Are you starting to think about retirement? Let’s plan this next chapter together! Join us for the Pre-Retirement Seminar for clergy and conference lay employees, happening October 13–15, 2025, at the Holiday Inn in beautiful Spring Lake, Michigan. Hosted by the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits, this inspiring and practical event brings together experienced professionals in retirement, financial, and estate planning all to help you prepare with clarity and confidence.
This year, we’ve intentionally lengthened the event to provide more time for you to absorb and retain the presented information. Our goal is to create a more relaxed, retreat-like atmosphere where you can truly focus on learning and connecting at a less harried pace.
It’s a cooperative effort across the Michigan Conference, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Register by August 26, 2025, to receive a Personal Pension Projection Printout from Wespath, tailored just for you. We’ve also made it easy to focus on learning and connecting: meals (dinner Monday, breakfast and lunch Tuesday, and breakfast and lunch Wednesday) are included in your registration.
Scroll down for full details on session topics, the event schedule, and how to register—we can’t wait to see you there!
*Reservations must be cancelled by September 5, 2025 to be refunded.
SPEAKERS
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- “Clergy Personal Financial Planning, Buying a Home and Clergy Housing Exclusion” and “Estate Planning Basics” with Rev. David Bell, UM Foundation of Michigan President and Executive Director.
- “Michigan Conference Health Care & Medicare” with Rev. Joel Walther, Director of Conference Benefits & Coordinator of HR, and Erin Faszczewski, BenePro VP of Account Management.
- Keynote address from current retirees, the Rev. David Nellis and his spouse Glenys.
- “Dissolve That Debt” and “Social Security & Your Retirement” with Bryan Clintsman an Ernst & Young (EY) Investment Advisor.
- “Pension Benefits” with Wespath Benefits Educator.
SCHEDULE
Monday, October 13
12-1 PM: Check-in Outside the Waterfront Ballroom
1-1:15 PM: Welcome & Introductions – Rev. Joel Walther, Director of Conference Benefits and Coordinator of Human Resources
1:15-1:45 PM: Opening Devotion/Communion – Rev. Joel Walther
1:45-2:45 PM: Dissolve that Debt – EY Financial Education & Counseling
2:45-3:45 PM: Retreat Activities
3:45-4:45 PM: Social Security and Your Retirement – EY Financial Education & Counseling
4:45-5 PM: Wrap-up and Dinner Prayer – Rev. Joel Walther
5:30-7:30 PM: Dinner and Game Night in the Waterfront Ballroom
Tuesday, October 14
8-9 AM: Breakfast in the Waterfront Ballroom
9-9:15 AM: Devotion – Rev. Steve McCoy, Sr. Pastor Grand Rapids: First UMC and CBOPHB Member
9:15-10:15 AM: Clergy Personal Financial Planning, Buying a Home – Rev. David Bell, President & Executive Director United Methodist Foundation (UMF) of Michigan
10:15-11:15 AM: Retreat Activities
11:15 AM -12:15 PM: Clergy Housing Exclusion and Estate Planning Basics – Rev. David Bell, President & Executive Director UMF of Michigan
12:15-1:30 PM: Lunch in the Waterfront Ballroom
1:30-2:30 PM: Keynote Speakers – Rev. David & Glenys Nellist, Retirees
2:30-3 PM: Break
3-5 PM: Conference Health Care and Medicare – Rev Joel Walther & Erin Faszczewski, Vice President BenePro
Tuesday Dinner on your own….Evening Free
Wednesday, October 15
8-9 AM: Breakfast in the Waterfront Ballroom
9-9:15 AM: Devotion – Rev. Amy Mayo-Moyle, Chair of the Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits
9:15 AM – 12:30 PM: Retirement Benefits – Robert Christophel, Wespath Benefits & Investments
Break: A break will be taken part-way through the Wespath presentation
12:30-1:30 PM: Lunch in the Waterfront Ballroom (Seminar concludes with lunch)
1:30-4:30 PM: Individual Sessions with Wespath
REGISTRATION
Click here to register for the Michigan Conference Pre-Retirement Seminar for clergy and conference lay employees. Your reservation will be confirmed by e-mail.
Registration Options
$200 Registration Fee/Two Nights (Monday, Oct. 13th & Tuesday, Oct. 14th)
+ $50 Spouse
$50 Registration Fee/No Overnight Accommodations
+ $50 Spouse
Deadline for registration is August 26, 2025 or when maximum registration capacity is reached. Reservations must be cancelled by September 5, 2025 to be refunded.
Paying by Check?
The seminar fee must be paid in full with registration. Make check payable to: Michigan Conference and place PRS 2025 in the memo line. Mail the check with copy of registration confirmation email to:
Attention: Benefits Office
Michigan Conference of The UMC
PO Box 72525
Cleveland, OH 44192-0002
Deadline for registering is August 26, 2025.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Pre-Retirement Seminar and overnight lodging at:
Holiday Inn
940 W. Savidge St.
Spring Lake, MI 49456
(Check In: 4 PM & Check Out: 11 AM)

Facilities include:
Electric vehicle charging
Free Wi-Fi
Free Parking
Indoor & Outdoor Pools
Fitness Center
QUESTIONS?
Contact Jennifer Gertz at 810-233-0447 or jgertz@michiganumc.org.
Last Updated on June 17, 2025