SPIRITUAL RECOVERY: SACRED SPACES: GO TO! (Post 167)

JUNE 30, 2024

The best cure for the body is to quiet the mind.
- Napoleon

One of the first churches that I served as pastor was small in physical capacity – but certainly not limited in spirit! The building was a white frame one room structure. The entryway opened wide into the sanctuary and was more like a contiguous nook to the single room. Beautiful stain glass windows lined up on both right and left sides of the plain wooden pews. A thin narrow carpet split the two seating sections and the ceiling was high, barrel-rounded shaped, and plaster. There was an upright piano and an ancient Victorian foot-pump-powered organ. An incredible place in which to sing!

The church stood by the intersection of a county road and state two-lane highway, one of the main byways of that rural area. It was, indeed, a peaceful spot and quiet place to worship … and worship by the congregants was genuinely heartfelt. Interestingly, the only operating door was kept unlocked. Early on, I asked why … and not surprisingly, they replied earnestly that if anyone traveling past the church would suddenly feel the need to pray or seek the Lord, (s)he could open the door and enter. Nowadays, how many places of worship are unlocked when no one is present? Yes, I certainly do understand about safety and security issues … this then is not an oral argument about locking-the-building policies. Still I find it appealing to envision open prayer rooms, like hospital chapels, for example, wherein one can seek solace and peace … a sacred space, indoors or out.

GRM BLOG Post 167, therefore, is a listing of suggestions to GO TO … and possibly create! Please, note that I am not favoring one spot over others (not listed). Instead, my hope is that of sparking curiosity to explore places where your soul may be fed by sacred surroundings in an atmosphere of holiness!

SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL RETREAT

*** Let’s begin with the obvious: RETREAT FACILITIES

There is an amazing amount of such facilities listed online: faith-based, commercial, free, for-fee/donation, for large groups, for individuals, offering classes, exercises, and/or mentoring, seasonal availability, open year-round, and meals/only certain meals/no meals – a wide variety!

CAMPGROUNDS, both faith-based and commercial, often have rooms, cottages, or designated camping areas. Off-season accommodations could particularly be available for personal retreats.

MONASTERIES AND CONVENTS may offer overnight facilities with optional faith-based mentoring, group meditation, or silent retreats.

MISSION SITES may have lodgings available for mission teams as well as for persons wanting to tour the mission and be on retreat. Helping with the work of a mission can, also, serve as a retreat for individuals and groups.

*** CHAUTAUQUA MOVEMENT COMMUNITIES stemming from 19th century religious camp meetings, though few and far between now, are seasonally still around in the United States. Summer programming varies from literary discussions, art exhibits, religious presentations, and musical events for the following Chautauqua Communities:

Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York

Lakeside Chautauqua, Lakeside, Ohio

The Bayview Association, Petoskey, Michigan

Illinois:

Bishop Hill Chautauqua, Bishop Hill, IL

New Piasa Chautauqua, Grafton, IL

Prairieland, Chautauqua, Jacksonville, IL

*** ISLANDS

Islands, in and of themselves, are built-in GO TO places (unless you live on one!). Access is usually deliberate and crossing over brings on a leaving-behind sense of separation from the usual. Even more so, an island known for its spiritual undertones makes for a ready-made pilgrimage!

LINDISFARNE “HOLY ISLAND”

Off the northeast coast of England, Holy Island became a center of early Christianity when monks first settled there in 635 AD. As a tidal island, access is either by driving or walking the Pilgrim’s Way during low tide times. Steeped in holy history, Lindisfarne surrounds the visitor with ancient buildings, gardens, beautiful views and centuries-old

accounts of the devoted faithful. It is said that the veil between God and humankind is discernibly thin on Holy Island! Lodgings, restaurants, shops, and museums are available to visitors. An adjoining spot of land, pint-sized historic St. Cuthbert’s Island, provides breathtaking views of Lindisfarne and can be reached by tidal pathway.

STAR ISLAND (ISLES OF SHOALS)

Seven miles off New Hampshire’s Atlantic coast lies Star Island, home to the Star Island Corporation Family Retreat and Conference Center. Described as a dynamic community, Star Island has close ties to the Unitarian Universalist Association and The United Church of Christ. Programming activities and presentations are optionally available via registration. Self-guided visits are welcome with lodging (reserve) and food services obtainable from June through September.

