When we take a long, loving look at the real, we see the vast landscape of divine mercy, grace, and fruitfulness into which our single lives are planted. ~ Walter Burghardt
One of the gifts of eldering is the realization that each moment is a precious, not-to-be repeated gift. The goal of this retreat is to help us enhance our attentiveness to the now through brief teachings, a variety of contemplative practices within a safe and confidential community. This retreat will provide an opportunity to reflect on attentiveness and presence in the moments of our lives; the longings and barriers to being fully present to the now; and practices to attune our beings to attentive living. We will have brief teachings, small listening groups, group reflection times, and opportunities to experience practices that open us to being fully present to now. Opportunities to explore attentiveness through movement led by Charlie Butler, and visual arts led by Susan Michie-Bent will be available Monday and Tuesday afternoons. St. Francis Springs’s provides a safe and quiet setting for our retreat, set on 140 acres of beautiful and peaceful wooded property in North Carolina’s rolling hills, away from the busyness and distractions of daily life. We hope you will join us!
Retreat Leaders:
Pattie Butler, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist with over 26 years of experience, brings a wealth of experience along with a love for attending to the deep movement of Spirit in individuals and group. She is a graduate of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation Retreat Leadership program.
Anne Findlay-Chamberlain worked as a counselor for 15 years before following a call to pastoral ministry. In addition to 24 years of experience in parish ministry, Anne is also a graduate of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership program and a trained Spiritual Director through the Charlotte Spirituality Center.
Susan Mitchie-Bent is a retired pastor and an artist who loves to make art accessible and shame free.
Charlie Butler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice. He also trained for 25 years with Master Eric Sbarge and is certified a Laoshr (teacher level) of the practice of Tai Chi Chuan.
Cost: $525 per person for single occupancy, $375 per person for double occupancy
To learn more/register please contact Pattie Butler at pjbutler-msw@earthlink.net