Mission

The Rivendell Way is a Christian community devoted to nurturing and supporting a contemplative life of prayer and action through spiritual practices and dedicated sacred spaces. 

Values

Rivendell was founded around four core practices, and these continue to guide the place and the community. To meet the need in the world for spiritual renewal, respite and growth we are focused on the work of Prayer, Silence, Simplicity, Hospitality with the added focus on Social Justice. These are both values and practices. 

Our community is grounded in the deep exploration of spirituality through contemplative prayer practices. We practice a daily rhythm of prayer and offer leadership for times of gathered prayer. We also practice work as prayer, and everyone who is a part of Rivendell, whether as a member of the community, or a visiting retreatant, undertakes the work of caring for our spaces and each other in some way and leaving a beautiful legacy for those who come after.

We cultivate a quiet atmosphere of silence, to allow for a deep focus on transformational inner work and explorations into mysticism. In the stillness, we find the space to experience God and to encounter ourselves in a deeper way. This enables us to become open to the transformation that is offered to us all.

We are guided by the simplicity that lessens our harmful impacts on our land, sea, and each other and invites us to seek harmony and our right relationship with the natural world. Simplicity reduces noise and busyness and supports our focus inward as well as effective action outward. Simplicity is also connected to our core value of accessibility by reducing unnecessary costs that allow Rivendell to offer a welcoming space to anyone who wants to come, regardless of financial means.

We practice hospitality, welcoming the stranger and providing openness and acceptance to all who come to one of the sacred spaces. It is our prayer that all who enter through our doors, return safely home to the places and people among whom they live - renewed, refreshed and enveloped in God’s grace.

Our contemplation is given expression in social justice . We recognize the need for change-makers who are rooted in the contemplative practice of deep listening resulting in more effective action. By providing protected sacred spaces for listening we hope to contribute to a more just and equitable world.

Generosity

Our overarching principle of generosity is expressed through:

1. Accessibility: The spaces of Rivendell are accessible to all people regardless of financial means, age, ability, gender, identity, race, gender, religion. Radical welcome means that accessibility does not place a limiting burden of asking for help on those in need. Wheelchair accessibility is provided at The Lodge and The Listening Post.

2. Availability of different sacred spaces to individuals and those groups who are drawn to The Rivendell Way.

3. Ambience: Protected sacred spaces offering peace, quiet and an invitation to all who come to contribute to maintaining that peaceful atmosphere.

4. Accountability: Guests are invited to participate in the physical care of the spaces. Companions of Rivendell commit to being mutually accountable in their contemplative life and their service to one of the sacred sites. All are invited to contribute to the financial sustainability of Rivendell.

5. Awareness and openness to the movement of the Spirit.