To come away on retreat is to break out of the rhythm of your ordinary day; to present yourself less encumbered, to open yourself to the possibility of refreshment and of deep listening to the Spirit that dwells within.
To our Celtic ancestors the spiritual and the material were of a piece in the most ordinary circumstances of daily life. Often though, our capacity to perceive seems dulled. For that reason it can be good to step away from our routines and begin to see with fresh eyes. In Celtic Christianity the journey of the spirit is filled with special places of encounter, places of refuge for the spirit: “thin places” where the invisible and the visible come together almost tangibly, both in yourself and in creation itself. Whether ‘thin places’ are geographical or within us, they can be nurturing and healing; sometimes they can move us toward new and deeper understanding and growth.
The Bishop’s Ranch offers opportunities for us to experience the solace of landscape whether sitting in a grove of oaks or cedars, or by visiting one of the other of the Ranch’s ‘thin places’ to sit for awhile in a space that has become for many, a place of refuge for the spirit. When you return home, you may find that your time at the Ranch has helped you discover and honor the ‘thin places’ in your own ordinary days and places.
On Campus
The Chapel of St. George
Built in 1955, the chapel sits in the center of The Ranch. It offers a space of beautiful simplicity and quiet for prayer, meditation and worship.
Learn More about the Chapel and Services
The Labyrinth
A gift of the St. John’s Oakland youth group, this outside labyrinth is a place that invites you on a meditative walk. It sits near the top of the grape arbor.
The Lion of the Hills
This stunning 19 foot mosaic, is the work of artist Sandy McCray with the help of her husband Dick and other family members. Based on C. S. Lewis’ Narnia stories and the story of the lion that once visited The Ranch, this is a beautiful place to sit—but you have to find a quiet time between meals and meetings at the Pavilion.
The Calvary Mosaic
This colorful mosaic crafted in Italy is located among the oak trees near St. John’s Meeting House. A bench on the gentle slope invites contemplation.
The AIDS Memorial
This peaceful, outdoor meditation spot was originally designed in the mid-1980’s by the Gay Men’s Spirituality Retreat and was renovated and renewed by the Men of Grace Cathedral in 2005. Boulders are located in the oak shrouded area for sitting.
The Cedar Grove
To the ancient Celts trees growing in rings were sites for ritual and celebration; it’s easy to understand why. These cedars connect us to the earth below and the heavens above and offer a gift of stillness.
The Lawn Chairs
In an important way these chairs symbolize the Ranch as a place of reflection and rest. A place to simply sit, to take in the beauty
Walking the Trails
The Cristo
A striking sculpture of the crucified Christ created by artist Emil (Skip) Gathmann. He began what was to be his last work when he was diagnosed with ALS. It is set 10 feet tall on a knoll in an oak grove above the Peace Pole.
The Trailside Sanctuary
A beautiful meditative memorial to Leonora and Jack Martin Dowling is a place to experience the quiet of the Ranch backcountry. A place to pray or meditate or just rest in the shelter of the oaks and fir trees on Hawk Hill.
The Peace Pole
Constructed in May of 2003 and blessed by people of many religions attending a United Religions Initiative Conference at the Ranch, the pole has the carved words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in eight languages. You may add your own prayer to those already fluttering in the wind.
Lower Lake
Boundary places connect the solid and material with the intangible, this world with another. To sit at the edge of the lake offers the opportunity to contemplate the gift of water as the source of life.
