Fall Clergy Retreat

The Fall Clergy Retreat is an important time for the clergy of the Diocese of Southwest Florida to gather for prayer, worship, fellowship, and reflection. The theme for this year’s retreat is drawn from the familiar passage in John 15, in which Jesus compares his relationship with his disciples to that of a vine and branches. This is also where Jesus declares the seventh and final “I AM” statement, “I am the True Vine,” and describes the life of discipleship as a life of abiding in Christ and his love. Bearing fruit (productivity) is the outgrowth of a life deeply embedded in Christ. We invite you to join Bishop Scharf as we reflect more deeply on our call to abide in Jesus, not as a passive escapism from the woes of the world, but as the source of abundant life that shapes and empowers our public witness.