Retreat Invitation
Join us for a weekend of reflection, laughter, and renewal as we write our way toward deeper belonging. We will gather in a circle of brotherhood to listen, write, and awaken to the sacred in everyday life. Rooted in Celtic wisdom, we will draw inspiration from poetry, nature, and the ancient practice of anam cara (soul friendship) to rediscover the divine presence in our own stories.
The retreat will be held Friday, January 16 – Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning in Beavercreek, OH. We’ll begin Friday evening with dinner and conclude with lunch on Sunday afternoon. The Bergamo Center provides comfortable single rooms with private bathrooms, nourishing food, and peaceful grounds that invite quiet reflection and wandering. Our weekend together will offer space for reflection, creativity, and brotherhood—supported by restful surroundings, shared meals, and the deep listening that unfolds in council groups.
Come ready for a relaxed weekend of brotherhood, creativity, and spiritual renewal as we journey together as soul friends, writing our way into deeper presence, connection, and joy.
Key Resources
Our retreat draws inspiration from many sources and voices within the stream of Celtic wisdom and spirituality. Rather than focusing on a single text, scholar, or artist, we’ll explore the many ways the Celtic peoples have shaped our culture and turn to the natural world for deeper conversation and encouragement.
We invite participants to explore further the rich traditions of Celtic wisdom—rooted in history yet still alive in practice today. A good place to begin is Trevor Miller’s article, Celtic Spirituality: A Beginner’s Guide, which offers an accessible introduction to this enduring way of seeing and living.
About Celtic Wisdom
Celtic wisdom and spirituality offer a way of seeing the world that is deeply relational, where the divine is woven through all of creation and every moment shimmers with sacred presence. It invites us to live with reverence for the natural world, to listen for the voice of Spirit in wind, water, and stone, and to honor the holiness within ordinary life. Rather than separating the spiritual from the everyday, Celtic spirituality embraces both as one seamless reality. Prayer, poetry, work, and hospitality all become ways of awakening to the Presence that holds and animates everything.
Rooted in the early Christian communities of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, but shaped by even older indigenous traditions, this wisdom continues to speak with quiet power today. It calls us to simplicity, humility, and deep belonging. Through story, blessing, and soul friendship (anam cara), it reminds us that the path to peace begins in presence: seeing, feeling, and living as part of a sacred whole.
Retreat Details
WHEN
January 16-18, 2025
Friday (Evening) - Sunday (Midday)
WHERE
Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning
4400 Shakertown Rd
Dayton OH 45430
COST
$350 (thru November 30) / $399 (after December 1) and includes:
Two-nights
Single room occupancy
Private bath
All meals provided
*If the fee is cost prohibitive, we still want you to join us and will accept discounted registration amounts beginning at $200.
More
QUESTIONS?
Please reach out if you’d like to register but need more information.
IS THIS WRITING RETREAT FOR ME?
Illuman is dedicated to helping men on a spiritual journey. That quest is what this writing retreat is about. We choose this time in January because we are naturally planning for the year ahead of us and also looking to root ourselves in the here and now.
You don't have to think of yourself as a poet or writer to greatly benefit from this Illuman writing retreat. The weekend is open to men of all writing experiences—from complete novice to published author. We mainly focus on sharing our journey. Poetry is one vehicle to help us in that quest. You won't have to worry about rhyming, cadence, nor other aspects of some classical poetry. In fact, you don't even have to write poetry. You could choose to do a series of journal entries instead, or some combination of journaling and poetry.
To make the retreat as pleasant as possible, the Bergamo Center is a comfortable space situated on 150 acres of land with forests, fields, and a pond. Everyone gets a private room with their own bathroom. All meals are provided. This gives you a chance to relax as needed and not have to worry about a roommate.
The retreat is broken up into six writing experiences. Each experience will begin with poetic inspiration that leads to a writing prompt. After the writing period, all participants will take part in small council groups. Sharing work is optional but strongly encouraged.
We will gather as a large group, but we will also experience some one-on-one time with another participant, as well as our small group councils. We will have a relaxed schedule and an extended lunch and wandering on Saturday. There are optional gatherings for prayer each morning. Our evenings will include a social time to hang out with other participants. There will also be an open mic to share poetry written during the retreat.
All this is to say that the retreat has a lot of variety in it. You won't be sitting watching experts talk about poetry. You will be invited to be fully involved.
ABOUT OHIO ILLUMAN
This will be the ninth year for the writing retreat sponsored by Ohio Illuman. We are thrilled to invite men from around the world to join us in this reflective writing journey as we gather in person to share our real-life experiences. In past years, about 30 men have attended this retreat.
RETREAT CONTENT CARRIERS
Brian Mueller and Tom Sparough will be our retreat content carriers. Brian is a graphic designer and poet with nine self-published volumes of poetry. Tom has published seven of his own eclectic books, one full-length play, and does freelance content editing for others on the quest of writing a book.
You can learn more about Brian and his poetry at PoetryCollections.net.
You can learn more about Tom and his art at SpacePainter.com.
DO YOU LIVE OUTSIDE OF OHIO?
The Bergamo Center is near the Dayton airport. Let us know when registering if you need a ride and no guarantees, but we will try to arrange a volunteer to transport you to and from the airport. If you leave before the retreat is over, we cannot help with your airport transportation.
MEALS INFORMATION
We begin with dinner on Friday and finish with lunch on Sunday. All food is prepared by the retreat center, and they are conscientious about dietary restrictions and do offer alternatives. Please let us know your preference when registering.
In between meals, we will immerse ourselves in ritual, writing, discussion, rest, and fellowship. Don't miss this opportunity to be with other men on the Journey of Illumination.
CANCELLATIONS
If you must cancel for some reason, we request you do so before January 2, 2026. We will be happy to refund your registration fee, minus the processing charges, but if you need to cancel, please consider donating your fee to Ohio Illuman. Our goal is to provide affordable and beneficial programs to all men on a spiritual journey. Thank you for your understanding and feel free to contact us with questions.