Going On Faith Winter 2018

ON T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R FAITH-BASED TRAVEL PLANNERS VOL. 21 - NO. 1

WINTER 2018

SOUTH C A RO L I N A SOAK

IN THE

SCENERY MARYLAND’S

EASTERN SHORE

STUNNING CHURCHES M O U N TA I N

RETREATS

tops for groups at the top of the state

Left to Right: Ark Encounter, Coppin’s at Hotel Covington, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Garden of Hope, Marriott RiverCenter, Newport Aquarium, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Newport Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Smoke Justis, Creation Museum, Ark Encounter, World Peace Bell, Covington, BB Riverboats

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TOGETHER

REACH WE

The Magazine for Bank, aluMni and ChaMBer Travel Planners

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ON t h E m a g a Z i n E F o r Faith-basEd traVEl plannErs Vol. 19 - no. 6

T R A V E L E R

one SupeR ConfeRenCe

DiSCoveR The SouTh | MaRiTiMe MaRylanD

oCtobEr/noVEmbEr 2016

live faith tRavel woRld yo u r

The Mekong River

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of Life

Florida For

Youth groups

Charming

aDvenTuRe travel

Williamsburg

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20

Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Explore the beauty and heritage of these Chesapeake Bay communities.

[ WINTER 2018 ]

16 24

South Carolina Treasures

Discover great South Carolina experiences, from the mountains to the coast.

Amazing Sanctuaries

These churches and chapels feature extraordinary architecture.

32

Heartland Museums

These institutions are icons of the Midwest.

DEPARTMENTS Columns

Spotlights

6 EDITOR’S NOTES:

10 PROFILE:

Travel and the power of circles

Robin Ware

22 INTERNATIONAL: ON THE COVER: The pineapple fountain in Waterfront Park is a fixture of Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Sepavo.

4

Krakow, Poland

30 RETREAT:

News 7 UPDATES on Oberammergau and the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center 12 LITTLE ROCK to host Going On Faith Conference

Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Mac T. Lacy Founder and Publisher

Brian Jewell Executive Editor

Eliza Myers Online Editor

Charles A. Presley Partner

Herb Sparrow Senior Writer

Christine Clough Copy Editor

Donia Simmons Creative Director

Ashley Ricks Circulation

Savannah Osbourn Staff Writer

Stacey Bowman Account Manager

Going On Faith is published quarterly by THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc., 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified group leaders who plan travel for churches, synagogues and religious organizations. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants, and other travel-related companies, may subscribe to Going On Faith by sending a check for $39 for one year to: Going On Faith, Circulation Department, 301 East High Street, Lexington, KY 40507. Phone: (859) 253-0455 or (859) 253-0503. Copyright THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

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EDITOR’S

NOTES BRIAN JEWELL

TRAVEL AND THE POWER OF CIRCLES

“L

ife change happens in circles.”

My pastor loves this saying. He’s all about the business of changing lives, and he believes that happens more effectively in someone’s home on a weeknight than in the church sanctuary on a Sunday. At church, we sit in rows looking at the stage. But when we gather in homes, we sit in circles looking at each other.

Sunday morning services have been the focus of American churches for generations.

But today’s savvy church leaders are discovering that Sunday services are just the entry point for people to get involved in their organizations because people are more likely to make significant decisions and take positive steps in their life based on interactions that take place in more intimate settings, not in large auditoriums.

My church in Lexington, Kentucky, subscribes to this outlook. Sunday morning services are an important part of what we do, and dozens of volunteers come together each week to make these services excellent, effective and welcoming. But we don’t do this just to fill seats on Sundays. Instead, we use Sundays as a catalyst to help people make connections with each other that can grow into deep, meaningful relationships.

The Sunday morning service is only one of many church-related gatherings that take place on a weekly basis. Like many modern churches, we have a large network of small groups that meet in homes, restaurants, coffee shops and other locations around the city at a variety of times. There’s a group for every interest — sports fans, golfers, literature lovers, young moms, etc. In those groups, people

let down their guard and share what’s going on in their lives. Sunday morning is the most high-profile thing the church does, but these small groups are where the work of ministry takes place.

I have seen the life-changing power of gathering in circles firsthand, hosting a Financial Peace University group that helps people learn to manage their money, get out of debt and build solid financial futures.

Though the lessons deal with finances, the discussion ends up touching on nearly every aspect of life, including marriage, career, family and faith. I have cheered along with class members who have reached major milestones in their financial journeys and watched as marriages grew stronger as couples began to communicate about their spending and their values.

If church is an important part of your life, I’m certain you have seen the life-changing impact of your faith community, too. And I hope you realize the potential for life change in your church’s travel ministry.

Like a small group, travel gets people out of pews and into circles. Traveling together gives people a chance to sit across from one another over a meal and talk about what’s going on in their lives. It allows them to bond over a common experience and enjoy some of the most beautiful places on earth — together.

You have a multitude of concerns every time you plan a church group trip. But while you’re busy keeping the bus running on time, don’t forget that the most important thing you can do during a trip is to tap into the power of your travel community and help people build relationships. A tour can be the highlight of someone’s year, but a friend can be the highlight of their life.

BRIAN JEWELL [ EDITOR ] brianj@grouptravelleader.com

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going on faith [ winter 2018 ]

NEWS

FAITH AND LIBERTY CENTER TO EXPLORE BIBLE’S ROLE IN AMERICA’S DEVELOPMENT

WORTHY

COLLETTE ANNOUNCES PREMIERE

OBERAMMERGAU TICKET AVAILABILITY PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island — Global tour operator Collette has announced it has premiere access tickets to the once-a-decade Oberammergau Passion Play in 2020.

“Collette travelers will have at least seven programs to choose from nine to 13 days in length,” said Jaclyn LeiblCote, executive vice president of product and tour management. “Each program includes a one- or two-night Passion Play premium category pack-

age with reserved accommodations as well as seating.”

The 2020 Passion Play will feature 102 performances, all by local residents, five days a week from May 16 to October 4.

Sample itineraries featuring the 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play are at www.gocollette.com/en/landingpages/Oberammergau.

Group leaders can also call Collette at 877-308-4403.

PHILADELPHIA — The $60 million Faith and Liberty Discovery Center, scheduled to open on Independence Mall in the fall of 2018, will use innovative technology to explore the role the Bible has played in the development of the United States.

American Bible Society CEO Roy Peterson said the center will explore the relationship between faith and liberty in America from its founding through today.

“The Bible is woven into the fabric of the American experience. You have to know something about the Bible to understand America,” said American University professor Daniel Dreisbach, a scholar of constitutional law and church-state relations whose new book is “Reading

the Bible with the Founding Fathers.”

“In the city where William Penn chartered religious freedom, I am excited that the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center will help tell an overlooked story of our history,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

“This experience will use groundbreaking technologies to allow visitors to not just witness history, but participate in it,” said Jake Barton, principal of the award-winning firm Local Projects, which is developing the center’s immersive experience.

Local Projects spearheaded the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, Gallery One at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. www.faithandlibertycenter.com

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HOW TO

HOW TO B O O K A M OTO RCOAC H

I

BY B R I A N J E W E L L

t’s the common denominator in every trip you plan: If you’re going to travel with a large group, you need a motorcoach to get you where you’re going.

Whether you’re taking a day trip to a nearby attraction or a weeklong jaunt across the country, you’ll be counting on a motorcoach to move your group around. Even if you’re flying overseas, you’ll probably use a bus for ground transportation after you arrive. Your travelers are likely to spend a lot of time on the coach throughout the trip, and unless your church owns a bus, chartering equipment is going to represent a significant portion of your trip expenses.

Since the motorcoach plays such an important role in your trip, you should invest some time and effort into researching coach companies and products to make sure you’re getting the best and safest transportation for your travelers. With that in mind, here are 10 things to keep in mind when booking buses, whether you’re working with a local transportation provider or a coach line in another part of the country.

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1)

KNOW YOUR TRIP BASICS. When it’s time to start asking coach companies for quotes, you need to have the basics of your trip already figured out: where you’re going, your departure and return dates, and the estimated number of travelers. These details will factor heavily into the availability and price of your motorcoach, so having a firm grasp on them will allow coach companies to give you the most accurate quotes possible. If you’re flexible on your dates, let the vendor know as well, since flexibility could lead to lower prices.

