Every summer for the last 30 years,while VBS songs are still fresh, clergy from across the state head to Epworth by the Sea for Georgia Pastor’s School. The week is an opportunity for pastors and their families to refresh their education, renew their calling and rejoice in the United Methodist spirit of togetherness. 

This year’s theme, Reigniting Joy, felt especially poignant after years of discussing COVID protocols and church disaffiliations. The passage from Philippians 4:4 where Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” was the basis for the speaker’s messages and sparked no shortage of joyful conversations. 

Pastor Will Zant and his family have been attending Pastor’s School since 2018 and relish the opportunity to come back year after year. The week is a chance for pastor’s kids to meet other pastor’s kids, for clergy spouses to bond over their common experiences and pastors themselves to be refreshed in their calling. When asked about his favorite part of the week, Zant said thoughtfully, “What I love about Pastor’s School is that it’s a chance for us to be at church, without having to lead the church. It’s a chance for us to worship together without having to lead it, to eat together without having to plan it, a chance for us to receive what we love without being the one that has to give it.”

The Chair of Pastor’s School Board of Managers, Ivalisse Quinones, lit up when discussing the week she and her colleagues had been planning. “Being clergy, we’re always ministering but no one ministers to us. We do it for the pastors so pastors can get continuing education but also do networking and just have fun.” 

This year, 130 clergy were in attendance along with their spouses and children of all ages. Each morning begins with a worship service, followed by breakfast and then continuing education classes for clergy. After lunch, afternoons are free to explore the island, go to the beach and be among their peers. Each night concludes with a worship service and then a trip to get ice cream, go on an evening beach walk or just catch up with other families. In addition to receiving a Continuing Education Credit, clergy participate in lectures, theological conversation and peer-to-peer discussions of the unique and fulfilling work that they do.

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation is a proud sponsor of Georgia Pastor’s School, as we believe it is a powerful tool for clergy to come together in faith and fellowship and to expand their knowledge, network and know-how. We believe that our purpose is your mission and we continue to support our Georgia clergy in any way that we can. 

If you are clergy interested in attending Georgia Pastor’s School next Summer, visit https://www.georgiapastorsschool.org/ to learn more.