Crescendo

A REASON FOR HOPE

A 50+ Retreat

November 11-13, 2025

REGISTER NOW

Registration closes November 5, 2025

Choose the Groups 25-26 Retreat Season.

Jesus Christ is our only reason for hope. Seeking hope in our fallen world leads to disappointment. The Apostle Paul’s prayer continues to resonate today, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

We invite everyone ages 50 plus to join for a time of learning, inspiration, fellowship, and personal reflection in the beautiful setting of Pilgrim Pines Camp and Retreat Center on Swanzey Lake in New Hampshire.

Please note: Full payment is due at the time of registration. Refunds will be issued less a $50 non-refundable deposit for cancellations made more than one week from the start of the retreat on November 11, 2025. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within one week of the start of the retreat.

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kanyere Eaton

Pastor Kanyere is the Shepherd of the beloved flock of God at Fellowship Covenant Church in the Bronx, New York. She is the first woman to serve in this capacity in the 124-year history of this congregation. Since her arrival in 2010, the congregation has grown in number and matured in spirit, adopting as its mission: The engagement of God’s people for worship; the equipping of God’s people for service, and the empowerment of God’s people for leadership. Through teaching, preaching, training, and nurturing, Pastor Eaton endeavors to educate and inspire Christ’s church to grow into the measure of the full stature of Christ. Pastor Eaton has been in active ministry for thirty-five years and has professional backgrounds in social work, philanthropy, substance abuse recovery, and hunger prevention. Pastor Kanyere Eaton earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in 1993; a Master of Science and Social Work degree from Columbia University in 1997, a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 1997, and a Doctorate in Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 2021. Pastor Eaton is married to James Dennis, with whom she shares a love for Christian ministry.

Worship Leader: Rev. Rick Carlson

Rick has been writing and arranging music since he first could pluck out melodies on the piano. Following graduation from Seattle Pacific University in Music Education, he started a traveling music group called Covenant Heartsong that toured the US, Canada, and Europe. His passion for music and ministry eventually led Rick into children’s videos, where he led a team that created “Quigley’s Village.” Rick played the lead character, Mr. Quigley, and wrote much of the music and scripts. Rick was the main stage producer for CHIC from 1984-2000 and also served as secretary for the committee that published the 1997 Blue Covenant

Hymnal. Rick’s call to pastoral ministry came in 1997. This career change required a number of adjustments for his family in addition to theological training. Rick entered Bethel Seminary while serving a church as pastor. He received his Master’s of Divinity degree and was ordained to Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2005. He served Covenant churches as Senior Pastor in Minnesota, Florida, and South Dakota. He retired from full-time pastoral ministry in 2023. Even though Rick’s career path changed, his love of composing and arranging music has not. He started a new ministry called YouChurch.org to provide video bible studies, music, and inspiration. Rick and Pat currently live in California. They have two children. Kyle is married to Mariah, and they live in St. Paul, MN. Kelsey is married to Dennis, and they make Los Angeles, CA home.

DETAILS

Cost:

Full Retreat: $240 per adult (Early Bird rate until 10/17)

$260 per adult (after 10/17)

Commuter Rate: $95 (Early Bird rate until 10/17)

$105 per adult (After 10/17)

Who: Adults 50+

RETREAT RUNDOWN

Check-in begins at 3 pm, followed by dinner and the first session on Tuesday evening. Wednesday includes three delicious meals, vibrant worship, dynamic preaching, workshop options, and more. The retreat concludes with breakfast and the Thursday morning session.

If you have any questions, please contact Christianne Pease, East Coast Conference Crescendo Coach cpease10@gmail.com.