Kirkridge Retreat & Study Center

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Bangor, PA
Kirkridge Retreat & Study Center

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Kirkridge is a place to be, and to become a people of hope, compassion, justice, and service.

Since 1942 Kirkridge has always welcomed persons seeking spiritual, personal and social transformation. Kirkridge offers you rest and opportunities for spiritual renewal, a haven from the whirling world. For a fresh perspective, or quiet withdrawal, come to our retreat place on the mountain. Kirkridge offers in-house programs year round, as well as rents its facilities for groups to come to the mountain to host their own retreats. For more information about Kirkridge Retreat Center, please visit our website at www.kirkridge.org

11/06/2026

Poetry is one of the hospitality practices that grounds Kirkridge. In collaboration with the land, these poems emerge in the days leading up to a retreat as prayer and offering. This poem was left for those gathering at the GBTQ Men’s Retreat this October, along with a leaf from the Memorial Garden.

Come Beloveds,
let the mountain find
your heart
let the feathers find
your lungs
let the falling leaves find
your prayers

Come Beloveds,
here the table is set
for your return
a feast of your names
called home

Come Beloveds,
and at the end of the way
when all is dirt and ash
let the mountain
find your heart
let the feathers find
your lungs
let the falling leaves be
your rest

by lacey hunter, director of formation & programs

11/04/2026

It was such a deep joy to welcome back the
GBTQ Men’s retreat last weekend.

Nineteen men gathered on the mountain, both virtually and in person. A few for the first time, and a few had returned more than 30 times. All gathered to explore the Prodigal Son Parable and discuss the unique ways GBTQ men experience longing and belonging in our lives and communities.

Next year, they will be gathering as part of the “Rainbows on the Mountain: Celebrating 50 years of LGBTQ Gatherings at Kirkridge” October 1-3, 2027. Details on the website.

11/02/2026

10/30/2026

You are always welcome here. Use this place. Gather around a fire. Walk the woods. Celebrate. Discern. Hold silence. Bring your family…your church….your knitting circle…your sacred moments.

We would love to welcome you to the mountain for a private or personal retreat anytime.

For more information on our buildings and rates, visit our website.

10/29/2026

10/23/2026

Kirkridge Retreat Center is looking for friendly, hospitable team members to join our kitchen staff. This position is part-time, mostly on weekends with occasional weekday shifts available.

Please read this post thoroughly: https://kirkridge.org/kirkridge-is-hiring-kitchen-staff/ . (Link also available under our bio on Instagram.)

Then send a cover letter, resume, and three work references to [email protected].

10/21/2026

“Red-bellied Woodpecker: If you were to take
language and flip it,
use your upside-down voice,
what would you say?”
lacey hunter

10/20/2026

From October 9-11, 30 people sat, walked, and talked together with the question "Can we live well together with the land?" We were gathered at Kirkridge Retreat Center for "with the land: remember, relationship, repair" with Susan Raffo.

So much of the time was deeper than words, but there are a few learnings that feel possible to share:

When we "care" out of obligation rather than presence, we feed authoritarianism.

To be sovereign, truly, means never to be confused that we are connected to everyting all the time, no matter what. Raffo encouraged us to be "selfish in a good way," i.e. aware of ourselves and our own needs.

"If I am not clear and honest about my needs, I will manipulate the hell out of you to get those needs met."

We have co-evolved with land. Our bodies respond in particular ways, for example, to particular plants with which our ancestors had relationship. (Think allergies, vegetable preferences.)

We learned about the origins of property law in Rome, including the "right" to destroy the land/plants/animals that we supposedly "own." (The grief at this point was so palpable that I wanted to wail.) We sat together with the question, "When and how was I taught to destroy?"

Another question that has stayed with me: What parts of myself have I given up in exchange for protection from authorities?"

Deep gratitude to Raffo for all she brought. I will be digesting this retreat for a long time.

Address

2495 Fox Gap Road
Bangor, PA
18013

Telephone

+16105881793

Website

http://www.kirkridge.org/

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