05/16/2026
Mary Hill is the former Director of Christian Education from Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, VA, who continues to attend OPMH and volunteer. She and her church have been coming to Massanetta Springs for many years for their fall retreat.
“I took the call to OPMH in 1990,” Mary recalled. “Massanetta had been closed for a period of time, and when you reopened, there was a ‘hue and cry’ from the congregation to return.” So in 1992, that’s exactly what they did and they’ve been coming ever since.
“I love what it does for our community.” Whether it is the children, youth, or adults, Massanetta provides time to “learn, visit, play and pray,” as Mary put it. Not even the weather dampens the Massanetta magic. Mary remembered a retreat where it rained all weekend. At the end she talked to one of the adults working with the children’s program and said how sorry she was about the weather. “It was great,” replied the adult. “Since our story was about Moses, we made baskets, went down to the creek which was flowing well, and sent Moses down the river many times!” Mary added that she would bet those children still remembered that story today because of the way their whole-body was engaged in it.
As those children become youth, many come to the Middle School Conference. That whole-body faith experience is profound. When they return home, they can’t wait for the church retreat to bring them back to Massanetta. Many of those youth decide to become Advocates, and strengthen their faith and Christian leadership skills through that Massanetta program.
Not to be left out, the church retreat is a date circled on the calendars of many of the OPMH adults. Mary remembered before labyrinths were as popular as they are today in Presbyterian circles, they had a trained labyrinth facilitator lead them through a labyrinth that was placed on the floor of Stewart Hall. That full-body experience of prayer and reflection was profound for many. In the conversations afterward, adults shared how deeply it had affected their faith and perspective. “I just don’t think these sorts of things would have happened on a Saturday in the church fellowship hall. There’s just something about getting away together.”
“For me, and for my church,” Mary reflected, Massanetta Springs “represents a time and space in which we can be renewed in faith, relationships, and fellowship.”
Whether it is sending Moses “down the river,” experiencing a new spiritual practice, or simply having the chance to go to a place set apart, Massanetta Springs’ ministry provides space for learning and renewal for every generation. That’s made possible through the generosity of so many who support this faithful work. Thank you.
www.massanettasprings.org/donate
