Volunteer Opportunities
We are so grateful to our many volunteers.
We couldn't do it without you!
We couldn't do it without you!
If you or a group/organization you are involved with are interested in volunteering at Pathways, please email our Volunteer Coordinator. We'd love to have you partner with us in maintaining our space for rest, reflection, and renewal.
Invitation to Youth Groups
Located in the city of Goshen on 17 acres of wooded land, Pathways has opportunities for a limited number of church youth groups to spend an evening performing service, engaging in spiritual practices, and experiencing fellowship. We can accommodate groups as large as 12 or 15 youth, with sponsors.
A typical evening schedule is:
7:00 - 7:45 Light work in the woods
7:45 - 8:15 Prayer practice: Walking the labyrinth
8:15 - 9:00 BONFIRE and fellowship time
Pathways staff supervises the work, leads the prayer practice, and hosts the bonfire. Pathways will also provide any specialty tools needed for the work, as well as insect repellent and special safety gear if needed.
We expect youth group sponsors to
Examples of work performed by groups include gathering and burning brush (from invasives), raking leaves, and spreading mulch.
Please contact our volunteer coordinator to discuss opportunities for your youth group.
A typical evening schedule is:
7:00 - 7:45 Light work in the woods
7:45 - 8:15 Prayer practice: Walking the labyrinth
8:15 - 9:00 BONFIRE and fellowship time
Pathways staff supervises the work, leads the prayer practice, and hosts the bonfire. Pathways will also provide any specialty tools needed for the work, as well as insect repellent and special safety gear if needed.
We expect youth group sponsors to
- Provide a bridge between Pathways staff and the young people
- Coordinate transportation of the youth group to and from Pathways
- Provide any snacks or treats for the group
- Ensure the group is properly dressed for the work at hand - gloves, close-toed shoes, and so forth.
Examples of work performed by groups include gathering and burning brush (from invasives), raking leaves, and spreading mulch.
Please contact our volunteer coordinator to discuss opportunities for your youth group.
Pathways Retreat's Wish List
These are items we continually use to create hospitality for all God's creatures...
We welcome donations of any of these items.
- Birdseed (become a Bird Patron! see below)
- Bigelow teas
- Coffee (regular)
- Wrapped chocolate (especially dark chocolate!)
- Trail mix
We welcome donations of any of these items.
Invitation to become a bird patron
Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet our God in heaven feeds them. (Matthew 6:26a)
While it is true that God feeds the birds, at Pathway's Retreat we've decided to help out a little by maintaining bird feeders at the cottage and the retreat house. Actually, maintaining these feeders has less to do with feeding the birds, and more to do with enticing them to come out of the woods so that we can enjoy them more easily.
Two avid bird watchers recently reported that they were surprised to see the quantity and diversity of birds at Pathways: cardinals, juncos, tit mouse, nut hatch, a variety of wood peckers, blue birds, and many other species.
You can partner with us to feed these birds. They go through one or two 40 pound bags of mixed bird seed a month. If you'd like to be a bird patron, contact one of the co-directors for more information.
While it is true that God feeds the birds, at Pathway's Retreat we've decided to help out a little by maintaining bird feeders at the cottage and the retreat house. Actually, maintaining these feeders has less to do with feeding the birds, and more to do with enticing them to come out of the woods so that we can enjoy them more easily.
Two avid bird watchers recently reported that they were surprised to see the quantity and diversity of birds at Pathways: cardinals, juncos, tit mouse, nut hatch, a variety of wood peckers, blue birds, and many other species.
You can partner with us to feed these birds. They go through one or two 40 pound bags of mixed bird seed a month. If you'd like to be a bird patron, contact one of the co-directors for more information.
Creation Care Days
There are regular opportunities to help with the maintenance of our woods and grounds. Check out our latest newsletter to see if there is a Creation Care day scheduled in the near future or contact Betty Schrag if you are interested in volunteering.
Monthly Retreat House Cleaning
He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands. - St. Benedict
If you desire to help with monthly cleaning of the retreat house contact Julie Stegelmann.
If you desire to help with monthly cleaning of the retreat house contact Julie Stegelmann.