Renewal is a week-long retreat at Kanuga in the mountains of Western North Carolina where you can leave the world behind to renew your faith, rest your spirit, and reconnect with family and friends. Immerse yourself in Holy Spirit-filled praise, teachings, and fellowship, and leave restored!
This year's theme is: Everything I have is yours: meditations on Jesus's parable of the prodigal son.
Told as a response to those who asked Jesus why he "ate with sinners and welcomed them" (Luke 15.2), the Parable of the Prodigal Son has long been understood as the universal story of humankind. The story tells us both where we have come from, as well as how it was lost, offering an explanation for the spiritual homelessness and nostalgic pain that is a near universal part of the human experience. The story also tells us of the way home, the necessity of the internal transformation called "repentance," crowned and completed by God's gracious embrace. More than anything else however, the story teaches God's posture towards humanity as one of fellowship, welcome, love, and grace, a justification of the life of Jesus told in a simple, memorable tale, that also sets forward our destiny as members of God's own household.
The Rev. Dr. Rob Sturdy
Keynoter
The Rev. Dr. Rob Sturdy has been the Anglican Chaplain to the Corps of Cadets at St. Alban’s Anglican Chapel at the Citadel, Charleston, from July 2017 to the present. He served as Associate Rector at St. Andrew’s, Mt. Pleasant from 2012 to 2017 and served as the Rector at Trinity Church, Myrtle Beach from 2008 to 2012. Prior to becoming their Rector, he served as their Curate from 2006 – 2007. Sturdy teaches in the DMin program at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. He is an active participant on the leading edge of international scholarship in the area of historical theology. He and his wife, Stephanie, have been married since 2005. They have two children.
"The Gospel teaches us that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. But it is important to remember that God still loves the world and continues to demonstrate an enduring expression of His love for the non-Christian world. Evangelism and apologetics have been constant companions in my ministry and my preaching style is directed as much to non-Christians as to Christians. A rival passion to that of evangelism is the training of leaders, particularly in the realm of theological formation."
- Rev. Dr. Rob Sturdy
The Rev. Patrick Schlabs
Worship Leader
Patrick grew up in the flatlands of Texas and started leading musical worship in middle school. After spending his twenties as a worship leader in a megachurch, a crisis of faith led him on a journey into Anglicanism. Patrick now serves as the associate rector at the Cathedral Church of St Luke & St Paul in Charleston, South Carolina where he continues to write, arrange, and produce music called Holy City Hymns. Patrick and his wife Meg met leading worship and continue to sing together today. They’re raising three astounding children in the North Central neighborhood of downtown Charleston.
The Rev. Dr. Becky Coerper
Chaplain
Becky is an Episcopal priest who retired in July of 2023 after serving as Rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Skaneateles, New York for nearly thirteen years. Prior to St. James, Becky served as Associate Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Summerville, South Carolina. She received her undergraduate degree in religion from
the College of Wooster in Ohio, her Master of Divinity Degree from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee and her Doctor of Ministry degree in biblical preaching from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Upon retirement, Becky and her husband Kip moved to Rhode Island to be near family. In retirement she continues to serve in the local church offering spiritual direction, leading Centering Prayer, preaching and celebrating, and serving on the Advisory Board to the Center for Reconciliation. Becky and Kip have been married for 47 years, have two grown sons who have families of their own, including four wonderful grandchildren.
Hunter Myers
Youth Minister
Hunter Myers is the Student Ministry Director at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke & St. Paul in Charleston, SC. He was born in Denver, but grew up in South Carolina. He attended Columbia International University where he studied youth ministry, Bible, and philosophy. Prior to coming to the Cathedral, Hunter served churches in Irmo and Columbia, SC. Hunter is married to Karina, and they live with their son Anthony in North Charleston. He is a candidate for holy orders and is pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Anglican Studies at Nashotah House Theological Seminary. Hunter also serves part-time as the Canon for Student Ministry for the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina.
Logistics
- Lodging
- Meals
- Check-in and Check-out
- Children's Activities
- Explore Kanuga and the Surrounding Area
- Daily Schedule
- Rates
Choose from a guest house, historic cottage or a room in Kanuga Lake Inn.
Check out photos of each type of lodging here.
Meals are included in the program fee. We serve three meals a day, buffet-style in our dining room. Please let us know of any food allergies when completing your online registration.
- Breakfast: 7:30-9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Supper: 5:30-7 p.m.
Check-in time is 4 PM
Check-out time is 10 AM
Activities for children of all ages will be available during Renewal. A detailed schedule of activities will be available closer to the start of the Retreat, but examples of children’s activities to be offered include:
- Arts and Crafts
- Swimming in the lake
- Outdoor play/playground
- Music and Bible teaching
- Indoor and outdoor games
- Scavenger hunt/ nature walks
- Movie nights
During your stay, we hope you can make time to explore Kanuga’s hiking trails, wooded walks, lake, mountain biking trails, and more. The indoor gym includes workout and weight rooms, as well as a basketball court.
There are myriad worship and contemplation spaces at Kanuga in which all are welcome, including the indoor Chapel of The Transfiguration and the Lakeside Chapel and St. Francis Chapel outdoors.
Within a short drive of Kanuga, you can experience fly fishing, numerous hiking trails and waterfalls, mountain towns with great shopping and restaurants, breweries, and much more.
A detailed schedule will be available closer to the date of the Retreat.
Generally, each day begins with Eucharist in one of Kanuga's beautiful outdoor chapels, followed by worship and teaching. Small groups meet daily to connect and discuss the teaching. Afternoons are mostly free time. Following dinner, we meet for evening worship and teaching followed by time for intecessory prayer.
Rates for the 2025 retreat are:
| Adult Double Cottage (Shared Room) | $1,060 |
| Adult Single Cottage (Private Room) | $1,310 |
| Adult Double Inn (Shared Room) | $1,150 |
| Adult Single Inn (Private Room) | $1,450 |
| Youth (13 - 17) | $710 |
| Child (4 - 12) | $470 |
| Child (0-3) | $0 |
| Non-participant (lodging and meals only) | $820 |
***Register before March 1, 2025 to receive a 5% discount***
Cancellation Policy: Reservations may be canceled for a full refund up to 30 days prior to the event (May 23, 2025). Reservations canceled after this date will receive a 75% refund of the registration fees.
