25th Anniversary Ceremony (Private Event)
Due to COVID safety considerations, a private, outdoor ceremony will be held.
Echoing elements of the original dedication in 1995, this ceremony will celebrate the inspiration that brought GilChrist into being as well as reflections on what GilChrist has inspired since its creation. An outdoor processional on the land will honor the past, present, and future of GilChrist while offering prayers for the people, land, creatures, and places within the GilChrist community.
25 Days of GilChrist
For 25 years, GilChrist Retreat Center has served an extended community of humans and other living beings with space for rest, regeneration, and healing. As we prepare to observe the 25th anniversary of the dedication of GilChrist on October 15, our nation is deeply divided politically, a novel virus has dramatically reshaped daily life around the world, the struggle for racial justice continues with urgency, and our wounded planet is crying out.
A Reflection on Deep Rest
After four months, GilChrist Retreat Center is open once again.
In March, as we closed the door behind us with uncertainty and sadness, we didn’t know when we would return. We wiped the calendar—full of group bookings and personal retreat reservations—clean. The cabins, usually filled back-to-back with guests, would sit empty. But we committed ourselves to hold this situation with open hands and hearts, ready to learn and listen and wait and wonder.
Retreat in Place
This note, from Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma, head caretaker at GilChrist (our public retreat center) and her staff, provides both an update about the closure of the center as a result of the pandemic and a reminder of the “unexpected gifts” it offers.
CANCELLED: The Lord Your Shepherd Silent Directed Retreats
One-night and two-night options available
"The Lord is your Shepherd... You shall not want... He makes you lie down in green pastures. He leads you beside the still waters. He restores your soul." Psalm 23:1-2
CANCELLED: Resilience Retreat: Lessons from the Stoics
When we think of "resilient" people, we generally think of individuals who adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, stress and/or tragedy. Resilience is less a trait that someone possesses; it is more a capacity that each of us can build within ourselves through our thoughts, behaviors, habits, and actions.
Hibernate with Yoga and Community
This wintertime retreat will offer quiet and togetherness through yoga practices, hiking, a creative project, and community dinners. Reflection is encouraged in solitude, as well as with one another. Sometimes winter inspires one to seek refuge in solitude and quiet, which can be rejuvenating, and other times togetherness is a balm for the cold. This retreat provides space for hibernating in togetherness. The intent is to create a warm atmosphere of choice between solitude or an activity together and reflect on the energies each experience inspires.
CANCELLED: Generational Patterns that Block the Spiritual Path: Healing the Family Soul
In solidarity with state, national, and global efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, GilChrist will be closed to all guests from March 15 through April 30.
CANCELED: Honoring Our Rhythms and Cycles
In solidarity with state, national, and global efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, GilChrist will be closed to all guests from March 15 through April 5.
CANCELED: Sant Mat America: March Retreat
In solidarity with state, national, and global efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, GilChrist will be closed to all guests from March 15 through April 5.