Retreat Dream Overview by Helen Pop

In the Unitarian Universalist congregational covenant, we have The Living Tradition We Share Draws from Many Sources’ # 6 –“Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.”  It’s so easy to witness and feel those rhythms both by being on our property and from belonging to Sugarloaf’s covenantal community of mutual trust and support.  We have a natural gift to give.  How is it natural for us?  It would be an expression of our identity as a spiritual community – the way we connect.

Sugarloaf’s retreat qualities give enjoyment of the silence, the beautiful land’s foothill features, the sweet smells, the birds, plus so much more.  For a UU churchwork group such as those from neighboring congregations who are in charge of such committees as the spring auction, the year’s fundraising, membership, worship, the aesthetic and physical enhancement of grounds and buildings, the social justice efforts, Beacon House support, youth group activities, etc., we have a service to provide.  Inside our buildings, a retreat can inspire community building and ideas to carry forth.  Outside, on one’s own, restorative solitude awaits.

If (when?) our property becomes a home spot for such retreats, we will belong to the UUA’s CERG movement that is just beginning (as it organizes to form clusters of congregations.)  Through these retreats we would be in an enabling role for UU growth.  If we can think bigger, we can, successfully cope with the major changes that could spark resistance.  Since we are all seeking Sugarloaf’s sustainability which will have the security of dependable, incoming money flow, we can do it by just being who we are with volunteering as we are able, according to our strengths in complementarity with the strengths of the others in our vibrant and diverse community.

Our Board of Trustees and Megan support providing the venue for an experimental retreat for board chairpersons to happen on September 20 (after our annual meeting when we can discuss and vote on the retreat dream project.)  Up till that point, our challenges lie in making our property ready (e.g. Great Room interior decorating with sound dampening arrangements, the campfire spot made more inviting and legal for fires, the path to the State Park opened.)  Our success greatly depends on Sugarloaf’s creativity, sweat equity and secretarial tasks responsibility, perseverance and collaboration skills.

Experienced know-how and price surveying is needed for the food the Presidents’ RoundTable will be supplied for their Saturday meals.  Equipment for sit-down meetings is to be inventoried and missing supplies procured and picked-up from close-by UU churches.  I will be on-hand throughout the Presidents’ retreat, but need a locally knowledgeable co-host/ess to be available to aid my handling problem solutions according to what is available close-by, e.g. where to get a prescription filled.  It would be good to have a welcoming team to buddy with the arriving presidents to give them the “lay of the land” tours.

The day of the retreat promises to be an enjoyable flow experience of hosting.  Those who participate in that exciting day, are there to seek to ensure the guests have a pleasurable and fulfilling day at our church home.  When they fill out their evaluation forms, hopefully, they will want to recommend that future retreats be held at Sugarloaf to get all their churchwork leadership together.  (I realize we will have to “share the imperfect” for the experimental retreat and so can ask the presidents for input for improvements.)

If the CERG staff believes we can serve the progress of that UUA movement, we can apply for grants from more than just Chalice Lighters to update our property for Cluster use.  CERG reorganization of how our district is to be run puts the key focus on the formation of congregational clusters that are expected to communicate closely in order to share resources.  The new governance body we will, eventually, belong to is the Central East Regional Group (CERG.)  When we know what cluster of churches Sugarloaf will belong to, we possibly could charge dues, e.g. $5.00 per year per member of a congregation.  This income would be for maintaining our property for their use.

Historically, we have the Davies verve here at Sugarloaf.  Dr. Davies started an organization that lasted more than 50 years that brought together (when I participated) 26 neighboring UU church representatives from the laity to share the ups and downs of their congregations’ churchwork and seek support from one another to strengthen their churches.  Tom Everly asked in the Sustainability Task Force meeting, if there were a UU mutual support system for Sugarloaf.  We can have that support through CERG.  In fact, we would contribute to CERG’s success.

What we have to offer for each UU group retreating here, is a chance for an experience of lasting value.  We can provide the matrix for the participants’ creative interchange in face-to-face engagement.  I remember what Humphrey Bogart said in The Barefoot Contessa, “There’s more to talk than words.”  We can fulfill a facilitating role in establishing mutual support systems for our CERG Cluster to aid their finding the strongest paths in order for each church to move into the future of UU growth.

When it comes time for us all to vote on future retreats for our property, it would mean all of us valuing the honor (if it’s a yes vote) by steadfastly seeing to it that our property is kept up for UU think tank getaways.  Muriel, wife of Dr. Davies and my spiritual guide throughout most of my life, was one of Sugarloaf’s founders.

To quote Muriel, after her retirement from River Road UU Congregation and when she had spent five years traveling around the East Coast as the Ethical Society’s National Religious Education consultant, she believed that religion has to be more than “ethics and social action.  We need a spiritual base.”  Muriel was sure as she was coming to the time when Sugarloaf was being created, that no life can be lived without a “sense of the sacred” and an appreciation for “the mysteries of life.”  She believed we each have resources we have not yet realized.  She believed we are capable of growth to create a better world.  We can do that by kindling UU growth on our naturally spiritual land and with how we each are together.  The way we embody life here, I see as our spiritual expression for connection.  It comes out naturally as our congregation’s identity.