Outline:
Note: this session was designed with photos in mind to go along with it. Please watch the video with this outline to see them as you follow along.
What Retreats are:
- Defintion
- A means to get closer to God
- Every relationship needs work, including with God
- Regular work makes it easier to do the work God has given us to do
- When to take
- Clergy
- Most try to take monthly
- Some make sure to include in Letter of Agreement
- Best to have at least one day a month
- Better if at one point in the year can get a week
- Consequences if don't take
- Hurts relationship with God
- Hurts ministry
- Lay
- More flexibility for when to take
- Don't have to work on Sundays
- Regularity
- Base on your needs and schedule
- Don't need to spend a lot of money to go on retreat
- Some retreat centers have scholarships
- Others have "pay what you can" policies
- Can do alone or with Parish groups
- Going on Retreat is like a Pilgrimage
- Typically go to a Holy Site because of what it is
- Jerusalem is a great example
- Eventually add our own stories and experience to the site
- ex. my white stole has touched 2 holy spots at the Holy Sepulchre
- Sometimes make Pilgrimage to sites that are just holy to us
- ex. Cambridge
- Lots of great places of Reformation importance
- Always go to Westcott House because that was my most powerful semester in seminary
Preparation:
- What has worked before
- Recall past Retreat and what worked then
- ex. Sacred Heart Retreat Home in Colorado for me
- First big retreat pre-seminary
- Use experience to shape how I retreat now
- ex. Taizé
- First real retreat
- Example for singing, worship, and pattern
- If don't have a past experience, make one
- Get recommendations from others you trust
- Remember, what works for them may or may not work for you
Supply List:
- Spiritual Director
- Not a necessity, but helps
- Spiritual Director is someone who walks the Faith Journey with you
- Primarily asks "Where do you see God in this"
- Spiritual Direction is not:
- Counseling
- Many have certificates, not licenses
- Do not have a health care training background
- Deal with spiritual relationship, not psychological
- Mentorship
- Spiritual Direction is a listening ministry
- Mentorship about giving advice for specific situations
- Generally meet once a month
- Some meet via phone or online
- Can get resources to find from parish or Diocese
- Rector will not serve in this role
- Can be a conflict of interests
- Associate could be suitable
- Depends on circumstances
- Rest
- Advice from Mentor
- Remember the Sabbath (Lev 23)
- Can't do anything else without rest first
- Worship
- Can help center self with God
- Daily Office provides great resource
- Can chose 1 or more forms and times to pray
- Daily Office also includes Biblical readings in it
- These can be helpful for listening to what God is saying to us now
- Other Practices
- Journaling
- Can help see where God is working
- Can communicate directly with God too
- Walking
- A means of presence and communication
- Reading
- Religious texts cover:
- Scripture
- Literature
- History
- Theology
- Centering Prayer
- Specific form of meditation that empties oneself to let God in
- Have to build up time to exercise well