In-Person Retreat Location:
Mt. Olivet Conference & Retreat Center
Farmington, MN
Note:
All participants are welcome to arrive on 9/21, and in observance of Yom Kippur, the Opening Ceremony will be held on the morning of 9/22.
Why This Gathering Matters
Leadership can be deeply meaningful—but it can also be isolating.
Many of us are carrying increasing responsibilities while longing for spaces where we can think deeply, connect authentically, and renew the energy needed to continue serving others.
For more than three decades, the Center for Purposeful Leadership has created those spaces.
Our Annual Retreat is more than a conference.
It is the annual gathering of the CPL community—a place where relationships deepen, new friendships begin, ideas emerge, and leaders return home with renewed clarity, purpose, and hope.
Join our Global Community of Practice
"I found lifelong collaborators."
What Is Making Sanctuary?
This year's theme invites us to explore a simple but powerful question:
How do we create spaces where people can flourish?
Sanctuary is more than a place.
A definition of sanctuary is a space where fragile and/or new possibilities can emerge.
It is something we create through our presence, our relationships, and the ways we choose to lead.
Throughout the retreat, we'll explore how Making Sanctuary can shape our work, our organizations, our communities, and our own lives—offering practical insights and meaningful experiences that extend well beyond our time together.
What You'll Experience
This retreat is designed to engage the whole person—mind, body, heart, and spirit.
You'll experience opportunities to:
Build Meaningful Relationships
Connect with thoughtful leaders from diverse backgrounds who share a commitment to purposeful leadership and creating communities where people flourish.
Experience Sanctuary in Practice
Through reflection, conversation, creativity, and shared experience, you'll explore what it means to create spaces of belonging, renewal, and hope.
Grow as a Leader
Participate in workshops, keynote presentations, and facilitated conversations that offer practical insights for your personal and professional life.
Become Part of a Community
Many participants return year after year because of the relationships they build here. Whether this is your first retreat or your twentieth, there is a place for you.
Find space & time for contemplation, renewal, and connection at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center
Join our global community
Leadership Pathways
Throughout the retreat you'll have opportunities to explore leadership through a variety of lenses, including:
Whole Person Leadership
Art of Convening
Personal Renewal & Reflection
Making Sanctuary
Whether you're leading an organization, a classroom, a congregation, or your own life, you'll find ideas, practices, and relationships that strengthen your leadership.
Introducing the Arc of Recognition
This year's retreat also introduces an emerging leadership practice within CPL:
The Arc of Recognition.
The Arc of Recognition explores how seeing ourselves, recognizing one another, and creating spaces of belonging strengthen both leadership and community.
Throughout the retreat you'll begin experiencing this practice in ways that can continue long after our time together.
The Schedule
Every part of the retreat has been intentionally designed to balance learning, reflection, relationship-building, and personal renewal.
All times are Central US
Monday 9/21/26-Wednesday 9/23/26
5 All-Community Sessions
plus Leadership Pathways:
Whole Person Leadership for Women, Art of Convening CoLab
Monday, 9/21: 5:00-8:30pm*
*in observance of Yom Kippur, the Opening Ceremony will be Tuesday, 9/22, 9:00 am
Tuesday, 9/22: 9:00 am-8:30 pm
Opening Ceremony
2 Community Circle Gatherings
2 Leadership Tracks:
-Whole Person Leadership for Women
-The Art of Convening CoLab
Wednesday, 9/23: 9:00 am-8:30 pm
2 Community Circle Gatherings
Leadership Track:
-Making Sanctuary in Troubled Times
Closing Ceremony
[optional] Thursday, 9/24: 8:00 am Community Breakfast
REGISTRATION & LODGING
Choose Your Experience
Full Retreat
Tuesday Day Pass
Wednesday Day Pass
Virtual Participation via Zoom
Lodging Options
Single Room
Double Room
Dorm Room
Flexible Payment Options
We recognize that finances can be a challenge.
To make participation as accessible as possible, flexible payment plans are available.
If cost has been keeping you from attending, we encourage you to explore these options.
Choose Your Experience…
Full Pass:
September 21-24
Day Pass:
Tuesday and/or Wednesday
*In-Person Discounts:
Use the Early Bird discount code 5% at checkout to receive 5% off the full amount
CPL Members use discount code 10% at checkout to receive 10% off the full amount
A $100 deposit saves the Early Bird Discount*
Payment plan available
Zoom Pass:
Join Virtually
This pass gives you access to:
Community Sessions Leadership Tracks
Open Space
Alum Gatherings
FAQ’s
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In community, we will harvest the learnings from the past months and years. As Purposeful Leaders, we will explore what we want to strengthen, and bring forward, on behalf of those we serve. As we emerge together, we will create to reflect the synthesis of what we’ve learned, with a vision for a future world that works for all.
We will create an innovative hybrid event with participation roles for in-person and virtual interaction.
Continue to explore The Art of Convening 9 Aspects and The Arc of Recognition
Community Circle Sessions
Leadership Tracks
Alum Gathering Spaces
Open Space & Visioning Sessions
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Deposit only (for Full Retreat) = $100 per person (hold your spot)
Single Room = $850pp, 3 nights, 8 meals
Double Room = $690pp, 3 nights, 8 meals
Dorm Room = $430pp, 3 nights, 8 meals
Day rate = $150 per day (Tuesday, 3 meals)
Day rate = $150 per day (Wednesday, 3 meals)
DISCOUNTS . . .
5% Early Bird
10% Early Bird + CPL Member or Donor -
Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center
7984 257th St W, Farmington, MN 55024
+1 952-469-2175
https://mtolivetretreat.org/Each participant is responsible for travel to and from the Retreat.
Flying: The closest airport is Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport International Airport (MSP). The Duluth International Airport (DLH) is an additional choice.
Driving: Directions to Mt. Olivet can be found at https://mtolivetretreat.org/
You may choose to rent a car and share costs with another participant.
Ride Share: If needed, we will help coordinate ride shares from the Minneapolis-St.Paul airport or from the Twin Cities.
"Homestays": are popular before/after the Retreat. We will help you contact Twin Cities colleagues.
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Cancellation Policy:
√ If the in-person Retreat is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances: We will offer a modified Retreat experience via Zoom.
Participant cost will be $50. You will receive a full refund for the difference already paid.√ Refunds not related to Retreat cancellation will be made if requested in writing 30 days prior to the Retreat start date.
An administrative fee of $75 will be deducted.
√ No refunds will be made for requests received within 30 days of the Retreat.
The Participant Journey
Images from past AoC retreats
Watch this video, created by 2024 CPL Retreat participant Amber Yang,
to get a taste of what the retreat is like.