The Hermitage is a retreat center committed to creating an environment of attentiveness to God. We are a place of welcoming hospitality to individuals and small groups. Daily and seasonal responsibilities include: greeting guests, meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, yard work, landscaping, building maintenance, forestry tasks, gardening, and canning and freezing produce. Each day begins with morning prayers. Meals are taken in community. Retreat days and spiritual direction are offered as desired. SOOP volunteers enter into the daily rhythm of work and prayer and help with extra projects that are waiting for the next available person. The presence of each one is a gift to our small community of retreat guests and resident staff. We are especially interested in persons with a call to a contemplative approach to work and prayer, receiving what "is" rather than asserting one’s will to a particular end. Private room with shared bathroom in the retreat house or electric hook-up and water supply for RV on the grounds. People may volunteer for one week, several weeks, a month or 3 to 6 months. Long term volunteers (several months) will have a studio apartment with small kitchen and private bath. 3 meals are provided daily for SOOP workers. The Hermitage is located 34 miles from Goshen/Elkhart.