Bake & Pray: Clergy Gathering

Monday, 2/9/26 10am-2pm @ Memorial UMC, Charles City

11000 Courthouse Road, Charles City, VA 23030 / 804-829-6411

*Please plan to arrive between 9:30-10am so you have time to get settled and enjoy some coffee/tea before we begin at 10am.*

The Retreat

Bake & Pray is a unique approach to bread baking that emphasizes the integration of prayer into the process—viewing it as a liturgy rather than focusing solely on producing a perfect loaf. Through this practice, participants are invited to deepen their faith, enrich their prayer lives, and experience God’s beauty in the tangible and delicious gift of bread.

The workshop method was developed by Kendall Vanderslice, a renowned baker, theologian, and author of We Will Feast, By Bread Alone, and Bake and Pray. 

During our retreat, you will shape and bake pre-made dough, then mix your own dough to take home, rest, and bake later! The day includes 30 minutes of sabbath time for reflection and rest, which can be on your own or with colleagues. There are spaces within the church to gather and to pray, and we are mere steps from the paved Capital Trail, perfect for a walk.

All Mission Rivers District Clergy—actively appointed, on leave, serving in extension settings, and retired—are invited and encouraged to join us!  

The Facilitator

We are blessed to be led in baking and on this retreat by Maria Niechwiadowicz. Maria has built a career at the intersection of church ministry and professional baking. She has developed food equity outreach programs, taught cooking classes, launched multiple bakeries, and managed commercial kitchens. Maria currently works part-time at First Christian Church, Lynchburg (Disciples of Christ) as the Director of Education, serves as a Business Advisor with the Small Business Development Center (Lynchburg Region), and spends a lot of time being a mom. Bake & Pray is a way for Maria to share her love of baking with others, create spaces that promote rest as resistance, and nurture community. 

*What to bring with you to the retreat

·      Mixing bowl

·      Apron 

·      Tea towel

·      Your own lunch (Microwave is available, if needed.)

All Mission Rivers District Clergy—actively appointed, on leave, serving in extension
settings, and retired—are invited and encouraged to join us!  For questions, please
contact Rev. Deborah Lewis: deborahlewis@vaumc.org.
Let us know if you are planning to come (by 2/1):
https://forms.gle/ZbssbqTthW3A3GFu6