Contemplative Retreat
We invite you to join us May 2nd-4th, 2025
Come away with a small community of fellow pilgrims to Cedarbrake Renewal Center in Temple, TX for a spiritual retreat —> rest, movement, meditation, life-giving rhythms, creativity, connection, nourishing meals, and a beautiful setting in the woods of north central Texas.
Theme: “The Wisdom of Trees”
Especially in seasons of uncertainty and chaos, we can look to the timeless wisdom of nature as we seek to build resilience and strength to withstand storms, as well as pursue nourishment and interconnection to deepen our roots and help others flourish. Through guided meditations, gentle movement, creative expression, and communal meals, we'll explore themes of grounding, growth, and balance. Cedarbrake’s picturesque setting will help us learn how to stand tall yet remain rooted, to bend with the winds of change without breaking, and to embrace each season of life with wholeness. Come and experience the unforced rhythms of grace, leaving renewed and more integrated to live sustainably and authentically.
We hope to cultivate a space for us to center ourselves in God’s loving presence and discover (in the context of community with fellow pilgrims) a deeper sense of clarity, compassion, curiosity, and calm.
The Details
Host:
Dustin Hite is a spiritual director, intentional neighbor at Community First! Village, husband to a swiftie, and a father of two. He has training in Ignatian spirituality and has been leading contemplative retreats for a decade. He loves to create spaces of deep presence, peace, and reflection.
Cost: $365
Includes: 2 nights lodging in private room, 5 meals, drinks, snacks, access to Cedarbrake’s brand-new chapel and grounds with trails to explore, outdoor sit spots, prayer labyrinth, and countless stars on a clear night.
Next Steps:
We are hoping to finalize registration by April 15th. Questions? Contact Dustin
Fill out this form and then you can Venmo Dustin here or make 4 payments of $95.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
- Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 (Message)
“And yet the soul, despite its toughness, is also essentially shy—just like a wild animal. It will flee from the noisy crowd and seek safety in the deep underbrush. If we want to see a wild animal, we know that the last thing we should do is go crashing through the woods yelling for it to come out! But if we will walk into the woods quietly and sit at the base of a tree, breathing with the earth and fading into our surroundings, the wild creature we seek may eventually show up.”
— Parker Palmer