Themes of HEC Experiences

There are currently different levels of retreat experience that are called HEC - an “Initial HEC” for those who are new to this retreat experience, and a “HEC for HECers” for those who have made at least one Initial HEC. Each level has overall guiding principles and themes are the foundation for the retreat.

Initial HEC - Overall Guiding Principles

1.      HEC must always be Gospel-centered.

2.      It is good to be people -God created everything, and saw it ALL as good.

3.      Difference separates people, but should be cause for celebration. We must not see our differences as a reason for separation or hatred.

4.      All people are “broken” in one way or another, and we “heal” in communion with one another and with God.

THEMES - First Evening and Full Day:

1.   People have all kinds of feelings - about themselves, others, the world - and those feelings are neither “good” nor “bad”.

2.   People are complex creatures and everybody is “incomplete” or “broken” in some way.

3.   Jesus chose a flesh and blood, human form to be with God’s creation and to teach us to love.

6.   Human beings are capable of change.

7.   People can forgive and can be forgiven.

8.   People grow when we move from “self-centered” to “servanthood".

Next Day - Choosing Christianity to bring fullness to human life

1.   How does God see and value people?

2.   Communication with God – Prayer

3.   What does it mean to choose to follow Jesus and lead a Gospel-centered life?

4.   Community is an aspect of Christian life.

5.   Living in communion with Jesus brings peace.

Last Day - If I choose Christianity, how will my everyday life be different?

1.   Every day we make decisions and take risks on how we choose to live our life.

2.   Living a Gospel-centered life: Practical applications

3.   How do we support each other as Christians - “Commissioning” to go forward into our lives.

HEC for HECers: Overall Guiding Principles

1.   Because I am serious about choosing a life of love, I must take steps to enrich that life.

2. How I believe must permeate all my daily decisions and interactions with others.

3.   I am part of a believing community.

4.   I have a private and personal spiritual journey, and although I get support from fellow believers, I need to take steps to enrich my own spirituality.

THEMES - First Evening and Full Day:

  1. Why do we gather together?

  2. Who am I generally when in a group?                                                 

3. What have I discovered in my own spiritual journey?

              4. The role of scripture and prayer in my spiritual life

Next Day:

  1. What does Christian Community mean?

2. What do I want from a Christian Community and what do I bring to a Christian community?

3. How do I affirm others in their spiritual journey and how can I be affirmed in my own spiritual journey?

Last Day:

1. Celebrating individual and Communal life

2. Sharing with others and learning together in a nonjudgmental way.

3. Being refueled for the journey.