Welcome to the October 2021 New Frontiers Retreat!
We’re looking forward to seeing you in Malibu for our October 2021 New Frontiers retreat! You'll find below important information to help you prepare for our time together. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office at newfrontiers@westmont.edu or (805) 565-6239 with any questions.
Schedule for Retreat (October 11-13)
| 3:00pm | Check-in at the Serra Center |
| 4:00pm | Opening Gathering and Reception |
| 6:00pm | Dinner |
| 7:15pm | Small Group Gathering |
| 8:30pm | Evening Worship |
| 7:15am | Centering Prayer (optional) | |
| 8:00am | Breakfast | |
| 9:00am |
Reflection on the natural world (Serra Center and Malibu Lagoon) |
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| 10:30am |
Reconciling All Things: Creation, the Gospel, and the Church Facilitated by Dr. Amanda Sparkman, associate professor of biology at Westmont |
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| 12:00pm | Lunch | |
| 1:30pm |
Digital Practice as Liturgy: Matters of Christian Formation Faciliated by Dr. Felicia Song, professor of sociology at Westmont |
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| 3:30pm | Free Time | |
| 6:00pm | Dinner | |
| 7:15pm | Small Group Gathering | |
| 8:30pm | Candlelight Yoga |
| 7:15am | Centering Prayer or Lectio Divina (optional) |
| 8:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:00am | Morning Worship |
| 9:30am | Small Group Gathering |
| 11:00am | Closing Reflection |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Departure |
Before you arrive
Flying:
We encourage participants to fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), as it is the closest airport to the Serra Center. New Frontiers staff will arrange for transportation between LAX and the Serra Center. Please try to arrive at LAX around 1 pm on Monday if you can. We recommend departing flights at 4 pm or later.
You're of course welcome to build into your travel arrangements nearby activities, social visits, and so forth before or after our retreats. We just ask that you: A) commit to be with us, as far as travel schedules and life responsibilities permit, for the duration of the formal retreat, and B) cover any travel expenses above those necessary to bring you to the retreat (including additional airfare, ground transportation, lodging, food, and incidental costs). In the case that your expanded itinerary involves additional expense, we'd ask you to purchase plane tickets or other transportation yourself, and we'll reimburse you for the value of standard travel from your area to our retreat.
Driving:
The Serra Center is located at 3401 Serra Road in Malibu.
You'll find a list of recommended items below. Linens (including pillow, sheets, blanket, and towel) will be provided.
Packing List:
- Flashlight
- Mug and water bottle
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes for outdoor recreation such as hiking and extended walking (expect to do some walking on rough, uneven ground)
- Beach/pool attire
- Beach/pool towel
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Face coverings (as defined by the CDC) that covers both the nose and mouth and can be securely attached to the face
- Camp chair or beach chair for outdoor sessions (we'll have extras for those traveling by plane)
- Yoga mat (if you'd like to join us for candlelight yoga; we'll provide mats for those travelling by plane)
What Covid-19 health and safety measures will be in place? (Updated September 1, 2021)
Westmont is committed to having robust Covid-19 health and safety measures in place and will comply with applicable county, state, and federal guidelines. Detailed policies are outlined below.
Face Coverings
Guests of the Serra Center are required to wear face coverings indoors regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings are not required outside.
Meeting Spaces
In light of the above, we plan to host many activities outside. If it's practical for you, please bring your own camp chair or beach chair for outdoor seating (we'll have some extras for those who are flying to the retreat).
Housing
All participants will be housed in single rooms. Some rooms will have shared restrooms.