Present Day: Finding Comfort in the Presence

Program Details

With all that is in the news, how are you feeling?

How is it with your soul?

If your emotions are all stirred, if your soul is troubled, if your mind needs a break from the news, if your body needs a rest from protesting, we invite you to join us on President's Day, February 16th, for "Present Day: Finding Comfort in the Presence."

As a safe and sacred space, Rolling Ridge is opening our doors on President's Day and hosting a day retreat for anyone looking for community, comfort, and rest in the Presence of God, ourselves, and one another.

The day will be filled with options to help you tend to your soul, your mind, body, and emotions. Large group, small group, and individualized opportunities for prayer and conversation will be offered. You will have the freedom to engage with as much or as little as you need. Sit in the corner in silence alone all day if you need. Or join the various spiritual outlets that will be offered throughout the house. Or engage in a small curated conversation around topics that are on people's hearts and minds.

Executive Director, Larry Jay, will be facilitating the day with assistance from members of our Rolling Ridge ministry team. The labyrinth, art, wellness, music, and centering prayer are some of the options planned.

We do not want costs to limit participation as we know people need the safety and sacredness that our Present Day Retreat offers. Thus, there is no registration fee for this event. It is being offered "by donation" with retreat leaders volunteering their time. Please pay whatever you can afford. The suggested gift is $25 to cover the meal. However, if you are able to give more to help offset expenses for another person, we would appreciate the generosity. Thank you.

About the Leaders

Judy Hakanson Smith

Judy Smith is a rostered Minister of Word & Service (Deacon) in the ELCA and a trained labyrinth facilitator through Veriditas, an educational labyrinth organization. Although retired, Judy is still busy leading camp retreats (she is a retired Camp Director and Program Director) and labyrinth walks as well as studying Contemplative Spiritual Formation at Columbia Theological Seminary. Judy loves to travel and recently returned from Sweden where she participated in an amazing labyrinth and Soul Collage retreat on the island of Gotland.

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Larry Jay

As the Executive Director of Rolling Ridge, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Jay works in partnership with the staff to ensure that the guest experience at the Ridge is top quality. He also partners with retreat leaders to provide excellent programming at the Ridge, and is available to speak about the ongoing ministry and historic mission of Rolling Ridge as a place of rest, retreat, and transformation. A trained spiritual director and ordained American Baptist pastor, Larry (as he is known by friends) is a graduate of UCLA, Golden Gate Seminary, Franciscan School of Theology, American Baptist Seminary of the West, and the Gateways to God Missional Spiritual Direction Program. He is also Adjunct Faculty at Merrimack College in the Masters of Spirituality and Spiritual Direction programs. Eco-spirituality is his passion (and was his doctoral dissertation), encouraging everyone to live into the fullness of our connection with our True Self, nature, God, and all people.