Baptism Retreats NSW: Bring Your Church Group Together at Berrima Retreat

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Baptism Retreats NSW: Bring Your Church Group Together at Berrima Retreat

Make your next baptism retreat celebration a weekend your church can share together.

Berrima Retreat offers private group accommodation in the Southern Highlands for 22–55 overnight guests, with an outdoor pool available for pre-arranged church-led baptisms.

Stay together, share meals, run your own worship and teaching program, and enjoy time with your congregation beyond the ceremony. With exclusive use of the property, your group can gather without sharing facilities with another booking.

We have welcomed several religious groups and offer flexible church retreat accommodation in NSW for family weekends, youth gatherings, new-believer retreats and leadership stays.

Check availability for your church retreat and tell us your preferred dates, approximate numbers and whether baptisms are planned.

Why Book Your Baptism Retreat at Berrima Retreat?

Organising a church weekend is easier when accommodation, gathering spaces, meals and activities are in one place.

At Berrima Retreat, your group can enjoy:

Exclusive use: one group only per stay.
Accommodation together: the main house sleeps up to 43, with the North Wing increasing capacity to 55.
An outdoor pool: available for church-led baptisms arranged before your stay.
A self-catering commercial kitchen: choose your own menu and meal schedule.
An optional events room: projector and microphone for your church’s worship, teaching and discussions.
Multiple lounges: space for smaller conversations, preparation and reflection.
Activities between sessions: lawns, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, a pool table, indoor games and a cinema.

Explore the bedrooms and room layout to see how your families, leaders and participants could stay together.

Celebrate Church-Led Baptisms in Our Outdoor Pool

A baptism retreat gives your church time to prepare participants, hold the ceremony and celebrate afterwards over a shared meal.

Berrima Retreat has insurance covering church-led pool baptisms. Your church provides its leaders, prepares participants and conducts the ceremony, with pool arrangements and supervision agreed in advance.

Some churches accept swimming pools as a baptism setting. Community Church Warragul’s baptism guidance, for example, identifies a backyard pool as one possible location. Your leaders should confirm the setting meets your congregation’s requirements.

When enquiring, tell us how many people may be baptised and who will lead the ceremony. Additional day visitors require prior approval.

A Retreat That Fits Your Church Tradition

Your church chooses its own teaching, worship and baptism program. Berrima Retreat provides the accommodation and agreed facilities to support it.

The following sections show how different groups could use the property. Any onsite baptism remains subject to your church’s approval and arrangements agreed before the stay.

Baptist Church Retreats: Preparation, Immersion and Celebration Together

For Baptist congregations planning believer’s baptism by immersion, Berrima Retreat brings accommodation, preparation spaces and the pool into one location.

Use the lounges for conversations with participants, book the events room for teaching and testimonies, and gather for a celebration meal after the ceremony. Exclusive use allows your church to organise its program around its own group.

Australian Baptist, Independent Baptist, Reformed Baptist, Southern Baptist, American Baptist, Free Will Baptist, General Baptist and Seventh Day Baptist groups are welcome to enquire.

Planning several baptisms or a church-family weekend? Send us your dates and numbers for a tailored accommodation quote.

Pentecostal Retreats: Space for Worship and a Shared Baptism Weekend

Pentecostal groups can combine church-led worship, teaching and optional pool baptisms with a private weekend together.

The optional events room provides a projector and microphone for your sessions, while the kitchen, lounges and recreational facilities give guests places to connect between gatherings. Discuss music and sound arrangements with us when planning your program.

Australian Christian Churches/Assemblies of God, Hillsong, International Foursquare Church, Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, United Pentecostal Church International and independent Pentecostal groups are welcome.

The Assemblies of God’s statement of beliefs identifies baptism by immersion as part of its practice. Your leaders determine the ceremony appropriate to your congregation.

Ask about a church baptism weekend with accommodation and events-room hire included in your quote.

Churches of Christ and Restoration Movement: Stay Together Beyond the Ceremony

For Churches of Christ, Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) groups, a retreat creates time for teaching, fellowship and shared meals around your church’s program.

Berrima’s exclusive-use accommodation keeps your group together throughout the stay. The self-catering kitchen gives you flexibility over meals, and the lounges provide smaller gathering spaces alongside the optional events room.

If your congregation approves pool baptisms, a Saturday afternoon ceremony leaves time to change, celebrate and enjoy the evening together.

Enquire about a two-night church weekend and request the room layout to begin organising your group.

Adventist Retreats: Your Own Menu and Worship Schedule

Seventh-day Adventist and Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement groups can plan a stay around their congregation’s observance requirements.