2)

CONSIDER EQUIPMENT TYPES AND PRICES. Renting full-size motorcoaches can get expensive.

BusRates.com estimates that the national average price for motorcoach rentals is around $960 per day. Vehicles typically include seating for about 50 people. If your group is smaller, you might save money by renting a minibus, which seats between 20 and 30 people and rents for an average of $820 per day. But if you plan to travel with around 30 people, a minibus could feel cramped, so it might be worthwhile to pay a bit more for a full-size coach.

3)

IDENTIFY KEY AMENITIES. Motorcoaches have come a long way in recent years. Today’s newest coaches offer far more than just seats, storage and a microphone. It’s not uncommon to find buses outfitted with wireless internet service and power outlets at every seat, as well as other touches such as an electric cooler, double restrooms and even galley kitchens. All these perks come at a cost, of course, so carefully consider which amenities your group is likely to enjoy and which would go unused.

4)

ASK WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE QUOTE. Not all motorcoach quotes are created equal: In addition to the base daily price of a charter, there is a whole host of other fees and expenses that could factor into the final bill. To properly compare quotes from different companies, you should ask if prices include mileage, fuel, taxes, surcharges and driver gratuity. It’s also good to know who is responsible for the driver’s hotel room and meals if you’re going on an overnight trip.

5)

ASK ABOUT PAYMENT STRUCTURES. Traditionally, motorcoach companies require deposits of about 20 percent to finalize a motorcoach reservation. After that, the balance may be paid in several installments, with full payment often due about 30 days before the trip begins.

But some companies are now requiring 100 percent payment at the time of reservation, and with various factors driving up demand for coaches, this trend is likely to grow. Be sure you understand the payment terms before you sign on the dotted line.

6)

REVIEW HOURS-OF-SERVICE RULES. Much like airline pilots, motorcoach drivers are licensed by the federal government, and there are numerous regulations that govern how they work. Chief among concerns these days are hours-of-service regulations, which stipulate minimum rest periods for drivers at regular intervals.

These rules have become more stringent in recent years, so you may have to modify your ideal itinerary to make sure your driver has enough hours to complete your run.

7)

CHECK IN WITH THE FMCSA. Safety should always be your top priority when arranging travel for your group. All interstate motorcoach companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the Department of Transportation. The FMCSA maintains a database of these companies with relevant information on their safety records and consumer complaints. If you’re considering chartering with a company, you should take a moment to check its record on the administration’s website at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

8)

ASK ABOUT MECHANICAL INSPECTIONS. In addition to reviewing a company’s safety ratings, you want to feel secure in knowing that its equipment is well maintained. So during your negotiations with coach companies, you should check to make sure the vehicle you’ll be renting has passed a mechanical inspection in the last 12 months. Don’t be afraid to ask for a copy of the inspection report. Professional and conscientious companies should be happy to provide this.

9)

CHECK THE DRIVER’S CREDENTIALS. When you book a motorcoach for your group, you put everyone’s lives in the hands of the person driving.

To make sure your driver will be safe and professional, ask the coach company to provide proof that your driver has a current Commercial Driver’s License with a “passenger endorsement”; has a recent, valid medical exam certificate; and has passed drug and alcohol screenings.

10)

REVIEW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. There’s nothing worse on a group trip than being stuck on the side of the road with a broken-down motorcoach. Occasional roadside emergencies are an unavoidable part of travel, so you should make sure your coach company has procedures in place to take care of you and your travelers in case of an equipment failure or a problem with the driver. If an emergency does occur, a wellconceived backup plan can help keep trip interruption to a minimum.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

9

FACES

of A Faith Travel Entrepreneur FAITH TRAVEL

BY A SHLE Y R ICKS

ROBIN WARE

[ THE WARE AGENCY ]

R

WHO DO YOU PLAN FOR? The Ware Agency plans trips, conferences and leadership workshops for pastors and churches.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE? Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Ware is from Indiana originally, but has made the Atlanta area her home since she got a job there with Marriott after graduating from Purdue University.

BY A SH L E Y R I CK S

obin Ware got her start in the travel industry while pursuing her degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management at Purdue University.

After graduation, she first made her way to the Atlanta area to work with Marriott for almost 10 years. After a brief stint in Raleigh, North Carolina, she returned to Georgia and planned travel and meetings for the president of Kennesaw State University and New Birth Baptist Church before launching her own travel and meeting planning agency. Throughout her career, Ware has had the rare opportunity to get to know both sides of the travel business.

The first faith-based trip Ware planned was to Israel shortly after leaving her work at New Birth Baptist Church and starting the Ware Agency.

“The first time I went to Israel, I took a trip with 16 pastors,” Ware said. “It was my first time; I didn’t know what to expect, but I went and even got baptized in the Jordan River. The trip was eye-opening, just an amazing experience.”

Since this successful start, Ware has grown as a planner by returning to and becoming more familiar with destinations and continuing to learn about them. This has helped her become a “savvy leader,” she said. She also became a licensed minister, which has changed her outlook on planning travel and meetings. For example, she said she gained a new perspective on Israel after becoming a minister. This has allowed her to better tailor her trips to the pastors and churches she works with.

Ware integrates spiritual aspects into all her programs. Each trip starts with prayer, and faith-based attractions and activities are built into her itineraries.

“It’s a creative way to give them something they’ll be blessed by, and then they can take that information and use that,” she said.

Ware also encourages her travelers and attendees to grow in their faith and base their personal experiences on biblical principles. “I teach people how to employ their faith and how to let the Word do the work,” she said. She is also a proponent of travelers journaling to keep a record of their personal growth and journey.

“I’m a marketplace minister,” she said. “My ministry doesn’t take place within the four walls of a church. Instead, I help business people and professionals in the marketplace.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION? “For my favorites I’d have to say, internationally, Paris, and domestically, Orlando.”

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? “I love to shop, of course, and I love movies and watching Netflix.”

Ware also enjoys spending time working with other entrepreneurs, helping them grow in their skills and their faith.

All photos courtesy Robin Ware

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going on faith [ winter 2018 ]

T RAV E L T IP S TIP 1 Be purpose-driven and not money-driven.

When you walk and operate in your purpose, that’s when success shows up and

Tour

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

GIRLFRIEND

Getaways

the money will show up as a byproduct.

TIP 2 Work with the local convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and chambers of commerce. They know their areas better than you could ever hope to know them, and a lot of times they have services to help you market your program.

TIP 3 Be flexible with your dates to get the best rates. CVBs will be able to tell you more about peak and shoulder seasons and what the best dates are going to be for the price.

Ware brought a group of around 20 planners to experience Israel in 2016.

Aurora and Lawrenceburg OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

1

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 11

A RIVERFRONT

RENAISSANCE GOING ON FAITH

CONFERENCE PREVIEW

All photos courtesy Little Rock CVB

Dickey-Stephens Park sits across the Arkansas River from downtown Little Rock.

L

BY DA N DICKSON

ittle Rock, Arkansas’ state capital and largest city, has been busy reinventing itself. The city has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last decade and is now a surprise and a delight to the many tourists pouring into the area. The local convention and visitors

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going on faith [ winter 2018 ]

bureau believes that it now has a highly marketable product to offer the public.

“We’ve got a wonderful destination in Little Rock,” said Gretchen Hall, president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. “From a tourism perspective, our job is to increase the awareness of all the offerings our community has.

We find that people who visit Little Rock have a great experience, and they share that through word of mouth. But those who have never been here

really don’t have a real perception of our city.”

The CVB wants to change that. It will get one opportunity August 7-9, 2018, when more than 100 travel planners and industry representatives arrive in Little Rock for the 2018 Going On Faith Conference.

“We have a good reputation on the meetings side and have a lot to offer the religious market,” said Hall. “The tour operators will find that out when they come here next summer.”

LITTLE ROCK WILL SHOWCASE ITS URBAN RENEWAL AT THE GOING ON FAITH CONFERENCE

Clockwise from top left: A bridge across the Arkansas River; Clinton Presidential Library; Central High School; autumn in Little Rock.

BEGINNING AT THE RIVER

Little Rock’s transformation is most visible in the makeover of the city’s waterfront district along the Arkansas River.

