The Virtual WDS
Planning Retreat
NEW! Multi-Session Livestream Planning Retreat hosted by Dr. Marcia McFee, Creator and Visionary of Worship Design Studio
A Different Kind of Planning Retreat - coming together for support.
Every year since 2008 I have been offering a live worship planning retreat somewhere in the country in the late summer or early fall. This year was to be no different.
And then we all had to pivot.
But here’s the thing:
- Sunday KEEPS coming around EVERY week.
- Advent will come and it will be more important than ever to offer hope, love, peace, and joy this year.
You have told me that you need help more than ever.
So I'm not going to just cancel the planning retreat. But as I discerned how to serve you best, I kept these things in mind:
- You have been to (and are doing) A LOT of online things recently!
- You may have even been to one or more conferences online this summer and you just can’t see adding another one.
I have been offering immersive multi-day livestream versions of my planning retreats for years... I know how to do it, I know I CAN do it. But is this the RIGHT thing to do for this moment? We are in a time of overwhelm with not just planning, but PRODUCING worship in more unfamiliar rhythms and techniques.
Here is what we know:
- Things are changing from one week to another
- It is hard to think about planning a whole year with the rapidly changing pace of spiritual needs and physical contexts
So... let’s keep planning ahead but let’s space it out into MANAGEABLE sessions that still give you enough LUXURY OF TIME to discern, brainstorm, and begin to plan with more ease, yet NOT TOO FAR AHEAD that it feels stressful to make plans that might not be right 6 or 9 months down the road. It also gives me a better way to continue to make timely suggestions for innovation whether we are distanced, restricted, or full-steam-ahead. Read on to find out about how we are going to create an ongoing way to support you in your planning together and planning ahead.
Peace & Passion,
Marcia McFee, PhD
Livestream Details
This year the WDS Planning Retreat will be held in increments – still with all the same great idea sharing and help in making your decisions! Here is the session line up so you know what you'll be getting :
(all dates are live 2-hour, including breaks, Zoom webinars Wednesdays at 9am Pacific/10am Mountain/11am Central/Noon Eastern–recordings available afterward to registered churches)
(FREE) DESIGN WEBINAR (July 29)
Deep dive into the creative process and tips for planning ahead in changing times. Dr. Marcia will reveal the WDS plans for a new Advent/Christmas series created especially for this moment in history.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS PLANNING (August 12)
Dr. Marcia immerses you in the theology and scriptures of the season while, at the same time, demonstrating online and adapted sanctuary ideas and techniques for making the season special even and especially in these times.
EPIPHANY "PLUS" PLANNING (September 16)
It is difficult to know what circumstances we will be in at the beginning of the 2021 year when this season starts. But we will discern together how we can invite people to new depths of spiritual resilience and transformation no matter what the circumstances.
LENT IDEAS TO SIMMER (October 14)
Lent planning will start on this date as we explore the theological themes and scriptures of Lent but we will hold this lightly–let the ideas "simmer" until the next session after the onslaught of Advent/Christmas. This is not my usual suggested plan-ahead strategy, but I think things will be changing in the world a lot over the next couple of months (can you say "election?!" and hopefully "vaccine?") and so we will want to revisit this decision in January before moving ahead.
LENT PLANNING + HOLY WEEK (January 6)
Now we know a lot more about what our congregations need at this time. You can land on your Lent series decision and move quickly to begin to start the production and set the details. All of our WDS series also have accompanying Holy Week scripts so we will make sure you are ready for that whether you are using one of ours or one you create "from scratch."
EASTER SEASON PLANNING (February 10)
We will dive into the theology and planning of the season of resurrection and we pray that as a global community we are celebrating the life we have found even in the midst of this pandemic as well as a continuation of the transformation to a society that values all people. We are an ever-renewing "Easter people," afterall.
ORDINARY TIME IDEAS TO SIMMER (April 21)
As always, this session invites us to look again at the context of our congregations, the world, spiritual needs, and the growth of our communities through the year. We'll look at many possibilities for this second half of the liturgical year and make a list of timely, pithy, deeply needed theological messages that can spur our creativity.
A One-of-a-Kind Experience
In each webinar I will be, as usual, looking at lectionary scriptures and non-lectionary theological themes, drawing out some ideas from WDS past and future (you’ll be the first to know what’s done and what’s cooking). We will be taking into consideration the spiritual needs of the congregation in concert with the state of world and community concerns and what we know about the possibilities of worship formats based on pandemic realities. And each two-hour seasonal webinar will include WORSHIPFUL MOMENTS as a way preparing your spirit and filling your soul–whether you are planning alone or with your team.
You do not need to be alone in your discerning and preparing in this difficult year. Together, we’ve got this.
A One-of-a-Kind Experience
In each webinar I will be, as usual, looking at lectionary scriptures and non-lectionary theological themes, drawing out some ideas from WDS past and future (you’ll be the first to know what’s done and what’s cooking). We will be taking into consideration the spiritual needs of the congregation in concert with the state of world and community concerns and what we know about the possibilities of worship formats based on pandemic realities. And each two-hour seasonal webinar will include WORSHIPFUL MOMENTS as a way preparing your spirit and filling your soul–whether you are planning alone or with your team.
You do not need to be alone in your discerning and preparing in this difficult year. Together, we’ve got this.
What Makes this Event SO Great?
"This weekend has been quite an eye opening experience for me! As a new pastor... this has opened my eyes in so many ways to bring a new and more energetic ways to worship with my congregation."
"I'm glad I came. I wasn't sure if there would be anything for me particularly because I'm from a smaller church, but I got so much useful information..."
"I've really enjoyed the worship experience with Marcia. Those were great times and very spiritual, and so I enjoyed that uplifting and refreshing experience."
Choose the Best Package
for You and Your Team
There are several ways to engage, based on your budget realities.
Each one of these reflects a retreat price reduction from previous years to accommodate
this time of financial uncertainty:
The first option is equivalent to a $100 discount for the full-year WDS Subscription that gives you access to ALL our worship series materials and educational support (the biggest discount we offer) PLUS all the planning retreat sessions!
Current WDS Subscribers may buy the first option and we will add a year to your subscription at this discounted price.
All of the above options include registration and the recording for the Design Webinar on July 29.
All webinars and meetings are recorded for asynchronous and repeat use by registered churches.
Watch the FREE Design Webinar!
How do we plan ahead in times that are "a-changing?" What is the key to flexibility in planning that will help us to pivot no matter the physical circumstances? Why is the liturgical year more important than ever right now as a framework for our spiritual journeys? How can we offer deeply meaningful and memorable worship when we are distanced, fractured, restricted, and tired? These topics and more as we prepare for planning ahead and planning together for the 2020-2021 year.
Watch the recording HERE as preparation sessions for your participation in the retreat!
