Bi-Annual Newsletter
Renovare Solomon Episcopal Conference Center
54296 Hwy 445 Loranger, LA 70446
(985) 748-6634
Volume 4, No. 1
solomoncenter.org
January 2015 Sacred Ground Dear Friends, Valued Supporters, and Retreat Participants:
In this issue: Letter From the Director ... 1 Prior John Pitzer & The St. James Center for Spiritual Formation ........... 2 New Members of the SECC Family ............................... 3 Community Outreach ........ 4 Upstairs/Downstairs .......... 5 SECC Sunday .................... 6 Jewels From the SECC Kitchen............................... 7 Our Mission - Our Vision .. 8
What a thrill to have the opportunity to write to those from our Retreat and Conference Center Family willing and able to read our newsletter. Thank you for your attention and support. I would like to highlight a few of the items in this issue: We lift up the St. James Center for Spiritual Formation and Prior John Pitzer, who have scheduled two Lenten season retreats here; we welcome two new team members to the SECC staff – Clarissa Ingrassia (Guest Services Director) and Hallie Green (Group Event Coordinator); we send a special shout out to our housekeeping staff and Cindy Stevens, our housekeeping supervisor; finally, we thank our donors and contributors to the 2014-2015 SECC Sunday Campaign. It is a blessing to have such wonderful people working with and for The Center. What is the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center? I recently spoke with the director of another conference and retreat center who refers to the center where he works as “Sacred Ground.” It reminded me of why I feel called to be a part of the Solomon Center’s ministry. I too relate to the story of Jacob, as written in the book of Genesis (28:16), after he awakes from his dream at Bethel: Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it. We are all blessed with The Center that offers our worshipping communities and beyond a sacred ground and space to help us reflect, pray, and nourish our souls. Come, get away from the daily grind, and experience the sacred ground of the Solomon Center. You will be glad you did! Faithfully Yours,
Frank Hall Executive Director Don’t forget to visit our website and like us on Facebook!
The Prior John Pitzer & The St. James Center for Spiritual Formation John Pitzer joined the staff of St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge last summer and is serving as Prior for the St. James Center for Spiritual Formation. Prior John is a native of Texas and was in the Dominican Order, entering the Southern Province in 1994. He received his B.A. from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas in 1983, and his Masters from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis in 1997. He has ministered in Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee, where he was the former Director of The St. Martin de Porres Shrine & Institute in Memphis. His work with the Shrine allowed him to collaborate with churches of all denominations in order to bring programs to the area that both challenged and supported spiritual growth. Most recently, John resided in New Orleans, where he was Vocation Director for the Southern Dominicans, and led numerous Parish Missions and retreats around the country. John was received into the Episcopal Church by Bishop Morris Thompson at St. James on June 1, 2014. We are all on a spiritual journey - a journey to learn how to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The mission of the St. James Center for Spiritual Formation is to “provide food for the journey.� The Center provides programs of spiritual nourishment for adults, offering a variety of opportunities for prayer, study, and service. During Lent, the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and the St. James Center for Spiritual Formation are sponsoring two important opportunities to observe a personal Lenten discipline; one-day retreats led by master retreat leaders, one for men, and one for women, both at the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center. We at the SECC welcome Prior John to the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, and look forward to many more wonderful retreats with the St. James Center for Spiritual Formation in the future. You can find more information about these retreats, open to everyone in the diocese, and registration information at: www.stjamesbr.org.
New Members of the SECC Family Clarissa Ingrassia - Guest Services Director Clarissa is from the New Orleans area, and currently resides in Covington. She is an avid animal lover, and has three pets. She has been a hospitality industry professional for 15 years and loves what she does. She is very excited and commited to becoming part of the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center family, and looks forward to meeting all of you. As the Director of Guest Services, Clarissa will be engaging with group leaders in scheduling and organizing their events. Clarissa is the go-to person for all questions regarding scheduling, room layouts, meals, and all other preparations for your event.
