Oranbega Retreat Center

 Oranbega Retreat Center sits on the peaceful Narramissic River in the small town of Orland, Maine. “Oranbega” is a variant spelling of the Algonquin word more usually found as “Norumbega”. It means “the quiet place between the rapids.”

Throughout the day the slowly moving water changes direction with the tide. Waterfalls to the north and south form boundaries for this quiet part of the river whose water gives a home to herons, otters, osprey, eagles, ducks, and geese. Named by the original inhabitants “the river of many fish” the Narramissic has been a rich source of nutrition for body and soul for animal and human life for centuries, in part because of annual running of the alewives.

Oranbega Retreat Center acknowledges that on this river bank the Penobscot and other Wabanaki peoples developed their traditions of respect and care for earth and water and wild life. These are traditions the current residents are determined to honor and keep alive.

Retreat Director the Rev. Jenny Reece chose this riverside location in part because it represents both change and permanence, always different and always the same. It is a “thin” place where God’s presence is felt and everyone is welcome.

The Oranbega Retreat Center offers a quiet space for spiritual contemplation. The Center’s mission is to offer rich resources for individual growth in creativity. Space and time to deepen one’s spiritual life, or to work as a writer or artist, are rare and valuable things to find among the “rapids” of our daily life. Oranbega Retreat Center offers occasional workshops and programs, but focuses on providing nurture for the soul and for the creative work of each guest. Spiritual friendship and guidance are available.

The Oranbega Retreat Center inspires creativity. Writers, painters, and musicians have found inspiration and space here. Spiritual seekers find their prayers enriched by the ambience of peaceful creaitivty. "We love to think that we can nurture our guests with delicious food for their physical health and also with spiritual food for their creative journey with God, " Jenny says. We think they can too!

You can contact Jenny at jreece@oranbegacenter.com or call/text her at 207-952-2363 for more informaiton or to book your retreat.

See website: http://oranbegacenter.com: