Do you need space removed from dailyness to ponder persistent questions? Or to get your heart ready for Easter? You are invited to Rolling Ridge during Holy Week for time and space apart.
Rolling Ridge offers you:
- Retreat House space for thinking, reading, journaling
- Woodland walking and hiking trails and quiet spaces
- Appalachian Trail overlook one-hour walk from the Retreat House
- Creeks, waterfalls, and creek-watching rocks
- Morning prayers daily at 9 am with the retreat community
- Evening prayers daily at 4 pm with the retreat community
- Art Cottage with art supplies available
- Spiritual direction or guided day retreat available upon request
- Friendly dogs and welcoming staff community
The Week's program also includes:
- Easter Weekend Silent Retreat, led by Rolling Ridge Staff
- Friday Evening Stations of the Cross, led by Lindsay McLaughlin
- Saturday Meditative Art experience, led by Keith Lyndaker
If you need a respite from the world's turmoil, consider time at Rolling Ridge, between the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah. Come for one day or several, Monday through Friday. Bring a bag lunch, or fast. Cool spring water, coffee, and tea available. Simple meals will be serve during the silent retreat, starting Friday evening. Reading materials available. No charge for day retreats. Overnight stay is an option. Cost for overnight stay during week nights is $12. Cost for weekend (Friday and Saturday nights with meals) is $40. For more information, overnight reservations, or directions call Vivian Headings (304.724.6653) or Bob Sabath (304.724.6653).
Stations of the Cross
In the Stations of the Cross, we follow the path that Jesus followed during his Passion, from the courtroom to the place where he died. Jesus' difficult journey took place in Jerusalem 2000 years ago, where the path is known as the Via Dolorosa, or the Sorrowful Way. Certain spots where Jesus stopped along his route are marked, and these are called Stations.
Over the centuries, people traveled to Jerusalem to retrace and recall Jesus' steps to Calvary, especially during Lent. But Jerusalem is very far to go for most people, so in the Middle Ages, they began making the journey along the Via Dolorosa in churches, using painted or carved images of the 14 stops Jesus made. At each Station people would think about what happened to Jesus and they would pray about it.
On Good Friday evening, after dusk, we are going to make that journey through the hushed woods and quiet spaces of Rolling Ridge. As we go on our Via Dolorosa we will be telling the story of Jesus' last hours, his death, and his burial, a story that has deep meaning for us. At each Station we will pause to allow the moments recalled there to shape our prayers for the places in our hearts and our world that, like Jesus, are battered and broken.
We invite you to send us the names of loved one who have died, or whom you have lost, of those sick, or in trouble. You may also want to name situations or places, both far away or next door, that cry out for God's healing presence and for which you want to pray. We invite you to send us snapshots, clippings, or objects that depict or represent these persons and places. We will include them as we construct each Station. You may send them to Rolling Ridge, c/o Vivian Headings, RR 4 Box 314K, Harpers Ferry WV 25425. You will have them returned to you, so be sure to include your name on the items.
Lindsay McLaughlin