“River Market District is our main entertainment hub for the city,” Hall said. “There are many offerings during the day, with restaurants, museums, art galleries, unique shops and attractions for families

“RIVER MARKET DISTRICT IS OUR MAIN ENTERTAINMENT HUB FOR THE CITY. THERE ARE MANY OFFERINGS DURING THE DAY, WITH RESTAURANTS, MUSEUMS, ART GALLERIES, UNIQUE SHOPS AND ATTRACTIONS FOR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY.”

and the community. Then, in the evening, it is our nightlife central, with a variety of hot local bars, pubs and live entertainment.”

This premier entertainment neighborhood is compact and can be easily reached on foot from several key downtown hotels. Or, if visitors prefer, they can hop on the two-and-a-half-mile River Rail Electric Streetcar line to explore a little farther out from the downtown core.

Called one of the best public parks for its size in

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 13

the country, Little Rock’s 33-acre downtown Riverfront Park is a community jewel. The newest attraction is the expansion of the already-impressive sculpture garden along the river. The garden displays 66 art pieces created by 48 artists, both locally and nationally known. The total value of the artwork is about $4 million.

“That display is free and open to the public, which can also walk or ride bikes on the 17-mile trail in the park,” Hall said. There are bike and Segway rentals and tours.

The park stretches on both sides of the Arkansas River in Little Rock and North Little Rock and is easy to reach by several interesting pedestrian bridges. The bridges themselves are an attraction.

“From dusk through dawn, three of our downtown bridges are illuminated with thousands of color LEDs, for a dazzling light display on the river,” said Hall. Special occasions bring spectacular light shows to the bridges.

MAJOR VENUE RENOVATION

Little Rock is proud to present a major renovation of Statehouse Plaza, a historic gem in downtown. “We are celebrating the one-year anniversary of the reopening of the Robinson Center,” said Hall. “It is on the National Register of Historic Places and originally opened in 1939. It was closed for about two years for a major refurbishing and expansion.”

The center contains convention, performance and exhibition space. The crown jewel of it all is a 2,600-seat, world-class music hall and performance theater. The Arkansas Symphony performs there, and various Broadway musicals and plays are presented there. The Robinson Center expansion includes a new attached,

glass-enclosed conference center that overlooks the Arkansas River.

All of it is directly connected to the DoubleTree Hotel, which has undergone a major renovation of its own in the last year or so. Other major hotels in the downtown core are the Little Rock Marriott, which has also been completely updated in recent years; the venerable Capital Hotel, a historic hotel with modern amenities; and a brand-new Aloft boutique hotel.

PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

Arkansas is the birth state of former President Bill Clinton. On the riverfront in Little Rock, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center is one of 13 presidential libraries scattered around the country. The shape of the building resembles a bridge, which symbolizes Clinton’s two terms in office in the 1990s as a “bridge to the 21st century.” Inside is a full-scale replica of Clinton’s Oval Office, a reconstruction of the Cabinet Room, a personal look at life in the White House and a 110-foot timeline presenting American and world history through Clinton’s eight years in office.

For a city to be the site of a presidential library is a rarity. Little Rock is proud of it. “And this library was one of the first in the U.S. to have a focus on tourism,” said the CVB’s Hall. “That’s why it is located downtown. It is an educational institution but also a museum with all the archives. They have rotating exhibits to keep everything fresh, and it also has great event space. As part of Riverfront Park, it has been a catalyst for our previous 12 years of renaissance, growth and revitalization here in Little Rock.”

Right next door to the Clinton Center is the remarkable world headquarters of Heifer International. Imagine making a relatively modest financial contribution that will help reduce poverty and hunger in a tiny village in some Third World country. Heifer distributes animals like water buffalo, cows, sheep, chickens, hogs and even bees to people in these villages so that locals can use them for sustainable agriculture. The recipients are then required to “pay forward” their gift by donating an animal offspring and passing along their animal husbandry and agricultural skills to another needy person or family where they live. Groups that visit the headquarters can learn all about the process. “Visitors can get a real hands-on experience there,” said Hall.

CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

In the fall of 1957, Little Rock’s all-white Central High School was integrated by nine brave African-American students who became known as the Little Rock Nine. But it wasn’t easy. President Dwight Eisenhower called in the National Guard to help the students enroll and to quell angry mobs that rallied in protest in the streets around the high school. The incident drew national attention and became a key moment in the U.S. civil rights movement.

Today, that street corner is known as the Little Rock Central High School Statehouse Convention Center

Dickey-Stephens Park

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going on faith [ winter 2018 ]

Farmers Market in the River Market

River Market District

National Historic Site. There’s a visitors center that graphically presents in sights and sounds the events that happened there. “The oral history inside the museum is really wonderful,” said Hall. The old school building is still operating as a high school today, but depending on the day and time, a group can tour the building with a guide.

Cultural activities abound in Little Rock. The state’s largest professional theater is the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, operating in the heart of downtown. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra plays a regular schedule and is also known for its special holiday concerts around the Fourth of July and Christmas. In West Little Rock, Wildwood Park for the Arts has an impressive venue in which to present entertainment. It is located in a botanical garden.

The Arkansas Arts Center is a good choice for a group tour. It offers an art museum with many outstanding national and international collections, art classes, arts education programs and a theater company that turns children’s literary works into stage productions. The museum’s gift shop is a popular stop for visitors.

Verizon Arena, in Little Rock’s sister city of North Little Rock, offers the area’s top musical and family entertainment. The arena seats about 18,000 guests. Some of the top acts that have performed there are the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Tim McGraw, George Strait and Faith Hill. Up-and-coming musical acts also perform there. Not far from the arena is Dickey-Stephens Park, home of the Arkansas Travelers, a AA-level professional baseball team. The team plays 70 home games during spring and summer, and the park is great for a group outing.

Downtown Little Rock has undergone a renaissance more than 15 years in the making.

“THIS LIBRARY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE U.S. TO HAVE A FOCUS ON TOURISM. THAT’S WHY IT IS LOCATED DOWNTOWN.”

LikeLike thethe sunsun breaking breaking over over thethe horizon, horizon, ourour triptrip to to Little Little Rock Rock waswas inspiring. inspiring.

Visiting Visiting Central Central High High School School National National Historic Historic SiteSite Visitor Visitor Center Center andand learning learning about about thethe bravery bravery of the of the Little Little Rock Rock Nine Nine waswas a powerful a powerful experience, experience, as was as was touring touring thethe Clinton Clinton Presidential Presidential Center Center andand seeing seeing thethe Anne Anne Frank Frank Tree Tree sapling. sapling.

Catching Catching a great a great exhibit exhibit at the at the Arkansas Arkansas ArtsArts Center Center andand a a stirring stirring performance performance at the at the beautiful, beautiful, newnew Robinson Robinson Center Center —— who who knew? knew?

YouYou cancan enjoy enjoy all this all this andand more more in Little in Little Rock.

Rock.

PROUD PROUD SPONSOR SPONSOR OF OF THETHE 2018 2018 GOING GOING ONON FAITH FAITH CONFERENCE CONFERENCE

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A

STATE OF FAITH

SOUTH CAROLINA

HEADLINERS T H E S E DE S T IN AT ION S GIVE GROUPS GREAT REASONS TO VISI T Courtesy Hilton Head Tourism

Clockwise from top: Hilton Head’s Harbor Town Lighthouse; lowcountry Gullah culture; USS Yorktown in Charleston

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going on faith [ winter 2018 ] Courtesy Charleston Area CVB

Courtesy Hilton Head Tourism

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G RE EN VILLE

GREENVILLE

SOUTH CAROLINA

HIGHLIGHT | FALLS PARK

2 CO L U M B IA M YRTLE BE AC H

4 C HA R LESTON

F

BY B RI A N JE WE LL

5

HILTO N HE A D

rom the mountains to the sea, South Carolina is packed with memorable experiences for group travelers.

On a tour of the Palmetto State, groups can discover little-known national parks, see one of the country’s most scenic zoos, enjoy first-class musical entertainment and explore one of the most historic cities in the country. Along the way, they’ll enjoy both the mountainous beauty of central South Carolina and the cultural heritage of low country on the coast.

