Still Point, at 30, has interfaith focus

Still Point, which has a tradition of welcoming people of all faiths, was created in 1972 by Sister Sylvia Rosell, OP, as a "micro-church" where clergy, religious and laity of different communities could work together on their journey toward God.

The retreat center was part of the "HOPE" -- House of Prayer Experience -- movement popular at the time, which emphasized contemplation in the tradition of monastic life.

Beginning

Still Point moved to its new home in 1976. There, Sister Sylvia planted a vegetable garden -- the retreat house has always had a vegetarian menu -- and held retreats in what was originally a garage, while working on renovations to the main house.

"She wanted this to be a place of restoration, through Mother Earth, and living in silence and solitude," said current co-director Sister Lillian Needham, SSJ, who leads programs along with co-director Sister Eleanor Joyce, PBVM, who just came to Still Point in August.

In 1977, the main house at Still Point was completed and a hermitage was built for retreatants desiring solitude. By 1986, Still Point was home to five hermitages. The "welcoming house," with its round "mandala" window and large meeting space for groups, was completed around 1992.

Sacred feeling

"People say you don't have to adjust to come on a retreat here," Sister Lillian remarked. "You just land and you're here."

In the past three decades, Still Point has grown from its Catholic roots to include such offerings as Kundalini yoga, tai chi, expressive arts (using art to spark creativity and strength), and workshops on dream interpretation.

With such items on the schedule, Sister Lillian said that some Catholics are skeptical about whether "real sisters" run Still Point, but she said that practices like yoga can be a spiritual exercise. As for the dream workshops, she added, "Scripture is filled with God's revelations through dreams."

New co-director

The co-director first came to Still Point simply to recover from burnout, not to take over. She ministered to the homeless and people with AIDS in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and felt she would not have enough to do at Still Point. However, she accepted the position because she felt a kinship with the mission of the retreat center.

"I feel very connected to the earth, to Eastern traditions," she said, adding that she also felt the Holy Spirit had led her to the job.

Once there, she helped to create a labyrinth at Still Point when that ancient prayer form became popular again, planted a perennial garden and dedicated a "peace pole" on the grounds.

"It's a challenge here, because you could do nothing but work every day!" she noted. "You never catch up. The upside is, I don't feel I live apart from reality."

Respect for creation

"If we can connect with the natural world, we would respect the earth, and that would extend to each other," she said.

She also hopes to extend Still Point's work to include involvement in civic issues in the Stillwater area. Sister Lillian said that Still Point representatives have gone to town meetings in the past and made calls to public officials about dredging the Hudson River.

After Sept. 11, 2001, the co-director issued an invitation to New York City firefighters, members of fallen chaplain Rev. Mychal Judge's Franciscan community and others to come to Still Point for relaxation and respite. While few took advantage of the offer, those who did led Sister Lillian to develop an upcoming workshop (to be held Nov. 8) titled, "Unearthing the Grief Within the Body."

Income

Still Point has always operated in "hand-to-mouth" mode, said the co-directors, but they have high hopes for the future. They told The Evangelist they're satisfied to "lead with the mission of Still Point, rather than the finances," though they'll happily accept volunteers or donations.

They've started a sabbatical program for laity and people in religious life to need to "get into their Still Point," and say many retreatants come to the center from the New York City area.

For Sister Lillian, the 30th anniversary of Still Point means "I'm part of something bigger than myself, and I'm called to be in a place that's holistic and organic. It has an important place in the world and in this area."

Said Sister Eleanor: "There's a heritage here."

(Still Point's 30th anniversary celebration will be held Oct. 27, 3-5 p.m. Honorees include former director Sister Sylvia Rosell, OP, and supporters Dolores and Dom Alonzo, and Dan and Stephanie Harrington. Call 587-4967.)

(10-17-02) [[In-content Ad]]