HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY

6/15/2026-6/17/2026 - The community gathered for its annual retreat at Sacred Heart Monastery Retreat Center, Cullman, Alabama. Members enjoyed fellowship, worship, presentations on Christian mystics, meals, and quiet times. They had opportunities to worship together with the sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery. Participants discussed Christian mysticism in depth and looked at four mystics in particular--Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, Hildegard of Bingen, and Mechthild of Magdeberg. Rev. Dr. Steve West (Community of the Mantle member) and Katie Gilbert (Executive Pastor of First United Methodist Church, Birmingham, Alabama) presented information concerning the four mystics to those attending the retreat. 

Many thanks to those who designed and delivered this well-appreciated retreat!

6/16/2025-6/18/2025 - The community conducted its annual retreat at Sacred Heart Monastery Retreat Center, Cullman, Alabama.

6/10/2024-6/12/2024 - The community conducted its annual retreat at Sacred Heart Monastery Retreat Center, Cullman, Alabama.

6/1/2023-6/2/2023 - The community conducted its annual retreat in person at Sacred Heart Monastery Retreat Center,  Cullman, Alabama. Monthly meetings continued to be held online.

5/10/2022-5/11/2022 - The community conducted its annual retreat in an online format.

docs.google.com/document/d/1l8PZOTapvwsam14W-11Rz8y_sqXcVDB6/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117979811885351665789&rtpof=true&sd=true 

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5/10/2021 - The community conducted its annual retreat in an online format.

drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Iuw11a2CA8x-oB9E3JeR5BAov9-zrdLM?usp=sharing 

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11/17/2020 - The community conducted its annual retreat in an online format, "A Day Apart for the Soul."

 drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W1AlMdC1Gvom3RraWtecksz1Bmk42dES?usp=sharing 

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The 2020 annual retreat, scheduled for the month of May, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Monthly meetings were moved online, making use of the Zoom platform.

5/13/2019-5/15/2019 - The community conducted its annual retreat  at Sacred Heart Monastery Retreat Center,  Cullman, Alabama. 

5/14/2018 - 5/16/2018  - The community conducted its annual retreat  at Sacred Heart Monastery Retreat Center,  Cullman, Alabama.