Retreat: Stepping Back from the Urgencies and Emergencies of Busy Lives
“I was meant for bigger things!” exclaimed Scuffy the Tugboat. Our 2HC facilitation team was gathered for a recent in-person retreat, sharing on Day 1 from our own journeys of ongoing spiritual formation. Scuffy the Tugboat’s story[1]—recounted in a fun children’s illustrated book that we looked at together—reminded us of the hurry and ambition of our younger years … and our longings for simpler, calmer and focused lives.
We also commented on a series of photos depicting different seasons in the life of a vineyard. “What photo depicts the season you are in?” and “Who is with me in this time?” and “Who am I to God?” were some of the questions that prompted our sharing.
Photo on Unsplash by Stephan H.
Photo on Unsplash by Svetlana Gumerova
A meditation from 2 Timothy 4 (especially verses 9-13) reminded us of the importance of supportive friendships and tangible of-the-earth comforts like a “cloak” and “books.” Michael Petrow of the Center for Action and Contemplation joined us for an hour via Zoom to help us reflect on the importance of narrative to spiritual formation (“the curriculum of your life is the most important curriculum” and “interrogate your beliefs with the reality of your lived experience”). Cindy S. Lee, a spiritual director and author of forthcoming book, Our Unforming: De-Westernizing Spiritual Formation, also joined us in person one morning. She challenged us to consider spiritual formation that is liberating and life-giving for those not from Western Christian spiritual traditions (e.g., advocating for “collective rest” in the face of a strongly individualistic understanding of spiritual formation).
Of course, we also enjoyed good food and fellowship, quiet reflection and soaking in the beauty of our Southern California desert surroundings. The kindness of our generous hosts facilitated our enjoyment of God’s good gifts to us in a time of retreat together.
Sacred Time and Sacred Space: 2HC’s Upcoming Virtual Retreat (December 1-3, 2022). Our 2HC facilitation team’s recent experience reminds us that we need community and we need retreat. Henri Nouwen notes the importance of community and retreat, “sacred time” and “sacred spaces” where we can “take a step back from the urgencies and emergencies of our busy lives and listen to God and to each other as children of God.”[2] Our 2HC calendar of ten months is anchored around three retreats, each including a dedicated time for a “retreat of silence.” Our upcoming virtual retreat in December will focus on listening and discernment. The juxtaposition of community and solitude in one retreat is life-giving, allowing time for storytelling with others and quiet with God. For now, these retreats are virtual, but next year we plan to start our third 2HC cohort with an in-person retreat.
As you view the photos below from our retreat together, what longings for “sacred time” and “sacred space” in retreat with others and God are stirred in you?
[1] You can see and hear the book being read out loud at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4sRbow6GKQ
[2] Henri M. Nouwen with Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird in Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life, (New York, NY: HarperOne, 2013), p. 15.
