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Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference Sept. 1-4, 2026 Christmount Conference Center

May 21, 2026
Oreon Scott Clergy Retreat What Roots Know: Story, Soil, and the Sacred Beneath Oreon Scott Clergy Retreat, September 1-4, 2026: What Roots Know: Story, Soil, and the Sacred Beneath– A retreat for clergy in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Together we will explore sacred stories, rediscover rest, receive ecological justice training and […]

Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference Sept. 1-4, 2026 Christmount Conference Center

by Scott Hardin-Nieri

Oreon Scott Clergy Retreat What Roots Know: Story, Soil, and the Sacred Beneath

Register Now

Oreon Scott Clergy Retreat, September 1-4, 2026: What Roots Know: Story, Soil, and the Sacred Beneath– A retreat for clergy in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Together we will explore sacred stories, rediscover rest, receive ecological justice training and practical tools for ministry, connect with wise companions, and grow some joy. How do we honor the past, deepen roots of history and relationship, and practice reciprocity in a time of great challenge?  How do we find strength of faith and community in the midst of deep erosion of democracy, connection, creation care and welcome.  

Make plans to join ecumenical clergy on September 1-4, 2026 at the Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference at beautiful Christmount, North Carolina. This retreat, designed and supported by the Green Chalice team, What Roots Know: Story, Soil, and the Sacred Beneath–focuses on support and accompaniment of clergy with community resilience and creation care in mind.

You’ll spend transformative days with distinguished speakers and guides including Rev. Julian DeShazier (keynote speaker and Pastor of University Church, Chicago), Rev. Carol Devine (Faith and Climate Educator with Blessed Tomorrow), Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb Lewis (Spiritual Director and Pastoral Counselor),  and Luke Cannon (Mountain Ecologist), alongside ecumenical colleagues and pastoral innovators.

Whether you’re new to creation care or a long-time advocate, you’ll gain new language and tools to inspire your congregation to care for the environment, interwoven with space for rest, relationship, prayer, and excellent food.Registration is currently open to Disciples and Ecumenical clergy with sliding scale options and scholarships available- Contact Shardinnieri@gmail.com for more information. Register now: https://brushfire.com/christmount/events/624903

Green Chalice Online Gathering- April 16, 2026 Getting the Garden ready!

Mar 23, 2026
Green Chalice Online Gathering- April 16, 7-8:15pm ET At this free gathering you will meet Green Chalice congregational leaders and volunteers. Free registration here- Join us to connect with one another, offer prayer and hear from creation care leaders in our denomination. share wisdom and reflections from our common work caring for creation and our […]

Green Chalice Online Gathering- April 16, 2026 Getting the Garden ready!

by Scott Hardin-Nieri

Green Chalice Online Gathering- April 16, 7-8:15pm ET At this free gathering you will meet Green Chalice congregational leaders and volunteers. Free registration here-

Join us to connect with one another, offer prayer and hear from creation care leaders in our denomination. share wisdom and reflections from our common work caring for creation and our human neighbors.  In April we will focus on preparing the soil, growing food, caring for pollinators and supporting community and church gardens. What are you planning to plant?

  • Welcome 
  • Opening practice of checking in with one another
  • Sharing in Trios 
  • Green Chalice Updates-
  • Congregational Best Practices
  • Responses and small group sharing 
  • Announcements
  • Benediction

This gathering offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from volunteers, pastors and of creation care advocates of all kinds. Together our passion, creativity, and commitment to justice will challenge and inspire attendees of all ages. Come prepared to be energized by testimonies and practical approaches to living out faithful creation care.  

This is perfect for clergy, lay leaders, community members, small groups, or entire congregations to attend together.

You can register for the free event here.

