This work is centered around the transformative and countercultural belief that deep rest is not a luxury, but a sacred and essential foundation for building strong, resilient individuals who are equipped to love and serve the world.
Our society glorifies busyness and burnout. Hustle culture would have us believe that we are only worth what we can produce and we must earn our rest. Barriers are built when rest is made into a comodity available for some verses a human right for all.
Rest Sanctuary is an opportunity for us to break down barriers and reclaim rest, reflection, and restoration as vital practices for the wellbeing of our bodies, minds and spirits.
The Rest Sanctuary is an intentional oasis for rest; an immersive, sacred space curated within our sanctuary that is open to the whole community. Inspired by the work of rest activist Tricia Hersey and the Nap Ministry, this offering reclaims rest as a communal and liberative act.
When you arrive on our property there will be signs and volunteers to help you find your way to our sanctuary doors and into our communal resting space.
Once inside, if it is your first time, you are given a tote bag filled with resources and tools to help with your rest journey including things like fuzzy socks, an eye mask, fidgets, stickers, and a daydream journal. You are invited to grab a glass of water or tea before entering and finding your space to rest. You are also encouraged to rate your stress level by adding a tally to our welcome sheet.
The sanctuary will be transformed with inflatable beds, bean bag chairs, rocking chairs, inflatable pools filled with pillows, art materials, books, soft lighting, and calming music. You will also encounter licensed mental health therapists for emotional support needs and massage therapists for shoulder and hand massages. In addition, Pr. Lindsey will be available to talk about life or any spiritual curiosity you may have. Though she is an ELCA Lutheran minister you can be of any faith tradition or spiritual practice to utilize her support. There is no pressure to change your thoughts or beliefs.
You are welcome to come and stay for a little bit or for a long while, whatever your schedule will allow. As you leave you will again be encouraged to rate your stress level with a new tally mark to another sign. You are also welcome to sign up for an email reminder of the next Rest Sanctuary date.
Everyone. No exceptions. We are intentional about this being a safe space for every body regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship status, political affiliation, faith tradition (including no tradition), disability, and socioeconomic status. So if you have a body, you are invited to join us!
Nope! This is an entirely free gift to our community without agenda or additional barriers.
If you would like to support this ministry financially you are welcome to give electronically by clicking the button below, choosing 'Rest Sanctuary' in the drop down menu, and adding your credit or debit card information. These gifts will go entirely to additional supplies (including welcome bags) and paying our supporting therapists for their time and skill.
We have a parking lot that you are welcome to use. Bikes can be chained up outside or put into an indoor space that will be monitored the whole time. We also have a bus stop directly outside our sanctuary space if that is your primary mode of transportation.
*Note: Massage Therapists and Mental Health Therapists will be available from 11am-1pm