This tour begins in Greenville and then proceeds southeast to Columbia. From there, it heads to the coast, stopping in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Hilton Head. At the end, groups can make the three-hour drive back to Greenville or proceed down the coast toward Savannah, Georgia.

Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville

Courtesy Visit Greenville

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Courtesy Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

3

In the mountainous territory of northeast South Carolina, Greenville is known for its vibrant downtown scene complete with restaurants, shopping, nightlife and history. Among the most distinctive elements of this city center, though, is the stretch of the Reedy River that runs through it.

For most of the 20th century, the stretch of the Reedy River in downtown Columbia was neglected and forgotten. But in 2004, the city opened Falls Park on the Reedy, a natural area that highlights the gentle cascades of the river through the park. Today there are dozens of small flower gardens throughout the park in the center of downtown, and a 355-foot-long, 12-foot-wide suspension bridge curving around the falls gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding scenery.

Since it opened, Falls Park has become a hub for festivals and activity downtown, and it has won a number of awards as one of the top urban parks in the country.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Downtown Greenville boasts more than 70 pieces of public art, and visitors can take a self-guided walking tour to see the artwork and learn about the people who created it.

The tour takes visitors through seven Greenville neighborhoods, including Main Street and Falls Park.

MORE INFO | www.visitgreenvillesc.com

2 COLUMBIA HIGHLIGHT | ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS In the center of South Carolina is Columbia, the state’s capital; the city has a number of marquee attractions, among them the South Carolina Statehouse and the governor’s mansion. For many travelers, though, Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is the most memorable place in town.

For almost 50 years, this 170-acre zoo has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike, and it is consistently rated one of the most beautiful zoos in the country. It is home to more than 2,000 animals from all over the world as well as the State Botanical Garden, which is connected to the zoo by an 800-foot bridge and is accessible by tram.

Special experiences at the zoo include opportunities to feed sea lions, penguins, elephants, monkeys and other animals. Adventure lovers will enjoy Zip the Zoo, a seven-line treetop zip course with a 1,000-foot segment that sends guests soaring over the Saluda River.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Just outside the city, Congaree National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the country. But this blackwater swamp holds some fascinating sights for intrepid travelers, including record-size trees. Groups can take canoe tours through the riverfront park to see the flora and fauna up close.

MORE INFO | www.experiencecolumbiasc.com

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MYRTLE BEACH

CHARLESTON

HIGHLIGHT | SHOWTIME ON THE COAST

HIGHLIGHT | SCENIC CRUISES

One of the favorite vacation destinations in the Southeast, Myrtle Beach has developed quite a menu of attractions and activity options for visitors. The Greater Myrtle Beach area covers some 60 miles of South Carolina’s Atlantic coastline, stretching from Little River in the north to Georgetown in the south. But for tour groups, the highlight of Myrtle Beach is its abundance of music and entertainment.

The Myrtle Beach area has a number of theaters that offer live music, comedy, magic and other performances, giving groups an opportunity to see a different show each night they are in town. Audiences have long enjoyed musical revues at the Carolina Opry, the Alabama Theatre and Legends in Concert; Pirates Voyage and Medieval Times present interactive dinner shows with stunts, music and comedy.

The GTS Theatre, one of the newest options in the area, offers a number of shows, including a Motown review and a pair of Christmas shows. Coming in 2018 is the Asher Theatre, which will feature a celebrity impressionist.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Among the most interesting stops in the area is Pawleys Island, where Huntington Beach State Park has more than six miles of flat trails through lush terrain. It also features Atalaya, a home built in the style of a Moorish castle. Sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, whose work is on display in nearby Brookgreen Gardens, used the home as a winter estate.

Charleston is among the most scenic and historic cities on Southern waterfronts, and Spirit Line Cruises is a family-owned business that helps tourists make the most of their visits to the city. The company operates various cruises around Charleston, including a 90-minute narrated harbor cruise that showcases some of the city’s most historic sites.

During a cruise, visitors see beautiful antebellum homes along the Battery, as well as a World War II aircraft carrier at Patriot’s Point. The company is also the official concessionaire for Fort Sumter National Monument, an offshore island where the first engagement of the Civil War took place in 1861.

The cruise departs six times daily during peak season and takes visitors on a 20-minute ride to the fort, where they spend another hour talking with rangers or taking a self-guided tour.

In the evening, the company delights guests with luxurious excursions on the Spirit of Carolina. These three-hour cruises include entertainment, dancing and local cuisine.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Charleston’s long history has left a substantial spiritual legacy, and interested groups can learn more about the area’s religious heritage by visiting historic houses of worship throughout the city. Circular Congregational Church still has weekly meetings, and its cemetery has graves that date to 1695. Kahal Kdosh Beth Elohim is the city’s most historic synagogue.

MORE INFO | www.visitmyrtlebeach.com

MORE INFO | www.charlestoncvb.com

Kayaking near Hilton Head

Courtesy Hilton Head Tourism

A sweetgrass basket weaver in Hilton Head

Myrtle Beach’s electric coastline Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB

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Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park near Myrtle Beach Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB

Courtesy Hilton Head Tourism

5 HILTON HEAD HIGHLIGHT | GULLAH CULTURE People travel to Hilton Head, an island destination in southern South Carolina, for its pristine beaches and unspoiled natural environment. The island was one of the first eco-planned destinations in the country, and all the resorts and amenities are designed to blend seamlessly with the area’s lush surroundings.

But the island also has a fascinating cultural heritage that centers around the distinctive Gullah culture of coastal South Carolina.

At the Coastal Discovery Museum, groups learn about the Gullah community, which is of African descent and has thrived on the island for centuries.

Galleries highlight the history of the group and showcase its signature artisanal item: the sweetgrass basket.

In addition to seeing the baskets on display, groups can arrange sweetgrass weaving demonstrations and classes led by seventh-generation basket weavers that share some of the heritage of the art form, brought to the Carolina low country by enslaved Africans.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: For another take on local culture, groups can stop at the Bluffton Oyster Company, the last hand shucking oyster house in the state. During oyster season, visitors see the day’s catch being unloaded at the dock and watch women shucking oysters. The company also sells fresh shrimp, mussels, clams, scallops and other seafood brought in by local fishermen.

MORE INFO www.hiltonheadisland.org

Fort Sumter National Monument Courtesy Charleston Area CVB

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 19

BY B RI A N J E W E L L

TRAVEL

SNAP SHOT

MARYLAND’S

EASTERN SHORE

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ravel to Maryland’s Eastern Shore — the narrow portion of the state that sits across the Chesapeake Bay from the mainland — and you might expect to enjoy a lot of crabcakes and maritime culture. But you’ll also discover the story of one of America’s most inspiring heroes: Harriet Tubman.

Tubman was born into slavery on a plantation on the Eastern Shore in the 1820s. In adulthood, she escaped to freedom, then made numerous trips back to Maryland to help friends and family members escape slavery on the Underground Railroad. Today, visitors to the Eastern Shore can learn about Tubman’s life and legacy at several area attractions.

“The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center would really resonate well with church groups,” said Rich Gilbert, travel trade sales manager for the Maryland Office of Tourism. “She had four pillars in her life: faith, family, freedom and community. She was all about her faith. And the visitor center does a really good job of interpreting that.”

The visitor center is at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National 20

going on faith [ winter 2018 ]

Groups visiting Maryland’s Eastern Shore can enjoy activities on the Chesapeake Bay.

All photos courtesy Maryland Office of Tourist Development

Historical Park in Dorchester County. The park preserves the home where Tubman was born and parts of the plantation where she was enslaved. In addition to the educational visitor center, groups will find a museum store, a research library and seasonal interpretation to tell them more about Tubman’s remarkable story.

The park is one of several stops on the Harriet Tubman Byway. Groups can spend an entire day exploring other Tubman sites on the Eastern Shore. Among the most significant is Bucktown Village Store.

“That’s where she was hit in the head with an iron when she was young,” Gilbert said. “That contributed to her having visions, which really contributed to her faith and strength years later.”

Groups also stop at Linchester Mill in Preston. The mill was run by Quakers during Tubman’s day and was a frequent stop for her and other slaves traveling the Underground Railroad.

