Finding solitude (and a few good pictures)
After my sermon on Jesus’ invitation to come away all by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while, I went away all my by self to a solitary place and rested a while.
One of the biggest disappointments with life back in Manitoba is the lack of the kind of retreat spaces that are found in apparent abundance in Michigan - the kinds of religious retreat centers and monasteries that cater to individual retreats. Spending time at such places (and working at one) was a regular pattern in my life, and I’ve been increasingly aware of my need for such a place and time.
Solitude and silence are incredibly important to me, and while I have my own room in our house and can spend an evening all by myself, while June is off doing her thing in her space, this is not the same as an extended time of solitude. These experiences of solitude and silence create and environment of spaciousness that my spirit needs to feel grounded and present.
(If you want to explore solitude further I’d suggest visiting a new website Solitude Advocacy )
And so I’ve been delighted to spend three days alone at the Herdsman House in Neubergthal, Manitoba.
The Herdsman House is an old house, and national historic site, in an old Russian Mennonite village. The house has been restored by a couple who live in a barn on the property that they’ve converted into living quarters and artist studio, and small concert venue.
The space is primarily intended as an artist retreat space, although anyone can stay. Of course I felt sheepish visiting as an artist, but photography and writing were a big part of my time there.
Not surprisingly I anticipated my time here with a bit of anxiety. (I seem to do most things with at least a bit of anxiety) But as I felt the silence and stillness the anxiety quickly left. I brought books to read and camera gear to take pictures, but was not beholden to accomplishing anything.
Because of who I am, this kind of silence and time nurtures my spiritual and prayer life. Following Jesus’ model of going to a deserted place to pray for me is essential discipleship. Silent presence is increasingly my most basic and common form of prayer. I resonate with Mother Teresa’s prayer of listening to God as God listens to her.
I often bring this little crucifix, and Russian prayer rope - both foreign to my Mennonite tradition - as aids to prayer.
“Monk’s meal.” A stay at the Herdsman House comes with a loaf of incredible sourdough bread. I could have just eaten this bread for every meal.
A bedstee - bed in a closet / reading nook.
If you are in southern Manitoba and looking for a place of retreat for rest and creativity (it doesn’t have to include solitude) I’d encourage you to contact Margruite at the Herdsman House. I’m looking forward to spending some time there in the non-winter months.
Retreat Centre Exploration Meeting
Below is a letter I sent to some people in southern Manitoba, but the invitation is open anyone who is interested.
Greetings
Are you eager for a place of spiritual retreat? A place that emphasizes silence and solitude? A place of rest, prayer, and contemplation?
I invite you to join a conversation where like-minded people will begin exploring the possibility of such a place in southern Manitoba.
I am Kevin Driedger, a resident of Winkler and member of Covenant Mennonite Church. For the last 23 years I’ve been associated as a volunteer, board member, staff, and director of The Hermitage, an ecumenical contemplative retreat center in southwest Michigan. I know the impact a place like this can have on all who take time for retreat. I’m also aware of the paucity of similar places in southern Manitoba.
I invite you to join this initial conversation on May 23, at 7pm. The meeting will be held at Covenant Mennonite Church in Winkler, but we'll also make a Zoom link available if people wish to join online.
Everyone who has any interest or curiosity about a space for retreat is welcome to attend. Please share this with anyone you know might be interested.
Please let me know if you would like to participate in this meeting either in person or online, or let me know if you have any questions.
Kevin Driedger
ksdriedger@gmail.com
Manitoba Mennonites, Is it time for a retreat?
Marlene Kropf recently wrote to Mennonite Church USA members “Is it time for a retreat?” My response is a resounding yes! Until recently I lived in Michigan I could answer that response by visiting a variety of places like Pathways Retreat in Goshen, Indiana, or within a few miles of each other near Three Rivers, Michigan I had the choice of St. Gregory’s Abbey, Apple Farm retreat center, GilChrist retreat center, and The Hermitage (a retreat center with Mennonite roots that I have been deeply connected to for more than 20 years.) This list does not include the many Catholic and independent retreat places all within a 90 minute drive from home. I didn’t realize the abundant gift of this area until I left.
Late last summer June and I moved to southern Manitoba, and now any attempt to heed the call “Is it time for a retreat?” appears to be much, much more difficult. When I’ve ask others, the most common answer is, “I knew some people used to go to X, but they closed.” I know the Mennonite camp is interested in being a place for congregational spirituality, but rows of camp bunkbeds and large noisy dining halls are not conducive to silence and solitude.
So, Manitoba Mennonites, Is it time for a retreat (center)? This question is not exclusively directed at Mennonites, as I know the desire for a space for retreat extends through many expressions of the Christian faith.
I’ll put my cards on the table. The ministry of operating a quiet space for prayer and contemplation has been the most fulfilling work I’ve done over these past 20 years as volunteer, board member/chair, staff, and director at The Hermitage. I have seen first-hand, over and over again what a valuable service this is for people. I have seen so many people arrive to their retreat in anguish and leave with a sense of rest and their own belovedness. I have been intimately involved with the nitty gritty of fund-raising, financial compliance, facility maintenance, managing staff and volunteers, and doing endless loads of laundry and the relentless need to prepare another meal. I have few romantic notions of operating a retreat center. I often told people that the work of running a retreat center is “work”. And this work is the fullest expression of my spiritual life.
And so, I want to do whatever I can to work with others to discern the needs and possibilities for there to be a space for retreat available for all who need and desire it. I have little idea what that process might look like, but I don’t feel like I have a lot of time (or patience) to endlessly dream.
I am going to spend the next few months trying to make connections and find people for whom the dream of a place for contemplative retreat resonates with their souls. I would love to gather a group in early summer to discuss and imagine together. It is my hope that any gatherings not simply be times of pondering, but that these times lead to some actionable next steps. This needs to be a community supported project and I’m very aware of the audacity for me to say, “I need to do this and I want you to come alongside to help make it happen because you want it too” but that’s where I’m at.
So, if you find any resonance with this idea, or if you know someone who might, please contact me either via my contact page, or at ksdriedger@gmail.com