For God has not given us a spirit of fear, 

but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

- 2 Timothy 1:7

 In these days when hate speech and acts of violence are all too common, many find themselves fearful and with a sense of helplessness. We don't have to be. As followers of Christ, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers and reconcilers, just as he was. This retreat aims to reinforce our trust in and dedication to the peacemaking work of Christ. Through prayer, reflection on scripture, and times of silence, participants will have opportunities to personally tap into that "peace that surpasses all understanding." Furthermore, they will consider ways to create safe and constructive dialogue among those who have not had much positive conversation with each other regarding race, politics, class, or religion. And to help put faith into practice, they will be empowered with methods to use in their relationships and communities for positive responses to violence.

This retreat will be facilitated by The Rev. Masud Ibn Syedullah TSSF, Founder and Director of Roots & Branches and The Rev. Garrett Mettler, Associate, Roots & Branches. To learn more about  Roots & Branches visit their website

Cost: $300; deposit: $80

Grace has been called truly amazing, for we have experienced it as such. It is undeserved, beyond our control or manipulation, and given when we least expect it. Our capacity to receive grace, to be available and open to it, and to recognize it when it is offered, is dependent on our openheartedness, poverty of spirit and awareness. This retreat will explore the ins and outs of grace, how we might block or refuse it, how we may be instruments of it and where it has amazingly appeared in our lives.

This retreat will be facilitated by   Janet Corso. Janet is the past director of Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center in Ossining, NY. She is an associate of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, taught philosophy for many years at Mt. St. Mary's in Newburgh, NY and is the founder and past director of Sarabrae, Women's Spirituality Center. An experienced certified spiritual director, supervisor, program presenter, and retreat director, she is also the team coordinator of Mariandale's Contemplative Formation Program, as well as a team member of the Linwood - Mariandale Spiritual Directors' Training Program and the Supervisors' Training Program. She resides in the Hudson Valley.

Cost: $310; deposit: $80

In a world of surfaces and compulsory connectivity, where celebrity is paramount and self-publicizing valued, attending to the inner life of the spirit becomes more counter cultural than ever. Join us for a weekend of silence, prayer and reflection for deepening our sense of the mystery of our true identity in Christ, and for growing in appreciation of the hidden life of the heart as the tap root of our capacity for communion with others. The addresses will draw on rich traditions from the experience of those who have explored the life of solitude down the centuries.

 

Cost: $300; deposit: $80

The Rule of St. Benedict has, for more than 1400 years, guided communities and their leaders in how to seek and serve God, to be formed and transformed in the image of God as they live their daily lives in community. Today there is growing interest in applying this framework in a variety of work settings. We will consider how Benedictine virtues such as listening, humility, balance, and the dignity of work can enable us to live in community and to lead in community. In an era that seems to value self-promotion and the carefully crafted online profile, we will explore how true self- knowledge can inform healthy leadership and a community life that supports growth for all its members.

Cost: $350; deposit: $80

To register for these or any of our other  programs , or to reserve a room for your own, personal retreat, please call Lori, our Guesthouse Manager, at 845-384-6660, ext. 1, or send her an   email.