Why come to the Long Table Retreat?
Because in dark days, we desperately need nurture, time to soak in God’s Presence, and a long table that foreshadows of the abundance of the kingdom. We don’t just need to know hope, we need to feel Hope’s embrace.
From one of last year’s attendees:
“What did I receive from the retreat? A FELT sense of what it means to be tenderly cared for by God, LAVISHLY … through all the details, the scheduling, the delight in the faces and words of others … the whole embodied experience helped shift something in me. Main takeaway … I actually FEEL beloved (in all my internal messiness).”
Tell me more:
- Arrive on Thursday evening to welcome stations with the staff inviting you to wander through Maplehurst’s ground enjoying small bites, ending in a candlelit charcuterie spread under the pergola and finally, evening prayer in the black barn.
- Friday and Saturday mornings, walk the beautiful gardens of Maplehurst, find a bench for reflection and prayer, and then grab a cup of tea before worship with Sindhu Giedd and led in a presence practice with Summer or her mom, Beth.
- Bette spent three years side by side with a vinemaker in her area and found treasures for us. By introducing us to the seasons of a vineyard, Bette Dickenson will help you conquer the message that you’re always “on,” always supposed to be producing, always fruit-bearing. The seasons of a fruit-bearing life has been an incredible aha moment for Summer this year and she couldn’t wait for you to experience this message as well.
- After a picnic lunch, half the group will soak in the presence of God led by Summer and her mother and the other half will join Alison Bradley in the art tent, taking time to sit with God’s invitations doing art collage.
- Late afternoon, you’ll join your Belonging Groups. We promise this will be your favorite part of the day!
- On Friday evening, for dinner, you’ll explore nearby historic Kennett Square.
- Saturday evening, we’ll have a candlelit feast on Maplehurst’s grounds and together, “taste and see that God is good” lingering long into the evening.
- On Sunday morning, we’ll gather to worship our Emmanuel with leader and singer/songwriter, Sindu Giedd, ready to praise and soak in the Presence of God and finish with Summer and Beth preaching and inviting you to receive God’s nourishment through the eucharist. Before we say goodbye, you’ll receive gifts to carry with you.
Where?
The Black Barn, West Grove, PA
We have the great privilege of being invited to Christie Purifoy’s Black Barn and beautiful gardens to host our Long Table Retreat.
Your Retreat Speakers and Hostesses
Cost and Registration: (space for only 40 Attendees)
The cost of The Long Table Retreat is $735
What’s included?
- The event begins with a long winding welcome with nibble stations throughout Maplehurst’s grounds and a warm hello from Long Table staff ending with a large charcuterie board under the pergola. We’ll end Thursday night with compline in the Black barn.
- Thursday evening through Sunday noon prayer and teachings. Life together. At last.
- Group spiritual direction. This place of tender belonging will begin BEFORE you arrive so that you already have a circle of belonging before you step foot on Maplehurst’s grounds.
- Your meals: Charcuterie Gathering on Thursday, picnic lunches plus morning and afternoon tea on Friday and Saturday. Breakfast on your own.
- Candlelit Autumn feast on Saturday night where we’ll linger in the garden
- Substantial snack on Sunday as you leave
- Gifts throughout the event. (We’re having fun planning the gifts you will be taking home).
- Time to enjoy Christie’s private garden.
- An art tent full of supplies so you can listen to the inner work God is calling you to attend to.
- If you need a scholarship, let Summer know at presenceproject.ea@gmail.com
Location, Travel, and Lodging
The Long Table Retreat will be held at Christie Purifoy’s Black Barn and the gardens of Maplehurst in West Grove, PA. We’ll give you exact address a few weeks before the event.
If you are flying in, you’ve got a number of airports to choose:
- Wilmington, Delaware
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- BWI: Baltimore/Washington airport
- There’s also an Amtrak station in Coatesville just 30 minutes away.
We have secured a small block of rooms at the following hotel:
Fairfield Inn and Suites, Kennett Square, mention Summer Gross, women’s retreat
A list of airbnb’s (Find others to join you on our digital page.)
Transportation
You’ll want to rent a car or rideshare. You can use our digital page to interact with other guests and discover airbnbs or share transportation.
What do I do after I register?
When you click on the registration link, you will create an account, submit payment, and be granted access to our digital retreat space.
Please remember your account information and bookmark The Long Table Retreat in The Neighborhood. We will be communicating all important information in this digital retreat space. In fact, we already have a welcome video and some next steps waiting for you in our digital retreat space. We hope you will pull up a chair and get comfortable as we wait for our in-person retreat to begin in September!