Bethel UCC Retreat Centers

Retreat Centers

St. Louis Metropolitan Area

Toddhall Center is only a few miles from Cahokia, on the southern edge of Columbia, Illinois. From Highway 3 southbound, turn east on Illinois 158, then left at the sign. Toddhall Center is a ministry of St. George's Episcopal Church in Belleville, and of its founders, Charles and Virginia Todd, who continue to serve at the facility along with many volunteers from the St. George's parish. It is used by many groups, religious and secular, who are concerned with fostering the growth of individuals into whole persons. The largely volunteer staff attempts to create a home-like atmosphere with meals, lodging, and facilities for workshops, lectures, discussion groups, and worship. Toddhall Center provides support for group or individual retreats, but the staff does not normally provide programming or individual spiritual direction.

The White House retreat center in south St. Louis offers three-day silent directed retreats. Annually, 48 weekends and 21 mid-week retreats are offered for both men and women. White House is operated by Jesuit Roman Catholics, and emphasizes an Ignatian approach to prayer and spiritual exercises. Ignatius of Loyola was a 16th century Spanish mystic who founded the religious order called the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. Ignatian retreats focus on Christ Himself, not on doctrine, and non-Catholic participants are graciously received. We know several UCC members who make a White House retreat an annual practice. White House is a 73 year old facility with a living tradition. There are 75 acres of grounds and woods for quiet meditation, and 73 individual rooms with their own bathroom. Donations are requested at the end of the silent retreat to help meet the costs of the retreat. For more information, call (314) 533-8903.

Another retreat center near Cahokia is the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois. The Shrine is operated by the Roman Catholic Church, and hosts many larger groups, including United Church of Christ regional events. For individual and small group retreats, the same Missionary Oblate order that operates the Shrine has a retreat center called Kings House, also in Belleville.

Southern Illinois

In addition to summer camp, DuBois Center offers year-round accomodations for small to medium sized groups. This facility, operated by the Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ, also hosts several UCC retreats each year. Father-Son Retreats are an annual event, and in recent years, conference staff have led retreats focused on spiritual growth, prayer, and other disciplines.

The Lake Williamson Christian Retreat and Conference Center near Carlinville, Illinois can accommodate very large groups as well as small. Lake Williamson has outstanding indoor athletic and outdoor recreational facilities, a variety of housing options, and an auditorium and dining facility that can accommodate large groups. The staff will assist with retreat planning. Like DuBois Center, this retreat center is geared primarily to hosting groups, rather than providing individual spiritual direction. Be aware of certain restrictions (ex. prohibition on dancing) that may make this facility inappropriate for your group.

Midwest

The St. Meinrad Spiritual Life Center in rural southern Indiana is operated by the Roman Catholic Benedictine Order. Pastor Carol spent part of her sabbatical there in individual retreat and in worship with the monks and other guests. The Archabbey Guest House has 25 air conditioned rooms with twin beds, private bath, desk, and chairs. The facility, surrounded by beautiful grounds, includes a chapel, dining and conference rooms, and a lounge. During any of the retreats, you are welcome to join the monastic community in any or all of the daily Prayer Services. Five types of retreats are available: weekend retreats, midweek retreats, group retreats by special arrangement, guided retreats, and self-directed retreats. Weekend and midweek retreats are scheduled with specific topics and designated leaders. The guided retreats are geared to individual retreat time, and provide a meeting with a Spiritual Director once a day. In the Benedictine tradition, Scripture is used to prayerfully discern the workings of the Holy Spirit in one's life. Self-directed retreats provide complete flexibility for an individual to study, worship, and pray according to one's individual schedule. For the latest retreat schedule, call (812) 357-6585.

Camp MoVal is the summer camp and retreat center for the Missouri Mid-South Conference, United Church of Christ. It is located just west of Union, Missouri. One of the unique assets of Camp MoVal is its newly constructed swimming pool that features a long curving ramp that provides access to campers in wheelchairs.