ALL-CHURCH RETREAT
October 9-11
Bryn Mawr Retreat & Conference Center
593 Bryn Mawr Road, Honesdale, PA 18431
Welcome!
We're excited to welcome you to the All-Church Retreat! Please review the following information before arriving to help make arriving and check-in as smooth as possible.
This retreat is an invitation to slow down, step away from the rhythms of everyday life, and enjoy being together as a church family.
Over the course of the weekend, we'll share meals, worship, stories, laughter, prayer, and meaningful conversations, with programming for kids and youth and plenty of space for rest and reflection.
As we celebrate 40 years of God's faithfulness to New Life, we hope that this weekend will allow us to deepen relationships, make new connections, and experience more fully what it means to be a multiethnic, multiracial, multigenerational community following Jesus together.
Come ready to rest, connect, have fun, and make room for God to meet us in the midst of it all.
Retreat Schedule
4pm — Check-In — CAFE
6pm — Dinner — CAFE
9pm — Welcome Session — LG. GYM
9:45pm — Activities (Basketball in the Gym; Games, Cards, Puzzles in the Dining Hall) — CAMP WIDE
11:30pm — Quiet Hours begin — CAMP WIDE
7:30am — Centering Prayer — SM. GYM
8am — Breakfast — CAFE
9:00am — NextGen Child Check-In (Elementary Kids in the Small Gym, PreK in the Arts & Crafts Room) — CAMP WIDE
9:15am — Session 2 — LG. GYM
10:30am — Small Groups — CAMP WIDE
11:30am — NextGen Child Pickup
12pm — Lunch — CAFE
1pm — All Church Activities (Fun is Formational in the Large Gym; Conversation Starter Game on the Great Lawn; Scripture Coloring in the Dining Hall) — CAMP WIDE
3:30pm — Free-Time/Ropes Course (Games, Cards, Puzzles in the Dining Hall; Ropes Course - Paid Registrants can make their way to the Lake) — CAMP WIDE
5pm — Dinner — CAFE
6pm — Free Time — CAMP WIDE
6:45pm — NextGen Child Check-In (Elementary Kids in the Small Gym, PreK in the Arts & Crafts Room) — CAMP WIDE
7pm — Session 3 — LG. GYM
8:30pm — Small Groups — CAMP WIDE
9:30pm — NextGen Child Pickup
9:30pm — Campfire on the Lake; Ice Cream Bar in the Dining Hall — CAMP WIDE
10:30pm — Activities (Games, Cards, Puzzles in the Dining Hall; Student Ministry Hang in the Small Gym, MS & HS only)— CAMP WIDE
11:30pm — Quiet Hours begin — CAMP WIDE
7:30am — Centering Prayer — SM. GYM
8am — Breakfast — CAFE
9am — Session 4 — LG. GYM
11am — Pack-Up — CAMP WIDE
12pm — Farewell Lunch — CAFE
2pm — Depart — CAMP WIDE
Before You Arrive at Check-In
Please complete the following before coming to check-in: complete all required consent forms, pay your registration balance in full, have your registration confirmation number ready, and know the last name of the person who completed the registration.
Having this information ready will help us get you checked in as quickly as possible.
Getting There & Check-In
Instructions For Those Traveling With Us By Bus
Your check-in at New Life Fellowship is your only retreat check-in. You will not need to check in again when you arrive at Bryn Mawr.
Bus Check-In Starts at 3pm: New Life Fellowship Church | 8210 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373
Please arrive on time! The bus will depart promptly at 4:00 PM and cannot wait for late arrivals.
Arrive early enough to complete check-in and be ready for boarding. After checking in, stay alert for announcements from the retreat team regarding luggage loading and boarding.
Dinner on the Bus: A bagged dinner will be provided for everyone traveling by bus.
Note: The bus will not be making stops along the way. Plan accordingly.
When We Arrive at Bryn Mawr
There is no need to stop at the retreat center check-in area. Exit the bus and collect your belongings. Follow the camp guides to your assigned room. Drop off your luggage and take some time to refresh. Join us in the Large Gym for the main session.
If You're Traveling To Bryn Mawr On Your Own
If you are driving separately, check-in begins at 4:00 PM at the Main Dining Hall / Cafeteria.
Bryn Mawr Mountain Retreat & Conference Center, 593 Bryn Mawr Road, Honesdale, PA 18431
From New York City
Take the George Washington Bridge or the New York State Thruway toward I-87 North. Follow I-87 to Exit 16 in Harriman. Take Route 17 West toward Middletown. Continue onto I-84 West toward Pennsylvania. Take Exit 30 for Route 402 North toward Blooming Grove. Follow Route 402 North to Route 6 West. Continue through Hawley into Honesdale. In Honesdale, follow Route 191 North for approximately 4 miles. Turn right at the Bryn Mawr sign onto Oregon Turnpike. Continue up the mountain for approximately 1 mile. Turn right onto Bryn Mawr Road and follow the road into the retreat center.
GPS tip: GPS apps may sometimes direct drivers onto unpaved or back roads near the retreat center. We recommend setting your GPS to avoid unpaved roads.
