Welcome to St. Thomas' Episcopal Church's Annual Parish Retreat. We'll gather in the Alleghany mountains of Virginia at the Diocese of Virginia's Shrine Mont Retreat & Conference Center. Surrounded by the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, we have the opportunity to deepen our connection with each other and with our faith. This retreat offers a sanctuary for reflection, renewal, and growth, and it’s also a whole lot of fun to spend time with each other in this special place!
Register today and ensure your spot on the mountain this Fall!
CLICK HERE for our informative 2024 Registration Letter, welcoming everyone to join us and offering even more information!
RETREAT PRICING
St. Thomas' is thrilled to be able to offer a discount from the standard Shrine Mont rate to all of our parish retreat attendees. We are also excited to announce that we are able to offer these rates at no price increase from last year's rates.
• Kids 4-13 - $60 (actual Shrine Mont cost = $130.57)
• Youth 14-18 - $110 (actual Shrine Mont cost = $187.43, billed as adults)
• Adults 19 and older - $170 (actual Shrine Mont cost = $187.43)
• Children through age 3 - FREE!
Prices are per individual, and cover accomodations and food for the entire weekend! These discounts, as well as any activity fees, are funded by the St. Thomas’ Shrine Mont budget - your pledge dollars at work!
Please do not let financial concerns keep you from joining us this Fall. Simply respond to the scholarship question on the registration form if you are in need of assistance!
OUR TIME TOGETHER
AT A GLANCE
Here's the general overview of what our retreat looks like.
For a detailed view of each day's agenda, CLICK HERE.
Arrive as you are able Friday afternoon and evening. Dinner will be provided, and you can take the time to find your room and get settled in. We'll gather together for a chance to connect and get to know each other, and follow it up with a compline service. From there, commune on the cabin porches or settle in and enjoy the comforts of your accommodations!
Saturday is full of many options for everyone. The morning brings opportunities for children, youth and adults to spend time together with programs that enliven & inspire. The afternoon brings options like hikes, art activities, games and the ability to refresh and renew however you need! Following our vespers service and dinner, the evening includes a bonfire, singing, a kids movie and an intergenerational team trivia night!
Our final day together on the mountain starts with an invigorating sunrise yoga for those who wish to join. We'll gather after breakfast for worship and eucharist together outdoors in our youth-led service. You'll have plenty of time to get a few more activities in before that fried chicken lunch, like checking out the Shrine Mont book store, walking the labyrinth or playing your favorite games. Depart in peace after lunch!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where will I sleep?
In one of Shrine Mont’s unique cottages. No two cottages are quite the same, BUT all of the bedrooms are!
You can expect a refreshingly zen room with simple, bare necessities. All linens are provided
What are the cottages like?
They are quaint, cozy and inviting. Most feature porches with rocking chairs, a fireplace, and a frig to share. For more information about accommodations, please click here to check out the Shrine Mont website where you can find descriptions, pictures, floorplans, and even a video tour!
What if I’ve received a scholarship, and the fees are still cost prohibitive?
Not to worry. If you wish to go on the retreat, we will help make that happen! Please do not let any financial concerns keep you from such a fun and refreshing weekend. Simply reach out to either Anne Chamberlain or Katie Cosby to start a conversation.
How will I know how much I owe when my balance is due?
St. Thomas’ very talented and wonderful accountant Chisti McFadden will be keeping close track of all of the retreat financials. She is happy to help you when the time comes! She can be reached at cmcfadden@stthomasrichmond.org
Do I need to supervise my kids the whole time?
The short answer is yes. BUT St. Thomas’ is providing child care staff this year Saturday morning during the youth and adult program as well as on Saturday evening for movie night. Please reach out to Sarah Sherman for more information.
