2026 Nollau Institute Class Members Connect in Journey to Serving Leadership at First Retreat of the Year

Eager participants in this year’s Nollau Leadership Institute class arrived at Bellwether Farm in Wakeman, Ohio, in May for the first retreat of the year. Held May 19-23, 2025, the retreat gathered people from across the UCC, from CHHSM organizations and chaplaincies to the UCC’s national setting, regional conferences, and seminaries. By week’s end, the retreat’s emphasis on personal growth and leadership skills had created a sense of community and renewal among participants.

Classmates came to the retreat with a heightened sense of purpose. “I had heard about the Nollau Leadership Institute for years and knew people who spoke highly of the program, which deepened their sense of call and commitment to servant leadership,” said the Rev. Shana Johnson, conference minister of the UCC’s Illinois South Conference. “Going into the first retreat, I was most excited about meeting new people serving in all settings and ministries of the United Church of Christ and learning how they are leading in these challenging times.”

Retreat content was split into topics ranging from spirituality in the workplace, grounding for self and work, and an exploration of the enneagram to learning about RDEI (race, diversity, equity and inclusion) and leadership, belonging, and resilience, care, and community. Sessions were divided into large group and small group discussions, broken up by activities that highlighted or encouraged deeper reflection on the topics.

Developed by the Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry, CHHSM’s associate for advocacy and leadership development, the retreat was led by Berry along with small group leaders the Rev. Dr. Zaria Davis, associate for membership and engagement; Jamar Doyle, president and CEO; and the Rev. Wendy Schindler-Chasney, 2023 Nollau graduate and pastor of St. John’s UCC in Milan, Ohio. Adjunct faculty member Erika Merritt, founder and president of Equius Group, ran the RDEI session, “Dreaming Forward: Co-creating a Future Where We All Belong.”

For the Rev. Jimmy Gibbs, the retreat was an opportunity to discern purpose. “I was hoping to find purpose and meaning as I transition into my senior years,” he said. “Having served the community as a chaplain, minister, and clinician, I was hoping to experience a deeper reflection, experience God in nature, and a deeper opportunity to experience spiritual growth and renewal. The experience has given me the chance to slow down reflect inward, and the opportunity to be refreshed, renewed, and to refocus.”

The Nollau Class of 2026 is “an amazing group of diverse leaders representing various aspects of the UCC,” said Davis. “They all bring a unique perspective which will enhance the year-long experience.”

As with other Nollau classes, the 2026 participants found the Listening Circle exercises — patterned after Quaker Listening Committee meetings — to be particularly meaningful. “We practiced daily contemplative listening circles, which proved to be powerful,” said Breona Hawkins, CHHSM’s current Rev. Jerry Paul Scholar and a student at UCC-related Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Mo. “The practice that incorporates intentional communal listening was so impactful that I am now trying to determine how to incorporate it into my doctoral program project. I look forward to exploring ways to integrate the practice into other areas of my work, which will help foster spaces of listening, reflection, and community-supported decision-making.”

Abigail Cipparone, the UCC’s domestic policy advocate, agreed. “My favorite sessions were the Quaker Listening Committee Meetings,” she said. “It is such a great way to make decisions in a way that honors the Spirit and helps us divine God’s will through our collective. I loved learning from other faith and values-first people, and it was so helpful to have their reflections on my life and path.” 

The first retreat of the Nollau Institute year intentionally centers in on the personal realm of leadership, where participants explore how to expand their leadership skills. For Berry, each class always is a surprise.

“Each Nollau cohort has its own unique culture and vibe, and it is near impossible to predict what each group will be like once they’re all together,” Berry said. “With this year’s class, the sound that popped into my mind when prompted to describe them was a ‘roar of laughter.’ On one of the evenings, I could hear from outside a loud burst of amusement coming from the dining hall. I wondered if there were other groups visiting the retreat center, but I walk in and, sure enough, it’s just our folks having the time of their lives.”

“That sound of unbridled joy really struck me and has stayed with me,” added Berry. “Whether it was during the workshops, evening activities, or shared meals together, this group seems to really delight in one another’s company. Seeing the cohort ‘gel’ like this and so quickly really set the tone for the week. The joy was also reflected on by the group themselves. ‘Joy as resistance’ was something we took to heart, mind, and body.”

