{"id":36733,"date":"2025-11-21T10:57:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T15:57:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=36733"},"modified":"2026-03-09T09:27:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T13:27:15","slug":"2026-mens-retreat-2-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=36733","title":{"rendered":"2026 Men&#8217;s Retreat To Put on The Armor of God (2\/20\/26)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>The 24th annual Mens&#8217; Retreat is almost upon us!\u00a0 The retreat will be held on the weekend of February 20 through Sunday February 22, 2026.\u00a0 \u00a0For the past 23 years (except for the pandemic year), the men of PUMC and our community have gathered at the Black Rock Retreat Center to get away from the daily distractions and to focus on our walks as disciples.\u00a0 Black Rock offers series of &#8220;pre-programmed&#8221; retreats, but we&#8217;ve always arranged our own themes and speakers.\u00a0 This year, the sessions will be led by Pastor Mike Chapman (PUMC&#8217;s Sr. Pastor).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Here are the details for this year&#8217;s retreat (2026):<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">WHO<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Any man (16 years and older)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">WHERE<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blackrockretreat.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Black Rock Retreat Center (Quarreyville, PA<\/a>) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.blackrockretreat.com\/about-us\/driving-directions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">directions<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">WHEN<\/span><\/strong>: Friday, 2\/20\/26<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> (6 PM&#8217;ish) through Sunday 2\/22\/26 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">(noon&#8217;ish)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">HOW MUCH<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 $235 (but don&#8217;t let that stop you if you can&#8217;t afford it!\u00a0 Scholarships are available.\u00a0 The cost includes lodging and five meals (Saturday breakfast , lunch, and dinner.\u00a0 Sunday breakfast and lunch).\u00a0 All meals are buffets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">WHAT<\/span><\/strong>: A weekend away to grow closer to each other and to God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Details vary from year to year, but here&#8217;s what we usually do:<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Friday afternoon \/ evening<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 travel to Black Rock (carpools will be arranged), and check in at the front desk.\u00a0 Most of us get dinner at the Quarryville Family Restaurant, which is a short drive away from Black Rock.\u00a0 This optional dinner is not included in the Black Rock price.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Friday Evening<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 After getting settled in, meet in our conference room for the First Session.\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Saturday Morning<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Breakfast will be provided by Black Rock (<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">always really good stuff!<\/span><\/em><\/span>).\u00a0 Somewhere around 9AM, we&#8217;ll gather in our Conference Room for the Second session.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Saturday Afternoon<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Free time!\u00a0 Enjoy Black Rock&#8217;s many amenities.\u00a0 Sit by the lodge&#8217;s large fireplace, take a walk through the property&#8217;s hiking trails, explore the nature museum, play basketball or frisbee tag (or chess!), or maybe even take a nap.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Saturday Evening<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Gather for the provided dinner.\u00a0 Afterwards, meet in our conference room for the Third Session.\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Sunday Morning<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Breakfast.\u00a0 Afterwards, we&#8217;ll gather in our conference room for the Fourth Session, and wrap up with a short communion worship service.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Sunday Noon<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Lunch will be provided (but many of us opt to head home right after the final session).\u00a0 Depending on how long you stick around (and on traffic), you&#8217;ll be home by 2-3PM.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For those who are familiar with Black Rock,\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">we have booked rooms in the Maranatha Lodge (3 per room).\u00a0 We have requested the Dogwood Conference Room (the same room we had last year; it&#8217;s one of the few that is big enough for our group).\u00a0 \u00a0Meals will probably be provided in the Maranatha Lodge, but we&#8217;ll find out for sure after we arrive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Here&#8217;s a taste of last year&#8217;s retreat (February 2025)&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>(<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Click on the &#8220;Previous&#8221; and &#8220;Next&#8221; buttons to view the photos<\/span><\/em><\/span>)<\/p>\n\n\t\t<div class='et-image-slider et_sliderfx_slide et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_1000 et_slidertype_images'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-image-slides'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent et-image-slide'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-_Black-Rock-Feb-2025-11-_400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\" \/><span class='et-image-overlay'> <\/span><\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent et-image-slide'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-Basketball-_Black-Rock-Feb-2025-10-_400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\" \/><span class='et-image-overlay'> <\/span><\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent et-image-slide'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-Farm-_Black-Rock-Feb-2025-4-_400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\" \/><span class='et-image-overlay'> <\/span><\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent et-image-slide'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-Fireplace-_IMG_1977-_400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\" \/><span class='et-image-overlay'> <\/span><\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent et-image-slide'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-Group-_IMG_1138-1-_400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\" \/><span class='et-image-overlay'> <\/span><\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent et-image-slide'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-IceCream-_Black-Rock-Feb-2025-8-_400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\" \/><span class='et-image-overlay'> <\/span><\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent et-image-slide'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-Pastor-Mike-_IMG_1989-_400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\" \/><span class='et-image-overlay'> <\/span><\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent et-image-slide'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-Pastors-Mike-Shane-_IMG_1992_400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\" \/><span class='et-image-overlay'> <\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-image-slider -->\n\t\t\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Retreat Leader&#8230;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #003366;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Last year&#8217;s retreat was a &#8220;tag team&#8221; with Pastor Shane Ross (of the Pitman Church of the Nazarene) and Pastor Mike Chapman (PUMC) alternating sessions.