The self-catering commercial kitchen allows your organisers to choose meals that suit the group. Exclusive use and optional meeting space support a schedule arranged by your leaders, including worship, teaching, reflection and fellowship.

The Australian Seventh-day Adventist Church describes baptism by immersion following an affirmation of faith. Discuss any proposed pool ceremony with your church leaders when planning the stay.

Tell us your preferred dates, meal arrangements and gathering-space needs so we can quote for your retreat.

Eastern Orthodox Retreats: Private Accommodation for Parish and Family Gatherings

Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Georgian, Antiochian and other Eastern Orthodox groups can use Berrima Retreat as a private base for a parish or family weekend.

Shared accommodation, a self-catering kitchen and indoor gathering spaces allow your group to spend time together around teaching, discussions and meals. Families can review the bedroom layout before booking to find arrangements that suit their group.

Orthodox baptisms have specific liturgical requirements. Your priest and relevant church authority must approve any proposed onsite ceremony. Berrima can also accommodate a gathering before or after a baptism held at your church.

Ask us about accommodation for your parish group or baptism celebration weekend.

Oriental Orthodox Retreats: Bring Families and Your Parish Community Together

Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo, Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo, Armenian Apostolic, Syriac Orthodox and Malankara Orthodox Syrian groups are welcome to plan a private stay.

Berrima’s commercial kitchen gives organisers control over menus, while shared spaces and optional events-room hire provide places for parish discussions and gatherings. The North Wing offers additional bedrooms when your group needs more accommodation.

Your clergy determine the baptism location and requirements. Whether the ceremony takes place at a church or an approved onsite setting, your group can gather at Berrima for meals and time together.

Send your guest numbers and room requirements to receive a quote for your parish retreat.

Brethren Retreats: Flexible Spaces for Assembly-Led Gatherings

Church of the Brethren, Grace Brethren/Charis Fellowship, Open Brethren and Plymouth Brethren groups can shape a stay around their own practices.

Use the optional events room for teaching, the lounges for smaller discussions and the kitchen for shared meals. One-group-only accommodation gives your assembly or congregation a private setting for its program.

Immersion methods differ between Brethren traditions. Tell us how your group conducts baptisms so we can discuss the practical requirements of any proposed pool ceremony.

Enquire about a fellowship weekend with optional church-led baptisms.

Other Churches and Movements: A Venue for Your Own Program

Christadelphian, Vineyard, Calvary Chapel and independent evangelical groups can combine their own teaching and fellowship program with accommodation and recreational facilities.

The property’s different gathering spaces allow organisers to balance group sessions with smaller conversations and downtime. Where approved by your leaders, pool baptisms can form part of the stay.

Jehovah’s Witnesses and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may also enquire about group accommodation. Their religious leaders must confirm baptism authorisation and event arrangements before an onsite ceremony is proposed.

Tell us the purpose of your gathering, your dates and your accommodation needs—we can help you plan the venue arrangements.

Catholic Retreats: Accommodation for Parish Weekends and Family Celebrations

Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic groups can book accommodation for parish gatherings, preparation weekends and family stays surrounding a baptism.

The self-catering kitchen supports shared meals, while the optional events room and lounges provide space for your group’s discussions and preparation. Exclusive use keeps your gathering together in one private property.

Catholic baptism locations are governed by church requirements. Consult your priest about any ceremony; do not assume a pool baptism is appropriate. Your group can stay at Berrima before or after a baptism celebrated at your parish.

Request a quote for your parish weekend or family accommodation around a baptism.

Anglican Retreats: Gather for Teaching, Fellowship and Time Together

Anglican Church of Australia, Church of England and Episcopal groups can plan parish weekends, youth gatherings and preparation retreats at Berrima.

The optional events room supports your minister’s teaching program, while the kitchen and shared accommodation make it possible to enjoy meals and conversations together. Activities provide a break between sessions for mixed-age groups.

Your minister confirms the method, location and permissions for any baptism during the stay.

Ask about a church-family retreat and request our suggested weekend itinerary.

Lutheran Retreats: Keep Your Congregation Together in One Place

Lutheran Church of Australia and other Lutheran groups can use Berrima Retreat for church-family weekends, teaching and fellowship.

Private accommodation, shared meal facilities and smaller lounge areas provide opportunities for both whole-group gatherings and individual conversations. Your organisers can set a program that suits the congregation.

Your pastor determines any baptism preparation and ceremony arrangements. The stay can also bring guests together around a baptism held at your church.

Enquire with your group size and preferred dates to explore accommodation options.

Methodist and Wesleyan Retreats: A Flexible Weekend for Your Church

Methodist, United Methodist, Wesleyan and Church of the Nazarene groups can bring their congregation together for worship, teaching, meals and activities.

