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The Diocesan Retreat Committee
Enter into the Silence, into the Heart of Truth
Psalm 132:1
About Our Retreats...
 What is silence?
- The absence of noise or other distractions
- The depth of listening
- The hope of hearing God’s voice
- Silence is restful
- Silence brings peace
Why silence?
In many monastic traditions silence is the basis for meditation and getting closer to God. Away from all chitchat, in silence one prays or keeps still and listens. Silence is an opportunity to slough off the daily busy-ness or weariness. Communal silence helps us focus on God.
What to Expect at Our Silent Retreats
- Experience has taught us that not talking, not trying to interact, dropping everything, just to be quiet, brings refreshment to one’s soul.
- We ask you to observe silence, both for yourself and your fellow retreatants.
- In order to say YES to God, we commit to NO cell phones, NO radios, NO work, and NO talking. An answering machine will receive urgent phone messages and retreat volunteers will post them on a message board.
- Walls are not as thick as they seem, and radios and talk can be easily overheard. If you must use a cell phone, please go outside the building to make calls.
- Silence does not require you to avoid or ignore people. You may acknowledge someone passing by with a smile, point to what you need at meals, but please keep everything to a minimum so as not to disturb your own or the other person’s quiet time.
- Meals are silent, except for Friday dinner and Sunday lunch.
- Meditations are a time to reflect in silence.
- At our worship services, we respond out loud. We encourage you to sign up to lead a service or the prayers of the people, or read a psalm or lesson.
- If you have a conference with the Retreat Director, of course you will talk to her/him, but otherwise just soak up the peace.
- There is no part of the retreat program that you must do, except keep the silence! We encourage you to read. We have a sizeable library for your use. If you are tired, use the time to rest or sleep.
Come ye apart and rest a while
Mark 6:31
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