Staying at the Table: Love Outpoured When We Don’t Agree

A Mini Retreat hosted by Fredericksburg Baptist Church

March 27th & 28th

About the Retreat

Our mini-retreat is inspired by Learning to Disagree by John Inazu and invites us to explore what it means to stay at the table—even when we don’t agree. Through engaging teaching, guided discussion, and interactive activities, we will reflect on empathy, curiosity, and the courage to see one another as people rather than problems.

We will begin on Friday evening gathered around dinner tables, creating space for honest conversation about listening well, practicing empathy, and holding both conviction and kindness together. On Saturday morning, we’ll continue our time by exploring how to remain in relationship when disagreements feel difficult and staying friends seems challenging.

We will close with a Story Table lunch experience featuring young adults in conversation at the center of the room. As lunch is served, retreat participants will observe and listen, reflecting on what it looks like to stay at the table across differences. This will be a meaningful opportunity to learn from our young people and consider new ways of engaging one another with humility and grace.

The cost is $20 per person with a $50 family maximum, which includes Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast and lunch. When signing up, please note any dietary needs and if child care is needed. Child care will be provided for children up through 6th grade. We encourage you to purchase and begin reading Learning to Disagree ahead of time to provide helpful context for our conversations. You can pay for the retreat online here and select “Church Ministry” and type “Mini-Retreat” in the memo box or you can pay by check or cash to the church office or bring with you to the retreat. Payment is due by the start of the retreat on March 27th or can be paid upon arrival on Friday evening at the retreat.

  • We’re excited to partner with Foode, a beloved downtown Fredericksburg restaurant known for its thoughtful, locally sourced food. Foode will be providing Friday evening’s dinner as well as breakfast and lunch on Saturday, helping create welcoming spaces around the table where participants can gather, share meals, and continue meaningful conversations throughout the retreat.

    Saturday Morning Coffee Cart!
    We’ll also be joined by Joy Brew, a mobile coffee cart based in Charlottesville and run by owner Emma Joy. Joy Brew serves high-quality espresso drinks along with a variety of non-coffee options. Founded out of Emma’s love for connecting with people and hearing their stories, Joy Brew brings a spirit of hospitality and joy to gatherings—and we’re delighted to have the coffee cart with us as we begin the second day of the retreat together.

  • Friday Evening
    5:30 pm - Retreat Check-In & Child Care Begin

    6:00–8:30 pm – Dinner & Session One
    • Welcome & teaching
    • Table discussions on empathy and seeing people as people
    • Interactive reflection activities

    Saturday Morning
    9:00–9:45 am – Light Breakfast Fellowship & Child Care Begin
    10:00 am–12 pm – Session Two
    • Teaching on staying at the table in disagreement
    • Guided discussion & interactive exercises
    • Short break afterwards before lunch

    Saturday Afternoon
    12:30–2:00 pm – Story Table Lunch
    • Young adult conversation at the center
    • Observing, listening, and reflection
    • Closing encouragement & prayer

  • Meg Rooney

    Meg Rooney, M.Div., is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Religion at the University of Georgia. Her research centers on American Baptist history and theology, women’s studies, and rhetorical studies.

    She has served both CBF Georgia and CBF Virginia in a variety of roles, including speaker, retreat developer and coordinator, intern, and session leader. Meg also supports CBF Global as a communications and marketing intern and as the Age Level Assemblies Coordinator. In addition, she spent three summers with Passport, Inc., most recently leading as Pastor for the Passport Kids team in 2022.

    Meg lives in Athens, Georgia, where she enjoys spending time with her partner, Barron, and their dog, Bonnie.

    Rev. Beth Bailey

    Rev. Beth Bailey, M.Div., is the Minister with Youth and Young Adults at Fredericksburg Baptist Church. She is a graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary and University of Virginia and serves on CBF Youth Ministry Network and CBF Young Adult Ministry Network Boards. Beth is passionate about working with youth and young adults, navigating religious trauma with those the church has hurt, and creating open and brave spaces for young people to boldly live into who God is calling them to be. She cares deeply about thoughtful and healthy intergenerational conversations in an increasingly divided world.

    Beth and her husband, Colin, reside in Fredericksburg. They both enjoy spending time with their dogs, Ginny and Joey.

    Fun fact: Beth & Meg are sisters!

Retreat Registration Form

Please sign up you and and your family for the mini retreat by Tuesday, March 24th. This retreat is open to all youth (6th grade & up) and adults. You can pay online here (select “Church Ministry” and type “Mini-Retreat” in the memo box) or by cash or check to the church office.