Every summer on Cape Cod, the Craigville Theological Colloquy draws pastors, teachers, seminarians and lay leaders for a week of theological conversation and Bible reflection on a subject of importance.

Broadly ecumenical, Craigville is a rare opportunity for rest, renewal and inspiration. Located in a secluded 19th-century village overlooking Nantucket Sound, the Colloquy continues a tradition that began in 1872 when Christian churches in New England founded Craigville as a summer revival camp.

The Colloquy is part conference, part retreat, and part vacation. The event begins and concludes with an ecumenical celebration of the Eucharist, and each day is framed with meditative services of morning and night prayer. Taizé Vespers Wednesday night is an opportunity for song and silence. Vigorous hymn-singing supported by professional musicians is part of our tradition. Afternoons are free to explore Cape Cod or enjoy the famous Craigville Beach.

Craigville is child-friendly, and families often include Craigville in their summer vacation plans. Supervised children activities are provided Tuesday through Thursday morning. The Craigville Retreat Center is an Open and Affirming* ministry that welcomes all.

A Certificate of Continuing Education (CEU) is available for participants.

* “Open and Affirming” is a designation in the United Church of Christ for ministries that are LGBTQ-affirming.

History

The first colloquy in 1984 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1934 Barmen Theological Declaration, an act of resistance by Protestant pastors in Germany to the Nazi government’s attempts to subvert and control the church. The colloquy explored how the Declaration is relevant to the contemporary church.

Since then, each year a topic and leaders has been selected by a grassroots planning team of clergy and laypeople representing several Christian traditions.