Reserve your retreat for 2023!
"Welcome to GilChrist, a place where natural beauty strengthens our human capacity for compassion, gratitude, reverence, and creativity." So states our home page, which invites you to explore a
Decision-Making Factors for Group Retreats
Scheduling group retreats for GilChrist and making decisions about what we can accommodate is a monumental task each year. The process is a complex overlay of practical, philosophical, and relational considerations. You should see our gloriously chaotic poster of sticky notes!
Resilience For Transformative Action: Exploring Stoic Virtues and Social Justice
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 a capacity that each of us can build within ourselves through our thoughts, behaviors, habits, and actions. Stoicism is a rich philosophical tradition that emphasizes the importance of cultivating four virtues – wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice – to build our resilience, to live well and to live authentically in the face of life’s challenges.
Resilience and Soul Work: Cultivating Courage to Create Inclusive Cultures [to be rescheduled]
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 a capacity that each of us can build within ourselves through our thoughts, behaviors, habits, and actions. The goal of our time together will be to explore strategies to deepen our commitment to live authentically and to undertake challenges to transform cultures to become more just.
Fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in group retreats
“Please describe how you intend to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in your proposed group retreat.” In 2019, we added this invitation to our simple group retreat request form for GilChrist. We wanted to begin gathering information from our facilitators on how folks were thinking about the connection between contemplative retreats and DEI work. Responses have ranged from very thoughtful and detailed to (perhaps) a little put off or confused. All responses have been helpful for us to see where our community is and what the opportunities are.
Group retreats return to GilChrist
We are excited to welcome group retreats back to GilChrist! Group gatherings of all types have been a hallmark of the hospitality we provide, and over the past two years, we’ve missed the connection and renewal they offer to guests. While solo retreats give much-needed respite from the rigors of daily life, a group retreat has a special way of building community through shared contemplative practices. In January, it was so good to see participants gathering again in WindHill – safely and joyously!
It Is Well With My Soul Retreat [FULL]
This retreat is fully booked. To inquire about being added to the waiting list, please reach out to Kayle Rice at the contact information below.
Updates for GilChrist COVID practices in 2022
We’re all looking forward to the return of our retreat groups at GilChrist in the new year, alongside our continuing solo retreat guests!
Writing From the Body
“Imagination is evidence of the divine,” wrote poet and visionary William Blake more than 200 years ago. And yet we experience the world, imagine, and create through our very human bodies. In this retreat designed for artists and dreamers of every ilk, we will drop into the body and connect to the deepest parts of ourselves.