May 5, 2005

 

Dear Clergy Spouse,

 

Recently a number of us enjoyed a relaxing and enriching weekend in the beautiful hills of Vermont at the Blue Gentian Lodge.  Those who have participated in our annual retreat over the last few years have been blessed and strengthened in our time together and renewed to face the challenges in our daily lives.

 

As we begin to plan for next year, we want to be sure we structure the retreat to be available and interesting to as wide a group as possible.  This letter is to ask what changes we should make so more spouses can join us.  Please take a moment to fill in the information below and email or mail it to our Survey Coordinator, Donna Stalley, by June 15, 2005.  Your comments will be kept confidential and your name is not needed.

 

Have you ever been to a Clergy Spouse Retreat in the N.E. Synod?  _____________

How many years have you been in the N.E. Synod?    _____________

 

What are the reasons you have not attended a retreat recently or ever?

Please rank your 4 most important reasons for not participating.

 

___ Cost

___ Selected theme

___ Scheduling conflicts

___ Lack of Spouse’s support

___ Lack of Congregational Support

___ Health reasons

___ Work obligations

___ Travel difficulties or distance

___ Family responsibilities

___ Didn’t know about it

___ Uncomfortable not knowing others

___ Thought I might be the only male

___ It’s just not my thing

Other _______________________________

____________________________________

____________________________________

 

When is the best time of year for you to attend a clergy spouse retreat?

 

Ideas or suggestions which would make you better able or more likely to participate: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Thank you for taking the time for this survey.  Please remember the Clergy Spouse luncheon during the assembly on Friday, June 3, 2005, at 12:00.  And note that next year’s Clergy Spouse Retreat is scheduled for April 28-30, 2006.  Hope to see you at these events!

 

The Clergy Spouse Retreat Team:

Janine Arnesen - Co Chair        Andy Lawing - Co Chair

Barbara Debner, Donna Stalley, John Payne, Meg Maehl

 

Please email or mail your survey to Donna Stalley, Survey Coordinator, dstalley@limra.com, or 17 Birch Street, Vernon, CT 06066.  Use this form or you may download the survey from the Synod Website, (www.NESynod.org and click on documents.)