The L'Abri Retreats enable those in the St. Louis area to enjoy a taste of L'Abri. For the past 20 years, we have hosted these retreats on a beautiful property about 1 ½ hours southwest of St. Louis. At present, we host these two to three-week retreats three times a year in Winter, Spring, and Fall. We have just completed a purpose-built retreat center, called the Ebenezer Lodge, where the retreats are held. The retreat center can host up to 15 students at a time, and is situated on 50 acres of unspoiled woodlands and streams. Dogwood and red bud trees bloom in abundance in the spring, and bald eagles and many other bird species, and other wildlife can be spotted on the property.
Whether you are a Christian or not, you will be welcome, and your questions and concerns will be taken seriously. You will have an opportunity to reflect on the bigger questions and issues of Life in an open atmosphere of discussion and learning and with the assistance of personal tutorials. L'Abri has been many things to many people over the years, and one of its strengths has been its flexible, individual-oriented focus, over and against packaged programs.
As at any L'Abri, the daily routine is geared towards a balanced community life of study, work and rest, conversation and prayer. Meals are eaten together, and meal times provide occasion for group discussion. Study and personal tutorials are supplemented by occasional lectures. Everyone will share in taking care of the necessary practical chores, which include cooking, cleaning, and outdoor work. In the afternoons or evenings, we may spend some time on rambling walks through the woods, going stargazing, making s'mores around a bonfire, or taking a jaunt to the Meramec River.