By Charlie Fuller, Director, Pathways to Ministry
So, what’s a silent retreat? Silence, you say? How can anyone find silence in this crazy, busy, crowded world? One way to find silence is to travel to the high desert and spend some time with the Benedictine monks at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in New Mexico.
So, what’s the sound of silence? Silence at the monastery has a soundtrack. Imagine the sound of boots crunching gravel as one walks around the monastery grounds. Imagine the honking of geese, the chirping of birds. Imagine a chapel bell tower calling folks to prayer in the morning at 5, 6:20, 7 and 9:15 and in the afternoon at 1, 5:20, 5:50 and 7:15. The soundtrack also includes the singing of Psalms in Gregorian chant. Maybe the most beautiful sound of silence is the wind passing through the aspen and cottonwood trees, sometimes like a gentle zephyr, sometimes with commanding force.
Imagine that wind as part of a clear, clean, blue sky perfumed with a hint of juniper and piñon. Imagine experiencing that silence at the head of a magnificent canyon of multicolored stone and a scattering of juniper and pine. Imagine what Georgia O’Keefe thought and felt when she first found this country.
Imagine being in a place with no cell service. No email, texts, Facebook or Instagram. Imaging the silencing of social media and the entire Internet. Imagine eating meals in total silence without a single word of conversation.
It’s hard to imagine a place more suited to meeting with God. And in addition to the beauty, silence is one of the keys. Removing the din of conversation is often required to make room to hear the voice of God.
A monastery is not a resort. The accommodations are comfortable, but in no way luxurious. There are no concierges on site to plan your day. The food is healthy, but not extravagant. The day is simply prayer, meals, reading, meditating and optional work with the monks.
Why do ministers need times and places like this? Because ministers are called to help people experience the voice and presence of God. And one of the best ways to empower ministers to do this work is for them to learn to do it themselves. A silent retreat might be one of the most important ways for ministers to clear their own clutter of mind and heart in order to show up as the people they need to be, to lead their congregations into the presence of God. As a part of Pathways to Ministry, this is also a way for us to help young ministers learn the importance of self-care, whether it involves a week at a monastery in the high desert or some other way to disconnect and find God.
From April 7 to 11, Senior Pastor Timothy, residents Georgia and Maggie and I spent a few days doing the holy work that God had for us. We’re grateful beyond words for the privilege and the opportunity made possible by Wilshire. May the spiritual work we’ve done while away contribute to the work we will do in the weeks and months to come. We say thanks to Wilshire and thanks be to God!