September 10 - 12, 2010
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Weekend Writers Workshop
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Facilitator(s):
| Katerina Whitley
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| September 10-12, 2010
Writing for spiritual enrichment, for understanding, and for publication
http://sites.google.com/site/vallecruciswriters/
We welcome other serious writers to join us. We concentrate on retrieving memories, on paying attention to the inner self, or listening to what words tell us, and on expressing all this in poetry or prose, according to the individual's inclination.
Participants also receive encouragement and guidance that leads to publication. We value epiphany and treat one another with gentleness.
--Katerina is a noted author of many books and a speaker who does workshops, programs and monologues. If you have questions please write to Katerina Whitley at katewhitley@charter.net
–This workshop is limited to the first 14 registrations received so we encourage you to send your deposit of $50 to hold your place early!
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Cost:
| $180, includes 2 nights lodging all meals and programm
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Monday, September 13, 2010, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Program Day: with our two labyrinths
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Facilitator(s):
| Tom Eshelman
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| Have you heard about labyrinths and want to know more? Now is your chance! In this day long retreat you will learn about the fascinating history of this ancient tool of walking meditation and prayer as you spend the day walking our indoor and outdoor labyrinths.
Please wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes and bring a journal. There will be lots of handouts and plenty of time for questions.
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Cost:
| $35, includes lunch
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Friday, September 17, 2010, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Program Day: In The Beginning was the Word: Haiku Journeys
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Facilitator(s):
| The Rev. Jeanne Finan
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| Think back to high school English class and you may remember the short haiku poems: 3 lines, most often 5 syllables in the first, 7 syllables in the second, 5 syllables in the last line. Haiku poems often mention a season of the year.
Our spiritual journeys have seasons as well: joy, doubt, wandering in the wilderness, suffering, resurrection-- just to mention a few. Sometimes our spiritual journeys and questions can seem so immense and overwhelming that we might long for a lens that lets us see to the heart, to take a simple but powerful “haiku” view.
We will listen to poems, scripture, write our own haiku (do not be intimidated by this—anyone can do this!) and also enjoy some time for silent reflection. If you love to write or if you don’t believe you have any gift for writing at all, this day is for you.
Come away for an autumn day in the mountains at the Valle Crucis Conference Center to ponder the power of words and the Word and to experience the beauty of creation both inside and outside ourselves.
The Rev. Jeanne Finan is an Episcopal priest who serves at St. John’s, Asheville. She also leads retreats, offers spiritual direction and loves words. Jeanne is the author of Remember Your Baptism: Ten Meditations (Cowley Publications).
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Cost:
| $35, includes lunch
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Friday, October 1, 2010, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Program Day - Spiritual and Religious - Holding Authenticity/Connection/Tradition Together
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Facilitator(s):
| The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor
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| How often have you been talking to a person and when the question of Church comes up, they say, “I am very spiritual just not religious”? That is an answer for more and more people in contemporary society. What drives that hunger for spirituality as well as that anxiety about religion?
Father Ron Rolheiser spoke in the diocese last spring, and he said that the Holy Spirit gives us two gifts. First she gives us the give of fire: that holy longing which burns in our souls and moves closer to source of everything. It’s this desire that transforms ordinary women and men into saints. They catch a vision and that vision compels them to be agents of God’s transformation. The question is what we do with that fire. He speaks of the need for glue to give some cohesion to the energy the Holy Spirit brings, lest we burn out. This fire and glue are “spiritual” and “religious.” They are the necessary to have a whole life.
This day will explore these two dimensions: how they can be cultivated, the tensions between them, as well as how they are complementary. If we only are spiritual, then we become privatized or simply have isolated and individual experiences. If we only are religious, then we become rule bound and hollow. A holy life is a whole life. We will explore this in terms of our personal and corporate journey.
The day will involve presentation and discussion. Participants are asked to bring journals.
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Cost:
| $35, includes lunch
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November 28 - December 5, 2010
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8 Day Centering Prayer Retreat
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Facilitator(s):
| Becky Hannah and Joan Ricci and The Rev. Bob Cook as worshop leader and Roberta Oster.
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| This annual advanced centering prayer retreat is an opportunity to experience contemplative living and spirituality in an atmosphere of silence, solitude, and community. Centering Prayer is a silent form of prayer that directs a person's attention toward God. A more intimate union with God is facilitated through the nurturing and supportive environment of this retreat and the cultivation of a deep level of interior silence. The schedule will include up to six daily 30-minute periods of Centering Prayer and contemplative worship with Eucharist throughout the week. There will also be opportunities for individual talks with the leaders, walks and hiking around the Conference Center grounds, access to two labyrinths and contemplative movement and stretch sessions, as well as optional appointments with massage therapists.