Young Adults Disciples Discernment Retreat Vanderbilt March 27-29

Feb 11, 2026
DHM is partnering on the Disciples Discernment Retreat a weekend designed for young adults who are curious about theological education and how calling, justice, and real life meet. This is a pressure free, pretense free space to bring your honest questions and listen for what’s next. What can you can expect: Who it’s for: Anyone […]

Young Adults Disciples Discernment Retreat Vanderbilt March 27-29

by Managerrie Winston

DHM is partnering on the Disciples Discernment Retreat a weekend designed for young adults who are curious about theological education and how calling, justice, and real life meet. This is a pressure free, pretense free space to bring your honest questions and listen for what’s next.

What can you can expect:

  • Spiritual discernment labs: gentle practices (guided silence, scripture reflection, journaling) that help you notice where God is nudging.
  • Candid conversations with Vanderbilt Divinity School faculty & students: hear what classes are really like, how community and justice work show up, and what formation looks like outside the classroom.
  • Practical sessions on the pathway to seminary: admissions timelines, writing a personal statement, references, and an overview of scholarships/financial aid.
  • “Ministry in the wild” site visits: meet leaders doing chaplaincy, congregational ministry, community organizing, and nonprofit work; ask how they found their path.
  • Small cohort circles: process learnings with peers; name gifts, values, and concerns with care and confidentiality.
  • Radical hospitality: a welcoming environment for diverse identities and journeys; space to rest, reflect, and be yourself.

Who it’s for: Anyone 19–26 discerning ministry, theological study, or simply how faith and vocation intersect. No prior experience required.

When: March 27-29

Applications close February 15, 2026.

Green Chalice Online Gathering- February 12

Jan 27, 2026
Green Chalice Online Gathering- February 12, 7-8:15pm ET At this free gathering you will meet Green Chalice congregational leaders and volunteers. Join us to connect with one another, offer prayer and hear from creation care leaders in our denomination. share wisdom and reflections from our common work caring for creation and our human neighbors.   This […]

Green Chalice Online Gathering- February 12

by Scott Hardin-Nieri

Green Chalice Online Gathering- February 12, 7-8:15pm ET At this free gathering you will meet Green Chalice congregational leaders and volunteers.

Join us to connect with one another, offer prayer and hear from creation care leaders in our denomination. share wisdom and reflections from our common work caring for creation and our human neighbors.  

This month we will highlight Summer Opportunities for young people and service learning including the Justice and Creation Summer Fellowship and Living Coast Ministries and Harbor Christian Church. We are grateful Rev. Ryan Cullumber will be joining us to share. As well as hear from GC Congregations. Our sample agenda looks something like this.

  • Welcome 
  • Opening practice of checking in with one another (how are you?).
  • Sharing in Trios 
  • Green Chalice Updates- Justice and Creation Fellowships
  • Congregational Best Practices- 
  • Responses and small group sharing 
  • Announcements
  • Benediction

This gathering offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from volunteers, pastors and of creation care advocates of all kinds.Together our passion, creativity, and commitment to justice will challenge and inspire attendees of all ages. Come prepared to be energized by testimonies and practical approaches to living out faithful creation care.  

This is perfect for clergy, lay leaders, community members, small groups, or entire congregations to attend together.

You can register for the free event here.

Black Ministers Retreat – Virginia Beach, VA March 10-12, 2026

Nov 7, 2025
Registration for Black Ministers Retreat 2026 has been extended to Friday, February 6, 2026. Get registered today!  Register now to join us in Virginia Beach, VA, for our 2026 Black Ministers Retreat! Drawn from Hebrews 12:1-3, the retreat theme is “Resilience: Remembering, Reclaiming, and Recommitting to Black Communities.” The writer of Hebrews encourages the community […]

Black Ministers Retreat – Virginia Beach, VA March 10-12, 2026

by Derrick Perkins

Registration for Black Ministers Retreat 2026 has been extended to Friday, February 6, 2026. Get registered today! 

Register now to join us in Virginia Beach, VA, for our 2026 Black Ministers Retreat! Drawn from Hebrews 12:1-3, the retreat theme is “Resilience: Remembering, Reclaiming, and Recommitting to Black Communities.” The writer of Hebrews encourages the community to persevere, focus, and maintain their faith despite the current complications and chaos before them. The writer acknowledges that people’s ability to thrive and persevere is rooted in the faithful model and ministry of Jesus Christ, the cloud of witnesses, and their many stories of steadfast resistance. This sankofa-like moment enabled God’s people to keep going, which serves as a good model for African American clergy, leaders, and communities navigating chaos today. We have planned a time of refreshment, learning, and remembrance that will inspire and empower us all.

