The Seabeck Memorial Day UU Retreat is an intentionally inclusive and multi-generational annual church retreat over Memorial Day weekend at the Seabeck Conference Center overlooking the Olympic mountains on the Hood Canal. It's a wonderful way to get more connected with members of UU congregations in the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) region.

This year's theme is "Invoking Joy." We invites UUs to come gather in the spirit of joy to reawaken play, 

movement, awe, and wonder. By invoking the senses and gathering in community, we will journey together from surviving to thriving!

This year's keynote speaker is our own Rev. Justin! Rev. Justin Almeida, MDiv (he/they) is a UU community minister and hospital chaplain, serving the spiritual care needs of the Swedish hospital system. They are a Minister Affiliated with University Unitarian Church.

The Seabeck Retreat is also great for kids, with three playgrounds, a treehouse, a beach, and kid-friendly meals. The location is very safe, and many parents feel comfortable letting their kids roam the grounds – giving many kids an experience of adventure and freedom they may not be used to in the city. Friendships are made and renewed each year during the retreat. There are morning programs for children and youth while adults (and any youth who want) join Rev. Justin. (Or parents can just choose to have some time for themselves in the mornings, hiking in the woods to enjoy the wild rhododendrons, exploring the beach, or just sitting and reading or visiting!)

Find more details about the Retreat on East Shore Unitarian Church's website at https://esuc.org/event/seabeck-2025-invoking-joy. Registration opens at noon on Friday, February 21. The Retreat doesn't usually fill up right away, but if you register early, you have the greatest number of housing choices (type and price).