The Land Restoration Committee of the Hermitage Board has created a new Triple-spiral Labyrinth in the east meadow of The Hermitage. The labyrinth was blessed by 23 prayerful walkers during The Feast of the Transfiguration Retreat held on Saturday, August 8. Margie Pfeil led the group in reflections on the Triple-spiral form, linking it to the Trinity, the natural triple rhythms of our lives (past, present, future; birth, life, death), and to the naturally occurring spirals we encounter (our comet home, wave forms, water and air currents, shells, plant growth, etc.). Patty Hogan enumerated three gifts of the Triple-spiral labyrinth. It helps us to experience our lives as pilgrims (involved in our journeys) rather than as tourists (just passing through). The labyrinth helps us to slow down if we engage in seven pauses on the way (one before beginning and six as we pass through the centers of the labyrinth). It also teaches us that our lives are not lived in straight lines but are curved and continuously being revealed. Guests of The Hermitage are invited to use the Triple-spiral Labyrinth as an aid to prayer or just as a relaxing way to enter into retreat. The labyrinth slows ones walk through the meadow. Come and enjoy this new feature of the Hermitage landscape.
Eighteen workers participated in the Hermitage Jam workday on Friday, August 7. The blackberries are slow this year due to cool weather and there were relatively few picked (about 5 gallons). We made 13 pints of jam with the berries and will serve it at our meals until it runs out. The crew was also able to clear the second Prairie Prayer Garden and re-route a portion of the yellow trail to eliminate an eroding section.
We cultivate an expectancy during Advent. We await the coming of the Christ, both in our memories, as a baby, and in our hopes, as the one who will make the world whole. The psalmist writes, “for you I wait all the day long” (Psalm 25:5b). Come wait with us as we move through four stages of watchfulness: resting, remembering, restoring, and realizing.
There is time for both personal reflection and group connection in the retreat schedule.
Retreat Leader: Naomi Wenger
We cultivate an expectancy during Advent. We await the coming of the Christ, both in our memories, as a baby, and in our hopes, as the one who will make the world whole. The psalmist writes, “for you I wait all the day long” (Psalm 25:5b). Come wait with us as we move through four stages of watchfulness: resting, remembering, restoring, and realizing.
There is time for both personal reflection and group connection in the retreat schedule.
Retreat Leader: Naomi Wenger
Ignatius of Loyola gave us a tremendous resource in the Spiritual Exercises. We will explore together some of the riches that come to us from this practice.
Leader: Naomi Wenger
Time: 5 pm, Friday, November 6 – 4 pm, Saturday, November 7.
Register by: October 15
This retreat is part of a series for those interested in pursuing “The Hermitage Way.” One of the practices of The Way is to “Pursue simple living: a lifestyle that includes an effort to live with only what is needed and sharing what one has with others as an act of generosity or hospitality.”
Biff Weidman and Margie Pfeil will lead this retreat.
This retreat is given without cost to followers of The Hermitage Way. Other interested persons should consider a donation of $50 for the retreat.
Register by: September 15
Join us for monthly sung Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm in the Chapel of the Transfiguration.
Join us for monthly sung Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm in the Chapel of the Transfiguration.