If you would like to be a sponsor for the 2026 Black Ministers Retreat, please see the following information:

Sponsorship Levels: 

Beacon Sponsor – $2,000+ – (1) Retreat Registration – 10-minute Address – Table at Registration and at Training location – Banner Recognition 

Bridge Sponsor – $1,000 – (1) Retreat Registration – Table at Registration and at Training location – Banner Recognition 

Be a part of this amazing Retreat.  

Registration Price: $195 per person (Spouses and partners must register separately) – Deadline for Registration is January 31, 2026.

Hotel Reservation: SpringHill Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront Rate: $149 (plus tax) – Make your reservation online.  You must reserve your room by January 31, 2026 for this pricing.  When reserving your room, use Group Code: ACRACRZ or Click Here to Book Your Hotel and Access Our Group Rate.

We look forward to a blessed Black Ministers Retreat!

Our devotionalist during Black Ministers Retreat 2026 is Rev. Antonio Redd, Interim Pastor, Lovely Valley Baptist Church, Wirtz, VA, and Rev. Dr. Jacqualyn McHenry, Pastor, First Christian Church, Reidsville, NC.

We look forward to seeing you in Virginia Beach, Virginia! The Retreat Agenda can be found below:

Justice and Creation Summer Fellowships with Green Chalice 2025

Oct 22, 2025
We are excited to share presentations from ministry sites and fellows that served God by serving their communities this summer. Each slide show is below and a compiled video is at the bottom. Cascade Christian Church, Grand Rapids, MI  Cypress Creek Christian Church, Spring, Texas  Downey Ave. Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN  First Christian Church,  Fullerton, CA […]

Justice and Creation Summer Fellowships with Green Chalice 2025

by Scott Hardin-Nieri

We are excited to share presentations from ministry sites and fellows that served God by serving their communities this summer. Each slide show is below and a compiled video is at the bottom.

Cascade Christian Church, Grand Rapids, MI 

Cypress Creek Christian Church, Spring, Texas 

Downey Ave. Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN 

First Christian Church,  Fullerton, CA

Saguaro Christian Church, Tucson, AZ 

Saint Andrew Christian Church,  Olathe, KS 

South Broadway Christian Church,  Denver, CO 

St. Paul’s Christian Church,  Raleigh, NC 

United Campus Ministry of Greater Houston, Houston, Texas 

In The Spirit Christian Church,  Tulsa, Ok 

Peniel Christian Church,  Gresham, OR 

Fellowship Christian Church,  Kansas City, Kansas

Green Chalice Zoom Gatherings

Oct 9, 2025
Presentations from Green Chalice churches, Ambassadors, and Justice and Creation Fellows. Each of these gatherings include inspirational wisdom from people and communities around our denomination. Green Chalice Gathering Oct. 2, 2025– Highlighting 2025 Justice and Creation Summer Fellows from Camp Crystal, First Christian Church in Fullerton, CA and St. Pauls Christian Church in Cary, NC. […]

Green Chalice Zoom Gatherings

by Scott Hardin-Nieri

Presentations from Green Chalice churches, Ambassadors, and Justice and Creation Fellows. Each of these gatherings include inspirational wisdom from people and communities around our denomination.

Green Chalice Gathering Oct. 2, 2025– Highlighting 2025 Justice and Creation Summer Fellows from Camp Crystal, First Christian Church in Fullerton, CA and St. Pauls Christian Church in Cary, NC.

Green Chalice Gathering Feb. 20, 2025- Featuring Green Chalice Ambassadors: Apostle Sharyn Cosby with National Convocation and Yoli Barragan with Obra Hispana. and Rob Morris, E.D. of Christmount Christian Assembly shares impacts and responses to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.

