Groups
The Men of Holy Innocents’ will gather from April 24-26 at Lake Logan Episcopal Center for spiritual enrichment, fellowship, and renewal. Lake Logan, located in Canton, North Carolina, near the Blue Ridge Parkway, is set on 300 acres at 3000 feet in elevation. Lake Logan offers comfortable lodging, dining, and gathering facilities with a world-class mountain lake. We will begin our time together with dinner on Friday evening, followed by our Saturday morning program. Saturday afternoon, we will enjoy hiking, a field trip to Waynesville, golf, fishing, or porch sitting. Sunday morning, we will wrap up Saturday’s discussion, celebrate Eucharist, and head home.
We are excited to have Bill Harkins as our retreat leader. Bill was last with us in 2024 when he led the discussion on "Resilience, Generativity, and Connection in an Epidemic of Loneliness."
Our discussion topic for 2026 will be:
Arete, Faith, and a Rule of Life for Connection Among Men
In a time of disconnection and polarization, how do men pursue a life of purpose, virtue, and deep connection? Drawing on the Greek idea of Arete (excellence), Christian faith, and the Benedictine Rule of Life, this retreat invites us to explore a disciplined, life-giving path rooted in wisdom, practice, and community.
Together we’ll look at how excellence, faith, and intentional living shape practical wisdom for everyday life—moving beyond personal achievement toward love, humility, service, and authentic relationships with God and one another. Guided by John 10:10—“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”—we’ll spend the weekend learning, reflecting, building a personal Rule of Life, and enjoying meaningful fellowship, worship, and recreation.
Come away, reconnect, and be renewed alongside other men seeking a richer, more grounded life.
Suggested reading: Always We Begin Again by John McQuiston
Bill Harkins practices psychotherapy and marriage and family therapy at the Cathedral Counseling Center in Atlanta. He joined the faculty of Episcopal CREDO, a wellness program for clergy, as a psychological health faculty member in 2012. He serves as a psychological health faculty for the Columbia Seminary Lifelong Learning “Ministering to Ministers” program funded by the Lily Foundation. Bill is an Approved Supervisor in AAMFT, a Diplomate in AAPC, and an ACPE Psychotherapist and Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy Trainer. He holds a certificate in Jungian Psychotherapy. An ordained Episcopal priest, he has served as Interim Priest in Charge at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family, Jasper, and for 18 years as Priest Associate at the Cathedral of St. Philip. He taught pastoral theology and counseling at Vanderbilt Divinity School, Emory University, and for 23 years at Columbia Theological Seminary, where he co-directed the THD program in pastoral psychotherapy, shared by Columbia, Emory, and ITC. He holds degrees from Rhodes College (B.A.) and Vanderbilt University (M.Div., Ph.D. with Honors). He is the author of numerous journal articles and has contributed to a variety of edited volumes on pastoral theology, psychology and religion, homiletics, and clinical practice. He has recently co-authored The Wilderness of Friendship (Wipf & Stock) based on 40 years of friendship with colleagues from Vanderbilt Divinity School. Bill is married (44 years) to Dr. Vicky Harkins, an advanced practice nurse leader, educator, and healthcare administrator. They have two sons, Justin, an attorney practicing in Montana and Pennsylvania, and Andrew, an Oncology Fellow at MD Anderson in Houston, and four grandchildren. Bill is a veteran of 49 consecutive Peachtree Road Races and numerous marathons and ultra-distance trail races. He enjoys trail running, other forms of outdoor recreation, writing, playing the piano, and spending time with family. He works with individuals, couples, and families in clinical practice. He has extensive experience working with churches in transition, leading vestry retreats, providing clinical supervision, and consulting with institutions in conflict and transition.
Register now: Fee includes lodging Friday and Saturday nights and all meals.
Single occupancy: $435, sixteen single occupancy rooms available.
Double occupancy: $290
For information, contact John Harris | harris4338@gmail.com or 678-761-6765