FAQ

What is Retreat?  

When I tell people I am going on retreat, I get one of two responses: “I want to do that!” or “What is retreat?”  Simply put, retreat is an intentional act of withdrawing to a place of safety.  

Retreats can be as simple as taking a long walk by yourself and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature unimpeded or as intense as living alone in an isolated hermitage for years.  

At Seeking Sabbath Retreats, we offer weekend retreats that can easily fit into your busy schedule…to give you a break from your busy schedule!  We also can design day retreats or week-long retreats for you, your organization or business.  Each retreat can be customized to your needs. 

Who Should Attend Retreat?  

Anyone who is looking for an opportunity to recharge and rediscover themselves by pausing their day-to-day routines to purposely give themselves time to seek clarity and rejuvenation.  I like to think of retreatants as seekers willing to dive into this purposeful time.  Because of the nature of our retreats, we limit the capacity, so please reserve your place in your desired retreat right away. 

Where and When Can I Attend a Seeking Sabbath Retreat?  

Seeking Sabbath holds retreats monthly at various locations in the St. Louis/Southern Illinois area and in New Harmony, Indiana, although retreats can be held anywhere.  

We choose venues that allow for private rooms for restful time alone along with comfortable conference space for retreatants to discuss the theme of the retreat together.  Our retreat locations are always in proximity to nature because we value the rejuvenating effects of time spent outdoors.  Many of the facilities include walking trails, labyrinths and Stations of the Cross.

We also have been offering day retreats for the past year, for an opportunity for a shorter time away.

Please check our website for upcoming retreat themes and locations.

How much do Seeking Sabbath Retreats cost?  

The cost is dependent on the season, venue and theme.  Most weekend retreats start at $375 for the weekend, including all meals and materials as well as a private room. Our day retreats begin at $80.  Starting in 2024, deposits of 20% will be required to hold a reservation.  

What Can I Expect from a Seeking Sabbath Retreat?

  We host three to five sessions over the weekend, Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  During summer months, we hold some retreats during the week as well.

All programming is built around the individual theme of the retreat.  Some sessions may include yoga, mindfulness practice, reading, tactile activities, discussion, journaling, art and music but all retreats include time specifically built in for you to have quiet time to yourself.

Below you’ll find a sample retreat schedule:

Friday

• 5 p.m. Check in, get settled in your rooms, explore the campus

• 6 p.m. Dinner

• 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Session #1

Saturday

• 8 a.m. Yoga and meditation time (optional)

• 10 a.m. Brunch

• Noon-2 p.m. Session #2

• 2-5 p.m. Quiet time for rest, reading, journaling, walking the Labyrinth, creating

• 5 p.m. Dinner

• 7 p.m. -9 p.m. Session #3

Sunday

• 8 a.m. Breakfast

• 9 a.m. Session #4

• 11 a.m. Check out***Please return your evaluation at this time.

What Should I Bring to a Seeking Sabbath Retreat?  Consider this weekend time for yourself, so we encourage you to prepare for your quiet time beforehand.  We notice that some retreatants are a bit overwhelmed by the space and time; we don’t normally have this in our day-to-day lives, so to maximize the time, contemplate what you might want to do with that time.  After feeling frenzied and wanting to fully embrace the time of my first retreat, I went into my second retreat with a list of things I wanted to accomplish over the weekend.  This was my list: relax, settle my soul, write when inspired, drink hot tea, pray, read, meditate, be still more, walk the labyrinth, be present for sunrise in the meadow, rest well, capture images.

• • Do you want to read?

  • Walk in nature?

  • Nap?  (This is a wonderful use of your time!)

  • Journal?

  • Create? Write? Draw? Paint? Compose?

  • Take photographs?

  • Practice meditation?

  • Try some yoga?

  • Just BE?

However you answer the questions above, pack accordingly.  Many of our retreatants bring books and other reading material, a journal, yoga mats and other items that they can use during their time on retreat.

The dress code is very casual.  It is important to us that you be comfortable, so please pack your coziest clothes, anything that brings you comfort.  Ladies, makeup is optional, and that is one thing some of our retreatants love about the experience!

Meals are provided, but many of our retreatants bring snacks and drinks, a favorite reusable water bottle or travel mug.