In addition to discovering Harriet Tubman’s story on the shore, groups should take some time to appreciate the area’s natural beauty and nautical traditions. Here are four other activities to include on your itinerary.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center

MADHOUSE OYSTERS FISHING CREEK The Chesapeake Bay is known for its Chesapeake Gold Oysters, and oyster harvesting has been an important part of the local economy for a long time.

Today, oysters are raised at special aquaculture farms in the bay, and travelers in the area can learn about the history and methods of oyster harvesting by visiting local businesses such as Madhouse Oysters.

Madhouse Oysters is a full aquaculture operation, and groups can see its work up close by taking an excursion on one of the oyster boats. They’ll learn about the oyster’s journey from larvae to market and get to know some of the employees who harvest and process the seafood.

WWW.MADHOUSEOYSTERS.COM

CHESAPEAKE BAY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER | GRASONVILLE

Skipjack Rebecca T. Ruark

No matter where you go on the Eastern Shore, you’re not far from water. The Chesapeake Bay is the natural wonder of this region, and groups can learn about the bay and many of the creatures that live there by visiting the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, along the Kent Narrows Waterway in Grasonville.

Guides at the center offer a variety of nature programs that include tours with experts in ornithology, native plants, water ecology and nature conservation. A birds-of-prey program features encounters with various species of raptors and other birds native to the area. Another program, Remarkable Oyster, teaches participants about the life cycles of oysters that predominate in the bay.

WWW.BAYRESTORATION.ORG

Mad House Oysters

HISTORIC SKIPJACK REBECCA T. RUARK | TILGHMAN ISLAND Groups spending time on the Eastern Shore would be foolish to leave without taking an opportunity to get out on the water. They can do so in historical fashion by chartering a cruise aboard the Rebecca T. Ruark, a historic skipjack that operates from Tilghman Island.

Built in 1886, the Rebecca T. Ruark is the oldest skipjack sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. It is piloted by Wade Murphy Jr., a fifth-generation captain who shares his family’s nautical heritage and the area’s remarkable ecology with groups that come aboard. Passengers learn about nautical history, hear maritime stories and can help dredge for oysters or raise and lower sails.

WWW.SKIPJACK.ORG Mad House Oysters

CUTTS AND CASE SHIPYARD OXFORD The Eastern Shore boasts centuries of maritime heritage, and the best of that tradition lives on at Cutts and Case Shipyard in Oxford. This familyowned business specializes in yacht building, repair and restoration and is known for constructing innovative boats with a combination of fiberglass and composite material that produces light, strong vessel hulls.

The shipyard is open to the public, and visiting groups can see craftsmen restoring old vessels and building new ones, as well as admire some beautiful historic yachts on exhibit. They can also enjoy waterfront views of the Chesapeake Bay and learn about the family’s 50-year history in business.

WWW.CUTTSANDCASE.COM

Linchester Mill

MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY. PLAN A GROUP TOUR IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND.

With 10 miles of free beach, a famous boardwalk, historical museums and 200+ restaurants, groups can do more in OC. Play a game of golf at our 17 championship courses or take a horseback ride on the beach. Whatever you decide, there’s never a dull moment here. So book your tour today!

ococean.com

For more information, contact Norma Dobrowolski at 800-626-2326 or visit ococean.com.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 21

PASSPORT

STAMPS INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

KRAKOW POLAND

Wawel Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral.

All photos courtesy Poland National Tourist Office

BY A S H L E Y R ICKS

K R A KOW FA C T: The Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the world’s oldest salt mines, was built in the 13th century and produced table salt until 2007.

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oland is famous for its cultural and religious diversity. On the Baltic coast, Poland has long been an important port and center of trade between Russia, Belarus and other surrounding countries. As a result, various faith traditions have flourished and co-existed peacefully in the country for hundreds of years. Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Judaism and the Protestant faiths have all contributed to the variations in architecture, cultural traditions and the many holidays and festivals celebrated throughout the year.

Krakow, the historic capital of Poland and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, has long been

known as a center of artistic life and learning. This is evident in the array of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture that adorns the city’s streets.

The entirety of Krakow’s Old Town and Wawel Hill is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old Town impresses travelers with the beautiful Cloth Hall and clock tower, and St. Mary’s Basilica. Wawel Castle on Wawel Hill, historic residence of the Kings of Poland, will pique the interest of history lovers.

Your group will enjoy experiencing Poland’s extensive history, rich European cuisine and inter´ mingling of cultures. As Anna Cichonska, director of the Polish National Tourist Office, said, Poland is “a land that must be experienced.”

TO P AT T RA C T ION S

FOR CHURCH GROUPS

• SANCTUARY OF DIVINE MERCY, KRAKOW — This monastery was the home of St. Faustina Kowalska, and it was here where she instructed the painting of the image of the Divine Mercy. The new basilica was consecrated in 2002 and is visited by thousands each year.

• JASNA GORA MONASTERY, CZESTOCHOWA — This large Baroque monastery is the most visited pilgrimage site in Poland for the statue of Our Lady of Jasna Gora, Poland’s black Madonna. The monastery was also the site of the 17th-century Siege of Jasna Gora, an important event in Polish history. Each year, the anniversary is celebrated with a walking pilgrimage for young and old alike; the two-week journey ends with a celebration on August 15.

• SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY, KALWARIA ZEBRZYDOWSKA — This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its architecture and beautiful sculpture park that shows scenes from Christ’s Passion. The church dates to the 17th century and has remained virtually unchanged. It is also home to the most famous Passion play in Poland, which takes place annually.

MUST-DO: One of Poland’s most popular experiences is a tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Krakow Saltworks Museum outside Krakow. Highlights of the tour include the underground St. Kinga Chapel and the statues carved in the salt walls.

MUST-TASTE: Pierogi are a popular Polish food well known to foreigners. Typical fillings include cheese or cabbage, but they can also be served sweet with candied zest or fruit fillings.

BRING IT HOME: Deposits of amber are widespread throughout the Baltic region, so visitors to Poland frequently bring home amber jewelry. Gdansk has been known for its amber craft throughout history.

PHOTO OP: Many groups visiting Krakow take photos in front of St. Mary’s Basilica in Krakow.

Monastery in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

• HOLY FATHER JOHN PAUL II FAMILY HOME, WADOWICE — This site in Wadowice is the birthplace and childhood home of Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła. At the home, now a museum, visitors can hear personal stories and see the belongings of the Wojtyła family.

• MAIN MARKET SQUARE, KRAKOW — Krakow’s city center boasts the largest market square in Europe. The square is filled with shops and restaurants and is the site of a fantastic Christmas market from the last week of November through Boxing Day. Some celebrations extend into the beginning of February, with Poland’s traditional Yuletide season ending February 2.

Statue of Pope John Paul II

St. Mary’s Basilica in Krakow

RESEARCHI N G Y O U R TR I P www.poland.travel

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S I G N AT U R E

B Y K RI STY A L PERT

SANCTUARIES T H E S E C H URC HE S A RE A M ONG AMERICA’S IMPRESSIVE ARCHITECTU R A L F E AT S

Tulsa’s Boston Avenue United Methodist Church features Art Deco architecture and a soaring sanctuary.

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eligion has inspired the greatest architectural achievements in history, giving rise to iconic styles like Gothic, Gothic Revival and Byzantine, among others. Even in ancient times, a church’s architecture was about creating something sacred, offering something tangible to anchor a person to the space.

But you don’t have to travel to an ancient land or far-off country to experience some of the most remarkable aspirational architecture. These American churches are famous for their unique architecture and are open and available for tours in your own backyard.

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Courtesy Boston Ave. UMC

Washington National Cathedral

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

Courtesy Washington National Cathedral

Courtesy Boston Ave. UMC

[ WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL ] WASHINGTON, D.C. The Washington National Cathedral has been a part of America’s fabric since 1893, well after George Washington and Pierre L’Enfant first proposed the idea of a “great church for national purposes” in the nation’s new federal city. It was in that year that Congress approved a charter to create the cathedral, but construction would not begin for 14 more years, and it did not end until 1990, nearly 83 years later.

Today, the cathedral is where the nation comes together to celebrate — with proud ringing of the bells for important moments in the nation’s history — and to mourn at presidential funerals. The building features soaring arches; stunning stained-glass windows; flying buttresses; hand-carved stonework, a collection that includes 1,242 grotesques and gargoyles; and fantastic views of the city.

