St. Mina Retreat Center Rules and Guidelines

Safety Rules

Church groups, spending an overnight retreat at the center, must make safety their first and highest priority. Participants are responsible for their own insurance, and, by signing the reservation agreement, waive all right of action against St. Mina Retreat center.

Animals/Pets

Please leave your pets at home. Pets are not allowed on the Center's premises.

Pond Rules

1. Usage of the pond is limited only to fish feeding; no fishing is allowed.
2. Usage of the Golf carts is restricted to transportation.

Smoking, Drugs, and Alcohol

The Retreat Center is a smoke-free, drug-free and alcohol-free facility. Use of tobacco products, drugs and alcohol is strictly forbidden.

Cleaning

Participants are responsible for leaving the Retreat Center facilities in the same condition (or better!) in which they were found. This includes the grounds, the rooms, including thoroughly cleaning the bathroom area and removing all trash. All materials that can be recycled, including cans, glass, plastic bottles and newsprint, must be cleaned and disposed of.

Chaperones

Same sex chaperones are required for the attending participants; one (1) adult for every five (5) youth under age 18. Chaperones are required to stay in each building used. Chaperones are expected to maintain discipline of their group to ensure a safe retreat experience for everyone using the Retreat Center .

Attire Guidelines

We kindly ask all visitors to be modestly dressed; knee length shorts, Capri pants, blouses that have sleeves and not revealing. No mini-skirts, sleeveless blouses, tight or transparent clothes allowed.

Quiet Hours

The Retreat Center observes quiet hours from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. During this time, no one is to be outside of the assigned areas without an adult. Please respect the feelings of others on the property.

General Rules

1. You are expected to attend and participate in all designed activities throughout your stay at St. Mina retreat center.
2. You are expected to bring all personal belongings, i.e. Pillow and pillow cases, sheets, towels, toiletries, Bible, Agpya.
3. Radio, DVD/CD player, Portable TV's, I pod, and other electronic equipment is not allowed in the center.
4. The use of Cellular phones is not allowed on the premises.
5. Non Orthodox groups are welcome, but should abide to the rules of the Coptic Orthodox faith.
6. Meals are eaten together in the assigned places and times.
7. The work, rest periods and services are conducted according to the schedule of the center.
8. Photographs (including videos):
   1. may be taken of the buildings, the grounds and inside the Church;
   2. should not be taken using the cell phone cameras; and
   3. Are not allowed during the services unless it was blessed by the father in charge.

What to Bring

Pillow and pillow case, Sheets, Toiletries, Bible, Agpya

What Not to Bring

Radio, Portable TV, DVD/CD player, other electronic equipment

During the Divine Liturgy

1. Men should stand on the left side of the church and women on the right.
2. All women are required to cover their heads with a veil upon entering the Chapel.
3. All cell phones and/or pagers must be turned off.
4. We kindly ask to please avoid any unnecessary movement.
5. We ask all Coptic Orthodox Christians, before partaking in the Holy Communion, to:
   1. prepare with confession;
   2. obtain absolution from your Confessor Father; and
   3. Abstain from food from midnight or for nine hours if the time from midnight till communion is shorter than nine hours.
   4. Only The Oriental Orthodox Christians, who are in full communion with the Coptic Orthodox Church, are allowed to partake of the Holy Communion.
6. Married couples, partaking of the Holy Communion, must be married in the Oriental Orthodox Church.

Retreat Termination will occur and a fine will incur if your group:

1. Damages, defaces or removes any Retreat Center property;
2. Fails to comply with the rules and guidelines of the Retreat Center;
3. Disturbs other people and/or unoccupied buildings during your stay; or
4. Brings tobacco products, alcohol or drugs on the property.

Finally, a release form should be signed for every participant regardless of their age.

Groups of any size are asked to make arrangements a minimum three (3) weeks in advance.