Green Chalice Gathering April 23, 2024– With Sharing from First Christian Church Princeton, Kentucky, Brentwood Christian Church, Kansas State University Ecumenical Christian Ministry and Camp Caroline in North Carolina

Green Chalice Gathering Jan. 2024- Featuring University Christian Church in Hyattsville, Maryland, Cypress Creek Christian Church, and The Woodlands Christian Church in East Texas.

Green Chalice Gathering June 6, 2023–Featuring wisdom and insights from Mission Hills Christian Church in Los Angeles (Carbon Neutral!), Christmount Christian Assembly, Black Mountain, NC and Highland Park Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa. 

Green Chalice Gathering, Jan. 2023 – Apostle Sharyn Cosby, In the Spirit Christian Church, Oklahoma https://inthespiritcc.org/ Rev. Rebecca Sundquist, First Christian Church, Highland, Indiana & Seeds of Hope Garden and Farm https://www.fcchighland.net/ Cathy Cralle Jones, St. Paul’s Christian Church in Raleigh, NC https://www.stpauls.net/

Milkweed double butterfly

Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference Sept. 16-19, 2025 Christmount Conference Center

Aug 4, 2025
Join Colleagues for Creation Care and Resilience: Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference Mark your calendars for September 16-19, 2025, and consider joining clergy colleagues at the Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference at beautiful Christmount, North Carolina. This retreat, designed and supported by the Green Chalice team, focuses on “Resilience and Restoration in the Mountains” with […]

Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference Sept. 16-19, 2025 Christmount Conference Center

by Scott Hardin-Nieri

Join Colleagues for Creation Care and Resilience: Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference

Register Now

Mark your calendars for September 16-19, 2025, and consider joining clergy colleagues at the Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference at beautiful Christmount, North Carolina. This retreat, designed and supported by the Green Chalice team, focuses on “Resilience and Restoration in the Mountains” with clergy and community resilience and creation care in mind.

You’ll spend transformative days with distinguished speakers including Rev. Dr. Heber M. Brown III (keynote speaker and founder of the Black Church Food Security Network), Rev. Carol Devine (Faith and Climate Educator with Blessed Tomorrow), Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb Lewis (Spiritual Director and Pastoral Counselor), Aaron Price, (Music & Worship Arts Director at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church) and Luke Cannon (Mountain Ecologist), alongside ecumenical colleagues and pastoral innovators.

Whether you’re new to creation care or a long-time advocate, you’ll gain new language and tools to inspire your congregation to care for the environment, interwoven with space for rest, relationship, prayer, and excellent food.

Registration is currently open to Disciples and Ecumenical clergy with sliding scale options and scholarships available- Contact Shardinnieri@gmail.com for more information. Register now: https://www.christmount.org/oreon-e-scott

2026 Black Ministers Retreat

Jul 7, 2025
Save the date for the Black Ministers Retreat. Dates: March 10-12, 2026Location: Norfolk, Virginia

2026 Black Ministers Retreat

by Dawn Barnes

Save the date for the Black Ministers Retreat.
Dates: March 10-12, 2026
Location: Norfolk, Virginia

Weightlifters

Jan 2, 2025
This season in our churches, homes, and schools feels heavy, but our collective capacity to strengthen one another and our communities is great. We are an extension of our magnificent Creator--one who emboldens, loves, and heals us toward a world that is unlike empire. The Realm of God moves by the Spirit in all living things, cultivating justice and harmony one precious load of anointing at a time. It is imperative we lift up and carry the power of the Holy Spirit in refreshing ways. Our legions of lay leaders fortify the church for every season, especially those seasons that dare us to follow Jesus. “Weightlifters” provides you with enough development materials for monthly laity training over the next year. Let us lean into intentional conditioning and be well!

Weightlifters

by Brian Frederick-Gray

2025 Laity Readiness Resource

This season in our churches, homes, and schools feels heavy, but our collective capacity to strengthen one another and our communities is great. We are an extension of our magnificent Creator–one who emboldens, loves, and heals us toward a world that is unlike empire. The Realm of God moves by the Spirit in all living things, cultivating justice and harmony one precious load of anointing at a time.

