Cedar Commons

After a busy summer, autumn is in full swing. Returning retreaters and new guests are gathering around campfires and enjoying cozy outdoor meetings – the kinds of meaningful connections Cedar Commons will make even easier to enjoy. Thanks to your generous support, you nearly tripled our fundraising goal. Thank you, thank you, thank you! What that number reveals matters more than the number itself. Gift by gift, you told us that this geography of grace matters, and that its future is worth building. That belief carries momentum.

The project has grown. Working with contractors this summer, we found a dying ash tree, buckling retaining walls, crumbling cement, worn wooden stairs, and two old drains beside the Cedar Meeting Room. All of it is coming out. In its place: attractive stonework, an accessible patio, stone stairs to match its pavers, terraced native plantings, comfortable seating, and a propane fireplace for year-round warmth. We are strengthening a foundation meant to last.

Early stages of construction (permitting, tree removal, and maybe more) will begin this fall, and we hope to welcome guests to the new space late next spring. We’ll keep you updated and share photos as the project unfolds. Cedar Commons has also served as a catalyst for the broader fundraising efforts as we prepare for the Conference & Retreat Center’s 50th anniversary in 2027. We look forward to sharing more soon.