Retreat Overview
About this Event
You’re invited to join with people of faith from across Texas for training and resource building to faithfully respond to attacks on immigrants in our communities. This is also an opportunity to develop the relationships we need to have a more resilient community based response that breaks down silos and encourages collaboration. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Mennonite Church USA, Texas Impact, and Church World Service are coming together to plan and sponsor the Texas Faithful Response Immigration Gathering. From October 4-6, we will gather at Slumber Falls Camp in New Braunfels, Texas to strengthen our faithful response to the current immigration crisis by facilitating space and providing tools for pastors and lay leaders, and the church community to:
❋ Develop relationships that cross denominational lines to create a broad coalition for collective work that breaks down silos so that we can take action together.
❋ Spiritually ground their work and care for their congregations to build resiliency and endurance to respond to this crisis.
❋ Make a commitment to what comes next. Participants leave with an understanding of how we will work together moving forward so that the gathering lives on after it’s over.
What to Expect
Educational Programming
On the 5th, we will have three sessions of workshops to help us get organized to more faithfully respond when immigrants in our communities are targeted. Each session will have three workshop options to choose from, so participants can choose what is most relevant to their own work and ministry. Workshop topics will range from caring for people in detention to local, state, and national advocacy, and more information can be found below. In each session, we will offer at least one workshop geared toward congregations/individuals that are directly impacted by immigration enforcement and one workshop designed for congregations/individuals that seek to be in solidarity with those who are directly impacted, though you may choose to join any of the provided options.
On the 6th, we will have one last session before we depart to talk about what tools and resources we will be taking home with us to take action. See below for a summary of the sessions to know what to expect.
Spiritual Care
We will be joined by the BELOVED Compassion Network, an educational nonprofit dedicated to teaching individuals and organizations to cultivate compassion and to take compassionate action in the world. BCN will lead us in grounding exercises to help us cultivate the interior compassion and calm it takes to keep showing up in moments of crisis with the ability to regulate our emotional response.
Note regarding accommodations:
Accommodations at Slumber Falls are camp style accommodations, meaning that participants who choose lodging on site will stay in cabins on bunk beds and will need to bring their own bedding. If you choose to stay on site but need a bottom bunk, you can indicate that on your registration form. Additionally, while the main lodge is accessible, there are no fully wheelchair accessible bathrooms at the camp. Gathering organizers will arrange for accessible overnight accommodations at a nearby hotel for the same price as camp accommodations and can help coordinate transportation to Slumber Falls. We understand that not everyone is comfortable with this communal style of accommodation, which is why we offer a registration option that includes meals at the camp for those who would like to stay off site.
We have arranged a block of rooms at Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites New Braunfels where you can reserve a room at a discounted rate based on availability using this link or code M-WMVZA24 if you are booking over the phone. There are other hotel options available which can be found here at your convenience.
Workshops Summary
Workshop 1
October 5, 2026 - 9:30 AM
Option 1
What’s happening in immigration detention in Texas?
Option 2
Theology, politics, and immigration: What does faith have to do with speaking out in the political process?
Option 3
State advocacy with Texas Impact: Getting prepared for the January session
Workshop 2
October 5, 2026 - 1:15 PM
Option 1
Supporting people in immigration detention
Option 2
Election protection with Texas Impact
Option 3
Local advocacy: how to get involved in stopping detention expansion
Workshop 3
October 5, 2026 - 2:45 PM
Option 1
Immigration organizing with clergy
Option 2
Social Media - how to use it effectively for your work
Option 3
National advocacy: The interfaith immigration coalition
Session 4
In this informal session, make a plan for how you will take what you’ve learned back to your congregation. Browse the resource tables, make an appointment to talk about how to get plugged into your context with one of the leaders of the gathering, start an asset map, or make a connection with another attendee you haven’t met yet before you depart.
October 5, 2026
Questions:
If you have any questions, or if the cost of this gathering or other accessibility concerns will prevent you from attending, please reach out to Grace@weekofcompassion.org to discuss options.
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