As an introduction to the Craigville Colloquy experience, watch this ten-minute documentary from the 2010 Colloquy — Surprised by Grace in Modern Film: Training the Eyes of Faith.
Every summer since 1984 (except during the Covid period 2020-21) the Craigville Theological Colloquy has met at the Craigville Retreat Center on Cape Cod. The gathering 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 that overlooks Nantucket Sound, the Colloquy continues a tradition that began in 1872 when Christian churches in New England founded Craigville as a summer revival camp.
Look over these short videos on Craigville that were prepared in 2020.
Video on Flowers of Craigville
Video on Taizé worship at Craigville
Video on Views of Craigville
Learn more about the history of Craigville Village
The Colloquy is part conference, part retreat, and part vacation. The event usually begins with an ecumenical celebration of the Eucharist, and each day is framed with meditative services of the morning prayer & Bible reflection and night prayer – compline – in the evening.
Taizé Vespers, held on one night, is an opportunity for community singing and personal reflection and intentional silence. Vigorous hymn-singing supported by professional musicians is part of our 40 year tradition. Afternoons are free to explore Cape Cod or enjoy the famous Craigville Beach or simply rest, read or chat with others.
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 met in 1984, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1934 Barmen Theological Declaration. This was an act of resistance by Protestant pastors in Germany to the Nazi government’s attempts to subvert and control the church. That colloquy explored how the Declaration was still relevant to the church of the 1980s. Truly, and sadly, today’s Church still is confronted with groups seeking to control, subvert and divert.
Since then, each year a topic and leaders has been selected by a grassroots planning team of clergy and laypeople representing several Christian traditions. Over the past decades, presenters have included Catherine LaCugna (Roman Catholic), David Bentley Hart (Eastern Orthodox), Bishop Dwayne Royster (UCC), Ellen Charry (Episcopal), Mark Swanson (ELCA), Ron Cole-Turner (UCC), Marva Dawn (ELCA), Martin Copenhaver (UCC), Linda Hartke (ELCA), Gabriel Fackre (UCC), Lee Barrett (UCC), Reid Trulson (ABC) and many others.
Quick Look at Past Topics
| 2022 | Sacred Space and Sacred Times: Into the Future |
| 2021 | Great is Thy Faithfulness: Paths toward Healing |
| 2020 | Spirituality in a Time of Crisis |
| 2019 | Faith and Science: The Choices We Make |
| 2018 | Building Bridges: Immigrants, Refugees, and the Church |
| 2017 | The Reformation at 500: Is Grace Still the Answer? |
| 2016 | The Bible, Faith, and Economic Justice |
| 2015 | Christianity and Judaism: New Texts, New Contexts, and New Perspectives |
| 2014 | Creation as Theology and Ecology |
| 2013 | Christ’s Mission in the 21st Century: Sent Forth to Be God’s Blessing |
| 2012 | Breaking News in a Broken World: The Gospel Unbound in the Mainline Churches |
| 2011 | God of Grace and God of Story: When Life and Theology Intertwine |
| 2010 | Surprised by Grace in Modern Film: Training the Eyes of Faith |
| 2009 | Spirituality and the Holy Spirit: A New Awakening for the Church? |
| 2008 | God’s Shalom: Confronting the Many Faces of Violence |
| 2007 | In a World of Violence and Suffering, How Can We Believe in an Almighty and All-loving God? |
| 2006 | Christians and Muslims: Commonalities and Particularities |
| 2005 | Christ Will Come Again: Reclaiming Eschatology |
| 2004 | Sound Teaching: Responding to God’s Mighty Claim on Our Whole Life |
| 2003 | Christian Solidarity in a Fragmented World: How Can We All Come To the Table? |
| 2002 | Christian Worship and Witness in Our Times |
| 2001 | Christian Faith and Genetics Ethics |
| 2000 | How is Christ Formed in Us Today? Christian Formation in a Post-Christian Culture |
| 1999 | How Shall we Understand Jesus as Savior Now? |
| 1998 | Faithful and Powerful Language in Preaching, Prayer and Liturgy |
| 1997 | Resurrection and Christian Burial |
| 1996 | How Can We be Both Prophetic and Catholic? |
| 1995 | The Baptismal Formula: Father, Son and Holy Spirit? |
| 1994 | The Essentials of the Church Confident |
| 1993 | Theological Standards for Ministry in the United Church of Christ |
| 1992 | Who Do You Say I Am? Who is Jesus Christ for Us Today? |
| 1991 | The Holy Spirit in Creation, Truth and Power |
| 1990 | Justification and Justice: Good News and Good Works |
| 1989 | Human Beginnings: Deciding About Life in the Presence of God |
| 1988 | Baptism in the United Church of Christ |
| 1987 | Eucharist/Communion in the United Church of Christ |
| 1986 | The Ministry of the Whole People of God |
| 1985 | Scripture/Word in the United Church of Christ |
| 1984 | The United Church of Christ as a Confessing Church Today |