A retreat for everyone. February 26-28, 2010

Details   |   Cost   |   What to Bring   |   Sign Up   |   Schedule

Thanks to everyone who attended the February retreat. It was wonderful being with you.

Slideshow by Cynthia

This retreat will expose pilgrims and seekers to a Franciscan-style contemplative spirituality, and give us all an opportunity to participate in an inter-faith and inter-tradition dialogue. This retreat will be a VERY loose affair. We want to hear the story of your faith journey, whether you are a believer in God or not. And we want to dialogue about peaceful interaction and active cooperation between faiths. There will be a lot of sharing and conversation at this retreat. It is our goal that this be a renewing, encouraging, and restful experience.  We don’t want to send you home exhausted.

What you can do at this Retreat:

• Learn about St. Francis and his spiritual tradition.
• Have conversations with people of differing faiths and worldviews.
• Participate in a monastic experience that will enrich the body, soul, and mind.
• Spend time quietly thinking, reading, walking, gazing, chatting, drawing, and writing.

Retreat Dates – February 26-28

Retreat Details:

We have room for up to 20 people at this retreat. We’re using the model of the three retreats we did last year, though the emphasis will be less on developing a rule of life and more on conversations about our various spiritual journeys.

You are simply invited to join us. Those of other religious traditions or of no religious tradition will be welcome to participate in whatever way is meaningful. And we would very much enjoy hearing about your view of the world and the way you understand the meaning of life. An open exchange of ideas in peace is what we are hoping for.

Note: Paul Soupiset has some pictures online from one of our retreats.

Pilgrims will need to arrive in San Antonio on Friday afternoon. You'll coordinate your arrival with Amy Soupiset, our retreat coordinator. Someone will pick you up at the airport and bring you to the church. We'll sleep at the church. There are showers available. We'll have a snack supper Friday night, a South Texas breakfast on Saturday morning, and lunch on Saturday. Note: If you have special needs of some kind and wish to stay in a hotel, there is one nearby. Amy Soupiset will help you with that.

Some may choose to fly out Saturday afternoon or evening. If you wish to stay Saturday night and join us for church on Sunday, you are welcome to stay at the church again as our guest. You will need to have your things packed and stowed away in my office by 8 am Saturday morning. We'll drive you back to the airport after church.

Cost:

We only need to cover the cost of food and perhaps some gasoline for picking people up at the airport. We've decided to fund the retreat on a donation basis. If money is tight, and getting your plane ticket is already a financial stretch, please be our guest. Feel free to pay nothing. No one will know or care. If you want to help cover the cost of your food, etc. we suggest a donation of $30 to $50. There will be a box or something at the retreat where you can drop off a donation if you wish to make one.

After food and expenses have been paid, anything left over will go into future retreats. We are hoping to purchase bedding and pillows so that in the future people can just come and not worry about what to bring.

What to Bring:

1. We have inflatable mattresses for everyone. We have pillows, sheets, and a towel for you as well. Just bring your clothes and toothbrush, etc.

2. Bring casual clothing. There is no predicting the weather in late February in Texas, so keep an eye on the forecast. If you plan to attend Sunday morning, we don't care how you dress. You'll find some people at Covenant dressed in slacks and casual shirts. Others will be in jeans or shorts. Wear whatever is comfortable to you. If you plan to stay Saturday night, bring clothing suitable for a night on the river walk.  

3. Bring with you a willingness to slow down and step out of the rhythm of our culture. There is no internet access, television, or radio at the church.

How to Sign Up:

Contact Amy Soupiset by email. Make sure there is space available. Amy will give you her mobile number by email. Buy your plane ticket. Call Amy or email her and tell her you've bought your ticket. Having purchased a plane ticket is what holds a place for you.

Amy@CovenantBaptist.org 

Schedule:

This is an approximate schedule.

Friday afternoon/evening:

12:00 - Arrivals begin. Feel free to explore.
6:00 - Sanctuary: Reception & Sign-in
7:00 - Vespers Prayer Service
7:30 – Faith Stories I 
8:30 - Snack Supper
9:00 – Faith Stories II 
10:00 - Compline Prayer Service
11:00 - Free Time: Conversation / Sleep / Late Night Yoga / Labyrinth / Whatever

Saturday

4:50 - A Bell will be rung to announce Lauds
5:00 - Lauds Prayer Service
5:30 - Free Time: Sleep / Prayer / Sunrise Labyrinth
7:00 - Free Time Options: Yoga
8:00 - A South Texas Breakfast
9:00 - Terce Prayer Service
9:30 – Faith Stories III 
10:30 - Free Time: Rest / Work / Art / Meditation
12:00 - Sext Prayer Service
12:30 - Lunch, Free Time
1:30 - Free Time (Some will pack for departure)
2:00 – Faith Stories IV
3:00 - None Prayer and Communion Service
3:30 - Benediction / Group Photo
4:00 - Vans leave for Airport & Downtown
6:00 - Dinner on San Antonio Riverwalk
11:00 - Vans return to Covenant

Sunday

8:00 - Stow all luggage in Gordon’s office by 8
9:30 - Optional devotional with Paul
10:15 - Coffee & Doughnuts
10:30 - Covenant Worship Service
12:00 - Vans leave for Airports

Do you have more questions?

Contact me using the contact form in the left menu. Or contact Amy Soupiset - Amy@CovenantBaptist.org