Parking & Check-In
Parking is available onsite at the retreat center. Parking attendants will direct you to the appropriate parking area and check-in location. Please follow their instructions. Once parked, proceed to the Main Dining Hall / Cafeteria for check-in.
After Check-In
Follow the camp guides to your assigned room. Drop off your luggage and take some time to settle in. Join us for dinner at 6:00 PM. The main session will be held in the Large Gym.
If you're traveling from New York City without a car, you can take a ShortLine/Coach USA bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Honesdale, PA.
The trip takes approximately 2½–3 hours, depending on the schedule. The bus arrives in downtown Honesdale, approximately 4–5 miles from the retreat center.
You will need to arrange a ride from the Honesdale bus stop to Bryn Mawr. We recommend coordinating your pickup in advance with a friend, family member, or another retreat attendee.
Please check the bus schedule before your trip, as service times can vary. There may be only one bus departing on each day.
Arrival & Check-In
When you arrive, proceed to the Main Dining Hall / Cafeteria for check-in, which begins at 4pm.
After Check-In
Follow the camp guides to your assigned room. Drop off your luggage and take some time to settle in. Join us for dinner at 6:00 PM. The main session will be held in the Large Gym.
For Parents and Guardians
We want the retreat to be a fun, safe, and restful experience for the whole family. Here are a few important things to know about Kids Ministry and caring for your children throughout the weekend.
Kids Ministry
Pre-K and Kids Ministry will be available on Saturday only, during Session 2 and Session 3.
Saturday Morning
Kids Ministry Check-In: 9:00 AM
Session 2: 9:15 AM
Saturday Evening
Kids Ministry Check-In: 6:45 PM
Session 3: 7:00 PM
Pick-Up: Please pick up your children promptly when the session ends. For your child's safety, only a parent or guardian may pick up their child from Kids Ministry.
Important: Supervision
Kids Ministry does not provide supervision outside of scheduled program times. Parents and guardians are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children throughout the weekend whenever they are not checked into a designated Kids Ministry program. Please do not leave children unattended.
Being Considerate of Other Families
Because we're sharing cabins, lodges, and common spaces, please help us create a peaceful environment for everyone.
- Respect shared spaces. Be mindful of other families' belongings, sleeping areas, and personal space.
- Keep noise to a minimum. Please avoid activities or noise that could disturb families who are resting, especially early in the morning and later in the evening.
- Keep track of your children. Make sure children know where you are and where they should be throughout the weekend.
Communicate With Your Family
With so many activities happening throughout the retreat, make a plan with your family. Make sure older children and students know:
- Where you will be
- Where they should be
- When and where you will reconnect
- How to reach you if plans change
A little communication ahead of time will help everyone enjoy the weekend with greater freedom and peace of mind.
FAQ
Lodging assignments and information will be sent via email.
As a reminder, ACR lodging is primarily camp-style rooming, with bunk-style accommodations. Room assignments are being carefully organized as we work to accommodate the needs and demographics of our registrants.
Your registration includes:
- Retreat sessions and services
- Small groups
- 2 nights of lodging
- 6 meals
- Activities
- Gift bag
- Notebook and pen
We'll be at the retreat for two nights (Friday and Saturday), with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities planned throughout the weekend.
As you pack, keep an eye on the Honesdale, PA weather forecast and pack accordingly.
Don't forget to bring clothing and shoes appropriate for outdoor activities.
Yes! The retreat is hosted at a gluten-free, nut-free, and allergy-conscious facility. For the safety of all guests, please do not bring any food or snacks containing nuts or nut products to the retreat.
You are also welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages for your room, as long as they are nut-free.
Absolutely. You’re welcome to bring non-perishable snacks and beverages for consumption in your room. Please remember that the facility is nut-free, so all food and snacks brought to the retreat must be free of nuts and nut products.
Unfortunately, pets are not permitted at the retreat. The only exception is for licensed service animals.
Take Your Next Step
This Retreat isn’t just a weekend; it’s an invitation to go deeper in community, make room for others, and live out the love of Christ together. Here are a few simple ways to take your next step at New Life.
GATHER
You were made for community. Find a place where you can build meaningful relationships and grow together.
Join a Small Group — Find a group where you can connect, grow, pray, and do life together.
Longest Table for Christian Singles — If you're single, join us on Friday, November 6, from 7–9 PM for an evening of good food and meaningful conversation.
YAM (Young Adults Ministry) — Young adults, join us Friday, November 13, at 7 PM to connect and grow together.
HOST
Make room at your table. Sometimes meaningful community starts with something as simple as an invitation.
Invite someone over for a meal — Share a meal, open your home, and get to know someone a little better.
Create space for people to connect — Look for someone who may be new, on the margins, or simply in need of community, and invite them in.
SERVE
We grow by giving of ourselves. Find a place to use your gifts, serve others, and be part of what God is doing through our church and community.
Find a place to serve — Discover a ministry where you can make a difference, such as NextGen.
Christmas Missions Market — Help serve at our Christmas Missions Market on Sunday, November 15.
Support NLCDC — Donate new or gently used hoodies and towels on Sunday, October 25, or Sunday, November 29.