Pelican House Retreats

Designed as a silent retreat facility, the Pelican House is a unique part of the Diocese of East Carolina. Pelican House is an apt name for the beautiful residential building, as flocks of these magnificent birds fly past the house skimming the ocean waters. The pelican is also an ancient Christian symbol of Christ.

The Pelican House is used for a variety of retreats. Trinity Center provides space for guided spiritual retreats, silent retreats, opportunities for quiet personal time, and chances to take "A Day Away" throughout the year. From January to December 2007, groups of up to 12 people may reserve the Pelican House for small group retreats that are meditative or spiritual in nature.

Small Group Retreats

Looking for a place to have a small spiritual or meditative group retreat? The Pelican House building can accommodate up to 10 retreatants plus two hosts / retreat leaders. The individual sleeping rooms have one or two single beds, a small desk and dresser. Three in-home style bathrooms are shared. The facility has a common living area, which can be used as a casual meeting space, and a kitchenette with refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave (meals are served in the Trinity Center dining room). An oratory looks out over the ocean and can be used both for meditation and services. One of the finest features of Pelican House is the cupola at the top of the house, with superb views over the ocean, eminently suited for solitary meditation. Access to this cupola is by a spiral stairway, making it the only area not accessible to persons with physical handicaps. There are two outside porches: one screened and one open. Adjacent to Pelican House is the Prayer Garden and a pathway through the maritime forest with the Stations of the Cross.

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Silent Retreats

Take advantage of an opportunity to explore your sense of self, your life purpose(s) and its meaning. Choose to stay anywhere from 2 nights to the entire scheduled retreat time at Pelican House. Bring a good book, the Good Book, a beach towel and writing materials...whatever you need to find rest and peace. Pray, rest, or meditate in your private room or at a variety of reflective outdoor locations or in the comfort of Pelican House porches. Rules of Silence apply in the Pelican House during silent retreat weeks except during worship. Your host/Retreat Leader for the week may offer the Daily Offices from the Book of Common Prayer in the oratory at Pelican House or at the Julian Chapel at Trinity Center. Spiritual Direction may be offered by the Chaplain, an Episcopal priest, or other qulaified person.

2008 Silent Retreats

March 9-16

May 11-18

June 20-271

August 3-10

October 3-10

December 7-14

December 2-9

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