Location
Maple Ridge, BC
Date and Time
7:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About this Event
About this Event
Young people ages 15 and up are invited to attend St. Matthew’s Youth Retreat Weekend: "Abide", taking place at Loon Lake Lodge and Retreat Centre on May 10 - 12, 2024.
The Retreat Theme
Our daily lives are filled with so much noise, busyness, and distractions. This can often leave us feeling restless and spread thin. However, this is not what God desires for us. He created us to live life fully alive. However, this can be difficult to find in hustle and bustle of everyday life. Luckily, God has given us the solution in John 15:4-5. Jesus tells us to abide in Him as He abides in us so that we can bear fruit. By learning to rest and abide in Him, we will find genuine rest and joy.
In this retreat, we really want to recognize and acknowledge that we are both body and soul. Thus, when we care for all parts of ourselves and seek to abide holistically, not just in a spiritual sense, we will be able to better seek this rest the saints and Jesus describes.
We will explore this theme through 4 sessions:
- Physical Abiding: How do we seek bodily rest? How can we use our bodies in its beauty to reflect God’s creativity?
- Emotional Abiding: What do we worship? How can we grow to desire what God desires for us?
- Psychological Abiding: What wounds do we have that prevent us from allowing Jesus to abide in our hearts? How do we heal these through Jesus?
- Spiritual Abiding: What did God make me for? How can I surrender all that I am to the Lord to make space for Him?
Why go on retreat?
1. Disruption of the Ordinary
Something unique happens when students and leaders are taken out of their regular schedule and comfort zone. Often in the daily rhythm of our lives God gets pushed aside, but at a retreat our rhythms are intentionally created to connect with God.
2. Technology Disconnection
Increasingly, younger generations are more technologically connected and less connected interpersonally. Even as adults, we often find ourselves going through withdrawal when our internet connection goes down. To be in an environment where you have limited access to technology and unlimited access to community allows us to engage more deeply. We are forced to be present with each other, and acknowledge what we’re actually dealing with.
3. Shared Experience
Community can sometimes be an elusive thing for a teenager. Thoughts of belonging and bond can run through their minds. When students spend a weekend together on the retreat it helps them to bond and grow closer. They’re able to bond through shared experience, and then reflect back on that time as they mature. Retreats are often rallying points for students. In community, they can remind each other what God did and said in that time, especially when life gets hard.
What can I expect?
The retreat experience is truly unique and personal to each individual. That said, here’s a video from our 2022 retreat to give you an idea of what’s in store:
FAQs
Q: What will we do at the retreat?
A: Sessions, testimonies, and discussion that will allow you to encounter God in a new and personal way. Celebrate the Eucharist and encounter Jesus in the sacraments. Hang out, laugh, and play games. Showcase our abilities with a talent show - pyjama edition. Enjoy five hearty, fresh and delicious meals among friends.
Q: I can’t afford to pay $150 for a retreat.
A: The total value of the retreat is $210. We do not make any profit - the entire amount goes towards food and accommodation. Through your generous support at our fundraisers, we’ve been able to reduce the cost to $150. However, cost should never be a reason to miss a retreat. We offer bursaries and fundraising opportunities for those who do not have sufficient funds to attend. Indicate your need when filling out the registration form and we will follow up with you.
Q: Who is allowed to come?
A: The retreat is catered to St. Matthew's parishioners ages 15-21. Those from other parishes may attend by invitation of a St. Matthew's parishioner.
Q: I'll sit this one out and come next year.
A: An off-site retreat is not something we will be doing every year so it is truly a "once in a high-school lifetime" opportunity.
Q: Do I get my money back if I register and can't come anymore?
A: Those who cancel 31+ days before the retreat will revive a full refund. Those who cancel less than 31 days will receive no refund.
Q: I have more questions. Who can I ask?
A: Email the Youth Ministry Coordinator at [email protected].
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Youth Ministry Coordinator, Eleanor Wong.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (778) 751-4935
Retreat Details
- When: Friday, May 10 at 7pm – Sunday, May 12 at 1pm
- Where: Loon Lake Retreat Centre (14500 Silver Valley Road, Maple Ridge)
- Who: Youth ages 15 - 21
- Cost: $150 which includes 5 hearty meals and 2 nights comfortable accommodation, the retreat content, and exclusive swag. Bursaries are available, please indicate your need in your registration form!
- Transportation: Carpooling will be organized for youth to get to the retreat. That said, we will need the help of some parents drivers. If you are able to help, please indicate this on your registration form!
- Who’s in charge: We have a team of 20 young adult leaders who will be running and chaperoning the retreat. We have 3 team members trained in Standard First Aid.
- Registration: Registration is open until Monday, April 15, 2024. If you are dropping off a paper registration form, please put it in an envelope labelled “YOUTH RETREAT REGISTRATION- [Participant’s full name]”.
