THE CROSSINGS CALL
We are looking for young men who are ready to let go of their boyhood.
The Crossings is 4 days / 3 nights of formal male initiation for men ages 18-30. During the Crossings men are led through teachings and rituals from the mystery of Passover.
The program, is a deeply prayerful and soulful experience that builds on the classic patterns of male initiation through simple and moving rituals and teaching. Each day includes group prayer, major teachings on central masculine spirituality themes, quiet time for reflection, and sharing.
The cost is $50. Scholarships are available so that a lack of funds will not prevent anyone from attending.
You don’t need to decide right now, but if you have the slightest interest, we would like to hear from you.
IS IT FOR ME?
Have any of the following thoughts crossed you mind?
THE CALL
18-30 year-old young men wanted for a journey into manhood.
BROCHURE
Download a brochure with more information about the Crossings.
SIGN ME UP!
Registrations accepted after announcing the dates for the Crossings.
“I have a son, who is my heart. A wonderful young man, daring and loving and strong and kind.”
CROSSINGS MISSION:
Help young men evolve into responsible and spiritual men.
Our world needs mature, responsible, and wise men. Young men are humbly invited to make the Crossings and become one.
• The Crossings is typically held in July and is a rites of passage for young men ages 18 - 30.
• The Crossings marks the transition from the life young men have known until now - to the life of true manhood.
• The experience is very personal and takes place primarily outdoors.
• The event is highly spiritual in nature, but not churchy.
• The Crossings is an experience designed to help young me go within themselves and to meet nature and spirit head on.
The Crossings Ohio, a rites of passage, is an outdoor wilderness experience to help young men go within themselves and encounter the elements of nature head on. They will discover that nature is not a foreign environment but their most natural home, something they are a part of and that is a part of them.
Crossings Ohio revolves around the five traditional lessons of male initiation outlined in Richard Rohr’s book, Adam’s Return.
Presented by the Ohio Chapter of Illuman
“A young man is so strong, so mad, so certain, and so lost. He has everything and he is able to use nothing.”
Is it for Me?
Have any of the following thoughts crossed your mind?
- I’m looking for direction and to be shown the way.
- I want to do…something, but I don’t really know what.
- I want to know what I need to know to make it in the world.
- I want to be a man among men.
- Even if no one else agrees, I think I can do it.
- I feel like my body grew up, and I’m waiting for the rest to catch up.
- I need to get out from under my parents, but it’s scary.
- There’s got to be more to life than this.
- I’m tired of trying things that are supposed to make you a man…but don’t.
I want adventure, self knowledge, and divine wisdom.
If even only one applies to you, you're ready...
The Crossings is:
A personal discovery about masculine spirituality… A time to savor the healing and awesome power of nature… A process to address issues of loss, grief, and relationships with father, other men, and others… An opportunity to examine life’s priorities and ask courageous questions about your next step… An invitation to listen to the voice inside of you… A chance to return to life with a commitment to your gifts.
The Crossings is Open to:
• Young men of all races and religions
• Young men seeking wisdom for the journey
• Young men without fathers
• Young men at least 18 years old
The Crossings is not:
A traditional, lecture-based retreat… An informational workshop about male spirituality…A sensitivity-training or deprivation experience…A threatening process that requires participants to engage in anything strange or unsafe…A test of physical stamina…Just another event to attend…Something to “fix” some condition in your life.
Young men are asked to come with a willingness to participate from beginning to end and not as an observer. All participants begin at point zero with no agendas to live up to or down to. All that is required is that individuals come with the readiness of young novices seeking wisdom.
This is not about religion, but about spirituality, about age old traditions that guide us into manhood, about coming to trust that there is something much greater at work in our lives than we could ever imagine.
The decision to attend is a serious one; your “gut” should tell you that you are being invited into it.
What is happening in your life that tells you of your readiness for this event? Why do you want to participate in these Rites of Passage? What do you want to be initiated into?
“I was a very naive young man, and I may still be ignorant about a lot of things.”
Crossings Information
Our philosophy is grounded in the following beliefs:
- Every young man is a Beloved Son of God.
- Young men are capable of serious spiritual journeys.
- Young men must seek contact with God through prayer and meditation.
- Young men must be affirmed and guided by mentors.
- Young men have a need and responsibility to mentor future generations.
- There is a universal message of love and faith that transcends the boundaries of race, nation, culture, gender, economics/class, politics, sexual orientation and religious differences.
- Young men must recognize and critique their own power in relation to women, the poor, and those who are different from them; they must learn to use their power for justice in the world.
- There is a need for collaborating with like-minded groups and other faith traditions.
- Adolescence is now said to extend into the thirties; young men are in dire need of maturity.
Who We Are
Shawn Witmer
Bob Farmerie
Chuck Rihm
Tom Simmonds
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering
If you have able hands, we want your help. Whether it's serving food during the event, behind the scenes, or collecting donations, we need you. And so do our young men.
“Young man, the secret of my success is that at early age I discovered that I was not God.”
Getting in Touch
If you would like to talk to us about being a part of The Crossings Ohio or should you have a question, please get in touch by filling out our contact form below. Whether you’re looking to discuss an upcoming event or simply want to say hello, we’d love to hear from you!
Crossings Ohio
PO Box 294
Medina, OH 44258
✎ info@ohiocrossings.org
☎ (440) 503-8021