Reading Retreat
When I was in seminary, the Office of Spiritual Life would hold periodic “reading retreats.” What church nerd—I mean church enthusiast—doesn’t love a retreat? I imagined time near a woodland or lakefront chapel to reconnect with my spiritual center. Especially given the pace of urban student life, a getaway had its appeal.
But the reality was that we students had full workloads, meager wallets, and—as we journeyed deeper into adulthood—less desire for intensive communal living experiences (read: bed- and bathrooms shared with near strangers).
Enter the reading retreat. Rev. Dr. Robin Olson, who led the Office during my years on campus, had come up with the perfect solution for frazzled, impoverished, bunk-bed averse students who needed to recharge without falling further behind on assignments. And these retreats were immensely popular.
At 9 am on a select Saturday, we’d huddle into the small, seminary chapel for morning prayer and the setting of intentions. We’d go around the room with each participant (masters and PhD students, teaching assistants, seminary staff and occasionally a professor) sharing what they hoped to accomplish that day. And then, after a closing song, we’d break for our campus location of choice to set about our reading, writing, outlining, emailing, or whatever else we had pledged to do.
At midday, we’d reconvene for another short prayer service and a meal, provided generously by the Office. And then after another work session, we’d return to the chapel for afternoon prayer and what amounted to confession: each of us sharing how we hadn’t quite accomplished all we intended to, but that good stuff had happened anyway.
I loved these reading retreats. No matter that I never fully completed an intention (also, isn’t “intention” such a better word than “to-do list”?). Even on those days when I thought about skipping the retreat (wouldn’t I get more done without all those interruptions?), it was always the better choice to be with others. But best of all, we were surrounded and buffeted by prayers that reminded us of why we were doing the tasks at hand.
I am happy to share that for the first time since graduation, I am on a reading retreat! I’m spending the day with my colleagues, Katelyn and Chelsea, each of us with our own share of intentions which may or may not come to fruition. But indeed, as we gathered for morning prayer, illuminated by sun through stained glass, the tasks of the day—whatever they might prove to be—could be seen in a more sacred light.
When I left seminary, I had every intention of offering periodic reading retreats for people of any vocation. Just about everyone I know has a to-do list; why not get together to get things done? And even more importantly, why not set some time apart to reflect on the meaning of the work that we do? Yet, like many a reading retreat intention, this one has not yet come to fruition.
However, if there is interest, I would like to offer time and space for a reading retreat early in the new year. This could be a time to tend to tasks of our paid employment, volunteer roles, or continuing education. It could be for personal study, letter writing, or even engaging with a hobby. Whatever the work before us, we could bring it to church and do it with prayerful intention and some friends nearby. If this is something you’d be interested in, kindly let me know, and we’ll work out a schedule.
Ok, first intention down (write note for e-update), on to the next one!
Pastor Jen
PS - Please see below for note on All Saints this Sunday.
All Saints Day. On Sunday, Nov. 2, we will observe All Saints Day, where we remember people who have died within the last 12 months (since Nov. 1, 2024). You may bring in photos on 11/2 of deceased loved ones for our altar display. Please label your photos so that they can be properly returned.
