Spring Clergy Retreat 2025
April 28 - April 30
Facilitator: The Rev. Dr. Bertice Berry
About The Rev. Dr. Bertice Berry
Joy As Resistance
Clergy Retreat for The Diocese of Virginia
In the retreat, sociologist, best-selling author, humorist and deacon, Bertice Berry, PhD., will guide us on a journey into joy as a resource of hope for the times ahead.
“Initially, I looked at joy through a sociological and historical lens,” Berry says. “Then I realized that what I was seeing was not only theological, but it was also liberating.”
Berry, who came to the Episcopal Church thirteen years ago, was amazed to discover a church that her heart had yearned for. Still, she could not rationalize the feeling of familiarity in something so unfamiliar. Using the tools of a sociologist, Berry began to study her own experience and in so doing developed a way to identify and replicate communities of belonging, which she does for large corporations and associations.
In addition to defining and illustrating Belonging for clergy, Berry will take guide us into ourselves, across to one another and then upward into the joy of the Lord as strength.
You will feel, laugh, learn and be inspired and she prays that you will leave rejuvenated and empowered for the times ahead.
Joining Bertice will be her brother, retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Keving Berry, also known as DJ KevNicer.
Pastor Tamara Fore-Ravelo, Minister and Medicine Woman from the Quechan Nation.
Click Here to learn more about Pastor Tamara Fore-Ravelo.
The deadline for registration is Friday, April 18. This conference is an appropriate use of discretionary funds, and diocesan scholarship assistance is available. Information on fees and registration is available here. To increase scholarship availability, I invite those who have the means to contribute to scholarships for others to send their gifts to the Diocese of Virginia in care of my office, with a note on the check, “Spring Clergy Retreat scholarship gift.” If you have questions, contact Nerissa Crockett via e-mail at ncrockett@episcopalvirginia.org or at 800-DIOCESE.