\u00a0 Pastor Shane is no <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-36875 \" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-PastorMike-_Black-Rock-Feb-2025-13-_400x300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"176\" height=\"132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-PastorMike-_Black-Rock-Feb-2025-13-_400x300-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MenRetreat25-PastorMike-_Black-Rock-Feb-2025-13-_400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 176px) 100vw, 176px\" \/> longer serving in the Pitman church, so Pastor Mike will &#8220;fly solo&#8221; this year (<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">of course the Holy Spirit never leaves us alone!<\/span><\/em><\/span>).\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #003366;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Pastor Mike has prepared our sessions around the theme of &#8220;The Armor of God&#8221;.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">The Armor of God<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>These retreats are a lot of fun; we eat (too much&#8230;), spend some relaxing time in front of the fireplace, take walks, play games.\u00a0 We meet other Christian men and make friends.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But church is all about growing closer to Christ.\u00a0 So the goal of the retreat (in addition to the food and fun) is to take away something that improves our walk with God.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=34445\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Last year (2025<\/a>) we looked at the hostility that&#8217;s in the world and then learned how to deal with it in a harmonious way that brings us closer together instead of in a divisive way that splits us apart.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This year, we&#8217;ll look at how Satan and other worldly forces are working to pull us apart from God.\u00a0 Then we&#8217;ll study the tools that the Holy Spirit gives us that will help us combat those evil forces.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The theme of this year&#8217;s retreat is the &#8220;Armor of God,&#8221; and we&#8217;ll focus on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/EPH.6.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ephesians 6<\/a>:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/EPH.6.10-20.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10-20<\/a>.\u00a0 Paul&#8217;s advice to the church in Ephesus might be a familiar metaphor to &#8220;seasoned Christians,&#8221; but during the retreat we&#8217;ll take a closer look at it and work together to see how we can apply it in our own lives.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ChapterContent_p__dVKHb\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><em><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_verse__57FIw\" data-usfm=\"EPH.6.10\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_content__RrUqA\">Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"ChapterContent_verse__57FIw\" data-usfm=\"EPH.6.11\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_content__RrUqA\">Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil\u2019s schemes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div class=\"ChapterContent_p__dVKHb\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_verse__57FIw\" data-usfm=\"EPH.6.12\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_content__RrUqA\">For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div class=\"ChapterContent_p__dVKHb\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><em><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_verse__57FIw\" data-usfm=\"EPH.6.13\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_content__RrUqA\">Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand&#8230; <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div class=\"ChapterContent_p__dVKHb\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_verse__57FIw\" data-usfm=\"EPH.6.13\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_content__RrUqA\">And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord\u2019s people.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To stand firm, here&#8217;s the wardrobe that Paul recommends:<\/p>\n<p>(<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Click on each tab to consider each part of our &#8220;armor&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/span>)<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_3008 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tBelt\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tBreastplate\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tShoes\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tShield\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tHelmet\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #003366; font-size: 14pt;\">Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">~~~<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Jesus said He IS Truth.\u00a0 How can we let God define Truth and let go of our own concepts of right and wrong?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #003366; font-size: 14pt;\">&#8230;with the breastplate of righteousness in place,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">~~~<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Is our day to day life marred by chinks in our armor- are we guilty of hypocrisy in any way?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #003366; font-size: 14pt;\">&#8230;and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">~~~<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Life involves a lot of climbing up steep hills and slogging through mud.\nHow can we avoid &#8220;flying off the handle&#8221; with anger, and instead react to difficult situations with a spirit of healing?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #003366; font-size: 14pt;\">&#8230;.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">~~~<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Why do bad things happen to &#8220;good&#8221; people?\u00a0 How can we fight off doubt and fear?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #003366; font-size: 14pt;\">Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">~~~<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Is the Bible in our hearts and minds, or is it only on our bookshelves?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The word &#8220;Retreat&#8221; sounds counter to our call to wear God&#8217;s armor and forge ahead.\u00a0 But taking a weekend away from our daily routines and surroundings can lead us to a place where we refocus on God and learn from each other.\u00a0 Together we can learn how to &#8220;extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #008000;\">+\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0+\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0+\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For more about the Men&#8217;s Group at PUMC, click the below button:<\/p>\n<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=147' class='small-button smallpurple'><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Men&#8217;s Fellowship<\/span><\/a>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 24th Annual Men&#8217;s Retreat is ready.  Accommodations at the Black Rock Retreat Center have been booked, and the Men will gather on the weekend of Feb. 20-22, 2026.  This year, we will be blessed to have Pastor Mike lead our sessions, and we will consider &#8220;The Armor of God.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":36869,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,12,19,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-evann","category-fellowship","category-men","category-umm"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36733"}],"version-history":[{"count":38,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36733\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36891,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36733\/revisions\/36891"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36869"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}