Hallie Green - Group Event Coordinator Hallie is a cradle Episcopalian originally from St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge. She is a BFA graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. Hallie was first introduced to the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center at a very young age, when her parents were two of the first guests to stay at the Center. Since then Hallie has had an ever-growing relationship with the Center. As the new Group Event Coordinator, Hallie will be assisting group leaders as they prepare and enjoy their retreat. Whether you need assistance with audio/visual equipment or a toothbrush, Hallie will be happy to assist you. She can usually be contacted at the front desk in the Bishop Brown Lodge.
The SECC Board of Directors The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr. Chair, Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana Mrs. Amelia Arthur The Very Rev. Paul Bailey - President of the Board of Visitors Mr. Marcus Canal
The Rev. Harry Jenkins - Vice-President Mr. W. Alex Ostheimer Mrs. Maude Sharp - Secretary Dr. William Soileau
Mrs. Sharon Edmon
Ex-Officio Members: The Rev. Canon Shannon Manning, Canon to the Ordinary
Dr. Annette Figueroa
Frank Hall, The SECC Executive Director
Community Outreach
Click here for more information Tangi Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all volunteer shelter located in Tangipahoa Parish Louisiana. They take an active role in investigating cruelty cases in our parish. Most of their adoptables are from cruelty cases that their cruelty investigators participate in. They are either contacted by the local sheriff’s department, or by concerned invidividuals. They take in many animals each year and find loving permanent or forever homes for each pet they take in. There are many ways you can help Tangi Humane Society whether it is by donating money, volunteering, or bringing supplies, there is always a way you can help.
Upstairs/Downstairs: Same Special Treatment After a full day of workshops, nature hikes, or even ultimate frisbee, there is nothing as relaxing as lying down in a clean, comfortable room on a well-prepared bed. Whether you are staying in a room by yourself or need your room to accomodate your little family, our housekeeping staff aims to make sure you are comfortable and rested. Cindy Stevens, Housekeeping Supervisor, has been an employee of the SECC for over 20 years. In those years she has ensured the restful sleep of every guest and the cleanliness of every room. Cindy and her team work diligently laundering sheets and towels, cleaning bathrooms, restocking toiletries, and vacuuming carpets. The housekeeping staff is always ready to prepare the rooms for our guests with a smile and a cheery, “Good morning!� They read and appreciate the comment cards left by our guests, letting them know how well they performed in helping our guests enjoy their time at the Center, and they are very helpful in getting the item invariably left behind back home to its owner.
Thank you, ladies!
SECC Sunday The SECC is 100% self-sufficient. Fees received to cover the costs for events fall short of providing funds available for fully maintaining our beautiful facility. Your additional contribution will help us ensure future generations can enjoy the peace and serenity that is the SECC. Thank you to the following SECC Sunday contributors (as of January 28, 2015): St. Luke’s Episcopal Church - Baton Rouge St. James Episcopal Church - Baton Rouge Christ Episcopal Church - Covington St. Paul’s Episcopal Church - New Orleans St. George’s Episcopal Church - New Orleans Trinity Episcopal Church - New Orleans St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church - Houma All Saint’s Episcopal Church Women - River Ridge All Saint’s Episcopal Church - River Ridge Grace Episcopal Church - St. Francisville The Mary E. Peters and Robert W. Polchow Foundation Eugene Elemer Gluszek Barbee S. Pipes Lynde Ulmer Mary A. & Gilberto A. Bilbao Elena L. & Dr. V. Dale Coffman Dennis & Sharon R. Edmon Grace F. Burkes Jane & M. M. Christensen Jeanne E. & Jerry L. Voorhies Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. Farrow Leila Schumacher Deborah Valenti The Rev. Craig Dalferes Dovie R. Cranford Laura M. & Patrick J. Robert Carolyn & Wayne Ennis Sharon R. Gauthier Betty & Jack Breaux Winifred H. & Ralph N. Menetre, Jr. Helen Meyer Elizabeth M. Smith Linda H. Graham Terri L. Reese Barbara S. Lewis Nancy H. Suarez Mr. & Mrs. P.A. Suggs Martha Terry Jennifer Johnson Georgina H. Brooks-Myrtle Susan S. & Phillip E. James III Jeanne K. Crotty Kathleen & Edward B. Edrington Emmit S. Lockard