“The cathedral is perhaps the nation’s best example of English Gothic architecture,” said Kevin Eckstrom, chief communications officer for the Washington National Cathedral. “It tells the story of the American experiment and God’s love for the world.”

The cathedral is a house of prayer for people of all faiths and walks in life; every piece of America is represented, from windows of American heroes to needlework of scenes from history to the final resting places of Woodrow Wilson and Helen Keller. Underground garage bus parking makes for easy group access for large groups and tours. www.cathedral.org [ OLD NORTH CHURCH AND HISTORIC SITE ] BOSTON Along the Freedom Trail in Boston’s historic North End, the Old North Church and Historic Site is the oldest standing church building in Boston and one of the world’s premier Georgian buildings. The church, built in 1723, was inspired by the work of British architect Christopher Wren, the man credited as the mastermind behind the engravings of St. James Piccadilly in Westminster, England.

Wren’s engravings likely acted as a guide for the architects who designed the Old North Church.

The church offers daily tours, during which visitors can gaze at the box pews, which are still in use. Another highlight is the steeple where church leaders climbed on the evening of April 18, 1775, after a warning call from Paul Revere and held up the two lanterns that ultimately signaled the start of the American Revolution as the British began their march to Lexington and Concord.

“My favorite aspect is probably the box pews, since they are so rare to find in a church nowadays,” said Leslie Lawler, communications and events coordinator at the Old North Church and Historic Site. “They are really striking to see in person.”

In addition to the daily tours, the church also offers a special hourlong Anglican Art and Architecture tour that is available by request and special appointment for groups of up to 15 people. The tour examines the aesthetic components of the church and visits areas usually off limits to the public. www.oldnorth.com [ SAN XAVIER DEL BAC MISSION ] TUCSON, ARIZONA It was nearly a century after the Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Francisco Kino founded the San Xavier Mission that construction began on what would become the iconic church San Xavier del Bac. The church was completed in 1797 and is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. Although it is just minutes

from the modern downtown area of Tucson, the San Xavier del Bac Mission is still set in the 18th century.

Original statues and intricate Baroque murals adorn the interior of the building. Its exterior is unique even among Spanish Colonial buildings in the United States because of its composition of low-fire clay brick, stone, and lime mortar and a masonry vaulted roof.

“Unlike many similar churches of this age, much of the artwork decorating the interior walls is still intact,” said the Rev. Stephen Barnufsky, pastor of the San Xavier del Bac Mission. “Little is known about the people who decorated the interior. The artwork was probably commissioned by Father Velderrain’s successor and most likely created by artists from Queretero in Mexico. The sculpture was created in guild workshops and carried by donkey through the Pimeria Alta to the Mission.”

The shell, a symbol of pilgrimage, is replicated throughout the building in window treatments, the sanctuary, the facade and elsewhere in the interior. www.sanxaviermission.org

San Xavier del Bac Mission

Thorncrown Chapel Courtesy Thorncrown Chapel

Courtesy San Xavier del Bac Mission

[ THORNCROWN CHAPEL ] EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS Just like the structure itself, the story behind the creation of the Thorncrown Chapel is both organic and spiritual. The chapel was the dream of Pine Bluff native Jim Reed, who purchased the land in 1971 with the idea to build a glass chapel in the woods to give visitors an inspiring place to commune in nature.

After getting renowned architect E. Fay Jones on board, Reed later found himself short on funds and was faced with abandoning the project.

Left with nowhere else to turn, Reed made one final trip up to the half-finished chapel and got down on his knees to pray. The moment of humility was a turning point for the project, and in just a few days, all the money required for the project was made available. The chapel was opened on July 10, 1980.

“People come from all over the world to see the chapel, said Doug Reed, pastor at Thorncrown Chapel. “Some come to see amazing architecture, but some see the chapel as a place to connect with God. It is hard not to be inspired when visiting the chapel, even if you are not particularly religious.”

The chapel has won numerous architectural awards over the years, with its 6,000 square feet of glass and 425 windows that soar 48 feet into the air in an Ozark Gothic style. Made from all organic materials, like pressure-treated pine and native flagstone, the chapel is a natural reflection of its Ozark hillside home. www.thorncrown.com

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 25

[ BOSTON AVENUE METHODIST CHURCH ] TULSA, OKLAHOMA Boston Avenue United Methodist Church (BAUMC) was begun in 1893 when the church was founded with just seven members during the stormy times of the women’s rights movement. As the congregation grew, so did the need for a larger building. The vision for the building was to create a space for all people to gather, regardless of age, race, religion or gender, so female artist Adah Robinson was chosen to design the building based on a sketch of her new Art Deco style.

Construction was completed in 1929, and to this day, the building is considered one of the finest examples of ecclesiastical Art Deco architecture in America and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The main architectural features of the building include the soaring 255-foot tower and the arched doorways with “Circuit Rider” sculptures that symbolize an outward pouring of God’s love for all who pass beneath.

“I love the main entrance to our building and the dome in the sanctuary,” said Hayley Wheeler, director of communications for the church. “No photo can even come close to capturing it. If you’re sitting on the main level of the sanctuary and look straight up at the huge lighted circle, it’s just awe-inspiring, and you can definitely feel God’s presence.” www.bostonavenue.org

Photos courtesy Old North Church

Top: The historic sanctuary at Boston’s Old North Church. Bottom: The famous bell tower where a lantern was hung at the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

OF CHRIST IMAGES MARCH 22, 2018 – JANUARY 5, 2019

BIBLE MUSEUM • COCA-COLA MUSEUM

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HISTORIC HOME • GARDENS

MONROE, LOUISIANA 318-387-5281 • bmuseum.org

M O U N TA I N

B Y K R IS TY A L PERT

R E T R E AT S

T H E S E DE S T IN AT ION S ARE TOPS FOR A CHURCH GROUP GETAWAY

Sun sets over downtown Asheville.

North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains

Biltmore Estate in Asheville

A

Photos courtesy Asheville CVB

lthough “mountaintop experiences” in a person’s faith don’t always take place on mountains, these stunning mountain destinations provide the right altitude for a memorable church retreat.

From a spiritual high in Montana’s Glacier Country to getting grounded in the Smoky Mountains, here are some of the top destinations for church retreats.

[ ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA ] The Blue Ridge Mountains are the crowning jewel of North Carolina’s mountain scenery, with Asheville sitting right in the heart of the region’s natural beauty. Asheville is a charming city that has become a popular destination for spiritual retreats and church getaways in the mountains. There, the breathtaking scenery is met with a thriving arts community, diverse outdoor adventures, a fun and inviting downtown, numerous historic attractions and a vibrant food scene. going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 27

“It’s hard to visit our region and not be moved and inspired by the spectacular mountain scenery,” said Landis Taylor, public relations manager for Explore Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Many of the visiting church groups love to experience Asheville’s fun outdoor activities like rafting and zip lining.”

Aside from being home to “America’s Favorite Drive” along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the region also boasts the third-oldest river in the world and hundreds of spectacular waterfalls just waiting to be explored. Biltmore Estate is one of the top choices for venues, with 8,000 acres, two hotels and a number of on-site restaurants.

Nearby, groups can visit the Chatlos Memorial Garden in the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove, tour the Chapel of the Prodigal at Montreat College or walk through All Souls Cathedral, the last remaining church of those designed by Richard Morris Hunt, better known as the Dean of American Architecture. www.exploreasheville.com [ ESTES PARK, COLORADO ] Within minutes of the entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park offers an authentic experience of serenity and peace and being one with nature. The city is surrounded by the natural splendor of panoramic mountain vistas and an abundance of wildlife that can frequently be seen wandering the streets of Estes Park.

Estes Park has hosted numerous faith-based journeys, including a visit by Pope John Paul II, who came to the city in 1992 and stayed at St. Malo. Indian spiritual leader Morari Bapu led a nine-day Ram Katha event in July 2017 that had millions of people all over the world streaming the live event to see the multidenominational crowd in Estes Park praying for world peace.