Retreat Leaders are Becky Hannah, (828-667-2799),coordinator for the Western North Carolina Chapter of Contemplative Outreach, and Joan Ricci, presenter of contemplative prayer retreats at the Oratory and St. Francis Prayer Springs, as well as a worship leader. Joan and Becky have both been trained to present centering prayer by Contemplative Outreach, the organization founded by Fr. Thomas Keating as a spiritual network committed to living the contemplative dimension of the gospel in everyday life.
Due to the length of this retreat each participant should have an established practice of Centering Prayer for at least a year as well as having attended at least one retreat in the past. Because the sense of community is an important aspect of this retreat, we also ask that the participants commit to attending all scheduled prayer sessions whenever possible. This retreat is also considered to be “12-step supported” meaning that at least one of the facilitators works a 12-step program and 11th step meetings are scheduled for those interested. This is a very popular retreat and registration is limited to the first 20 registrants, therefore early registration is encouraged.
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Cost:
| $435.00, includes 7 nights lodging, all meals and program
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December 6 - 9, 2010
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Advent Retreat: Holy Advent, Bidden Blessings
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Facilitator(s):
| The Rev. Jeanne Finan and Danby Ludgate
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| Advent is a time of focusing ourselves on the holy that is present in our lives and the holy that will come.
Exploring the advent themes of turmoil, wilderness, joy and expectation, each day follows a quiet rhythm of silence, prayer, meditative readings and creative expression. All sessions are optional, offering participants time to focus on their own holy longing in this Advent season. Some participants use the time for a silent retreat; most enjoy the conversation and companionship with others.
Participants will also contemplate the dimensional meaning of prayer by creating small prayer containers incorporating beads and other embellishments. The Old English word for “bead”, biddan (which has evolved into our modern bidden) means to ask or to pray.
Episcopal priest Jeanne Finan will offer meditations, prayers and poetry and artist Danby Ludgate will guide the art exploration.
The holy ground of the Valle Crucis Conference Center offers a place for silence, walks in the woods, three different labyrinths, and the hospitality of simple delicious meals and comfortable, historic accommodations.
Join us for Word and worship, visual art and prayer, as we clear the way for the holy and focus on the blessings
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Cost:
| $265.00, includes 3 nights lodging, all meals and program
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Class Size - We are committed to keeping our class size small as we believe it is in the small group environment that learning and spirituality flourish. Because class sizes are kept small, classes fill quickly. Early registration is encouraged!
Price and Room Policies - Listed prices for programs include room, board, tuition, and materials. Most accommodations are double, triple, or quadruple occupancy. If you prefer a single room, we will try to accommodate you though we cannot guarantee this until check-in when the final availability of single rooms can be determined. Please notify VCCC in advance if you have any medical needs such as diet or disability accommodations. We are unable to accommodate pets or provide childcare. Smoking is not permitted in any building.
Meals - We serve home-cooked, nutritious meals. The fare is hearty. Our kitchen staff will try to accommodate any special dietary needs if they receive 14 days prior notice. If you have any dietary questions, please give us a call.
Timing - Unless otherwise noted, conferences begin with registration and check in at 4:00 pm on opening day, followed by dinner at 6:30 pm They close after the 12 noon lunch on the closing day. To assist our housekeeping staff, we request that you complete your check out prior to lunch on closing day.
To Register - A non-refundable, nontransferable deposit of $50 is required for each course except for single-day programs when a nonrefundable payment in full is required. Please mail your check with the completed registration form. We appreciate the fact that sometime things may come up in your busy life that may prevent your attending one of our programs for which you have paid a deposit. In that case we will consider your deposit a donation to our ongoing ministry of hospitality.
Directions - You will receive directions to the conference center with your registration confirmation. We are easy to find and are located just 9 miles outside of Boone, NC (2 hours from Winston Salem; 2-1/2 hours from Charlotte).
Commuters - A limited number of spaces are available in each program for commuters not requiring lodging. The fee does include three meals per day as mealtime is an important part of the program's fellowship. Those who choose to commute are encouraged to make a commitment to full participation in all meals and community activities.
Scholarships - If you wish to apply for a limited number of scholarships which are offered for some of our programs, please call for more information.
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We have posted a registration form on this website for your convenience. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You may download Adobe Acrobat Reader free of charge from Adobe's website at www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html.
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