In preparation for Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day on January 17, join Retreat House Spirituality Center on Sunday, January 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a day of faith, grief and healing.
Beginning at 11 a.m. Retreat House will open our doors for you to enjoy refreshments and community. The Traveling Grief Memorial Arch will be set up on the back porch of RH throughout the day. The art room will be open for participants to write prayers on ribbons to tie on arch. Trained Spiritual Directors will be present to pray with those who desire companionship in this way.
This Grief Memorial Arch gives communities like Retreat House a place to grieve and remember. To remember, loved ones we’ve lost, or maybe even other losses - jobs, relationships, seasons of life, etc. For this time of MLK gathering, we will pause to remember, reflect and honor our Black brothers and sister, the pain of our country’s history of slavery and offer prayers for healing.
Rhythm of day:
11 a.m. - Retreat House opens
11:15 a.m. - Welcome and prayer
NOON to 3 p.m. - Guided walking labyrinth meditations
3 p.m. - Closing remarks
The Traveling Grief Memorial Arch will be on the back porch of Retreat House. You’re invited to write names of loved ones or even strangers who have passed on ribbons provided by RH and tie to the memorial arch. Can’t attend? Join us on Facebook LIVE on January 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offer prayers and names in the comments section. We will tie your ribbon for you!
The Arch will remain in the care of Retreat House through next year as it will be utilized for different events to honor and remember. The Traveling Arch is provided by the generous support of Saint Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston. The Arch project is hosted by Faith and Grief Ministries, a ministry partner and friend of RH. Learn more about Faith and Grief.
Retreat House Racial Equity Statement:
As our country's racial unrest collectively continues to surface, Retreat House has taken an active role in tending to the deep wounds we collectively and individually carry related to racism. Since 2019, RH has hosted a Conversation on Racism series, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Clay Brantley. These events were originally held in the living room at RH but migrated to ZOOM during COVID-19. Clay utilizes the Circle Way discussion model allowing room for all voices to be heard and valued.
These conversations have allowed participants and leaders to explore questions like: Are there cracks in your views and understandings of racism and how racism affects you? Maybe you're being called to see and speak in a new way around racism? What part of your inner world need attention and care so you might better love yourself, others, the world?
Our prayer is for all who encounter the ministry of Retreat House, will experience joy, abundance, relationship and wholeness. Join us in prayer as we discern the next focus for our conversation on racism. Questions or want to discuss? We would love to hear from you.