ST. SIMON’S ISLAND (GEORGIA)

Crossing the bridge to St. Simon’s Island places the traveler into a mini-world of history, nature, recreation, worship, and incredible beauty. In fact, the only mini about this place of wonder is that one does not have to travel far between memorable spots of beauty, adventure, learning, and inspiration. I’m only including a few highlights … but there are many more!

African-American Heritage Tour

Travel through the impactful history of the Gullah-Geechee community’s island life and their significant cultural contributions overtime. Among the places to visit are the historic Harrington School, Hamilton Plantation Cabins, and Ebo Landing. In addition, a very special time of inspiration can be experienced with attendance to the Sunday morning worship service at the First African Baptist Church.

The Wesley Tour

Founder of the Methodist Movement, John Wesley and his brother Charles were two of the many missionaries to St. Simon’s Island. Self tailor-made tours to learn more about the Wesleys are easy to do here: Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum, Christ Church and Tour, Cemetery at Christ Church grounds, Wesley Memorial and Gardens, and Wesley Chapel.

Epworth-by-the Sea

Words to describe this large retreat complex with dining options, a wide variety of lodging, programming for groups, and team-building opportunities are the following: life-changing, Holy Spirit, solitude and recovery, preaching, teaching, powerful, and worship!

*** HOLY WALKS, HOLY STEPS, PRAYER WALKS, LABYRINTHS

Just taking a walk can turn out to be your very own personal retreat. Praying first before you start sets you up for a purposefully blessed experience. Here are some suggestions to enhance your Holy Walk. Select a source of sacred writing that you have and predetermine what verses, paragraphs, sayings, expressions, songs, and even single words you will use as prayer prompters. Bookmark or clip those to which you will refer and plan a rough timetable for periodic stopping points. Another plan could be to say a prayer or blessing upon certain “objects” seen along the way: doorways, service vehicles, signs, even a person wearing a blue shirt, etc.! Then too, a specific problem/situation/dilemma can provide a meditation focus for your holy walk … and best to keep it simple with a single focus. Moreover, observing a special faith-holiday with your personal reflections as you walk can provide a deeper celebration than you might expect! Prayer “walks” can take place inside a building too: your home, place of work, hospital, and even in line to make a purchase! Then wrap up your holy walk with a closing prayer of thanksgiving!

Finally, don’t discount local faith centers for a go-to sacred space retreat experience. First, one’s own place of worship may have a designated prayer room, peaceful flower garden, meditation pool, prayer path or trail, and a quiet sanctuary. A beautiful example of prayer walking is found in Cincinnati, Ohio at HolyCross-Immaculata Church in the Mt. Adams neighborhood. Annually on Good Friday, persons from across the nation come to climb (outdoors) the 96 steps up to the chapel. At each step, individuals pause and pray. What an spiritually moving, yearly tradition! Imagine how helpful this could be for persons working the 12 Steps to Recovery!

Finally, walking a labyrinth can surprisingly provide an experience of focus and retreat from life’s hustle-bustle demands and schedules. The walker follows a spiral patterned pathway from an outer edge point clear to the design’s center – and then back out again to where (s)he began. Faith centers and parks may have such patterns on their grounds. In Lafayette, Indiana, Riehle Plaza features a medieval style labyrinth that is a replica of the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth in Paris … but the Wabash River flows underneath this Hoosier model!

In January 2023, I wrote in Post 155, Keeping an open mind to refining our actions, attitudes, and reactions, let us enter this new year with an emphasis on spirituality. My goal for 2023 is to work through the year with 12 GRM Blog entries focused on spirituality: what it can bring into one’s life in general – AND in recovery (at one time or another, we’re all in recovery for something!). Well, I’m a bit behind but I made it to 12 Posts! Once again, let us hear Webster’s words as pearls of wisdom and a blessing to each of us!

A solemn and religious regard to spiritual and eternal things is an indispensable element of all true greatness.

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

https://www.grmumc.org

855-926-0761

For more information on the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit:

www.igccb.org

From IGCCB’s Resources for Coping with COVID 19:

https://personcenteredtech.com/tmh/clients (Online therapy preparation for clients)
https://gambling.easywebinar.live/replay (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)
https://youtu.be/dYUEjIFtT8E (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)

For more information on gambling disorder and recovery issues, go to: