RENEWAL & REST

JASMINE MILLER

THE GOSHEN NEWS

GOSHEN — Pathways Retreat has been serving Elkhart County for nearly 20 years.

Linda Lehman Thomas, director and co-founder of Pathways Retreat, shared how the organization came to be.

“Julie Stegelmann and I became spiritual friends for a class assignment at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 2000. Upon graduation, we both wanted to provide spiritual direction/companionship but didn’t have a place. So, in 2003 we formed a Lutheran-Mennonite mission group with the vision to create a spiritual retreat center in Goshen city limits. We wanted it to be accessible, so being in the city was important,” Lehman Thomas said.

She said that in 2006, Pathways Retreat became a 501©3 organization “with the mission to be a spiritual retreat center for rest, reflection, and renewal.” She then went on to list current classes.

Pathways is currently offer the following classes: — Weekly Yoga on Mondays at 4:30 p.m.

— Zentangle Art — Creativity for your Contemplative Practice or Level 2 (for those with some experience in Zentangle), Saturday, March 28, 10-11:30 a.m.

— God’s Wonderful Creatures — a two-week nature and art experience for children in grades K-5.

“The focus is on learning about native animals and their habitats and children will make animals out of clay,” she said. “This will be on June 7 and 14. We do not have a lot of classes right now, but we will be offering more in the fall.”

When asked who their services are open to, Lehman Thomas stated that Pathways Retreat, located at 309 1/2 Hackett Road, Goshen, serves people of all ages and religions.

“We have people of all ages visiting Pathways,” Lehman Thomas said. “Classes, events, and individual retreats are attended by people of all ages and backgrounds. Most of our guests are Christians, but we welcome people of all or no faiths.”

There are no requirements for the classes besides making sure to register for the classes through the website.

To register, visit their website, pathwaysretreat.org where there are links to the landing pages of each class that we are currently offering. Registration involves completing a short form.

“Our Daily and Seasonal Prayer services and Reflection Walks are always free and usually don’t require registration,” she said.

Lehman Thomas said that there is a newsletter to help people interested in the many services they provide up to date.

“Subscribing to our monthly newsletter, Pathways Rhythms, is the best way to find out about our current offering of events and classes,” she said. “This goes out at the beginning of every month, and we rarely send emails to our newsletter subscribers outside of this monthly newsletter. Our website, www.pathwaysretreat.org, is another good way of keeping up to date with our programming,” Lehman Thomas said.

While the focus is on contemplative Christian spirituality she expressed that there is room for everyone at Pathways Retreat.

“Pathways is a place where all are welcome. Our mission is to provide a place of rest, reflection, and renewal,” she said. “Though our focus is on contemplative Christian spirituality, we have room for everyone, no matter where they are on their spiritual journey. Most of our services and classes are offered on a suggested donation basis because we don’t want finances to be a barrier to anyone.”

While people might think they have to fit a certain mold to attend Pathways Retreat, Lehman Thomas explains that is not the case.

“People often have the impression that they need to be very serious and spiritual to come to Pathways, but that is simply not true,” Lehman Thomas said. “Laughter is often heard at Pathways and there are many who visit just to enjoy our walking trails and labyrinths.”

She shared that if you are looking to learn more about what the organization has to offer there are several ways to reach out.

“The best way to contact us is by filling out the contact form on our website (there is a link near the top of our homepage) or emailing us at info@pathwaysretreat. org,” she said.

Lehman Thomas finished by sharing that Pathways Retreat is often looked at as a hidden gem.

“It’s not our intention to be hidden, so please come visit and tell others about Pathways,” Lehman Thomas said.

Walk the path at Pathways Retreat for some quiet time.

Photo contributed