How do you experience the unfolding mystery of the Incarnation in your life? How do you open up to the Divine Presence residing in you at every moment? How can centering prayer keep you mindful of your relationship with God and help you foster that relationship? Fr. Bill, our much beloved master teacher who has guided many of us on retreats, will explore these questions and help us deepen our spiritual life which touches every other part of life.

The Gospel of Matthew expresses God’s desire for our happiness with Jesus’ call for us to go into our inner room, close the door and pray to our Father in secret Yet, as Fr. Bill reminds us, the greatest obstacle to our spiritual journey is to pray as if we are separated from God. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is this intimacy and tenderness that God offers us, as St. Augustine declared, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

The human ego longs for a compassionate gaze. With the practice of silence, we can become gradually loosened from the exaggerated ego demands that distract us from the trust and faith in the Divine Indwelling. We are all one with God—it is our common ground, our interconnectedness with each other and all of creation. God is love, and when we pray, we open ourselves to feel that love. Join us as we gather for a weekend free of distractions to enjoy the gift of silent presence with God who made you and loves you beyond imagination.

Richmond Hill is an ecumenical Christian Community founded in 1987 and located in the historic monastery of the Sisters of the Visitation of Monte Maria on Church Hill in the center of Richmond. The mission of the Community is to pray and work for the transformation of Metropolitan Richmond through prayer, hospitality, racial reconciliation and spiritual development. There is anecdotal evidence that Richmond Hill, the highest hill in Richmond, has been a place of prayer for several millennia. Native Americans have confirmed this use of the hill when the land was still known as Tsenacomoco. The hill overlooks the falls of the James River and faces the setting sun.

Richmond Hill is COVID-WISE, taking every possible precaution to make the environment safe. Masks are required. Accommodations will be made for social distancing, safe dining and meeting areas.

Cost and Room Arrangements

The cost for the retreat is $295.00 per person for a single room and $260.00 per person based on double occupancy.

The commuter fee, including all meals, is $170.00. Meals and linens are included in the fee for overnight retreatants. We are limited to 30 retreatants. Except for two persons sharing a double room, all rooms will be singles—one person per room.

Registration payments are accepted by check or credit card. To register online, use the PAY HERE button on the retreat

Notice. DO NOT CHOOSE GOOGLE PAYMENT.

Schedule

Our weekend will begin with arrival on Friday after 4:30 p.m. and in time for Community Prayer at 6:00 p.m., with dinner at 6:30. The weekend ends on Sunday after lunch. Friday dinner and Sunday lunch are “talking” meals. The schedule includes centering prayer sessions, time for quiet and rest, opportunities for questions and sharing, and celebration of contemplative liturgy on Sunday morning.

Sponsored by Phil Stone & Lynne Larson

For retreat inquiries, contact Lynne Larson at lynne33larson@gmail.com or 757-621-7377

For information about Richmond Hill, go to www.richmondhillva.org

Directions to Richmond Hill 2209 E. Grace Street Richmond, VA 23223 804-783-7903

From the South area: — Take I-64 West toward Richmond. From most locations in this area, this is about 90 miles. Merge onto VA-33 W. Nine Mile Road via Exit 193A. Proceed 1 ¼ miles. Turn slight left onto N. 25th Street/VA-5. Pass through 1 roundabout.

N. 25th Street is just past T Street. Go 1/3 mile and turn right onto Grace Street. Grace Street is just past E. Broad and before E. Franklin. Continue 2/10 of a mile. Richmond Hill is on the left.

Note that Richmond Hill is just past N. 23rd Street and before N. 22nd Street.

From the North area via I-95 — From Leesburg Pike/VA-7, merge onto I-495 S/Capital Beltway S toward Richmond/Alexandria. Go 9.11 miles. Take the exit toward I-95 S/I-495 E/Baltimore and go almost ½ mile. Merge onto I-395 S/ Henry Shirley Memorial Hwy S via the ramp on the left toward I-95 S/Richmond. I-395 S/Henry Shirley Memorial Hwy S becomes I-95 S. You will travel about 100 miles. Take the Franklin Street exit, Exit 74B. Go .12 miles and turn right onto E. Franklin Street. You will immediately turn right onto N. 14 Street. Go .17 miles and turn right onto E. Broad Street. Go ½ mile and turn right onto N. 22nd Street. Go .08 miles and turn left onto E. Grace Street. 2209 E. Grace Street will be on your right. If you want to access I-95 but avoid the Capital Beltway, an alternate is to take VA-123 directly to I-95 South.

Download Registration Form for Centering Retreat Richmond Hill pdf format