You've heard a lot these past few months about mountaintop experiences from the Discipleship Matters Conference, to the Honduras Mission trip and the Women's Retreat. I think part of the reason these experiences are so profound is that they provide us with opportunities to get away from it all. All the daily routines; all the shopping and working and laundering and cleaning and all the temptations of our consumer, DIY, because I'm worth it culture.

Do you need to get away from it all? Here are some suggestions:

Change the World Conference - April 20-21 @ Ginghamsburg Church
Several people at Peace have attended conferences at Ginghamsburg Church in Ohio and usually come back with an inspiration or two that inevitably sparks new life into ministries at Peace.

ELCA Global Mission Event - July 19-22 @ the Ohio State University
This is a well organized event with great music and something for everyone, including the kids. The year I took Xander, he actually got to interact with more presenters than I did. You don't need to be a "missionary" to get something out this.

Twin Cities Parade of Churches - July 23-27 in Minneapolis & St. Paul
Last year, this was an emerging church event hosted at Solomon's Porch. Now it encompasses several emerging churches throughout the Twin Cities area including an emerging Lutheran church called Spirit Garage. This is a friendly group of people (I didn't know anyone when I showed up on their doorstep and they made me feel welcome) and they are very willing to share ideas.