“I’ve lived in Estes Park for 25 years, and my own personal faith has flourished since moving here, and continues to grow,” said Karen Lynch, sales and marketing manager for the Estes Park Events Complex and the town of Estes Park. “My favorite hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park is the Loch. When I reach the top and soak in the pristine beauty, I honestly feel God’s presence. There’s no explaining the spiritual power of the Rocky Mountains; it must be experienced.”

One of the top retreat venues is the Estes Park Events Complex, which offers 70,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a conference center. The complex is attached to the Ridgeline Hotel and two large-scale event facilities with a total of 45,000 square feet of multipurpose event space. www.visitestespark.com

An autumn sunset in Branson

Courtesy Branson/Lakes Area CVB

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Mountainside Chapel at YMCA of the Rockies

A mountain lake near Estes Park

Courtesy Town of Estes Park

Courtesy Town of Estes Park

Zorb adventures in Pigeon Forge Courtesy Pigeon Forge DOT

[ BRANSON, MISSOURI ] Although the Ozark Mountain country was once defined by its isolation, when word spread of the region’s deep-rooted devotion to family values, people came from all over to experience some of the area’s positive culture. Branson has become known for its wonderful family atmosphere steeped in the Christian faith.

Numerous faith-based singers and performers have graced the stages and conference centers around the region over the years, and many have made Branson their permanent home, performing weekly in one of the more than 100 shows in the city. Many of the theaters offer Sunday morning church services for groups with a variety of gospel singing, old-fashioned preaching and even “cowboy church.”

“I always say there is no place like Branson,” said Lenni Neimeyer, director of leisure group sales for the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens Bureau. “I’ve seen it grow and change a lot over the last 35 years I’ve been a part of this community, and we’ve always held strong to our values of honoring faith, family and flag.”

Retreat centers range from intimate venues for small events to lakeside retreat centers for grand gatherings. Along with Silver Dollar City, the favorite attraction for many, the area boasts many faith-based activities, like the Fire of Devotion Bible Museum and the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama. There are many opportunities to simply be still and enjoy the pristine countryside of the Ozark Mountains, from fishing and hiking to outdoor concerts. www.branson.com

going on faith [ winter 2018 ] Courtesy Christ in the Smokies

[ PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE ] The Great Smoky Mountains were named for the mystical blue-hued fog that rolls in every morning and settles throughout this southern Appalachian wilderness. The Smokies are often referred to as God’s Country because of the vast amount of stunning natural beauty that freckles the landscape, but the friendly locals and serene setting undoubtedly add to the ethereal allure of this region.

“Pigeon Forge is first and foremost a family vacation destination,” said Leon Downey, executive director for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “We offer the best of both worlds here: amazing mountain scenery and more attractions than you can shake a stick at.”

The city is home to more than 60 attractions for families, among them Dollywood, the most-ticketed attraction in the state of Tennessee, with the Great Smoky Mountains right in its backyard. Groups can take in creation with a hike through the national park or a visit to some of the most scenic areas in the country, like Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome.

Pigeon Forge also has more than 14,000 lodging units, with 8,484 hotel/motel units and 2,945 cabins and chalets; some cabins are capable of hosting 80 guests in one unit. More than 90 restaurants accommodate any appetite, and the city’s LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge can hold events of up to 12,000 attendees. www.mypigeonforge.com [ WHITEFISH, MONTANA ] There’s an unmistakable majesty that permeates the terrain around Montana’s Glacier Country, from the powerful way the glaciers have carved the land at Glacier National Park to the peaceful murmur that rises from the snow-fed streams and echoes through the canyons. In the winter, the destination is a lovely place to gather for a ski retreat, and summertime offers myriad mountainside experiences, like guided nature walks and sunrise services at scenic outlooks.

“One of my personal favorite aspects of living in Glacier Country is the accessibility of the outdoors, and the unbelievably friendly people,” said Lucy Guthrie Beighle, public relations and earned media manager for Glacier Country Tourism. “We have so many awe-inspiring opportunities here in western Montana.”

Retreat centers in the area range from a lodge on Salmon Lake to a hot springs resort on a scenic corridor, but with an area spanning 22,000 square miles and more than 50 venues from which to choose, there is likely a retreat center that will act as a convenient home base for any size group.

There are dozens of sights and annual events for faith-based travelers to enjoy, among them visiting the National Bison Range, attending the annual Symphony in the Park in Missoula, participating in the Apple Festival in the Bitterroot Valley, and going to a Logan Pass Star Party to star gaze and take advantage of Glacier National Park’s unusually dark skies. www.glaciermt.com

Farm-to-table food in Montana’s Glacier Country

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 29 Courtesy Glacier Country Tourism

FAITH

CENTERED

MONASTERY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Monastery of the Holy Spirit is a perfect place for your group to retreat for prayer and quiet contemplation.

All photos courtesy Monastery of the Holy Spirit

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BY AS HLEY RIC K S

he Monastery of the Holy Spirit dates to 1944, when a group of Trappist monks traveled from Bardstown, Kentucky, to northern Georgia. The group settled in Conyers, a small community with a Catholic presence, and began building their monastery to resemble the Abbey of Gethsemane.

The monastery offers a calming environment. The Trappist monks, known officially as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, live a life of prayer and quiet contemplation in service to their community and the Lord. “We spend time every day in prayer, study and work and find a balance in that,� said Brother Mark Dohle, retreat director at the monastery.

As a result, many of the areas around the monastery are designed for quiet reflection, encouraging guests to enjoy personal time in prayer.

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LOCATION Conyers, Georgia SIZE: The Retreat House totals 18,000 square feet.

CAPACITY: 40 overnight guests CONTACT INFO: 770-483-8705 www.trappist.net

RETREAT HOUSE The monks lived in a nearby barn for eight months while they built the main monastery and completed the church in 1960. The barn is now a museum. The monks have continued to build; the monastery complex now includes a bakery, a garden center, the visitors center and the Retreat House, among various other buildings. The monks are also renovating and updating the existing structures.

The Retreat House at the monastery has three floors, accessible by elevator, and includes lodging, a refectory for meals and a conference room available to visitors. Overnight accommodations are available for 40 guests, with a mix of single and double-occupancy rooms. Guests are not required to observe complete silence, but it is encouraged in many areas of the monastery during daylight hours because of the monks' Cistercian lifestyle. Some areas are also designated as speaking areas.

FUN ACTIVITIES The monastery is known for its bonsai garden.

The original bonsai belonged to the Rev. Paul Bourne, a bonsai master who was trained in the Japanese art and contributed extensively to its growth in popularity in the southeastern United States. The garden includes many styles of bonsai including one that’s almost 200 years old.

Guests may also enjoy the 31 miles of walking, hiking and biking trails that span the property. The trails reach around the picturesque lake and cross over Honey Creek in places.

The buildings at the retreat center preserve the Normandy-style architecture of the original dairy barns.

The exterior of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit

PROGRAMS Many of the retreat programs are scheduled either Friday through midday Sunday or Monday through Thursday. The monks lead many of the programs, each in their area of expertise.

Examples include Contemplative Prayer or The Way of Christ in Our Lives. Special topics include dealing with anger or grief, calendar events such as Holy Week and Lent, or topics of interest such as the gospel of John or writing and journal keeping. Planners are encouraged to book a few months in advance, since retreats at the monastery are popular.

Guests can also experience a taste of the monastic life of the Cistercian Order. Worship services are open to visitors who would like to take part in the divine office throughout the day. Services start each day with a short time of prayer and contemplation at 4 a.m. and are followed by Mass at 7 a.m., midday prayers, vespers and compline.

A PERSONAL TOUCH

The monks living at the monastery are members of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance.

The monks have a hand in everything at the monastery. Guests can bring home food items prepared by the brothers at the on-site bakery; fruitcakes are among of the most popular items.

Bonsai-care tools, stained glass or items handcrafted by the monks can also be purchased at the Abbey Store, the largest Catholic retailer in the state of Georgia.

Many of the brothers living at the monastery are also accomplished authors and have penned numerous works on the Catholic faith, monastic life and other topics. Their books are available in the Abbey Store.

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HEARTLAND

TRAVEL GUIDE

ICONS ON DISPLAY

“Sue,” at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, is the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.

