Personal Retreats

Many individuals and couples use Cedar Cross as a place to slow down, get away from the driven busy-ness of daily life, and listen to quieter inner voices, dreams and longings. We welcome and support individuals who make the decision to come away, by providing comfortable, nurturing spaces, a healing natural environment, and guidance if it is desired and requested. See below for photos of our facilities for personal retreats.

Heron's Nest

Named for the great blue herons often spotted nearby, Heron's Nest cottage was designed for individuals and couples to use for rest, reflection and renewal. The cottage includes a cozy living room, kitchen, two bedrooms (one with a double bed and one with a single bed), and a full bath, as well as a deck and screened porch for enjoying the fresh air. It can accommodate up to three persons overnight or up to five for day use. Expansive windows and skylights offer plenty of natural light and views of the surrounding woods and water. Comfortable in all seasons, the cottage is air-conditioned for the warmer months and has both electric heat and gas logs for cozy warmth in the winter. Heron's Nest is located only a short distance from the Lodge but is nestled in the woods to provide a secluded feeling.

WoodSong

A second, somewhat larger cottage known as WoodSong is also now available for personal and family retreats. WoodSong has a large bedroom with a queen-size bed, a small upstairs room with full-size bed, and a loft space with two twin beds, making a welcoming space for a family, but it can also host two or more unrelated individuals or couples who are willing to share common kitchen and bathroom facilities. A living room with soaring cathedral ceiling and wide windows makes a comfortable place to sit and read, or to talk to fellow retreatants. Heron's Nest is located farther along the driveway from the Lodge and has views to its own surrounding grounds and out to the common green.

Resources and Supports

Personal retreatants are invited to use the art studio ($5 for 4 hours of use and materials), explore the four miles of trails and make use of any outdoor rest area. They are also free to walk the labyrinth and experience "The Way of Jesus."

Although personal retreatants are free to use their time at Cedar Cross as they wish, and can have a fully solitary experience if desired, there is usually a Cedar Cross resident available for help at any time, for conversation, or for more formal spiritual guidance by appointment. Weekday retreatants are also welcome to join the residents for Morning Prayer at 8:30 AM each weekday. There are also books and booklets available for perusal or purchase in the store that may help guide your retreat. These include Planning Your Own Retreat, Listening: The Other Side of Prayer, and a "Way of Jesus" guide.

Words from Visitors

"What a wonderful place to rest and relax. So much thought was put into Heron's Nest - the candle, the afghan, places for the sunlight and moonlight to shine in. So many windows to feel as if you are outside."

"I cannot remember a time in my life when I was in more need of solitude and restoration to the natural harmonies of self - nature - Divine. I loved every moment and I leave filled and rebalanced. Thank you for all your loving care put into this very spacious hermitage. Elegant yet simple, its very atmosphere promotes peace. The whole grounds have a deep peace and healing."

"What a wonderful stay! Here we were able to celebrate our 20 years of marriage in so many simply beautiful ways - shared walks (day and night), star gazing, cloud watching, romping with Isaac, discovering owls, toads, spiders, and butterflies, labyrinth walking, cooking, and enjoying meals together. We are bringing lovely reminders of the treasures in simple living or living simply back with us as we enter the next 20 years. But we won't wait so long to return to this lovely place."

Updated: February 2012