Come to the Mountain 2026

Wednesday, June 3

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

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

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

  • 9:15 PM: Night Prayer

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

Thursday, June 4

  • 7:30 AM: Morning Movement

  • 8:30–9:30 AM: Breakfast

  • 10:00–11:30 AM: The Challenges and Opportunities of Being Gay in Christian Community withJason Steidl Jack
    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.

  • 1:00–2:00 PM: Lunch

  • 2:30–3:45 PM: Mountaintop Stories with Jesus with Steve Sallis
    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.

  • 4:00–6:00 PM: Pop-Ups

  • 6:30 PM: Evening Prayer

  • 7:00–8:00 PM: Dinner (circle at 6:50)

  • 8:00–9:15 PM: TBA

  • 9:15 PM: Night Prayer

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

Friday, June 5

  • 7:30 AM: Labyrinth Walk

  • 8:30–9:30 AM: Breakfast

  • 9:30 AM: Morning Prayer: Praise and Worship

  • 10:00–11:15 AM: Reclaiming Your Love of Singing and Speaking with J. Donald Dumpson
    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.

  • 1:00–2:00 PM: Lunch

  • 2:30–5:00 PM: Sacred Hands, Sacred Touch with Steve Sallis
    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.

  • 4:30–6:30 PM: Free Time: Journaling, conversation, and rest

  • 7:00–8:00 PM: Dinner (circle at 6:50)

  • 8:00–9:30 PM: TBA

  • 9:30 PM: Introduction to Be a Monk Day and Night Prayer

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

Saturday, June 6

Be a Monk Day

  • 7:30 AM: Meditation

  • 8:30 AM: Breakfast in Silence

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

  • 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.

  • 1:00 PM: Lunch

  • 2:30–4:30 PM: Time of Service

  • 6:00 PM: Happy Hour Reception

  • 7:00–8:00 PM: Dinner (circle at 6:50)

  • 8:00–9:30 PM: Evening Session: TBA

  • 9:30 PM: Night Prayer

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

Sunday, June 7

  • 7:30 AM: TBA

  • 8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast

  • 9:30 AM: Closing Liturgy

  • 10:30 AM: Closing Circle

  • 11:30 AM: Lunch

  • 12:30 PM: Departure