The Spiritual Formation Retreat is designed for the entire Northeastern Seminary community. Whether you're new to spiritual formation or have been on this journey for years, this retreat offers a welcoming environment for everyone to deepen their connection with God and grow in their faith. It provides a space for personal reflection, growth, and community, open to all who seek to strengthen their spiritual life.
This fall’s theme is “Thriving in This Atmosphere,” led by plenary speaker Jason Gaboury, National Director for Alumni Relations with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Pastor for Small Groups and Communities at New Life Fellowship Church in Queens, NY.
The retreat will take place at Shewan Recital Hall on the campus of Northeastern Seminary & Roberts Wesleyan University (2301 Westside Drive, Rochester, NY 14624), with virtual access available for those joining online.
We look forward to this opportunity to fellowship, grow in faith, and thrive together.
Schedule
Friday, October 17, 2025
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6:30 pm | Registration & Welcome Reception
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7:00 | Session 1: When the Atmosphere Feels Toxic: Finding God in Loneliness and Isolation
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Description: In this session, we'll explore how the collective aftermath of recent years—marked by the COVID pandemic, political division, and racialized violence—can create a sense of spiritual constraint. We'll examine how this toxic environment often manifests as profound loneliness and isolation, making it difficult to find God's presence.
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8:30 pm | Depart
Saturday, October 18, 2025
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8:00 am | Registration & Breakfast
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9:00 | Session 2: Breathing in a Polluted Atmosphere: Spiritual Practices for Difficult Times
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Description: In this session, we'll delve into formative practices, such as how to pray through feelings of hatred and rage so they don't consume us, and how to discern God's invitation amid moral confusion and chaos. The session will offer tangible ways to act with clarity and conviction while cultivating humility.
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10:00 am | Personal Reflection
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12:00 pm | Lunch (included in registration fee)
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1:00 pm | Session 3: Creating Clean Air: Building Community That Heals
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Description: We'll explore practical ways to foster healthy environments where we can breathe easy, free from the toxicity of division and judgment. This session will provide tangible practices for building spaces of spiritual formation and discipleship together.
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1:50 pm | Small Group Reflection
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2:30 pm | Closing Chapel
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3:00 pm | Departure
Parking is available in Lot A behind Pearce Memorial Church and located off of Orchard Street. View the Campus Map for available parking lots.
Limited housing is available at Mercy Spirituality Center in Rochester, NY. Contact Marlena Graves to receive more details at graves_marlena@roberts.edu. Local hotel accommodations or vacation rentals can be booked on an individual basis.
To request an ASL interpreter or other accessibility needs please contact Maria Gilluly at gilluly_maria@roberts.edu or 585.594.6807.
Leading the Retreat
For almost 30 years, Jason Gaboury has been helping spiritually curious people develop a life with God in the way of Jesus. He first fell in love with the spiritual life when he met a monk who inspired him to a life with God in a way he'd never imagined possible.
Jason serves as National Director for Alumni Relations with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and as Pastor for Small Groups and Communities at New Life Fellowship Church in Queens, NY. Jason has practiced contemplative spirituality for over 15 years, and has been a life professed member of the Anglican Order of Preachers for the last 10. Jason and Sophia live in Washington Heights, New York City. They have two adult daughters.
Jason is the author of: Wait With Me: Meeting God in Loneliness, InterVarsity Press, 2020. Jason believes that the most profound spiritual growth often happens not in the mountaintop moments, but in the valleys—in loneliness, questions, ordinary Tuesday afternoons, and the beautiful mess of trying to follow Jesus in real life.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Spiritual Formation Retreat
Yes. The cost of this conference is $20.
This retreat will be held in Shewan Recital Hall on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary (Driving Directions). The retreat sessions will also be livestreamed for those who wish to attend virtually. Online attendees will receive an access link via email.
Who can I contact with more questions?
Please contact Dr. Marlena Graves at graves_marlena@roberts.edu