GALLANT, Ala. – Camp Sumatanga has meant Bible stories and softball games for generations of Methodist families. Young and old alike come to the old church retreat for renewal in its quiet coves and chapels.
Today, though, the 1,700-acre retreat is in danger of shutting down…
This article shows how the economy is affecting US church camps.
Dozens of religious retreats are nestled in the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley of upstate New York, many open to visitors seeking quiet getaways and personal enlightenment. Stay for meals or overnight, you’ll likely be asked for a donation or pay a small fee. Come for organized retreats for weekends, weeks or longer, with guided learning, solitary prayer or meditation, and pay program fees.
This blog suggests you how you can find a few of those quiet places in many spiritual traditions.
Retreat centers for meditation are established in order to provide a quiet and relaxing place to profoundly contemplate which is not usually achieved within the corners of a quiet room. There are several retreat areas for meditation in California to choose from.Institute for Internal Transformation in San Francisco, the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, the Ananda Meditation Retreat in Nevada City and Saratoga Springs at Upper Lake.
This blog gives you details regarding those 4 California Meditation Centers
After serving for more than 80 years as a place of respite and a spiritual hub, the Cenacle Retreat House in Lake Ronkonkoma is set to come down.
The house, which sits at the center of the 45-acre Ronkonkoma Cenacle retreat center, will be replaced by a new, energy-efficient facility, said an attorney for the Sisters of the Cenacle, the Catholic order that runs the center.
This blog is about the human and economical challenges that the Cenacle face today and how they chose to resolve them.
This blog is a follow up on our latest one about “spiritual tourism” in Pennsylvannia.
Several Pennsylvania destinations fall into the spiritual-travel category, with philosophies as varied as the locales they call home. Here are a few: St. Joseph Institute, The Himalayan Institute, Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center, Pendle Hill
“Frazzled Americans look increasingly to such destinations as the St Joseph Institute in Port Matilda, PA, to decompress from their mile-a-minute lifestyles, redefining the concept of “spiritual travel.” State tourism gurus in Pennsylvania in recent years have produced literature promoting what they called “growing interest in spiritually based retreat destinations.”
St. Joseph has been attracting visitors since 1971. Some come for retreats, some for wellness worskshops or conferences, and others for the peacefulness of the place.
For more about St Joseph and the phenomenon of “spiritual travel” of click on this blog
There are million of viewers using these new technologies monthly and they are becoming increasingly popular ways of marketing one’s business. Should retreat and conference centers use these new Internet media methods to connect with their clients and market?
Business Week recently published an article entitled “Social Media will Change your Business” by Stephen Baker and Heather Green. You might wish to read over this article to see how these new growing tools can help you publicize your retreat center, events and leaders.
A few examples for you to visit:
YouTube – Videos – Jesuit Retreat House
Facebook – Mini-Website – Harmony Hill Retreat Center
Twitter – Brief News Releases – Still Meadow Retreat
Blogs – Articles – Malvern Retreat
We are venturing into these new tools to help our clients and retreat seekers to locate places, people and events that are related with the spiritual retreat industry.
What do you think? Can retreat centers successfully utilize this new technology?
Why attend a retreat now?
Why make a retreat? Why take time and spend money in the midst of a great financial crisis? Suzanne Buckley, Director of Mercy Center (http://www.mercy-center.org) in
Suzanne continues “in this era of global turmoil, retreat centers continue to provide a place for those who seek solace, deep connection and refreshment for their souls. All are invited to spend a day, a weekend or a week in retreat and see what happens. Whether you attend a workshop, private retreat, sit meditation or learn Centering Prayer, we know that something will shift in you. When you change, the world changes.”
President Obama summarized our times saying that we are facing “gathering clouds and raging storms.” Chris Murphy from
Today’s economic climate is generating clouds of doubt, stress, confusion and anxiety. All are impacted and are looking for ways to weather this storm by conserving their money and to deal with the worries and pressures associated with this recession. Some are seeking financial aid, while others are seeking meaning in prayer.
Throughout
There are many retreat centers across
Transformation is experienced by all faiths, denominations and ethnic groups. Jacques and Jo-Anne are directors of Still Life Retreat (http://www.spiritual-love-inn.com), a
Many retreat centers have spiritual directors on staff to companion you on your spiritual journey. Sister June Fitzgerald, O.P. is a spiritual director and retreat leader at Dominican Retreat (http://www.dominicanretreat.org) in
Some retreat centers have a calendar of workshops, programs and events that are designed to help one find meaning in the spiritual journey.
Spiritual conference centers and hotels that are receptive to spiritual and church groups visiting them are sensitive to the pressures of today’s economic climate. Meaghan Cannon from Benchmark Hospitality International indicates that “The Heldrich Hotel & Spa (http://www.theheldrich.com) in
Retreat centers provide silence, simplicity, nature, rest, regeneration and a guide to the Divine at a reasonable price. Take a look at the retreat facilities in your state using the FindtheDivine directories (www.findthedivine.com) or even take a 3 minute online retreat with Loyola Press (www.loyolapress.com). Review the retreat events scheduled in the coming months on SeekaRetreat (http://www.seekaretreat.com). Shirley Dobson from Pendle Hill (www.pendlehill.org), a
Now more than ever, taking a retreat is a valuable investment in one’s Self. As the Retreat Coach and the Founder/Executive Director of RetreatCoaches.com (http://www.retreatcoaches.com) – a professional training center and network of retreat coaches, Helene Van Manen has been reflecting on the importance of the retreat process.
“The media is blasting us daily with the collective fear around the failing economy. Pressures abound for many people and the act of going on a retreat can provide one with the restored hope that will allow you to cope with this season of transition and uncertainty that we live in.
Both women and men need retreats. Going on a coaching retreat combines the format of quiet introspection and ‘getting away’ along with the transformative power of having a professional coach lead you. There is an entire network of retreat coaches through RetreatCoaches.com that specialize in using nature, beautiful locations, music, art and other integrative creative experiences. Many retreat coaches offer custom retreats specifically for businesses and non-profit organizations to help them re-group. And retreats for individuals, leaders and other high profile professionals, can serve to integrate a sense of renewed purpose during a time when many are re-creating themselves.”
Victoria FittsMilgrim, PCC Certified True Life Coach and Retreat Leader, has written an article entitled “Take a Retreat to Detoxify Your Soul” (http://www.truelifecoach.net/articles.htm) which is pertinent during this time of stress and anxiety. She is located in CO and directs True Life Coaching & Retreats. Visit http://www.truelifecoach.net to learn more about the 2009 schedule of nourishing retreats of self-discovery where you can come home to your True Self.
So, why go on retreat? As Suzanne Buckley states “we know that something will shift in you.
When you change, the world also changes. Isn’t this the time for change? Join us and see.”
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The US economy has been in trouble with high gasoline prices and record high home foreclosures. People are trying to make “ends meet” financially and many are working two jobs if they can find them. Many are depressed and need the respite and time with God offered at retreat centers. However, they can not afford the time or money to attend the events and places that offer them hope and answers. What can retreat centers do? Is there a way to reach these people with new technology or scholarships? We invite your suggestions!