Frequently Asked Questions

• Sunday night supper is served at 5:30 p.m. and available until 7:00 p.m.  If you need to arrive after 7:00, please let us know.

Phone Numbers -     *815-543-6250 (David’s Cell answered at the retreat site)
                                  Call 815.543.6250 if you are lost and looking for directions.
                                *815-946-2254 (Deer Ridge Ministries office number)

Ministry Directors - David and Louise Decker

Telephone Calls-

• Please refrain from using your cell phones while on retreat.  Emergency calls may be made to 815-543-6250 or 815-543-6420.  We do not answer the Inn phone number during the week.
• You may use the phone in rooms to make outside calls.  Long distance calls should be charged to a calling card.
• The phone line is not for computer use.

Dining-

• Breakfast is available until 10:00 a.m.
• Lunch is available from Noon - 1:00 p.m.  
• All the fixings for lunch and breakfast are available on the servers or Butler’s Pantry.  Please help yourselves and use whatever dishes you need.  Eat in the Dining Room, Parlor, or wherever you like.  Trays are also available for carrying to your room. Please return the dishes to the grey tub in the Butler’s Pantry when you are finished.
• Dinner is served promptly at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday evenings in the dining room.  Dinner is plated and served by our staff, therefore it is important that you be on time.  
• Snacks, Coffee, Water - There will be drinks and goodies available in the Butler’s Pantry.  Please help yourselves.  There are also large paper coffee cups and carafes for your use.  Feel free to take our favorite beverage to your room or outside.  There are always cookies, popcorn and peanut M & M’s, of course.  Please return the carafes to the grey tubs when finished.

Lights and Locks -  

• Please turn out room lights when no one is present in the rooms.  The outside doors will be locked at 10:00 p.m.  If you will be out past 10:00 p.m., please let the host know so you can get a key for your late return.  

Housekeeping and Supplies -  

• Linens and towels are provided.  Extra towels may be found in your bathroom on the shelves or in the bath cabinet.  Towels will not be automatically changed and laundered daily.  On Wednesday morning, if you wish to get rid of soiled towels, a laundry bag will be in the hallway outside the laundry room door.  
• Bed Linens - Linens are not changed daily, nor are the beds made during your stay.  If a change in bed linens is necessary, contact the hostess.  
• Normal water conservation is appreciated.  Ladies, please use the bags provided to dispose of feminine products.    
• Fireplaces - All the fireplaces at Pinehill Inn are operational.  ‘Duraflame logs may be used in all the fireplaces.  If additional logs are needed, check with the host for help.  

Books and Equipment -

• All books, tapes and CDs needed for following the self-directed study paths are in your room library.  Please return these to your room when finished.  
• CD/Cassette players are in every room.  Please be courteous of your neighbors when listening.  Use earphones whenever possible.  
• Walkman cassette players are also provided in each room.  If new batteries are required, please let your host know.  Please return the players to the rooms when finished.
• DVD’s and Videotapes may be viewed in your room.  Tapes are currently in upstairs hallway.  
• Puzzles and games are stored in the Parlor.  Please ask if you need assistance.

Parking -

• Please park in space available behind the house.  Try to keep the circle drive clear for traffic and a fire lane after loading and unloading.  

Fire Alarms -

• Each room is equipped with a smoke detector.  Please do not leave burning candles in the rooms.  If there is an alarm set off, you will hear loud noises alerting you to leave the building.  Please read the fire evacuation instructions in the guest directory in your room.

What to bring to Pinehill Inn-

• Walking Shoes – There are several parks within a few minutes drive (or walk) with acres of grass and wooded area to wander.  Sometimes ‘duck’ shoes or boots are advisable for the wet or muddy walks that can be taken in the woods.
• Casual clothes - Be comfortable.  Bring layers.  Sometimes a jacket outside in the early morning or evenings is appropriate.  The large common rooms tend to be cooler rather than warmer.
• Hairdryer and personal toiletries – We provide linens, towels and soap. If you forget something, we have extra tooth brushes, etc.   Every room has an iron and ironing board.
• Slippers (or socks) – Pinehill Inn has light colored carpet that feels great in stocking or slippered feet.  We like folks to leave their shoes at the door whenever possible.     
• Appetite - All meals will be provided.  Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style.  Dinner is served in the Dining Room and your attendance is required.     
• Bible - We will provide other books and materials for you to use, but you may prefer to reference your own Bible.  If you forget, we will have plenty on hand.

What will I do all week -

• Rest, rest, rest….listen, walk, talk with your spouse, nap, read, eat, listen, pray, watch a video, make a new friend, nap, not answer the phone, follow a self-directed study, discover some new resources, rest, be quiet, play (when was the last time you did that?), laugh, nap, breathe deep, meditate without interruption or schedule, worship, sing, take a long walk, experience God’s creation, be pampered, be affirmed, be still with God, rest….things like that!  God will be here, plan to meet with Him.   The time will go quickly.   
• What you should not do is come on retreat with an agenda.  Often people have books they want to read or a talk or lesson to prepare.  Pastors arrive at a place of solitude and rather than letting the Spirit quietly envelope them, they try to fill the time with busyness.    They can leave feeling like they have wasted their time, not receiving what God had in store.  
• We believe that a time of withdrawal can often be the most productive when pastors and their spouses arrive without an agenda.  Jesus modeled retreating by withdrawing from the crowds on a regular basis, to a place of solitude.  Likewise, pastors need to cease activity, get secluded, break the routine of business, and be apart from the world.  At Pinehill, just get away, get rest, eat well, be alone, listen, and talk to God.  In preparing to come on retreat, ask God to set the agenda and to talk to you about what He wants to, instead of what you want.