Report to Parish -- Spiritual Retreat Survey
The Immanuel Spiritual Retreat Committee thanks parishioners for responding to the survey they issued this summer which has provided a better understanding about how to support the spiritual needs of our congregation.
Because some parishioners have family or work responsibilities that prevent them from devoting a full weekend to a spiritual retreat, the committee will try to schedule a half day program on a Saturday this coming spring in Alexandria on a spiritual topic rather than provide two weekend retreats. In planning for future retreats, the committee would strive to avoid the busy Advent season as well as the weeks before Easter. For parishioners involved in choir or altar guild, these are periods when they need to be at church on Sunday mornings rather than on a retreat. Unfortunately, the date of the upcoming Advent Retreat led by the Rev. Ruthanna Hooke scheduled for December 8-10 at Holy Cross Abbey cannot be changed.
It was helpful to learn that being in a beautiful natural setting, having time to focus on one’s spiritual life, learning from the guidance of the retreat leader, and stepping away from the stresses of daily life were elements of a retreat that attracted those who participated in them.
Survey respondents encouraged the committee to provide more information about the schedule for a retreat and have past participants share some of the benefits of retreats with the congregation.
Immanuel Spiritual Retreat Committee: Amy Thomas, Mark Fearer, Becky McCann, Katherine Maas, and Mary Ann Rehnke
Because some parishioners have family or work responsibilities that prevent them from devoting a full weekend to a spiritual retreat, the committee will try to schedule a half day program on a Saturday this coming spring in Alexandria on a spiritual topic rather than provide two weekend retreats. In planning for future retreats, the committee would strive to avoid the busy Advent season as well as the weeks before Easter. For parishioners involved in choir or altar guild, these are periods when they need to be at church on Sunday mornings rather than on a retreat. Unfortunately, the date of the upcoming Advent Retreat led by the Rev. Ruthanna Hooke scheduled for December 8-10 at Holy Cross Abbey cannot be changed.
It was helpful to learn that being in a beautiful natural setting, having time to focus on one’s spiritual life, learning from the guidance of the retreat leader, and stepping away from the stresses of daily life were elements of a retreat that attracted those who participated in them.
Survey respondents encouraged the committee to provide more information about the schedule for a retreat and have past participants share some of the benefits of retreats with the congregation.
Immanuel Spiritual Retreat Committee: Amy Thomas, Mark Fearer, Becky McCann, Katherine Maas, and Mary Ann Rehnke
