A Place Apart News

2008 Apart Retreat at Camp Swatara

Contributed by Jodi Good

A Place Apart has been an inspiration and support to my spiritual growth ever since I first picked up a flyer announcing the '2006 introduction to APA retreat at Camp Swatara'. I read the flyer and was compelled by how loudly the text and images spoke to my moment. My father encouraged me to go and decided he would attend as well. I wasn't sure which aspect of the weekend I was most looking forward: to sharing time and experience with my father or learning about what this new monasticism was, both of which I felt a thirst for.

The weekend proved to be a deep refreshing drink, which provided vital support in my spiritual growth. Conversation with the APA retreat goers, the teaching, and the silence in between gave me the confidence and freedom
to listen to my heart, widen my view, and embrace more fully all that life is, examine it and let it be. We were given opportunity to connect by opening our senses to nature and expressing ourselves with art.

So, you may be wondering why I'm telling you about APA retreat '06 when it's now '08. The reason I attended the '08 retreat is because of my experience with the APA community that began in '06. This year my intentions for attending were a bit different. I wasn't coming to learn what the new monasticism was, I attended because I felt a return to camp and the APA gathering would be a time for self reflection, rest in creation and fellowship that I find necessary
to help guide me to greater awareness.

Camp Swatara holds many memories for me. Visiting Camp has become a way for me to step out of my routine and see how my spiritual life has evolved since I last at camp. The A Place Apart retreat gave me a chance to step back and once again vesper at camp.

To learn how you can attend an A Place Apart gathering, visit the Events page.