sunday morning, you really only get to talk to members of your church community for 10-15 minutes following the service. The retreat is a simple way to connect as a church community, both with each other, and with God.

The children all enjoyed their free time the most. Their ages ranged from 9-15, but they all go along with each other really well.  Highlights of the weekend were playing outside in the dark, jumping in puddles, and playing in the rain. Caroline told me “church outside was fun” and commented on the rain dripping from the trees. I don’t think they realize it, but the children are the true glue of the weekend. Their insight in our sessions, their playfulness, and energy unite us as an intergenerational church. 

Our retreat weekends, over time, become these anchor points in our memories.  These points anchor us together, as we each walk a separate but similar journey in our formation as disciples.  As we look forward, we anticipate the next time we will gather on the mountain.