Silence in Community
Experiencing silence in community allows our souls to settle and our senses to awaken, so that we might tune in anew to God's voice. Our retreat will begin with a brief time of community building and getting to know one another, before entering into 48 hours of silence (Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning). We will end after lunch on Friday by coming out of silence and reflecting together on our experiences. Each retreat participant will also meet twice one-on-one with a trained Spiritual Director, who provides a listening ear and gentle guidance for the retreat time.
The beauty of a silent retreat is its simplicity - it is not simply being silent. It is giving our agenda to God and asking for Him to fill it. In the silence we are able to recognize our own agenda is larger than our desire to be with God. We feel as if the time spent in silence is wasted, but it is actually an invitation to prayer. As we remain in the silence, the contents of our hearts are revealed – good and bad. Continuing in silence, the inner noise and chaos of our lives quiets. Our capacity to enter into the presence of God grows and we find ourselves in places not easily found amidst the din of everyday life (Kindle, 2014).
The beauty of a silent retreat is its simplicity - it is not simply being silent. It is giving our agenda to God and asking for Him to fill it. In the silence we are able to recognize our own agenda is larger than our desire to be with God. We feel as if the time spent in silence is wasted, but it is actually an invitation to prayer. As we remain in the silence, the contents of our hearts are revealed – good and bad. Continuing in silence, the inner noise and chaos of our lives quiets. Our capacity to enter into the presence of God grows and we find ourselves in places not easily found amidst the din of everyday life (Kindle, 2014).
Retreat Leader
Rev. Amy Wagner
Rev. Wagner is lead pastor at St. Paul's UMC in Allison Park, PA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Christian Ethics from Loyola University Chicago, an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from Grove City College. She most recently served as the Director of Congregational Development & Revitalization for the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference, leading WPAUMC’s innovative ministry and church planting initiatives along with supporting and resourcing congregations during transition and renewal.
Amy’s gifts for ministry include leadership, preaching and administration. She describes herself as a strategic, contemplative, hopeful bridge-builder. She loves long walks in the woods, tulips in the springtime, strawberries and dark chocolate anytime (even better if they are together!), and curling up with a cup of hot tea and a good book on a quiet evening. Amy is married to Rob; they have two “tween” children: Joe and Grace.
Rev. Wagner is lead pastor at St. Paul's UMC in Allison Park, PA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Christian Ethics from Loyola University Chicago, an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from Grove City College. She most recently served as the Director of Congregational Development & Revitalization for the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference, leading WPAUMC’s innovative ministry and church planting initiatives along with supporting and resourcing congregations during transition and renewal.
Amy’s gifts for ministry include leadership, preaching and administration. She describes herself as a strategic, contemplative, hopeful bridge-builder. She loves long walks in the woods, tulips in the springtime, strawberries and dark chocolate anytime (even better if they are together!), and curling up with a cup of hot tea and a good book on a quiet evening. Amy is married to Rob; they have two “tween” children: Joe and Grace.
September 28-30, 2022 |
$200/person |
Event Information
- Event begins at 11am on Wednesday, September 28 and concludes with lunch on Friday, September 30. Check-in is in Groves Lodge between 10 and 11am on Wednesday.
- Pricing includes two-nights stay (private hotel-style room with linens), seven meals, and course tuition. Discount available for those willing to select or be assigned a roommate.
- Register online, print and mail the registration form, or call to register at (814) 945-6512