THESE MUSEUMS ARE MUST-VISITS DURING TRIPS THROUGH AMERICA’S HEARTLAND

M

BY RAC HEL C ARTER

useums can be for anything. They can be institutions dedicated to natural history or art, to science or aircraft. There are museums for dollhouse miniatures, skeletons, Japanese pop art — you name it, there’s likely a museum for it.

But some museums stand out in each state.

These Heartland museums allow groups to zip down a three-story slide, “fly” in a simulator and descend 650 feet underground into a salt mine.

Eiteljorg Museum of Western Art in Indianapolis Courtesy Eiteljorg Museum

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STRATACA HUTCHINSON, KANSAS FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CHICAGO The Field Museum in Chicago was founded in 1893 after the city held the World’s Columbian Exposition that same year.

Groups can explore the Field’s 35 permanent exhibits that showcase some of its core collections and comprise nearly 30 million specimens and artifacts.

Some of the most famous exhibits are Sue, the world’s largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil; the fighting African elephants that have been part of the museum’s collection since the 1893 exposition; and the Ancient Egypt collection, which includes 23 mummies.

The Field offers discounted admission and docent-led tours for groups, as well as special experiences such as presentations, performances, scavenger hunts, themed meals and after-hours receptions. Behind-the-scenes tours allow groups to dig into one of the nonpublic collections areas, such as those in the zoology and entomology departments. www.fieldmuseum.org

EITELJORG MUSEUM OF AMERICAN INDIANS AND WESTERN ART INDIANAPOLIS

Courtesy Field Museum

Indiana businessman Harrison Eiteljorg founded the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art to preserve and share the art, history and culture of the American West and North America’s native people.

The downtown Indianapolis museum’s collection includes pieces from a range of artists, among them Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, famed Old American West painters Frederic Remington and Charles Russell, and Native artists like Cherokee painter Kay WalkingStick.

Tour guides for groups are free, but reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance. Groups can also time their visits with the museum’s many events and festivals. The 26th annual Indian Market and Festival will be held June 23-24, 2018, and will feature Native American artists from 60 cultures showing and selling jewelry, pottery, sculpture and artwork. wwww.eiteljorg.org

NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM AND AQUARIUM DUBUQUE, IOWA The Henry Ford near Detroit

Courtesy The Henry Ford

The sprawling National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium campus in Dubuque, Iowa, covers 10 acres and features two buildings: the Mississippi River Discovery Center and the National River Center.

The Mississippi River Discovery Center has five main aquariums that tell the geographic story of the mighty Mississippi from north to south, starting with a backwater marsh through a flooded bottomland forest and ending with the bayou aquarium, where visitors marvel at an eight-and-a-half-foot-long, 350-pound alligator. The National River Center explores the rivers of North America and the oceans into which they flow, as well as the massive Gulf of Mexico aquarium.

Groups can also stroll through the wetlands and boatyard and tour a historic dredge boat. Guided tours are available, as are behind-the-scenes tours. Requests must be made two weeks in advance. www.rivermuseum.com

Land developer Ben Blanchard was drilling for oil southwest of Hutchinson, Kansas, in 1887 when he discovered a different kind of treasure: salt.

A portion of the original salt discovery site was opened to the public in 2007, and today, Strataca, formerly the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, has access to a mined-out area of about 300,000 square feet. When visiting, groups of 30 at a time ride the hoist 650 feet down the shaft to the mine. The walls of the Permian Room showcase the strata layers formed by the Permian Sea, and the Mining Gallery features historic and modern mining practices.

The Salt Mine Express is a 15-minute narrated train ride through an area of the mine that has been left untouched since the 1950s, and the Dark Ride is a 30-minute guided tram tour. www.underkansas.org

THE HENRY FORD DEARBORN, MICHIGAN Automobile magnate and inventor Henry Ford had been collecting “relics” for over a decade before he opened the 300-acre Henry Ford museum complex in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, to the public in 1933. He built two separate facilities: the indoor Edison Institute and Greenfield Village, an outdoor living-history campus, to show how items are made and used in daily life.

The staggering collection of 26 million artifacts includes the prototype Dymaxion house, the bus on which Rosa Parks was arrested and the 1961 Lincoln Continental in which President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

During the Ford Rogue Factory Tour, groups can watch from an elevated walkway as Dearborn plant workers assemble F-150 truck bodies. They can also visit the Legacy Gallery to see historic vehicles made at the factory, including Thunderbirds and Mustangs. www.thehenryford.org

MILL CITY MUSEUM MINNEAPOLIS The Mill City Museum is built within the ruins of the 1880 Washburn A Mill on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.

After the mill was nearly destroyed by fire in 1991, community organizations used the ruins as the foundation for a new mill museum, which opened in 2003.

An eight-story glass facade serves as a backdrop to a large courtyard surrounded by original aged

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Mill City Museum

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Courtesy Mill City Museum

Strategic Air Command Museum Courtesy SACAM

Courtesy RRHOF

City Museum Courtesy City Museum

CITY MUSEUM ST. LOUIS City Museum is a St. Louis staple that’s a favorite among visitors and locals alike. It can be described as a warehouse of adventure that stores the crazy creations of founder and artist Bob Cassilly.

The museum is in a former shoe factory, and everything inside is made from salvaged, found or reclaimed items and building materials scavenged from St. Louis. It’s easy to spot in downtown because you’ll see a Ferris wheel and a yellow school bus hanging off the side of the building.

Part art museum, part playhouse, part Tim Burton-esque workshop, the City Museum features a three-story slide, rope swings and crawlspaces in the floors.

The museum also features re-created Missouri caves, a display of the world’s largest pair of underwear and a circus that performs every day. Groups of 15 or more qualify for discounted rates. www.citymuseum.org

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Massive airplanes are spread out on the grounds and in the expansive exhibit halls of the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska, about 30 miles southwest of Omaha.

The Smithsonian affiliate houses an impressive collection of Cold War-era aircraft and artifacts. Visitors can get close to the menacing-looking SR-71 Blackbird in the futuristic glass atrium and check out nine bombers, including a B-36J Peacemaker, a B-17 Flying Fortress and a B-1A Lancer. Spacecraft exhibits include the Apollo Command Space Module and a collection of artifacts from astronaut and Nebraska native Clayton Anderson.

Private guided tours are available for groups of 20 or more. Two new flight simulators are also available for groups and immerse visitors in the realism of flight. Groups can also time their visits with special events such as Helicopter Day and the Indoor Air Show. www.sacmuseum.org

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME CLEVELAND

brick walls. Inside, exhibits take visitors through the city’s milling history as they explore a baking lab, learn about harvesting wheat and see authentic 19thcentury milling machines. A ninth-floor observation deck provides views of St. Anthony Falls and the river that powered the mill.

Groups can take guided walking tours, watch the film “Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat” and take in the Flour Tower experience, a multimedia show in an eight-story elevator ride. www.millcitymuseum.org

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STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND AND AEROSPACE MUSEUM ASHLAND, NEBRASKA

Just as rock ’n’ roll is ever changing, so are the exhibits and displays in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. But staples found behind the glass pyramid facade include an Elvis exhibit with an exclusive 14-minute film about the King and the “Legends of Rock and Roll” exhibit that showcases artifacts from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and more. The Guitar Gallery features instruments owned by Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Tom Petty, Jerry Garcia and others.

The hall of fame offers a variety of group packages that, along with discounted admission, can include a scavenger hunt, meal vouchers for the All Access Cafe and a special museum discount card. Groups can also add special experiences, such as an opportunity to perform on one of the hall’s two stages, an excursion cruise or a live performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall. www.rockhall.com

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM MILWAUKEE One of the most impressive works of art at the Milwaukee Art Museum is the building itself. The 142,050-square-foot Quadracci Pavilion addition was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and was completed in 2001. Its signature feature is the Burke Brise Soleil, a pair of steel-fin wings that open and close each day.

The museum’s history dates to 1888; its collection includes nearly 25,000 works of art, and it also welcomes special exhibits, such as “Coming Away: Winslow Homer and England,” which will open March 1, 2018, and continue through May 20, 2018.

Docent-led tours are available for groups of 15 or more, and reservations should be made six to eight weeks in advance. Groups can also customize their visits with scavenger hunts, art-making sessions and gallery activities. www.mam.org

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