Member for

5 years 2 months
Photo
Cover Photo
bergamot blooms in a summer field
First Name
Deborah
Last Name
Haak-Frost
Biography

If you make a reservation for a retreat at GilChrist, you will most likely see my name on the email signature, talk with me on the phone, or see my face when you arrive. I’ve always delighted in being able to connect people with the natural world in ways that allow them to experience their environment deeply and meaningfully. My undergraduate degree in psychology and environmental studies paved the way for this beautiful integration of two passions of mine. The principles of permaculture – earth care, people care, and fair share – also shape my approach to my work. Making rest and retreat more accessible for all is something I try to work toward.

I also do a lot of the behind-the-scenes logistics and administrative work at GilChrist: working with group retreat facilitators, handling billing, managing social media, keeping the website up to date, cataloging the library, and also pitching in with cabin cleaning and feeding the goats.

When I’m not at work, you can find me volunteering in my Three Rivers community, cooking and baking in my kitchen, taking in thought-provoking television and movies with my husband, or daydreaming about grand garden plans for my backyard.

Job Title
Caretaker for Community Engagement
Cover Caption
Bergamot blooms in this summer view from the GilChrist office
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Staff Department
GilChrist Retreat Center
Department or Org
GilChrist
Email
dhaak@fetzer.org
Submitted by dhaak on Wed, 12/01/2021 - 14:57

We’re all looking forward to the return of our retreat groups at GilChrist in the new year, alongside our continuing solo retreat guests!

When we began thinking about re-opening WindHill and hosting groups again 2022, we weren’t certain what the state of the pandemic might be in the coming calendar year. At the time of this writing, COVID-19 is still a significant risk for our region. Rather than cancel our group reservations and restrict WindHill access even further out, we’ve been working with our peers in the retreat center sector and our colleagues at the Fetzer Institute to design practices that will permit safe gatherings again here at GilChrist.

The process of making decisions was not easy, and we spent many hours considering multiple perspectives and options for supporting our values of hospitality, inclusion, and collective care during the most severe public health crisis any of us has ever experienced. Here is a summary of the practices we’ve discerned for 2022:

  • Participants in group retreats must be fully vaccinated. Facilitators and groups will decide among themselves whether to require masks indoors or observe additional mitigation measures together.
  • Vaccination and disclosure of vaccination status is optional for solo guests, and our GilChrist team will continue to practice safety measures in our guest interactions (ex. masking when indoor assistance is needed and leaving a gap between guests in the cabins).
  • WindHill access for solo guests and other visitors is restricted to those who are fully vaccinated, and masks are required for entry.
  • Those who are exempt from vaccination requirements for religious (Title VII) and medical (ADA) reasons can submit documentation of their exemption. Reasonable accommodations for those with approved exemptions include pre-testing and mask requirements. Please contact GilChrist staff for more details.

We're grateful for the patience and understanding of our community as we continue to navigate this very strange time for all of us as individuals and for the GilChrist team as stewards of a space of hospitality and rest. May the winter season bring a sense of peace and healing to all. 

Topics
Southwest Michigan
Partner
GilChrist Retreat Center
Blog Category
News
Author
Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Event Category
GilChrist
Slideshow
circle of meditation chairs in a white room