It is imperative we lift up and carry the power of the Holy Spirit in refreshing ways. Our legions of lay leaders fortify the church for every season, especially those seasons that dare us to follow Jesus. “Weightlifters” provides you with enough development materials for monthly laity training over the next year. Let us lean into intentional conditioning and be well!

Rev. Monique Crain Spells
Vice President for Mission, Advocacy, & Programs

WHAT’S INSIDE?

  • Laity Sunday Litany
  • (7 ) Trainings Videos
  • (3) Downloadable Workshops
  • (1) Youth Study
  • (1) Men’s Study

After the Storm: Cultivating Hope/Healing after a Disaster

Jan 2, 2025
This experience can be adapted for a 1-2 hour session, in-person during a church education hour, retreat, or workshop, or online. Though designed for people of faith, it can be expanded for interfaith or broader community settings.

After the Storm: Cultivating Hope/Healing after a Disaster

by Brian Frederick-Gray

This experience can be adapted for a 1-2 hour session, in-person during a church education hour, retreat, or workshop, or online. Though designed for people of faith, it can be expanded for interfaith or broader community settings.

Facilitator’s Note: 
Your role is to create a safe, courageous space for individuals to share, listen, and deepen empathy. Resources like Parker Palmer’s Touchstones for Creating Trustworthy Space can help guide boundary-setting. This resource focuses on spiritual care rather than disaster preparedness. Let participants know if they start to feel anxious or have a trauma response please invite them to step out or raise their hand for support. Tears are welcome in this space. People may begin thinking they are ok and find that memories bring emotions and memories that are a surprise.

Context: 
There will be space during this time to turn attention to any variety of traumas, storm, flood, mass violence, fires, collective illness or something
else. If your community has shared a common
trauma, like a hurricane, try to include symbols

or tangible items that have meaning in your community.

Hospitality Considerations:

  • Will food or beverages be provided?
  • How will the space be set up (indoor/outdoor, seating arrangements)?
  • Ensure accessibility for all participants.Materials Needed:

Materials Needed:

  • LED candles (or traditional candles)
  • Cloth/items for sacred space
  • Refreshments
  • Paper, pens/markers, oil pastels, flat rocks(or less expensive cards or sticky notes) for optionalbenediction
  • Nametags
  • Canvas boards or thick paper (one per person)

Building Vibrant, Faithful Conversations about Justice

Jan 2, 2025
Justice and Advocacy Ministries presents this four-part, guided workshop to help you build vibrant, faithful conversations about justice in your church and community.

Building Vibrant, Faithful Conversations about Justice

by Brian Frederick-Gray

This Toolkit for Congregations includes;

  1. Conversation Covenants
    Group Guidelines for Faithful Conversations
  2. Naming and Addressing Injustice
    A simple, 4-step Guide to Identifying Justice Issues
  3. Peace and Justice Playlists
    Building a Spiritual Resource for Any Topic
  4. Describing and Defining and Justice
    A Modern Twist on a Classic Spiritual Disciplines

Black Ministers Retreat 2025

Dec 3, 2024
Register now to join us in Charleston, South Carolina for our 2025 Black Ministers Retreat! “You, Stand” is our theme and our retreat text is Exodus 33:7-22. God instructs the leader to stand on the rock and God will cover them. We have planned a time of refreshment, learning, and remembrance. Come and enjoy!

Black Ministers Retreat 2025

by Brian Frederick-Gray

Join us in Charleston, South Carolina for our 2025 Black Ministers Retreat!

“You, Stand” is our theme and our retreat text is Exodus 33:7-22.

God instructs the leader to stand on the rock and God will cover them. We have planned a time of refreshment, learning, and remembrance. Come and enjoy!

“Yoga on the Beach” will be lead by Joselyn Spence, M.Div, LPC, ATR, CCTP, RYT. She is the Director of Mental Health and Wellness for the National Benevolent Association  Of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Image goes with text