Chestnut Retreat Center

08/03/2026

We were glad to be part of this Faith 250 gathering, which brought faith communities from across the Poconos together around “America the Beautiful.”

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the afternoon offered an opportunity to reflect together on service, shared responsibility, care for our neighbors, and the ideals that continue to shape the American story.

Thank you to the Pocono Interfaith Council and everyone who took part.

07/27/2026

As America marks its 250th anniversary, the Pocono Interfaith Council is bringing Faith 250 to our community this Sunday. Join us for an afternoon of conversation, reflection, and connection.

Faith 250: Multifaith Celebration — Less Than Three Weeks Away!

As America marks its 250th anniversary, the Pocono Interfaith Council invites you to join neighbors from across the region for a meaningful multifaith gathering centered on America’s founding ideals, our shared values, and our hopes for the country’s future.

Participants will gather around small tables for shared readings, thoughtful reflection, and open conversation. Rather than a lecture or political program, the afternoon is intended to create a welcoming space where people of different faith traditions, backgrounds, and perspectives can listen to one another and build stronger relationships as neighbors.

This gathering is part of Faith 250, a national initiative encouraging faith communities to reflect together on the civic values and hopes that can help guide our shared future.

📅 Sunday, August 2, 2026
🕝 2:30–4:30 PM
📍 Hughes Library, Community Room
1002 N. 9th St., Stroudsburg, PA

The event is free and open to all. Please feel welcome to invite family members, friends, and others from your community.*

*RSVP is recommended to help us plan seating and roundtable arrangements, though walk-ins are welcome.

Register here: https://forms.gle/FwN8cNzPS43WVxE97

07/27/2026

What a day at the 6th Annual Women’s Health Fair in Monroe County, hosted by Metamorphosis Women’s Empowerment Initiative!

We had a wonderful time connecting with members of the community, introducing our programs, and meeting both familiar and new faces. We were also happy to serve lunch, featuring our classic menu of rice pilaf, roast chicken, and salad.

With more than 30 organizations, a wide variety of resources and activities, and conversations happening throughout the day, there was something for everyone. It was an energetic, joyful, and truly community-centered event.

A big thank you to the Metamorphosis team for bringing everyone together and making the day such a success. We were grateful to be part of it!

07/20/2026

A fresh new look for our courtyard terrace! With new tables, chairs, and umbrellas, this space is now ready to welcome guests for conversation, quiet reflection, and meaningful time together under the open sky.

07/15/2026

A new sign is now up at Chestnut Retreat Center.

We’re happy to give our entrance a fresh new look, and we look forward to welcoming friends, neighbors, and guests in the days ahead.

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day!

As America marks its 250th year, we celebrate the enduring ideals of freedom, dignity, opportunity, and civic responsibility—values that continue to inspire people from every faith, background, and culture to contribute to the life of our nation.

At Chestnut Retreat Center, we are grateful to be part of this community and remain committed to friendship, respectful dialogue, learning, and service.

May this Independence Day remind us of the sacrifices that made our freedoms possible and inspire us to strengthen the bonds that unite our communities.

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

07/01/2026

Shared Table, Shared Future.

Chestnut Retreat Center was honored to be among the partner organizations for the 2nd Annual PA Capitol Friendship Dinner at the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

The evening brought together members of the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives from both sides of the aisle, Capitol staff, state officials, community leaders, and faith leaders from across Pennsylvania in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect.

Around the same tables, guests shared dinner, listened to remarks from Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian speakers, and heard reflections from legislators. People from different backgrounds and perspectives had the chance to meet one another and build new connections.

For us, the beauty of the evening was in something simple but deeply needed: sitting together, listening with sincerity, and making room for relationships to grow.

We are grateful to Peace Islands Institute Pennsylvania, the hosting legislators, our fellow partner organizations, speakers, volunteers, and everyone who helped make the evening possible.

06/10/2026

195 local families in Monroe County received Eid al-Adha meat packages through a community effort organized by Chestnut Retreat Center in partnership with Embrace Relief and local food pantries.

At the CEC Food Pantry at Christ Episcopal Church - Stroudsburg, PA, packages were shared with 120 neighbors. We then continued the effort at PVEN Food Pantry with packages for 75 more families.

Each family took home 4 pounds of meat — 2 pounds of beef cubes and 2 pounds of ground beef.

Eid al-Adha is a time when Muslims remember the story of Prophet Abraham and share meat with family, neighbors, and those in need. This year, members of our Turkish Muslim community wanted their Eid al-Adha giving to reach local families, and we were honored to help coordinate that effort.

We are deeply grateful to Embrace Relief for partnering with us, to Lehigh Dialogue Center for their support, and to the leaders and volunteers of the CEC Food Pantry and PVEN Food Pantry for welcoming this effort and serving our neighbors with care and dignity.

Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and helped make this possible.

05/25/2026

Wishing everyone a peaceful Memorial Day!

05/08/2026

We were honored to participate in this year’s Interfaith Celebration of the National Day of Prayer at Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg.

We were grateful to share an Islamic perspective on prayer alongside faith leaders and neighbors from many traditions across the Poconos.

Thank you to the Pocono Interfaith Council and everyone who helped make this meaningful gathering possible.