Second Nollau Retreat Creates Sense of Gratitude, Hope in Participants

A variety or leadership-related topics, workshops, contemplative time, and rituals created a nurturing environment for the second retreat of the CHHSM Nollau Leadership Institute 2024-2025 class retreat, held in October at Bellwether Farm in Wakeman, Ohio.

While the first retreat traditionally focuses on the personal realm of leadership, where participants explore how to expand their leadership skills, the second retreat is given over to organizational life, with particular focus on such topics as group coaching strategies, restorative justice in the workplace, emergent leadership strategy, disability and leadership, social justice and leadership, and more.

The second retreat often is when Nollau classmates recognize the meshing of their leadership skills and personal growth.

Thomas Williams Sr., Restored Village coordinator for MOLO Village CDC in Louisville, Ky., originally came to Nollau with a bit of apprehension, “because I felt I was not as qualified as the rest of the group because I have only a 12th-grade education and have not been in a classroom setting in over three decades.”

“I came to the first retreat overthinking and scared of being an outsider,” he said. “My nerves were immediately calmed with a warm welcome and plenty of smiles. New friendships were made.”

“While at the first retreat I learned more about myself,” Williams continued, “by the time the second retreat came around, I was excited about engaging in the conversations that would increase my leadership skills.”

The second retreat also usually includes a trip to the national offices of the United Church of Christ in downtown Cleveland. While there, participants receive a tour of the offices, and learn about rural communities and racial justice with the Rev. Roberto Ochoa, the UCC’s minister for ethnic inclusion, & congregational support for rural and small churches. The time also includes a ritual service in the UCC’s chapel.

“Something that’s just so special about Nollau is the bond that our cohort has formed, on so many layers,” said Maic D’Agostino, a storyteller for justice and healing from Lakewood, Ohio. “Spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and in humor and in grief and in hope. It’s really clear that CHHSM’s intention is to foster this through the retreats, to build us up as human beings so that we can then, in turn, enact that in our work life and connect with the people we serve alongside in deeply human ways.”

The Nollau faculty for the second retreat included the Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry, CHHSM’s associate for advocacy and leadership development; the Rev. Dr. Zaria Davis, CHHSM’s engagement coordinator; and adjunct faculty members the Rev. Dr. JJ Flag, CHHSM board member; and theologian and pastor the Rev. Dr. Mona West. Flag lead a discussion on disability and leadership and West was the final presenter of the retreat, leading a session on “An Undivided Life: The Spirituality of Leadership.”

“For me, one of the underlying principles of Nollau is that leadership is relational,” D’Agostino said. “It’s not a one-way street; it’s not a top-down approach; it’s not a hierarchy. It’s actually the opposite of all that. And so, the first step is always building relationship. When I talk about how I approach my work now — whether it’s communication or research or visioning or teamwork or whatever — I always say that I start by building relationships. That’s something I’ve learned in Nollau.”

The second retreat included a surprise visit from a spectacular aurora borealis on the final night of the retreat.

“On the last night of the retreat, the stars quite literally aligned for us at Bellwether Farm to see the aurora borealis. Away from much of the light pollution of downtown Cleveland, we were able to see the night sky alive with colors and movement. It was such a gift, and felt so sacred,” said Berry.

Berry referenced the evening’s poetry exercise, “Dead Stars” by the 24th U.S. poet laureate Ada Limón, and how one passage made the aurora the perfect connecting event.

“One of my favorite lines from the poem says, ‘Look, we are not unspectacular things. We’ve come this far, survived this much. What would happen if we decided to survive more? To love harder?’” said Berry. “For me, this articulates my experience of the retreat and this group of incredible people, who are doing the spectacular work of loving harder for the betterment of the world.”

A new wrinkle in the retreat was the introduction of a phone that records messages. Often a fun gimmick at wedding receptions, Berry placed the phone in the meeting room for participants to leave messages in real time of their retreat experiences. In addition to several meaningful responses, the phone “also became a running joke during the retreat,” Berry added, with participants pretending it was a room service line and a variety of other things.

The combination of camaraderie, meaningful discussion, and serious reflection and ritual encapsulated the retreat.

“I really appreciate the clarity that this process has given me,” said D’Agostino, “not about what I need to do, but how I need to do it. The retreat served as a reminder that we need to nurture the multitudes that we contain, the parts of us that are creative and artistic as well as analytical and strategic.”

“I don’t think the richness of this experience could be overstated,” D’Agostino added. “What began back in May as a group of caring people brought together by our mutual connection to CHHSM has now transformed into an everlasting bond of shared humanity, collective hope, and — best of all — profound trust in each other. I feel so blessed that I have gotten to experience this Nollau class.

Williams concurred. “I was surprised that 12 people, with the leadership of the CHHSM staff, could bond in such a short period of time,” he said. “I feel I am better prepared to face the challenges of life and leadership with a better understanding that there is more than enough room at the table for everyone. We just have to have an open mind and a pure heart, and we can serve our communities in a more effective way.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to experience these last few months in the Nollau program.”

Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 class of the Nollau Leadership Institute.