Come to the Mountain 2026

Wednesday, June 3

  • 2:00–6:00 PM: Arrival and Settling In

  • 6:30–7:15 PM: Dinner (circle at 6:20) - Great Room

  • 7:30 PM: Opening Circle - Great Room
    Retreat Overview, and Sharing Our Spiritual Journeys, Easton 101.

  • 9:15 PM: Night Prayer - Great Room

  • 9:30 PM: Games in the Sun Room, and conversation

Thursday, June 4

  • 7:30 AM: Walk arounf the Campus with Steve Sallis - Meet on the deck

  • 8:30–9:15 AM: Breakfast

  • 10:00–11:30 AM: The Challenges and Opportunities of Being Gay in Christian Community with Jason Steidl Jack - Great Room
    Participating in Christian community is challenging for gay men. For centuries, Christians have used scripture and doctrine to harm and exclude gay believers. Yet gay Christians exist, persist, and bring countless gifts to the church. This forum will offer participants the opportunity to discuss how they have navigated the challenges and opportunities of Christian community. What are the lessons learned and the resources available for those who want to remain in the church and participate? Where is God in the midst of the struggle? Note: Though pain and exclusion may be part of participants’ stories, this forum will focus on sources of grace and healing within Christian communities.

  • 1:00–1:45 PM: Lunch

  • 2:15–3:15 PM: Mountaintop Stories about Jesus with Steve Sallis - Great Room
    Jesus spent a lot of time on mountains. This session will explore some of the mountain stories with Jesus and their relevance to our lives as gay Christians. Participants will have the opportunity to journal and share their insights into Jesus’ mountain stories.

  • 3:30–5:00 PM: Spiritual Journey in Art with Team - Sun Room
    Participants will have opportunity to create an artistic rendering of their spiritual journey.

  • 5:00 PM–6:00 PM: Free Time: Journaling, Conversation, and Rest

    • OR 12 Step Meeting  - Hunter Reynolds Room

  • 6:00 PM: Evening Prayer with Jason Steidl Jack - Great Room

  • 6:30–7:15 PM: Dinner (circle at 6:20)

  • 8:00–9:15 PM: Fire of Forgiveness Ritual- Start in Great Room

  • 9:15 PM: Night Prayer- Great Room

  • 9:30 PM: Sauna, games in the Sun Room, and conversation

Friday, June 5

  • 7:30 AM: Labyrinth Walk with Steve Sallis- Meet on the Deck

  • 8:30–9:15 AM: Breakfast

  • 9:30 AM: Morning Prayer: Praise and Worship with J. Donald Dumpson - Great Room

  • 10:00–11:15 AM: Reclaiming Your Love of Singing and Speaking with J. Donald Dumpson - Great Room
    Our voices are powerful vehicles for praise, yet they are often stifled by past negative experiences. This session offers a safe space to reconnect with your voice through group and solo singing and creative readings. Participants may join in singing or reading as they feel comfortable.

  • 11:30 AM–12:45 PM: Gay Eroticism and God with Jason Steidl Jack
    Eroticism and mysticism go hand in hand. From the Song of Songs to contemporary praise and worship music, human desires for love and sex offer a useful lens for reflecting on human desires in relationship with God. This workshop will consider these themes in light of gay male sexuality and experience. How can erotic spirituality help gay men integrate their sexuality and faith? Together, participants will reflect on their own stories, the witness of Christians such as Saint John of the Cross, erotic iconography in images and statues of Jesus’ crucifixion, and music that draws worshippers into a sensual relationship with God.

  • 1:00–1:45 PM: Lunch

  • 2:30–5:00 PM: Sacred Hands, Sacred Touch with Steve Sallis - Great Room
    Participants will have the opportunity to receive and give a non-sexual massage. Massage will be clothing optional, meaning participants choose how clothed or unclothed they want to be. Any level of massage experience, including none, is welcome.

  • 5:00 PM–6:00 PM: Free Time: Journaling, Conversation, and Rest

    • OR 12 Step Meeting  - Hunter Reynolds Room

  • 6:00 PM: Evening Prayer with Jason Steidl Jack - Great Room

  • 6:30–7:15 PM: Dinner(circle at 6:20)

  • 7:30–9:30 PM: Movie - Of Gods and Men - Great Room

  • 9:45 PM: Introduction to Be a Monk Day followed by Night Prayer with John Stasio - Great Room

  • 10:15 PM: Sauna, games in the Sun Room, and conversation

Saturday, June 6 - Be a Monk Day

  • 7:30 AM: Meditation with Steve Sallis - Temple

  • 8:30 - 9:15 AM: Breakfast in Silence - Sun Room

  • 9:45 AM: Morning Prayer: Taizé and Overview of the Day - Temple

  • 10:30 AM–12:00 PM: Contemplation in a World of Action with John Stasio
    What’s it like to be a committed Christian living in the world while still maintaining a spiritual practice? John will share stories of some of his spiritual guides, including Daniel Berrigan, Dorothy Day, and Bede Griffiths. Participants will also have an opportunity to share about their own spiritual guides.

  • 12:00 PM :Explanation of Time of Service with the Team - Temple

  • 1:00 - 1:45 PM: Lunch

  • 2:30–4:30 PM: Time of Service

  • 4:30 - 5:30 PM:12 Step Meeting  - Hunter Reynolds Room

  • 5:00 - 6:20 PM: Happy Hour Reception - on the Deck

  • 6:30–7:15 PM: Dinner (circle at 6:20)

  • 8:00–9:30 PM: Transfiguration Celebration - Great Room
    More information coming soon

  • 9:30 PM: Night Prayer

  • 9:45 PM: Sauna, games in the Sun Room, and conversation

Sunday, June 7

  • 7:30 AM: Optional Contemplative Walk - Meet on the Deck

    • OR: Sleep In/Packing

  • 8:30- 9:15 AM: Continental Breakfast

  • 9:30 AM: Closing Liturgy - Temple

  • 10:30 AM: Closing Circle - Great Room

  • 11:30 AM: Lunch

  • 12:30 PM: Departure