Oct Monthly Mini-Retreat for Renewal & Resilience with Community Builders

Come, recharge for now, and grow practices that keep you fresh for the long run - because our communities have much to do in these challenging times.

• If community builders burn out, then “the way things are” wins.
• So how about putting on your “oxygen mask” to catch your breath?

What's the October 2025 theme? Like Autumn Trees with One Good Wind: Holding on for Dear Life, and Releasing What's No Longer Feeding You

Our lives as community builders can be like a kaleidoscope of autumn colors: a marvel to savor. And yet we know in autumn that “the winds come quickly / and the winter is long.”

• Some trees know their well-being for the coming winter is tied to holding onto their leaves, in the good company of other trees.
• Meanwhile, some trees know their future is found in letting their leaves go.

What inspiration can we draw from those differences? To feed our reflection, here are some samples of what we'll use that we hope you can enjoy:

• Excerpt from Walking With The Wind by John Lewis
• One Good Wind. It's drawn from the inspiring poetry and reflection for Autumn by James Pearson in “The Four Seasons of Belonging” and The Wilderness That Bears Your Name

"Choose your own adventure!"

• Experience a range of gentle, respectful options to notice the life and hopes that want to live in you and your community.
• These hopes want to be savored, to offer their wisdom, and prepare us to re-enter our communities powered with the energy of the high summer season!

Feeling pulled in many directions – maybe it’s kinda hard to catch your breath? Or are you even at-risk for burnout in your community work (paid or unpaid)?

Free! (Donations accepted, not required)

RSVP by 5pm Thursday October 16 at the latest. Why RSVP?

1. For those who RSVP here, details will be emailed as we get closer to the mini-retreat.
2. Several previous mini-retreats filled all spaces and had a waiting list, so please RSVP here as soon as you can. Back by popular demand - save your spot!
3. We want to let you know about any changes (due to weather etc) and we want to have enough food and supplies, without wasting.

If the tickets are full, please look for the button to join the waiting list, and you’ll be notified if a spot opens up. (Everyone was admitted from the previous waiting lists.)

Schedule for Friday, October 17

• 5:15-5:30pm arrival and dinner served, socializing. (Semi-potluck; main dishes provided. Please bring something to share if you can, but don't let that keep you away.)
• 5:55pm the Circle opens so we can finish up by 8:30pm, including breaks.
• It’s important to be there from 5:55pm to 8:30pm, since what we do builds on itself.

Who’s it for?

Anyone who's engaged in building up their community or hopes to do so - however you define it, in any setting, paid or unpaid. Such communities can be found in neighborhoods and social movements, classrooms and congregations, teams and clubs, associations and networks, workplaces and beyond.

• We who give so much to others may want to recharge personally or professionally.

No previous experience is needed. No advance preparation either. Come as you are, who you are.

• There are always newcomers. Please invite others to consider it?

All are welcome! This series is convened by Neighborhood Connections & the Neighbor Up Network, known for bringing people together across lines of difference. October 2025 is the 30th monthly edition.

• Each mini-retreat stands alone. And for those who can attend more than one, these build upon each other. So consider learning more, or giving it a try?

Frequently Asked Questions/FAQs:

Please click here for more key info on these & other questions.

• What will we do? How will we do it?
• Where, Parking, RTA, Cost/Contributions?
• What to bring or wear?
• Who’s facilitating? Who’s sponsoring this?
• Why?
• Any questions or obstacles?

For more information or help with RSVPs, please contact Erika Brown at ebrown@neighborhoodgrants.org or cell (216-313-7263) or Tony Vento at tony.vento@purposematters.org or by cell (216-313-0546).

Other mini-retreats in this same spirit?

Please mark your calendar now or RSVP!

• Saturday, November 15, 11:30am – 4:00pm (click here for more info or to RSVP)
• Saturday, December 6, 11:30am – 4:30pm (click here for more info or to RSVP)
• Saturday, January, 11:30am – 4:00pm (click here for more info or to RSVP)

What are others saying about their mini-retreat?

It's a time of Abundance... Wonder... Strengthening... Self care (that) isn't selfish... Grace... Growth... (Being) Rooted... Planting & Replanting... Sprouting (Participants words after April 2024 mini-retreat)

“There is power in knowing that you are not alone as the world burns around us. Being in community with others who run toward the fire helped me accept that there are others who are tending to their corners of the world as I tend to mine.” (March 2025 Participant)

Why?

“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for

the sound of the genuine in yourself.

It is the only true guide you will ever have.

And if you cannot hear it,

you will all of your life

spend your days on the ends of strings

that somebody else pulls.”― Howard Thurman, former chaplain of Boston U & Howard U, mentor to generations of activists and community builders