PLEASE NOTE – this schedule is subject to change and updates as we get closer to the retreat.
reNEW 2026
October (15) 16-18, 2026
Theme: reASSURANCE
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called— Ephesians 1:18 NLT
THURSDAY – SUNDAY ATTENDEES
Thursday, October 15, 2026 (2-3 pm team arrive)
4:00-5:00 Thursday Arrivals Check in with reNEW registration
4:00-5:00 Thursday Arrivals Check in books reNEW Book Table (location)
4:30-5:15 “Meet & Mingle” (location)
5:30-6:30 Dinner for Thursday arrivals (Dining Room)
6:45-8:00 Workshops:
- How Not to Write a Novel – Lisa Larsen Hill
- Finding the Soul of the Interview –
Wendy Murray - 10 Ways to Navigate the Speaker/Writer Life – Cindy Saab
- Write Tight Workshop * – Lori Roeleveld
8:15-8:45 Evening Devotion and Prayer – Jennifer Drummond + Rachel Britton (location)
Friday, October 16, 2026
7:00 am Early Morning Coffee/Tea (location)
7:15-7:45 Morning Prayer – Jennifer Drummond + (location)
Prayer Labyrinth
8:00-9:00 Breakfast (Dining Room)
9:00-12:00 WRITING SESSION (location)
9:15-11:45 Appointments (location)
Spiritual Direction Appointments (location)
Headshot Appointments (location)
9:00- Labyrinth
12:00-1:00 Lunch (Dining Room)
All day until 4:00 pm is also self-planned writing time (location).
FRIDAY – SUNDAY ATTENDEES
Friday, October 16,2026
1:00 -3:30 Friday Arrivals Check in with reNEW registration
1:00-3:30 Friday Arrivals Check in books reNEW Book Table (location)
2:30-3:45 Early Bird Workshops in Campus Gathering Rooms
- Social Media and AI 101: How to Cope When the World is Changing* – Edie Melson
- Write Your Life: Building a Memoir – Wendy Murray
- Putting on a Show – Heidi Chiavaroli
- Write Tight Workshop*– Lori Roeleveld
(* repeated workshops)
4:00-5:15 Welcome and Keynote with Director, Rachel Britton -(location)
Writing Accomplishments Celebration
5:30-6:30 Dinner (Dining Room)
7:00-8:15 Gathering: Worship and more (location)
Keynote: – Lori Roeleveld
8:30-9:00 reNEW Book Table (location) Author signings and photographs.
8:30-9:30 Night Owl: His Messengers – Myra Ingargiola (location)
From 9:30 pm self-planned writing time (location).
Saturday, April 26, 2025
7:00 am Early Morning Coffee (location)
7:15-7:45 Morning Prayer – Jennifer Drummond + (location)
Prayer Labyrinth
8:00-9:00 Breakfast (Dining Room)
9:15-10:30 Workshops
- Ten Steps to Editing Your Fiction – Heidi Chiavaroli
- Thriving in Your Calling: Mental Health Strategies for Christian Communicators – Laurie Devernoe
- Stewarding Stories: Writing with Care When Others Trust You with Their Words (Part 1) – Luke Redington
- Writing for Children Meadow Merrill
- Build the World You Love—for Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and other Outside-the-Box Genres – Edie Melson
10:45-12:00 Workshops in Campus Gathering Rooms
- Fiction as Both Sacred and Profane – Wendy Murray
- Your Voice Matters: Podcasting with Passion and Purpose – Deb Dufek
- Stewarding Stories: Writing with Care When Others Trust You with Their Words (Part 2) – Luke Redington
- Madman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge – Lori Roeleveld
- Blogging for Writers Today – Edie Melson
12:00-1:00 Lunch (Purdy Center Dining Room)
1:15-2:00 Panel discussion: AI (location
2:15-3:00 Read What You’re Working On – session led by Marla Darius (location)
3:00-5:00 Free Time – Litchfield/fitness class
3:00-5:00 WRITING SESSION + APPOINTMENTS
Appointments (location)
Spiritual Direction Appointments (location)
Headshot Appointments (location)
5:30-6:30 Dinner (Purdy Center Dining Room)
6:45 Group Photo (location tbd).
7:00-8:30 Gathering: Worship and More (location)
Keynote:– Edie Melson
8:30-9:00 reNEW Book Table (Purdy Center Lobby) and social time
All day until 7 pm – self-planned writing time (location)
Sunday, April 27. 2025
6:00-8:00 WRITING SESSION (location)
7:00 Early Morning Coffee (location)
7:15-7:45 Morning Prayer – Jennifer Drummond + (location)
8:00-9:00 Breakfast (Dining Room)
9:15-10:30 Workshops in Campus Gathering Rooms
- Discover, Define, Develop, Defend Your Voice – Lori Roeleveld
- Helpful Habits of a Fiction Writer – Heidi Chiavaroli
- The Beauty of Collaborative Writing – Maureen Miller
- Social Media and AI 101: How to Cope When the World is Changing* – Edie Melson
10:45-11:45 Keynote: (location)
Worship and Communion with Rev. Mike Rowe
12:00 Bag Lunch, Check Out and Goodbyes (Dining Room)
reNEW Book Table Closeouts (location)
*repeat workshops – offered twice