A Weekend of Faith, Fellowship, and Spiritual Renewal
Bill Weller Reflects on the October 2026 Community United Methodist Men’s Retreat
By Bill Weller, Past BWC UMM President & Richard Campbell, BWC UMM Communications Servant
For nearly two decades, the men of Community United Methodist Church have gathered on the second weekend of October for a special tradition—a weekend retreat dedicated to Christian fellowship, Bible study, spiritual renewal, and growing together as disciples of Jesus Christ.
This October, approximately a dozen men once again stepped away from their everyday routines to spend three days strengthening their faith and friendships at Manidokan Camp and Retreat Center
, a beautiful retreat setting operated by the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
For Bill Weller, who has attended the retreat four or five times, the experience continues to be a source of encouragement, inspiration, and spiritual growth.
“The experience of fellowshipping with a dozen men for three days is extremely uplifting,” Bill shared. “It’s extremely encouraging to know that men love the Lord and are willing to learn more about Him by joining together and sharing.”
Stepping Away to Draw Closer to God
The word retreat means to withdraw or draw back, and that is precisely what makes this annual gathering so meaningful.
Surrounded by wooded hills, peaceful trails, and the beauty of God’s creation, Manidokan provides an ideal setting for men to step away from the demands of daily life and focus on their relationship with God and one another.
The weekend begins Friday evening with dinner together at a local restaurant. Following the meal, the men return to camp for their first Bible study session.
Saturday features two morning Bible study sessions, followed by lunch and an afternoon of free time. These unstructured hours provide opportunities for conversation, friendship, exploration, and personal reflection.
This year, some participants visited the historic Antietam National Battlefield, returning with stories of what they had discovered. Others explored the shops and attractions of Harpers Ferry, while several simply enjoyed walking through the woods and appreciating the beauty of God’s creation.
As Bill described it, the setting offers an opportunity to witness “the beauty of God’s hand at work.”
Saturday evening brings another Bible study session, followed by one of the weekend’s favorite traditions—a campfire where the men gather for conversation, hot dogs, marshmallows, and fellowship.
Discovering God’s Word Through Jeremiah The spiritual centerpiece of the 2026 retreat was an in-depth study of the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, led by Pastor Steve DeLisle, who served as the weekend’s spiritual leader.
Through five Bible study sessions spread across Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning, the men explored the life and message of the prophet Jeremiah.
Jeremiah ministered during a turbulent period in Judah’s history, when the people faced political uncertainty, spiritual disobedience, and ultimately the destruction of Jerusalem and exile.
Yet throughout Jeremiah’s message of warning and judgment, God’s faithfulness, mercy, and promise of restoration remain central themes.
For the men attending the retreat, studying Jeremiah offered an opportunity to reflect on their own faith, the challenges of today’s world, and the importance of remaining faithful to God even during difficult times.
Bill described Pastor Steve’s teaching as an amazing experience, particularly in understanding the many changes and challenges that occurred during Jeremiah’s lifetime.
The study also reminded participants that God’s Word continues to speak to His people today, calling them to repentance, renewed commitment, and trust in His promises.
More Than a Retreat—A Brotherhood in Christ
While Bible study provides the foundation for the weekend, Bill believes the relationships formed among the men are equally important.
Spending three days together creates opportunities for conversations and friendships that are often difficult to develop during the brief encounters of a typical Sunday morning.
Through shared meals, Bible discussions, walks, laughter, and personal testimonies, the men grow closer to one another and deepen their understanding of what it means to live as Christian brothers.
Having participated several times, Bill has developed lasting friendships with men in the group.
The retreat reminds participants that Christian discipleship is not meant to be a solitary journey. Men need other men who will encourage them, pray with them, share their experiences, and help them grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Closing the Weekend in Worship and Thanksgiving Sunday morning begins with breakfast and the fifth and final Bible study session.
After packing their belongings, the men gather for a closing worship service that includes personal testimonies, reflection on the weekend, and Holy Communion.
It is a meaningful conclusion to three days spent studying Scripture, strengthening friendships, and experiencing God’s presence.
Following lunch, the men return home carrying more than memories of a beautiful retreat. They take with them renewed faith, deeper friendships, and encouragement to continue their journey as disciples of Jesus Christ.
An Invitation to Other Men Bill hopes that more men will consider attending this annual retreat in the future.
For those who have never experienced a Christian men’s retreat, he believes the opportunity to spend an entire weekend with fellow believers can be life-changing.
He encourages other men to consider joining the group next October, when the retreat is expected to continue its longstanding tradition of meeting on the second weekend of the month.
At the heart of Bill’s experience is a simple but powerful message: God loves us, provides for us, and invites us into a joyful life through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The retreat provides a setting where that message can be studied, discussed, experienced, and shared among brothers in faith.
“It’s extremely encouraging to know that men love the Lord and are willing to learn more about Him by joining together and sharing.” — Bill Weller
For Bill and his fellow participants, the Community United Methodist Men’s Retreat is much more than an annual weekend getaway. It is a continuing journey of faith, friendship, and spiritual renewal—a reminder that when Christian men come together in fellowship and God’s Word, they strengthen not only themselves but also the church and the communities they serve.
Scripture for Reflection “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
Looking Ahead: Men interested in participating in the October 2027 Community United Methodist Men’s Retreat are encouraged to learn more about this opportunity for Christian fellowship, Bible study, and spiritual growth. Dates and arrangements will be confirmed by the retreat organizers.
Editor note: all photos were taken by John Howard, Community UMM
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