Group Retreats
The Christine Center is the ideal setting for inspiring and invigorating the spirit of your group.
The Center has served the spiritual needs of thousands of people from all over the world for over thirty years. All are welcome to enjoy our natural sanctuary and to partake of its quiet beauty.
We provide an inspirational, comfortable country setting where your group can create, learn, or grow in the sanctuary of these natural grounds. Our main building — comprised of three round buildings, and a Wing with a chapel, meeting rooms, offices and a library — overlooks a wildflower meadow, living pond, and ceremonial fire circle. Ecologically harmonious, the building’s geothermal heating and passive solar design stores the sun’s energy for use.
The Welcome Center houses the main entrance with the bookstore named Spirit Jewel, kitchen, main office, and dining room. The Guest House has accommodations for up to 14 people. The Meditation Room is a large, open space for daily meditation practice and group activities. Hermitages dapple the forest and range in size from one to four beds. All hermitages are equipped with electricity; some have running water. The Siloe building contains the laundry, restrooms, and shower facilities for rustic hermitage residents and campers.
Delicious natural foods, vegetarian meals, spiritual direction, relaxing bodywork, refreshing sauna, and rejuvenating hiking trails are also available.
The Christine Center offers overnight accommodations for 45, with additional accommodations for the overflow members of your group at nearby motels, which we will be pleased to arrange for you. The camping facilities have also been expanded so that we can accommodate 75 or more people during the warmer weather. Our community and staff provide the support needed to create a setting in which any group can be revitalized.
Group Events
Our private forest retreat center is the ideal setting for inspiring and invigorating the spirit of your group. Spiritual groups, businesses, retirees, hospitals, clinics, universities and colleges and any civic or community organization will find these tranquil and beautiful surroundings the perfect environment for:
- Retreats
- Meetings
- Workshops and seminars
- Lectures
- Breakout groups
- Roundtable discussions
- Special training classes
- Private interviews
- Recreation
The Christine Center is an ideal space for supporting group practice, interaction, effective communication, and creative thinking.
Gathering Room
The spacious, dome-shaped multi-purpose Meeting/Meditation Room is the perfect setting for group activities and seminars where shared practice and experiential learning facilitate transformation. The large open space provides ample room for groups of 15 to 150 to gather in ease and comfort. Standard technological equipment is available. Additional meeting space is available in the recently-added Wing.
Dining
Our guests say their dining experience is one of the most enjoyable parts of their visit. Meals are served in a relaxed family-style atmosphere. Our kitchen staff prepares delicious and nutritious meals using natural whole foods and locally grown organic produce, when in season. Hearty vegetarian fare is our specialty, and vegan and other special diets can be accommodated. Tasty home-baked muffins, breads and desserts are also served. Our commitment to well-being is expressed through thoughtfully planned and prepared meals that are delicious as well as nurturing.
Lodging
See Lodging. We offer special rates for groups of 20 or more, on lodging only. Please call or write for more information
Testimonials from our Retreatants and Workshop Attendees
“The Christine Center is one of the finest retreat centers I have attended. I especially like your practice space and love your bookstore!” –Don Arenz, Instructor of English Composition, Kirkwood Community College (Don is from Iowa City, Iowa.)
“The Center is a perfect place for the combination of painting and spirituality. John’s leadership, artistic teaching and spiritual ground are true inspiration.” –Peter Shipton, Engineer/Consultant (Germany)
“I felt welcomed and appreciated for the work we were doing. The environment could not have been more perfect. The dance space completely blended and conneccted with our movement/meditation practice. It’s rare for me to feel witnessed and understood in this work by others who are not actually involved in it. It was therefore particularly nourishing to be in a space so glorious and surrounded by kindred spirits (the staff).
Everyone was terrific! I regretted that we were there such a short time, as I wanted to get to know more of the staff people. I was drawn to all of you. I think you created a beautiful container for diverse spiritual practices — strong and clear but with a light touch and much joy. I was high for several weeks following my stay there and look forward to returning next year. Thank you!” –Kathleen Maltese, Dancer (from Chicago)