A Brush with God: Iconography Retreat with Brother Peter Pearson, CFC (September 9-12, 2025)

Byzantine Iconography is a highly structured and disciplined art form which combines prayer and painting techniques to create serene images of Christ, Mary, the angels and the saints following centuries old guidelines. No previous experience or natural talent is required. We paint, pray, and follow simple step-by-step instructions. Please join us to paint a simple image of Christ of the Passion Story. All supplies will be provided, the cost is included in the registration fee.

About the Retreat Leader

Peter Pearson has been studying and painting icons for more than fifty years and teaching others to do so for over half that time. He's authored three books on the subject and has painted hundreds of icons for churches, monasteries, seminaries, convents, and individuals all over the world. Peter's students number in the thousands and each has walked away with an icon of their very own.

Event Details

The program begins at 5 PM with Evening Prayer on Tuesday evening and ends on Friday afternoon at 3 PM.

Where? Brookland Retreat Center, 3714 Fox Hill Road, Ulyssess, PA 16948
Onsight Lodging Option: Onsite lodging is provided in large, shared bedrooms. One bedroom designated for women and one for men. All bedrooms are on the 2nd floor (not accessible). Those staying onsite are to bring your own bed and bath linens.
Offsite Lodging/Commuter Option: If you wish for more privacy or accessibility, you can select the Commuter option and book a room at one of the local bed and breakfasts. (Contact info below)
Meals? Meals (Lunch and Dinner) at Brookland Retreat Center are prepared and cleaned up as a communal effort. Breakfast is on your own. Each retreatant will be asked to contribute to the noonday and evening meals. A meal plan sign-up will be issued two weeks prior to the retreat. Feeding each other is part of the experience

Cost and Registration

Onsite lodging: $425 per person
Commuter/Offsite lodging: $375 per person

Contacts for local Bed and Breakfasts

Susquehannock Lodge: https://susquehannock-lodge.com
5039 US 6 West, Ulysses, PA 16948
(814) 435-2163 Email: susquelgcarol@penn.com
Oak Hall Bed & Breakfast
26 S Brookland Rd, Ulysses, PA 16948
(814) 435-1184

For more information, contact:

Rev. Stuart Scarborough, Deacon
Diocesan Property Manager
sscarborough@diocesecpa.org
Mobile: 717-585-0576

Summer 2025 Mission Trip Opportunity (July 13-19, 2025)

May 31, 2025

For the last 4 years, a group of Missioners from Episcopal Churches in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania have gone to PA Northern Tier to work with Potter County Habitat for Humanity to help those in need refurbish their houses. The dates this year are July 13-19, 2025. Missioners can spend the entire week or as many days as you can. Each day begins and ends with prayer with lots of time for fellowship, meals and performing transformative work to help others. The Mission Trip group will be staying at the Brookland Retreat Center or other local venues nearby and drive daily to the work sites. All levels of work experience are needed and there will be lots of “on the job training”. To learn more about this opportunity, contact Br David Rutledge ( here ).

Exploring Holy Ground: An Introduction to Brookland Retreat Center (Postponed, Date TBD)

By Jason Smith • April 17, 2025

Tucked away in the dark sky region of northern Pennsylvania is a treasure waiting to be discovered… and experienced! Brookland Retreat Center is the newest Mission of the Diocese of Central PA and is available for you to lead your own retreat. We are welcoming those who might lead a retreat (silent retreat, men’s or women’s retreats, painting, writing, iconography, quilting, crafting, singing, hiking retreats,… you get the point) to come spend some time at Brookland to experience it yourself and share retreat ideas with others. Event Details Deacon Stuart Scarborough will lead a relatively relaxed exploration of the property and surroundings, mixing worship in the chapel with relevant activities. The program begins on a Thursday with Evening Prayer at 5 PM and ends on Saturday afternoon at 3 PM. (Early arrival on Thursday is welcome.) Brookland Retreat Center, 3714 Fox Hill Road, Ulysses, PA 16948 Onsite lodging is provided in large, shared bedrooms. One bedroom for women and one for men (max 4 each). All bedrooms are on the 2nd floor. (Not accessible) Those staying onsite are asked to bring your own bed and bath linens. Offsite Lodging/ Commuter Option: If you wish more privacy or accessibility, you can select the Commuter option and book a room at one of the local bed and breakfasts. Meals (lunch and dinner) at Brookland Retreat Center are prepared and cleaned up as a communal effort. Breakfast is on your own. Each retreatant will be asked to contribute to the noonday and evening meals. A meal plan sign-up will be issued two weeks prior to the retreat. Feeding each other is part of the experience. Cost and Registration (This is a special introductory offer!) Onsite lodging: $50 per person Commuter/ Offsite lodging: $30 per person Contacts for Local Bed and Breakfasts: Susquehannock Lodge: https://susquehannock-lodge.com/ 5039 US 6 West, Ulysses, PA 16948 (814) 435-2163 Email: susquelgcarol@penn.com Oak Hall Bed & Breakfast: 26 S Brookland Rd, Ulysses, PA 16948 (814) 435-1184 (Note: Google Maps says that they have permanently closed but the owner confirms this is incorrect.) For more information, contact: Rev. Stuart Scarborough, Deacon Diocesan Property Manager sscarborough@diocesecpa.org Mobile: 717-585-0576