Dean K. Benko Jeffrey McFadden Dameron & Tasha H. Lankin-Dameron Lenore J. Johnson Margaret P. & Jules G. Albert III Joann Greer Marcus & Susan Canal Sheila S. Macarthur Nancy A. & Carl D. Ritzmann C.C. Tobergsen Christopher Colley & Delta L. Moran-Colley Patricia & Dilton Hutchinson Maude Saunders Sharp Janet Ivy & James M. Smith Carol Sears Darnell Favaloro Karen & John Gay
Jewels from the SECC Kitchen Pot Roast with Vegetables: 1 (4-5 lbs.) Beef Chuck Roast Salt & Pepper All Purpose Flour 1/2 c. Chopped Onions
By: Anonymous 1 c. Water 2 Medium Onions, Chopped 8 Medium Carrots, Sliced 4 Medium Potatoes, Quartered
Sprinkle roast with salt and pepper, dredge in flour. Melt shortening in heavy skillet and brown roast slowly and thoroughly. Add 1/2 c. chopped onions and water. Cover tightly and cook slowly over low heat for 2½ hours, or until meat is almost tender. Turn meat two or three times during cooking and add small amounts of water when needed. Add vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until meat and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. To make gravy, dilute drippings with water and thicken with a flour and water paste. Season. Carrot Soufflé:
By: SECC
2 ½ lbs. Carrots, Peeled and Sliced 2 ¼ Sticks of Butter or Margarine 5 Eggs 1 /3 c. All Purpose Flour
2 ¼ tsp. Baking Powder 1 c. Sugar ½ tsp. Ground Cinnamon 1 ½ tsp. Vanilla
Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 4 qt. soufflé dish or baking dish. Set aside. Cook carrots in boiling water for 15 minutes or until very tender. Drain. In the work bowl of a food processor or in a large bowl with electric mixer, combine the warm carrots, butter, eggs, flour, baking powder, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Process or beat until smooth, stopping once to scrape down the sides. Spoon into prepared dish. Bake at 350° about 1 hour or until set and lightly browned. Serve immediately. Serves 16. Optional Note: Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar before serving.
These recipes and more can be found in our SECC Dining Hall Cookbook. For more information, contact Dianne: 985-748-5054 or dwood@solomoncenter.org Personal recipes are always welcome.
Our Mission
Our Vision
We receive and welcome everyone to a serene, peaceful, beautiful, and well maintained conference and retreat facility. We are committed to first class hospitality in a faith based, safe and secure environment. We enable large and small groups, adult and youth, to experience retreats, conferences, meetings, and events in a church, corporate or athletic context, to explore and discover renewal, education and growth.
We aspire to be the premier leader in providing an open sanctuary where lives can be changed and even transformed. We welcome diversity, embrace hospitality and firmly believe that each of us can help make a difference in others’ lives. Individuals, groups, churches, families, teams and businesses can interact with each other in a relaxed environment, away from their daily grind, to help better themselves spiritually, emotionally and physically.
Donate Now Bring Your Group to SECC Located on rolling acres of piney woods just north of Robert, Louisiana, the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center (SECC) is a peaceful retreat into nature for businesses, churches, families, individuals and groups of all sizes and denominations. Owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, the SECC welcomes guests throughtout the year to enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere. We offer indoor and outdoor meeting spaces; sports and recreation facilities; overnight, hotel-style lodging accommodations; and complete onsite dining services. Our beautiful grounds and thriving facilities are privileged to host conferences, retreats and gatherings of all kinds, including corporate meetings, spiritual retreats, professional seminars and workshops, conventions, sports clinics, youth and leadership camps, and company and family picnics. Special social events like family reunions, weddings and private parties are available as well.
For additional information contact Clarria Ingrassia at: 985-277-5381 or cingrassia@solomoncenter.org