ARC: Our Next 30 Years

Building on Mission, Expanding Community, Achieving Sustainability

“There are few places of genuine spirituality in the world and this is one of them,” a guest wrote in a room journal this summer. For over 30 years, ARC’s mission has remained steadfast: to provide groups and individuals with time and space apart for rest and spiritual renewal.

ARC’s leaders have, from the beginning, stressed the balance of the inward and outward journey, and the movement from contemplation to action. ARC has often led the way in promoting sustainable lifestyle practices, inclusive worship, and a just, green, and peaceful world view, all brought to life by the ingenuity of Board, community members, and other volunteers.

During the past 30 years, ARC has established a reputation as a unique and essential ministry. But the future is not guaranteed. As an organization, we are at a crossroads. We have reached a stage of maturity that calls for a new approach to our financial well-being. Traditionally, retreat fees, kept intentionally low to encourage broad accessibility, have covered only about 60% of operating costs. Generous friends have supplied the remainder. But we have been vulnerable to unexpected loss of income due to weather-related cancellations or a faltering economy.

For this reason, the Board, together with the Endowment Committee, has launched a 16-month initiative, “ARC: Our Next 30 Years—Building on Mission, Expanding Community, Achieving Sustainability.” The two-tiered campaign will first address the financial concerns of the present and second, lay down a more secure base for the future. Separate funds will be established anticipating necessary repairs to the existing facility and for future building projects.

The initiative will be led by three members of the Board of Directors, Mike Tessneer, Micheal Moore, and Pastor Anita Beste, Board Chair. They hope to meet personally as many ARC supporters as possible, to share their passion for the mission and ministry of ARC.

We are particularly privileged that this initiative has been favored by other leaders in the community. Acting as honorary chairs are Krista Tippett, host of public radio’s Speaking of Faith, ARC founders Loren and Ruth Halvorson, Luther Seminary Campus Pastor the Rev. Dr. John Mann, Lloyd Ratkovich, Philanthropic Advisor to Luther Seminary, and the Rev. Dr. Barbara Anne Keely of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. All of them share a commitment to ARC’s next 30 years of “building on mission, expanding community, and achieving sustainability.