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Spiritual direction Blooms at Shepherd’s Spring

Church of the Brethren Newsline
January 20, 2017

By Dotty Dalphon

Since the beginning of operations at Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministry and Retreat Center in Mid-Atlantic District, there has been a focus on hospitality and spirituality. A year ago, it was decided to take this a step further. Several spiritual directors, board members, and staff met to discuss ways we can open the facility to a deeper spiritual awareness.

Over the time we have been meeting, several things have happened:

— We have a temporary labyrinth in place that has been used by summer camp, Road Scholar participants, and other visitors.

— With the help of staff, a library for pastors and spiritual directors has been established and the prayer trail has been renewed with new poems, prayers, and visuals in the kiosks.

— Guests planning a retreat can request spiritual direction through a link on the Shepherd’s Spring website.

— We have stablished a list of spiritual retreats, quiet days, group spiritual direction, and a yearly pastors’ time away.

— Upcoming in March is a Poetry in Prayer Retreat, and in the fall we hope to offer a retreat using a local, natural cave and our trails, inviting us to enter the dark.

Our most important goal is to provide spiritual support and direction for the hard working staff at Shepherd’s Spring.

If you have an idea for a retreat theme or would like to offer a retreat, please contact Ed Poling at elpoling1@gmail.com .

— Dotty Dalphon is executive director of Shepherd’s Spring.

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