Please register with us below
then book your room with the Shawnee Inn by Saturday, April 13!

Join Guest Speaker Jonathan Merritt

at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

100 Shawnee Inn Drive
Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania

Thank you for visiting the registration page for the 2019 Priests’ Retreat. Here we’ll first invite you to tell us in the Bishop’s Office that you are coming, then we’ll tell you how to make your room reservation at the Shawnee Inn. Also, we’ll answer many questions you may have.

To Register

Answer the simple questions below so that we’ll be able to plan for your presence. By registering here, you can trust that you will receive program materials, such as a name tag and a worship booklet, and that you will be an expected guest at the scheduled retreat meals.

There is no Retreat Registration Fee.
All costs for the program and the scheduled meals are being covered by the Bishop as a gift to you.

You will need to reserve and pay for your room at the Shawnee Inn.
Book your room now ~ before the April 13 deadline!

After registering with us, you will need to reserve your room at the Shawnee. The Shawnee’s reservations team is handling reservations individually. You will call the Shawnee directly to make the reservation. Following is a Q&A that will help you do so.

How much is a room?

You can request either a single room for $252, or share a double room for $143 per person, inclusive. These rates are for a two-night stay.

What is the deadline to reserve a room?

Saturday, April 13! The Shawnee will hold the special rates for you until Saturday, April 13. After then, rooms will be available at higher rates. Please, therefore, reserve a room within the next two weeks!

Who do I call to make a reservation?

You can call the Shawnee’s main number, 1-800-742-9633, and ask for Reservations. A reservation specialist will assist you. Once you make your reservation, the Shawnee will send you a confirmation email that will include a map of the grounds.

Is there a deposit required?

Yes. When you make your room reservation, you will be asked to provide a $100 deposit. This deposit will be refunded if you cancel the reservation by Thursday, May 9.

How do I pay?

It’s easiest to make payments to the Shawnee by credit card, either a corporate card or a personal one. If you use a personal card, and your ministry setting is paying for your participation in the retreat, you can request an expense reimbursement check payable to you.

If, however, using a credit card is not possible for you, contact the Rev. Canon K. Jeanne Person, and she will be able to make a reservation for you.

If I wish to stay in a double, do I need to find a roommate?

Yes. Since the Shawnee is handling the room reservations, the Bishop’s Office will not be involved in pairing you with a roommate. When you make your reservation, the Shawnee will ask for the names of each guest.

Can I request a specific kind of room?

Yes. The Shawnee is providing rooms in different locations: in the main house; in a lodge that is a five- to ten-minute walk from the main house; and once these rooms are filled, at hotels near the Shawnee grounds, first the Staybridge Suites Hotel, then if needed, the Wyndham Villas. The Shawnee has the charm of an old resort, and every room is different. You may wish to visit the Shawnee’s website to get a sense of the kind of room you might like to request. If you have a strong preference, make your room reservation as soon as possible!

If you have mobility difficulties, we suggest that you request a room in the main house.

 All three “cottages” are already reserved, but if you wish to consider “glamping,” speak with a reservation specialist.

Can I come for only one night?

We encourage you to come for the entire retreat. Guest speaker Jonathan Merritt will be offering a comprehensive program across all three days. Also, the setting is beautiful, and the collegiality warm! You deserve this time away. But if life or ministry circumstances necessitate that you miss part of the retreat, just be aware that you cannot prorate the cost of your room reservation at the special rates, which are for a two-night stay. After the April 13 room reservation deadline, you can speak with a reservation specialist about the possibility of a one-night stay.

Will there be any costs at the Shawnee other than the room rate?

Yes, you will wish to bring cash or other forms of payment for incidentals and, if you wish, special activities. For example, you may wish to reserve a golf tee, have a spa treatment, or tour the brewery located on the grounds. To learn about all of the activities at the Shawnee, visit the Shawnee’s website.

More Q & A

Now that we have answered your questions about registering with the Bishop’s Office for the retreat and about making your room reservation with the Shawnee, let’s turn to other details you may wish to know. 

The Program

Can you tell me more about the Guest Speaker?

He’s great! Jonathan Merritt is an award-winning writer on religion, culture, and politics. He serves as a contributing writer for The Atlantic and is author of several books, including last summer’s Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing — and How We Can Revive Them. His retreat program will invite us to reflect on the challenges of talking about God and Jesus in the 21st century and help us to fashion our preaching for new generations.

When should I arrive?

You can arrive at the Shawnee after lunch on Monday, May 13. Program registration will begin at 2:00 p.m., and you will be able to check into your rooms after 4:00 p.m.

When will I depart?

The retreat will conclude with lunch on Wednesday, May 15. Check-out time for your room will be 11:00 a.m.

What is the full schedule for the retreat?

The Clericus Deans of Region II are still planning the retreat schedule, working with guest speaker Jonathan Merritt.

Can you tell me now, though, when we will have free time, so that I can plan special activities?

Yes. You can count on free time on Tuesday afternoon, between 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

About Transportation

How do I get to the Shawnee?

By far the best way to get to the Shawnee, and to enjoy the beauty and activities of the Delaware Water Gap, is by car. If you have a car, plan to drive. If you do not, we strongly urge you to carpool.

But close to the retreat, if you have not yet found someone to give you a ride, contact the Rev. Canon K. Jeanne Person, and she will work with you and the Shawnee to make sure you can get there and back. Do not let concerns about transportation keep you from reserving your room now!

If I am in overflow housing at a nearby hotel, how will I get back and forth to the Shawnee?

Hopefully you’ll have a car or be able to catch a ride. But the Shawnee also has a shuttle van, which we can reserve at specific times for runs between the two locations. Close to the retreat, we’ll review how many are being housed at the Staybridge Suites and assess whether scheduled shuttle runs are needed.

About Families

Can I bring my spouse?

In general, no. This retreat is designed for priests and is not meant to be a family vacation. Clergy spouses have their own retreat each year. This said, we recognize that, in certain situations, such as when a dependent family member needs care, a family member may need to be on site.

Can I bring my kids?

In general, no. Again, we encourage this retreat to be for you, a priest. Nevertheless, we recognize that some parents may need to bring their children, if a mother is nursing a young infant, for example, or if both parents are priests and a sitter at home is not an option.

The Shawnee welcomes children, and you can speak with a reservation specialist about how to accommodate for your family.

Be aware, however, that the Shawnee does not provide babysitting services or children-only programming. Also, any childcare arrangements you make – such as bringing a sitter with you – will be at your own cost.

Are there scholarships available?

Because the Bishop has dedicated a significant portion of the retreat budget to lower the retreat cost for everyone, there are only limited funds available for scholarships. It will be our hope that, if you need financial assistance beyond what the Bishop is already covering, your ministry setting will be a next resource for you. But if you still have financial need, do not hesitate to inquire about a scholarship. Contact the Rev. Canon K. Jeanne Person.

Do you have other questions?

We can imagine so! Please feel welcome to contact the Rev. Canon K. Jeanne Person, and she will strive mightily to find answers for you.

Thank you for your interest in the 2019 Priests’ Retreat!
We hope to see you there!

Contact on the Bishop’s Staff
The Rev. Canon K. Jeanne Person
Canon for Pastoral Care
See email address and phone number below