Additional Questions
1. What is the norm for dress?
Casual, casual, casual!
2. What about modern conveniences?
The cottages are “homes.” They have running water, heat, air conditioning, modern plumbing, etc. They do not have TVs, telephones, or e-mail connections! You will have a key to our main office building in which there is a telephone that you may use — but you will be sharing its use with the others who are here at the same time. You can plug a laptop into the phone line and utilize a local number or a web-based connection to access your email. But we strongly urge you to keep your telephone and email contacts to a minimum. You are here for a reason, and allowing yourself to truly “retreat” from the world for a short time is a significant part of the renewal process.
3. How many people generally attend a Renewal and Growth Sabbatical?
We allow a maximum of 12 people here for each Renewal and Growth Sabbatical. We often have fewer than that. We like for there to be enough people here to have a sense of community but few enough that each person gets a goodly amount of personal contact with our counselors.
4. What do I need to bring with me?
Yourself, your clothes, a few books if you are a reader! Gull Lake Ministries (which hosts Alongside) provides linens, sheets, towels, dishcloths, etc. You will need to purchase your own food while here, so you may want to bring some food with you or plan to stop at a grocery store as you near campus.
5. What about laundry?
There are laundry facilities on campus. Bring lots of quarters to use in the machines! Besides your clothes, you will need to launder your own towels and linens while here — Housekeeping gets the cottage ready for your arrival, but you are “on your own” in terms of housekeeping for the duration of your stay here.
6. Do I need to come by car, or can I fly in?
It is often more convenient to have your own car, but not necessary. We can arrange airport pick-up and drop-off for a nominal fee. Best airport to use is Kalamazoo (airport code: AZO). Second best is Grand Rapids (GRR). If you fly, be sure to send us the flight information well in advance. We will pick you up at the airport and take you to a grocery store on the way to campus. Once here, there is a car at Alongside that is available to sign out to go grocery shopping, go to church, etc.
