Our tradition tells us we can find healing and wholeness in the wilderness. Both Abram and the Israelites found a new land to call their own. Elijah found sustenance and the strength to return to civilization and challenge injustice. Jesus himself entered the wilderness to face off against Satan and returned ready to fulfill his call as the salvation of the world.
During Lent, we are asked to take ourselves, like Jesus, out into the wilderness where there are demons, snakes and no entertaining distractions. It is a deeply uncomfortable place, but we are willing to venture there with some confidence because Scripture tells us that the wilderness is also where relationships are strengthened, grief is eased, communities are created, bodies are healed. We may even find our promised land. We return from our wandering, our exploration of the silence and discomfort with what might be thought of as treasures. What will we do with them when we return? We will want to use what we have found to continue to thrive and heal. How will we manifest this healing in the world, for ourselves and others?
During our silent weekend retreat at the beautiful Cistercian monastery in March, we’ll use contemplative practices – particularly silent meditation – to explore our inner wilderness. Both as a group and individually, we will discuss how the grace and blessings of silence and meditation can be brought into the ‘wilderness’ that is often our workplace, our family relationships, and our living in a chaotic, complex world.
The Rev. Susan Parsons, Associate Rector at Immanuel Church-on-the Hill, will lead the retreat. She previously was the Rector of St. Peter’s Church in Redwood City, California. After her retirement in 2018, she moved to Reston, Virginia to be close to one of her daughters and some of her grandchildren.
The silent retreat begins Friday afternoon, March 27, shortly before the evening meal and will end after the noon meal on Sunday, March 29. It will be at Holy Cross Abbey, Berryville, Virginia, which is an hour and fifteen-minute drive from our church. For more information on the monastery, see their website https://www.virginiatrappists.org/about/.
The $350.00 registration fee includes all materials, comfortable accommodations, individual rooms each with a bathroom, and all meals. Following Holy Cross Abbey policy, we may not be able to accommodate retreat reservations received after March 2.
Two scholarships given in memory of Charles Willis are available; please contact the rector for scholarship assistance. If you receive a scholarship, please complete a registration form and indicate that you have a scholarship. To expand the number of parishioners who participate in retreats, preference in awarding scholarships will be given to those who have not received a scholarship in the last two years.
During Lent, we are asked to take ourselves, like Jesus, out into the wilderness where there are demons, snakes and no entertaining distractions. It is a deeply uncomfortable place, but we are willing to venture there with some confidence because Scripture tells us that the wilderness is also where relationships are strengthened, grief is eased, communities are created, bodies are healed. We may even find our promised land. We return from our wandering, our exploration of the silence and discomfort with what might be thought of as treasures. What will we do with them when we return? We will want to use what we have found to continue to thrive and heal. How will we manifest this healing in the world, for ourselves and others?
During our silent weekend retreat at the beautiful Cistercian monastery in March, we’ll use contemplative practices – particularly silent meditation – to explore our inner wilderness. Both as a group and individually, we will discuss how the grace and blessings of silence and meditation can be brought into the ‘wilderness’ that is often our workplace, our family relationships, and our living in a chaotic, complex world.
The Rev. Susan Parsons, Associate Rector at Immanuel Church-on-the Hill, will lead the retreat. She previously was the Rector of St. Peter’s Church in Redwood City, California. After her retirement in 2018, she moved to Reston, Virginia to be close to one of her daughters and some of her grandchildren.
The silent retreat begins Friday afternoon, March 27, shortly before the evening meal and will end after the noon meal on Sunday, March 29. It will be at Holy Cross Abbey, Berryville, Virginia, which is an hour and fifteen-minute drive from our church. For more information on the monastery, see their website https://www.virginiatrappists.org/about/.
The $350.00 registration fee includes all materials, comfortable accommodations, individual rooms each with a bathroom, and all meals. Following Holy Cross Abbey policy, we may not be able to accommodate retreat reservations received after March 2.
Two scholarships given in memory of Charles Willis are available; please contact the rector for scholarship assistance. If you receive a scholarship, please complete a registration form and indicate that you have a scholarship. To expand the number of parishioners who participate in retreats, preference in awarding scholarships will be given to those who have not received a scholarship in the last two years.
|
Registration is limited to 15 persons; please reserve your space using the form above. If you have questions about retreat logistics, please contact Mary Ann Rehnke mrehnke@verizon.net or 703-836-7142. Participants needing a ride to the Abbey may contact the retreat carpooling coordinator, Carla Murray, at tigmurray08@gmail.com or 703-751-9241 |