SpiritRest 2018 has come to a close

​Post by Rev. Sharon Wylie, worship leader

Thursday: reentry

Our retreat ended on Thursday morning this year; a four-day retreat instead of our usual five. Shortening the retreat AND being at a different retreat center (with different meal times!) than in the previous two years had been surprisingly challenging to those of us who lead SpiritRest. We worried that the schedule was too full. We worried that the magic of SpiritRest might be gone in this new place.

​How gratifying, then, to hear at our Thursday morning gathering—when we meet to break the silence and to process the retreat experience together—that retreatants had had just the experience we were hoping for them. The gifts of silence, spiritual practice, and spiritual direction are reliable, it seems.

Our unfinished puzzle was the perfect representation of the unfinishedness of spiritual work.

People who had arrived tired and frayed on Sunday left feeling rested and restored. Retreatants described themselves at the close of the retreat as:

• Invigorated
• Energy improved, temperament relaxed and confident
• Feeling good, having had catharsis
• Relaxed, refreshed, with new ideas and intentions
• Grounded, open, deeply connected to the Divine, at ease in my wholeness
• Rested, energized
• Ready to tackle what comes next

 
And as in our other years, all retreatants would recommend this retreat to others! What a lovely affirmation that despite the changes from previous years, the retreat experience we have been developing is as nourishing as ever.
 
We hope to return to Mary & Joseph Retreat Center next August. I will send an email and update the website as soon as we know the dates. We hope to see you at SpiritRest 2019!