USD Magazine Spring 2016

TORERO  NEWS

Elizabeth Creech ’16 (front, kneel- ing) found her Search Retreat deeply moving. She is surrounded by fellow student leaders, whose beaming faces tell the story of their group experience.

Retreat challenges students to unplug and live more authentically [ f a i t h i n a c t i o n ] TO SEARCH AND FIND

by Elizabeth Creech ‘16 or nearly two decades, University Ministry has offered the biannual Search Retreat, which encourag- es students to grow in their rela- tionship with their truest selves, with others, and with God. Taking place at Camp Wild- wood in the idyllic rural hills of Ramona, Calif., the retreat includes student reflections, opportunities for quiet contem- plation in a beautiful setting, small group discussions, free time and a variety of interactive community-building activities. In a time when students are more and more connected tech- nologically, the retreat offers a totally different way of engag- ing; in fact, mobile devices such as smart phones are not allowed during the weekend. Student Coordinator Elizabeth Creech found her own Search deeply moving, and reflected on her experience upon return- ing to USD. A DEEP CONNECTION As I walked around campus this past week, I couldn’t help but notice many of my peers wearing their Search crosses around their necks. Searchers past and present wear these crosses as a physical reminder of their retreat experience, a symbol that they are part of a wide community of love and support. Every time I passed

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COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY MINISTRY

WE ARE NEVER TRULY ALONE While there are so many memo- rable moments from the retreat, one of my favorites was watch- ing students read one another’s prayer requests by candlelight on Friday night. Modified to ensure anonymity and confiden- tiality, each of the 84 Searchers’ prayers were divided into cate- gories by theme. A member of the Search leadership team would read a statement about one of those themes, and then

by a Searcher wearing their cross, I was greeted with a warm smile and felt deeply connected to my USD community. Focused on the themes of prayer, witness, service and community, the Search Retreat gives students time and space to unplug from our busy everyday lives and take time to process big questions about identity and spirituality. Search is powerful because it creates the space for us students to

be real with one another, to share our stories and to let oth- ers see our authentic selves. It forces us to think about who we are, what we believe and what we value. As the student coordinator, I had the unique opportunity to watch Searchers participate in retreat activities. I was so humbled to journey alongside my peers as they experienced God’s love in tangible ways throughout the weekend.

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USD MAGAZINE