Self-catering gives organisers control over the menu and timetable. The optional events room supports group sessions, while the grounds, games and cinema offer choices for free time.

Baptism methods differ between churches. Your minister should confirm whether an onsite ceremony is appropriate and what arrangements are needed.

Plan a weekend or midweek retreat and ask us for a tailored quote.

Presbyterian and Reformed Retreats: Space for Teaching and Fellowship

Presbyterian and Continental Reformed groups can book private accommodation for Bible teaching, church-family weekends and leadership gatherings.

Use the optional events room for the main sessions and the lounges for smaller discussions. Shared meals and onsite accommodation allow conversations to continue beyond the formal program.

Your minister or church leadership determines whether baptism forms part of the stay and where it should occur. Reformed Baptist groups can also refer to the Baptist section above.

Request availability for your next teaching retreat or congregation weekend.

Uniting and United Church Retreats: A Program Designed Around Your Group

Uniting Church in Australia and other united church groups can create a stay focused on worship, reflection, fellowship or ministry planning.

Berrima’s exclusive use, self-catering facilities and choice of gathering spaces allow organisers to balance structured sessions with relaxed time together. Families, leaders and young adults can all be considered when arranging bedrooms and activities.

Your minister determines any baptism arrangements, whether the ceremony takes place onsite or at a church.

Tell us what your group hopes to do during its stay, and we can quote for the accommodation and spaces you need.

A Suggested Two-Night Midweek Baptism Retreat Itinerary

Enjoy a Tuesday-to-Thursday retreat with time for teaching, fellowship, baptisms and shared meals. Adapt this suggested program to your church’s practices and participants.

Tuesday: Arrive and Gather

3 pm — Check-in and room allocation
Settle in and introduce guests to the property.

5 pm — Church-led welcome
Share the retreat program and allow time for questions.

6 pm — Shared dinner

7.30 pm — Worship, teaching or conversation

Wednesday: Prepare and Celebrate

8 am — Breakfast

9 am — Teaching and small groups

11 am — Baptism preparation and free time
Leaders meet with participants while other guests relax or enjoy activities.

12.30 pm — Lunch

1.30 pm — Ceremony setup and condition checks

2 pm — Pre-arranged church-led baptisms

3 pm — Changing, refreshments and consented photographs

6 pm — Celebration dinner

7.30 pm — Reflection or worship

Thursday: Close and Depart

7.30 am — Breakfast

8.15 am — Closing gathering

8.45 am — Packing and cleanup

10 am — Checkout

Wednesday baptisms give your group time to celebrate together before departure the following morning.

Enquire about a midweek church retreat at Berrima Retreat with your preferred dates and approximate guest numbers.

Something for Guests Who Are Not Being Baptised

A church retreat can include the whole group, even when only a few people are being baptised.

Guests can enjoy volleyball, basketball, table tennis, pool-table games and time on the lawns. Others may prefer the cinema or conversation in a lounge. A BBQ meal can bring everyone together, and the firepit is available when conditions permit.

Church organisers arrange appropriate supervision for youth groups and pool activities. Guests can choose whether to attend the ceremony or take part in an alternative activity.

What to Arrange Before Your Stay

Confirm participants, church approval, ceremony leaders, supervision and visitor numbers before arrival.

Ask participants to bring suitable clothing, a towel, dry clothes and footwear. Discuss accessibility, pool entry and exit, changing spaces and any assistance required.

Because the pool is outdoors, agree a weather contingency with your church. Indoor sessions can continue, but leaders should decide how a postponed baptism would be handled.

Watch our property videos to help picture the accommodation and gathering spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Guests Can Stay?

Berrima Retreat accommodates up to 55 overnight guests. The minimum accommodation charge is based on 22 adults.

Who Conducts the Baptisms?

Your church provides its leaders, prepares participants and conducts the ceremony. Berrima Retreat provides the accommodation and agreed venue facilities.

Is the Events Room Included?

The events room is an optional extra at $200 per stay. Let us know you need it when requesting your quote.

Can We Self-Cater?

Yes. Your group can use the commercial kitchen. Meals are not automatically included.

Can We Book Two Nights?

Two-night retreats are available outside peak periods, subject to availability. Peak dates require at least three nights. View our group accommodation pricing and request a quote for your dates.

Can We Book Without Holding Baptisms?

Yes. Church-family weekends, fellowship gatherings, leadership stays and youth retreats are welcome with or without baptisms.

Book Your Church Retreat at Berrima Retreat

Bring your congregation together for a private stay in the Southern Highlands, within reach of Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong.

Whether you are planning a baptism weekend, church camp or fellowship retreat, Berrima offers accommodation, shared spaces and activities your group can build its own program around.

Check availability and request your church retreat quote.

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