Hello Friend,

We are so glad you have chosen to join Transforming Community® 18, gathering at The Conference Center at University of St. Mary of the Lake in the Chicagoland area. A wonderful group of pastors, leaders, and influencers is coming together to form this community, and we are deep into our preparations for your arrival.

Below is helpful information we have compiled to assist you in preparing to participate. Please keep this information handy so you can refer to it as we get closer. You can also find all this information as well as new information throughout your community on a special TC18 Community Page. 

Also, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reply to this email or reach out to Haley Page, Transforming Community Assimilator and Registrar, by emailing her at hpage@transformingcenter.org.

Peace to you,
The TC18 Team

Pre-Reading


In preparation for the start of this community, we are asking you to obtain two books and read them before the first retreat: Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. (InterVarsity Press), and Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality by Bradley Holt (Augsbury Fortress). Check Christianbooks.com, Amazon, or the publishers' websites to purchase. If you have previously read either of these books, please re-read them in preparation for this new commitment.

Investment


With your payment of the registration fee, you and the Transforming Center are beginning a financial arrangement for a little over two years. The cost for the Transforming Community experience is $7,965.00 (27 monthly installments of $295). Everything is included in the program cost except the registration fee, books, and travel.

If this is a financial challenge for you, consider asking your church or ministry organization for help, as participation in a Transforming Community can be considered a continuing education expense. Another alternative would be to seek assistance from your relational networks through personal fundraising, which TC members have used successfully in the past to help pay for their community experience. See below for details.

You are responsible to make 27 monthly payments of $295. The first payment is due by November 15, 2021 (you may begin earlier if you'd like), and subsequent payments are due each month thereafter. We offer the following payment options:
  • Recurring credit card or ACH (preferred) payments. If you paid the registration fee online and answered “yes” that you want to continue using the same payment method, we will begin monthly payments on the date you indicated. You will receive an emailed receipt when your first payment goes through.
  • Pay by check mailed to Transforming Center, 400 W Roosevelt Rd. STE 100, Wheaton, IL 60187, on a monthly basis. Quarterly or annual payments are also accepted as long as payments are made in advance. Please communicate which option you choose so we know when to expect your check.
  • Fundraise using our suggested method to raise the full or partial cost of the two-year experience before the start of the Transforming Community (February 2022). If you raise less than half of the full cost, please plan to set up monthly payments before the start of the first retreat. To find out more about fundraising, please click here to access our fundraising microsite and donation platform. Let us know if you intend to use the fundraising site to finance your community costs.

Travel Arrangements


Many of you are flying in from different places in the country. O'Hare (ORD) is the most convenient airport—about 30 miles from University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois where retreats are hosted. Milwaukee Mitchell (MKE) is your next best option (less city traffic), followed by Midway airport (MDW), both around 55 miles from the USML Conference Center. More travel information can be found here and scrolling to the "Travel" section.

Plan to arrive on Sunday, February 20, between 3:30 and 4pm to give yourself time to check-in and settle into your room before the first session at 5pm. The retreat will end on Tuesday, February 22, at 1pm.

Retreat Dates 


Retreat 1: February 20-22, 2022
Retreat 2: May 15-17, 2022
Retreat 3: August 14-16, 2022
Retreat 4: December 4-6, 2022
Retreat 5: February 19-21, 2023
Retreat 6: May 21-23, 2023
Retreat 7: August 13-15, 2023
Retreat 8: October 22-24, 2023
Retreat 9: February 11-13, 2024

Prayer


We are praying earnestly for you as you make preparations to come—that God will help you to press through any obstacles that come your way and bring you safely to retreat, prepared to receive what God has for you. May it be so!
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