On the journey … 

The mission of Cedar Cross Retreat Center is to provide a place that is conducive for rest, reflection, and renewal. Ways to do so are limitless, especially when we walk slowly enough to notice the details of creativity all around us. This dogwood blossom points to the sunlight beside the front sidewalk of the Lodge. 

John and Julie Purcell Hilpert serve Communion during their wedding a year ago. After a worship service on the Village Green, the congregation moved to the Moss Garden for the vows. 
 

Giving birth to a moss garden

At a recent Cedar Cross Mission Group gathering, Jimmy asked each of us to share an experience we had at Cedar Cross that generated awe or joy. This was mine: I’m not sure what prompted me to digress into the treeline at the edge of the “green” east of the Lodge, but I did and, kind of like the story of The Secret Garden, I came across a pile of rocks and boulders which had been cast aside in order to cultivate the nearby field in what had been a farm. All of them now had nice patinas of lichens and moss speaking of antiquity.

I was intrigued by the sight, and as I more closely examined the setting, I soon discovered a natural stone basin — something of a rarity. Oh, and there was a pedestal stone base for a Japanese mountain lantern! And not only that, I soon identified other components — an apron, firebox, and capstone to go with it. And then came this perfect stone bench seat. … Now I was really getting excited about the possibilities of creating a Japanese-style moss garden in and around them. (I’m a retired landscape gardener who specialized in Japanese and natural garden designs.)

It wasn’t long before I could also imagine a pathway around the perimeter of the mound as well as one bisecting it. And, oh yes, there was a “frog rock” already positioned at the entrance.

Well, that surprising serendipity has since resulted in hours spent weeding, raking, pruning, and transplanting various kinds of moss found elsewhere on the property to create what today is yet another Cedar Cross meditation spot for our retreatants to enjoy. And, incidentally, it has served as part of the wedding venue for John and Julie’s recent wedding celebration. It’s truly amazing what can be found and inspired by Cedar Cross! 

Mac is a founding member of the Mission Group. He is lovingly  referred to as the “chief mosser” at Cedar Cross for his knack at transplanting more than 20 varities of moss from the property for the garden. A key ingredient of the transplant process is buttermilk. That is why retreatants have often seen a jug of buttermilk in the refrigerator at the Lodge with a message: “Please Do Not Drink.”

A natural stone basin is one of the stones Mac found that ignited the idea of creating a Japanese-style moss garden.  

Community Day moving to weekends

To provide a way for more people to participate, Community Days are being moved to a Friday-evening-to-Saturday-afternoon schedule. Our next gathering for Community Day will be May 24-25.

The purpose of Community Day is to steward the land and facilities as well as enhance our personal and relational journeys.

We begin with a meal on Friday at 5 p.m. This is followed by a time of spiritual formation and community building, followed by night prayers. 

The next day we begin with breakfast, followed by morning prayers, and then we work on tasks that have been identified. We typically have various projects and invite participants to serve in a way that is life-giving for them. We conclude at 3 p.m. There is also time to walk the trails, rest in the moss garden, take the steps of the Way of Jesus, use the studio, visit the library, or simply rest. 

For more information or to register, please contact the coordinator, Jimmy Allen, at cedarcrossregistrar@gmail.com.  
 

Creative touches by people who support Cedar Cross are found throughout the facilities and grounds. One of the newer expressions is a pair of table runners handwoven on a loom by Jane Williams, a member of the Mission Group. Pictured with her are Butch Grove setting the table for a Community Day dinner and Julie Hilpert, in the background. 

Gathering for A Day Apart on May 27

The next gathering for A Day Apart will be on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

We’ll begin with a brief time of worship, followed by the introduction of quotes from Gerald May’s book, The Dark Night of the Soul. Then folks will have an extended time of quiet reflection until we regather just before lunch for a time to share about respective experiences, if so led. After lunch, we’ll introduce more quotes before a second time of silence. At 2:30, we’ll re-gather to share experiences and close with Communion. 

During the time for silent reflection, participants are invited to do as they are led. Some folks find a quiet place, either inside or outside, to reflect on one of the quotes or do something else. Some walk the trails, or the labyrinth, or the meditation trail called the Way of Jesus. 

The suggested donation is $20. Please bring a bagged lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. 

To register, please contact the coordinator, Jimmy Allen, at cedarcrossregistrar@gmail.com. Participation is limited to 16 people.

Remembering and celebrating

A group of men gather twice a year at Cedar Cross for a weekend retreat. This gathering began about 20 years ago after many of them met at a talk by Richard Rohr in Durham. Rob Morrell served as the group’s long-time leader until his death in 2020.  As a way to remember and celebrate Rob’s life, the men’s group built a bench that is beside the labyrinth. The hope is that people will use the bench to become still in preparation for walking the labyrinth and then use the bench afterward to reflect or journal about the experience. The bench was dedicated on March 2. Rob’s wife, Maureen, took part in the dedication. Some of the group members shown after the bench was built are from left, sitting, Hans Linnartz and George Edens; standing, John Hilpert, Steve Braun, and Jim McMahan. 
 

Volunteers

Much of the work at Cedar Cross is completed by volunteers who recognize the need to provide a place for rest, reflection, and renewal in this often-hectic world. This winter and spring, the back and front decks at Heron’s Nest were replaced with rot-resistant boards made from recycled plastic. Pictured working on the deck in April are Dustin Williams, foreground; Ric Laudenslager, Butch Grove, and John Hilpert. 

A view from the trail