Search PNC News for stories of people and churches in our UCC Conference:

 

Outdoor Ministries teams explore ideas for camps

Mark Boyd, executive director of outdoor ministries for the PNC, reported on upcoming retreats at Pilgrim-Firs and N-Sid-Sen, which include the Men’s Retreat, Youth Midwinter Retreat and several Giving Back Camps on both sites.

PIlgrim Firs will host the Midwinter Youth Retreat in March. Some campers. Photos courtesy of Pilgrim Firs

“What does it mean to be the church today? What is our role as men? How can we better tell our own faith stories and join others in telling theirs?” are three questions framing discussion for the PNC Men’s Retreat, Thursday, Jan. 29 to Sunday, Feb. 1 at Pilgrim Firs at Port Orchard. The retreat gathers men from throughout the PNC for a weekend of deepening connection, exploring faith, fellowship and fun.

The weekend is preceded by a day of silence starting at 7 p.m., Thursday and begins at 5 p.m. Friday, running through 11 a.m. Sunday.

The program will be led by the Rev. Phil Hodson, designated conference minister, who will guide participants in reflecting on the questions through conversation, worship and fellowship.

The planning committee includes Charles Torres, Don Jenkins, Hans Dankers, Jim Gaudino, Larry Kiriluk, Paul Withington and Rick Russell.

The PNC-UCC Midwinter Youth Retreat will be held for youth in grades six to 12 from 4 p.m., Friday to 11 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 6 to 8, at Pilgrim Firs.

The team designing the high school program are Aislynn Crane from Admiral and Bruce Wilson from University Congregational UCC. The team planning the junior high program are Kelsey Beebe who is in a four-way covenant ministry and Michelle Sinnes of Shalom UCC in Richland.

Through conversations, laughter and time in nature, the retreat encourages reflection, renewal and connection around the theme “In the Wilderness.”

March 23 to 29 will be a Giving Back Camp (aka Work Camp) at Pilgrim Firs with opportunities to begin building a new storage barn for the camp tractor, finish outdoor lighting at the labyrinth and do building, cleaning, painting, raking, power washing and brush removal.

At N-Sid-Sen, Mary Lu Hubbe of Westminster UCC in Spokane will lead a Textile Retreat from 4 p.m. Thursday, March 26. to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 29, with opportunity to sew, knit, weave, crochet and chat while working on a project. There will be a group quilting project.

For information, call 509-375-3040.

The Post-Easter Clergy Retreats at Pilgrim Firs and N-Sid-Sen are Friday to Sunday April 6 to 8, to give sabbath rest time to clergy after the Easter season. The event is free for clergy and their partner/spouse.

An Eco-Restoration Weekend is set for April 10 to 12 at Pilgrim Firs for a time of ecological restoration to help sustain the site by protecting forests, trails and buildings by removing invasive species, creating wildfire barriers and doing ongoing trail work.

Mark said this includes removing such invasive species as holly that digs its roots deep, so it takes over and scotch broom that spreads fast.

For information call 360-876-2031, email mark@pilgrimfirs.org or visit https://camp.pncucc.org/event/pacific-nw-mens-retreat.

The Women’s Retreat for the PNC will be Friday to Sunday, May 15 to 17, at N-Sid-Sen near Harrison, Idaho. It is a time for renewal, faith, fellowship and fun for women, trans and cis, and non-binary people.

There will be a Giving Back Camp (Work Camp) June 14 to 20 at N-Sid-Sen and another one Oct. 4 to 10, in addition to recent informal work camps for painting Spirit Lodge and more, and others March 23 to 25 and April 10 to 12.

Mark added that partner groups are filling many of the weeks.

For information on N-Sid-Sen events call 208-689-3489 or visit n-sid-sen.org.

 

Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ News © January 2026

 

Share this article on your favorite social media