Purpose: To provide an environment that helps a clergy person, member of a clergy family, or clergy family restore their body, mind, and spirit toward more abundant living. To facilitate this environment, Shade and Fresh Water will provide a healing space, companion, and spiritual director/ therapist to work with the person or persons on retreat.

One of the most significant helps to restore a sense of health and wholeness to a clergy person is the setting in which their retreat may occur. A Healing Space is an environment that provides a sense of ease, calm, and connection to God and the earth. A Healing Space also offers a sense of connection with nature, order, cleanliness, and a sense of privacy. If you have property that you would like to offer for Shade and Fresh Water to use as a Healing Space, we would appreciate you joining with us in this ministry. The paragraphs which follow describe the general facilities a Healing Space needs; those who would use the space you offer; and liability arrangements. If these seem appropriate to you, please contact Trudy Rankin at the email address given below.

We are finding a “healing space” in each District for a clergy person, clergy family, or clergy family member to retreat, for reflection, discernment and decision-making. Each site must have room for the companion, resident or residents, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and cooking facilities. We are engaging individuals who are committed to be companions in the space, who understand the value of spiritual friendship in the context of confidentiality. We are developing contacts with therapists and spiritual directors in each District who can be available for support as needed in this healing milieu, with this team managed and coordinated by a Licensed Professional.

Regarding liability, it is hoped that those offering healing spaces contact their property insurance carrier to find out about occasional residence. This property use would not be regular or weekly, but sporadic based on the need. This could be an extension of the local church ministry in some form, perhaps.

It would be useful to have pictures of each residence on hand-not to say that this needs to be some “House and Gardens” model home. But, instead, a resident finds comfort in knowing the looks and location of the residence.

Contact: Trudy Rankin – trudycorryrankin@gmail.com

Companions, Spiritual Directors, & Therapists 

Companion: Accompanies the clergy person or family member in the retreat environment. Companions aid in the renewal and recovery so that the clergy person or family member can return to the demands of ministry. Offers compassion while the clergy person reflects upon their situation and the particular issues they have decided to address during the retreat. If you would like to serve as a companion for a week at a time, please contact Trudy Rankin at the email address given below.

Testimony of a companion:

"It was a blessing to be a companion to a clergy person over the past week.  I believe that God worked through our time together. Through the use of listening, prayer, Eucharist, and a time to pray. I believe that the clergy person found a healing time and space in which to reflect on calling, self care and prioritizing.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity." Companion 

Contact: Trudy Rankin – trudycorryrankin@gmail.com

Spiritual Director: Assists the clergy person or family member in selecting various spiritual exercises and disciplines for their time on retreat. Through selecting these, the person on retreat creates an environment that provides for holistic care while they make important decisions. If you would like to facilitate the spiritual healing of the person on retreat, please contact Trudy Rankin at the email address given below.

Contact: Trudy Rankin – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS LISTING:

Click here For a listing of Spiritual Directors

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Therapist: Provides counseling for the person on retreat in order to help identify issues that may make the person less effective for ministry. The therapist maintains daily contact with the companion during the retreat and makes a personal visit to the retreat setting as determined by the therapist. The therapist may refer person on retreat for further counseling or treatment. If you are qualified and can serve as a therapist for a week, please contact Trudy Rankin at the email address given below.

Contact: Trudy Rankin – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it