The Kairos Center for Rights, Religions and Social Justice came on retreat in April, as it is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. The Uplands retreat marked an important moment to reflect on the goals and orientation of the past decade and all that has been accomplished. It also provided a space for the Kairos team to consider, together, the work ahead and the role that Kairos must play in the next decade. 

As a staff based across the United States, their team hadn’t been all together in one space for more than a year. Gathering the organization’s core leaders at The Uplands over a weekend allowed for both a much needed retreat and a space to plan for the next phase of work. Their process began with a “Walk Down Memory Lane” to celebrate what they are proud of and have most enjoyed doing since 2013. Their work has included co-anchoring the Poor People’s Campaign, building a spiritual community with the Freedom Church of the Poor, and expanding their arts and culture practice as key to strengthening and sustaining social movements. They dedicated their collective attention to assessing the landscape they are organizing in, identifying opportunities and challenges and visioning the next decade of their work. The exercise reaffirmed the importance of organizing a moral response to systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and religious extremism.

The Uplands was pleased to offer the Kairos leadership a moment to breathe, reflect and strategize at a critical moment in their work. We were delighted to offer a sound bath, yoga class and a nature walk, as well as to join them in filling the dining hall with song, and look forward to seeing the organization continue to thrive in the coming decade.