Perhaps some of the most powerful experiences at the first retreat were the reflection exercises. “One moment that stood out to me was the group reflection exercise where we shared our personal values and how they influence our leadership,” said Crystal Torres, occupancy specialist for Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF) in Long Beach, Calif. “Hearing others articulate their inner motivations helped me clarify my own. It was meaningful because it created a space of trust and connection, and it reminded me that leadership is deeply human work.”

Torres also appreciated the storytelling sessions, “where we heard from others about their leadership paths. These stories were powerful and reminded me of the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership,” Torres said.

For the Rev. Bentley deBardelaben-Phillips, executive associate in the UCC’s national setting, the retreat was an opportunity for “new learnings and engagement with materials and colleagues” that would speak to him  as a spiritual leader, and not just a business leader.  “It did that for me, and so much more,” he said. “I am deeply grateful for CHHSM’s leadership team who developed this program, which spoke to me on a soulful level.”

deBardelaben-Phillips also noted the accommodating nature of the retreat. “I totally enjoyed, and deeply respected, that there were varied learning modalities offered to meet the needs of all learning styles,” he said. “That little detail spoke loudly. In fact, you could hear the Spirit whisper, ‘I see you!’”

Schindler-Chasney returned as a group leader for the second year since she graduated from Nollau. “The experience of being in a room with leaders who are so dedicated and passionate about their work is truly inspiring,” she said. “As I sat in the sessions, I kept thinking that with all that is wrong with the world, our CHHSM partners and agencies are all about what is right with the healing of the world. Nollau allows me, and the other participants, to step out of our usual schedules and interact with people from very different backgrounds and life experiences, and doing so allows all of us to grow in the process.”

While experiencing the peaceful surroundings of Bellwether Farm’s outdoors usually is a highlight of the retreat, this year’s week was impacted by almost constant rain. The group still was able to tour the farm and learn about its sustainable living approach. The farm is a retreat and educational center that promotes physical and spiritual wellness, fidelity to the environment, and social justice by incorporating farming, food production, and environmental stewardship into land-based educational programs for people of all ages and backgrounds. However, many of the usual downtime outdoor activities were curtailed. Berry concocted a new indoor activity of glow-in-the-dark art with blacklights that received a warm reception.

“I really enjoyed the glow-in-the-dark art activity,” added Torres. “It was a fun and creative way to express ourselves and connect in a more relaxed setting.”

What surprised most participants was the degree of vulnerability and honesty during the sessions, an experience they took with them as they departed. The “honesty and vulnerability cleared a path for trust in one another, trust in themselves, and trust that God would guide them,” said Johnson. “The deep connections we made with others in the program inspired us as we learned from one another, and we were reminded that we are not meant to carry out our life’s callings alone. We need one another. We need the multitude of gifts, experiences, insights, perspectives, and wisdom in the expansive community of God’s beloved people. And there is no time more than now that we need to remember we are stronger together.”

Many Nollau participants left reflecting on a similar sentiment.

“The main takeaway from the first retreat was the power and necessity of connection,” said Hawkins. “We often take connecting with others for granted. However, connections are a beautiful and essential reminder that we are not alone, especially in doing the work of justice and social services.”

Torres added the importance of knowing oneself to the mix. “Effective leadership begins with self-awareness. To lead others well, I need to first understand who I am, what I value, and how I show up in the world. Leadership is not about having all the answers, but about being present, listening deeply, and supporting others in their growth,” she said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate in the retreat and to be part of the Nollau team that values reflective, heart-centered leadership.”

For Cipparone, the retreat came with extra meaning. “I was really looking for clarity for my place in life,” she said. “I have felt without a ‘path’ for a while now, and was hoping what I learned at Nollau could give me a sense of direction.”

“I can’t wait to go back!” Cipparone added. “I feel like for the first time in a long time, I have direction, and I am on a path. And that is all thanks to Nollau. This was one of the most transformative experiences I have ever had in my life, and I can’t wait to see how much I change and grow over the rest of the program.”