simple guide Planning a Day of Solitude for Your Team
Planning Ahead
1. Pick the Date.
Decide if you’ll use June 16 (the CAFO-wide Day of Solitude) or another day.
2. Invite the Team. As soon as you’re able, encourage your team to save the date. Sending a calendar invitation is an easy way to get it on everyone’s schedules. (You may wish to allow those with conflicts to use a different day, while still encouraging all who are able to participate on the same designated day to build a sense of solidarity and shared experience).
3. Share the Vision. Introduce your team to the concept of the practice of solitude. • Use the introductory video and two-page overview from CAFO, if helpful. • For a fuller conversation, you can also use CAFO’s suggested discussion questions. • Explain that this will be an exploratory, learning experience for the whole team. Freely acknowledge if this is new for you, too. Remind also that going for a day without life’s normal activities, noise and other “stimulants” may be uncomfortable — but is well worth it!
4. Plan the Particulars. Encourage everyone to make plans as soon as possible for their location and the other details of their Day of Solitude. • A location away from typical work and home life is ideal, especially one with access to a park, trail and/or other ways to access God’s creation. You may want to look into whether there are retreat grounds, camps or other facilities in your area to recommend. • While many may only be able to do a workday timeframe, some may be able to carve out 24-hours, which can make the experience all the fuller.
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