"Annual GLBT Retreat" Dunrovin Retreat Center September 28/29, 2002

This last weekend (September 28 & 29), the SJA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) group met at the Dunrovin Retreat and Conference Center in Marine on St. Croix for their annual retreat. There were 31 registered participants from St. Joan's, St. Stephen's, the Basilica, and a few other parishes. The theme for the weekend was "Be Still and Know That I Am" (Psalm 46).

As I arrived at the retreat center, a light rain was just beginning to fall. I was warmly welcomed and given my room assignment - women on the 2nd floor, men on the 1st floor. Each person had a room to themselves with a single bed, desk and chair, rocking chair, sink and mirror. There was a bathroom and shower room on each floor. The retreat center space is beautiful, very open and airy, surrounded by lush nature, with many walking paths and reflection spots.

Within the retreat center, there was a large gathering space, a chapel, a quiet prayer room, a meditation room, a dining area, a play area with piano, pool table and ping-pong, and a living room area with comfortable sofas for conversation or reading. While people were checking in, we were asked to meet someone we didn't know, get to know them and introduce them when we met as a group for the first time.

After everyone was checked in, we came together in the gathering space to begin the retreat. We did introductions and met our first presenters: Spirit of the Lakes Co-Pastors Rebecca Voelkel-Haugen and Fintan Moore. They gave a brief lecture on the incorporation of spirituality and sexuality, covering some of Matthew Fox's work on Creation Spirituality. After the talk, we were invited to take a piece of butcher paper and make a timeline of the milestones in both our spiritual life and our sexual life. We were invited to either share our timelines with another person or spend some time journaling.

Following the wrap up of the session, we headed to the dining room for dinner and conversation. After a great meal, it was time to gather again for the next presenter. Peter Rothstein(right) led us in a creativity discussion with readings and quotes. He asked us to think about something creative we had done, take out a piece of paper and write down the 5 "W's" - what, where, when, why, and who for. He then asked us to write down the name of someone we felt was creative and list 3 traits of that person. As we went around sharing, it became very obvious that our collective concept of creativity encompassed a wide range of activities and actions.

The rest of the evening was free time. While some people headed to a cabin to build a fire and make s'mores, there were a few boisterous games of ping-pong. Some people chose to read, meditate or pray. Some went for a walk in the dark. Others played the piano. Eventually, sleep overtook us all.

Sunday morning began with breakfast in the dining room. We moved into the gathering space, where Sister Mary White presented information on Centering Prayer meditation. She led us through a relaxation exercise and then into Centering Prayer meditation. Having meditated before, I found the technique of Centering Prayer to be harder than I thought it would be, yet very energizing.

We spent most of the morning on meditation and prayer then broke for lunch. After lunch, we gathered again to plan our closing prayer service. We created an altar in the center of the room, then assembled outside by the pond to begin the prayer service. We each held a lit votive candle, and a gift of one of the earth elements (water, fire, earth, wind). One person opened the service with a prayer and we sang a song. We had a procession from the pond to our indoor gathering space, where we left our gifts on the altar. There were more readings, prayers, music, prayer requests, breaking of bread and signs of peace. At the end, we all joined in the song "Let Us Build a City of God".

Bridget Gaeleigh became a SJA parishioner in the fall of 2000. Bridget lives with her two cats in Richfield. During the day she assumes the role of a business/techie in corporate america, but at night she's obsessed with satellite tv medical shows, working out, reading, listening to music and doing fun stuff with friends and family.

Over the weekend, new friendships were formed and old friendships were strengthened. A lot of hugs, a few tears, and many laughs were shared among all the participants. It was a weekend of spiritual growth, and I'm already looking forward to next year's retreat.