A new series at Crieff Hills Community Retreat and Conference Centre will focus on making the most of retirement, helping people look beyond financial concerns to decipher a renewed purpose and set new goals for their senior years.
“Research shows that we live happier and longer lives when we have a strong sense of purpose,” said Lawrence Pentelow, director at Crieff. “Through our Retirement with Meaning events, it is our hope that people will be able to identify that purpose. It is knowing that God isn’t done with us yet that draws us on to actively look to find where we fit after retirement.”
To that end, Crieff has created a series of events targeting those who are already retired or will be retiring soon. The first is a two-night retreat in April, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Andrew Irvine and entitled “Living with the spirit of adventure.”
“It will be a fun time away but also a chance to focus on this time of transition and how our talents, our knowledge and our newly found time can be focused, shared and bring meaning to our lives as well as others,” said Pentelow.
A similar event with Irvine will run in October, as well as a four-day retreat next spring with Rev. Kirk Summers that will focus more on fellowship and community-building.
“There is plenty of information out there about financial planning for retirement, but very little to help people to find purpose and meaning in this life transition,” said Pentelow. “Retirement becomes a time to live well and completely. A time for giving back and a time to leave a legacy.”
Crieff Hills is located about an hour northwest of Toronto, and is owned by the Presbyterian Church. To sign up for the retreat, or to find out more, call 1-800-884-1525 or visit crieffhills.com.
