March 12 - 14, 2010
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Weekend Writers Workshop: Writing for Spiritual Enrichment & Understanding
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Facilitator(s):
| Katerina Whitley
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| Writing for spiritual enrichment and for understanding 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 expression all this in poetry or prose, according to the individual's inclination. 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 program, 2 nights lodging and all meals
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Friday, March 12, 2010, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Program Day - A Patchwork of Prayer
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Facilitator(s):
| The Rev. Jeanne Finan
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| There are so many different ways we can pray. Come away for a day in the beautiful mountains of Valle Crucis and experience a taste of a
variety of prayer forms: Praying with beads; praying with icons;Ignatian prayer; centering prayer; breath prayers and more. This day
welcomes those who are just beginning their practice of prayer as well as those for whom prayer is already their way of life.
The Rev. Jeanne Finan serves as the Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Asheville. She also leads retreats and offers spiritual direction. She is the author of Remember Your Baptism: Ten Meditations (Cowley Publications).
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Cost:
| $35, includes lunch
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March 15 - 17, 2010
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Workshop - Courage To Live Your Authentic Life
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Facilitator(s):
| Ann Holtz and RaRa Schlitt
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| Courage to Live Your Authentic Life is about transforming into who we are meant to be. In her book When the Heart Waits, Sue Monk Kidd asks if I am not mother, daughter, wife, author, Sunday School teacher, church outreach chair - who am I? She talks about the masks that we live behind - masks that have served us well but may not be so useful to us now. Debra Farrington, in her book Seasons of a Restless Heart, says for women "being born again" isn't about dying to self but about embracing the true self - the self that has been hidden by masks for years. Being born again is about being and celebrating the unique person that God created you to be. It is about being you and sharing your gifts with the world.
The retreat will be led by RaRa Schlitt and Ann Holtz. RaRa is a mother, wife, artist, author, physical therapist and spiritual director. Ann is a mother, wife, congregational consultant, business consultant and spiritual director.
The retreat will offer opportunities for personal work. There will be elements of worship, storytelling, guided meditation and quiet reflection. RaRa’s thought-provoking, emotion-stirring art will surround our time together.
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Cost:
| $240, includes 2 nights lodging, 6 meals, materials and program
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March 26 - 28, 2010
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Weekend Drum Building Workshop
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Facilitator(s):
| Tom Harris, Master Drum Builder
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| Come spend a weekend immersed in the sights and sounds of building your very own African Drum. Under the expert guidance of master drum builder Tom Harris you will sand, stain, oil, wrap and shave your very own drum of your choice. You can choose either an Ashiko (from Purple Heart, Oak, Walnut, Cherry, Ash or Heart Pine) or a Djembe. This has always been one of our most popular workshops and Tom, who has built more than 1,200 drums, will delight you with his stories and knowledge of African Drums. No previous woodworking experience necessary and all ages are welcome!
The drum you make is yours to take home with you
Limited commuter space available: please call for prices.
Class size is limited so please register early!
Except for Djembe whose shell is imported from the Ivory Coast please indicate your choice of wood on your registration form.
Please Note: A deposit of $200 is required by March 5, 2010 for this workshop
SPECIAL NOTE:
In conjunction with this workshop we will also offer two additional drumming class’s for those in the community not building a drum. The cost for each drum class will be $25. We would encourage early registration but will accept payment at the door for these extra classes. The first will be on Friday evening from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM and the second will be on Saturday evening from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM. These extra classes will be held in the Apple Barn and are all for all ages and all levels of experience. Bring you own drum.
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Cost:
| Ashiko $370 or Djembe $470, includes all materials to build your drum, drumming class on Fri and St, 2 nights lodging, and all meals.
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April 16 - 18, 2010
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Workshop - "God Among us: Mysticism in Christianity and Beyond
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Facilitator(s):
| Pierrette Stukes, PhD
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| In our world today, there is an urgent longing to be in intimate relation with the gracious Beloved of all but to remain faithful to our own sacred traditions. This is true for people of all faiths.
Mysticism holds this tension between our universal longing to experience the Divine and our distinct beliefs about the sacred dimension of life. The vital truth of mysticism is that God has entered the world. Mystics, both ancient and modern, assert even more boldly that the world itself is the gracious outpouring of holiness.
Through active imagination, nature walks, body prayer, art meditation, dream exploration, and reflection on scripture and poetry from different faith paths, we will tap the Beloved of all who is with us, breathing our lives into existence.
Please join women of all faith traditions for a weekend of prayerful exploration of God among us.
The retreat will begin with dinner on Friday night and run through lunch on Sunday.This retreat is limited to 12 women with multiple occupancy.
Pierrette received her PhD in English Literature in 2002 from The George Washington University with a specialization in psychoanalysis and culture theory. She is an ongoing student of Carl Jung. She has taught at colleges and universities since 1991. In January 2009, she was awarded her certification in Spiritual Direction from the prestigious Haden Institute. She has been offering compassionate hospitality to others since 2006 with programs that mine the intersection of the soul and the psyche.
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Cost:
| $195, includes 2 nights lodging, all meals and program
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Friday, April 16, 2010, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Program Day: The Rule of Prayer/The Rule of Belief: Exploring Our Liturgy
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Facilitator(s):
| The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor
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| The Episcopal Church is not a confessional church but a liturgical church. Our faith is best expressed in our liturgy. When people ask me to describe what Episcopalians believe, I say, “Come worship with us and you’ll see.” The mystery of faith cannot be reduced to a formula; it must be experienced in the drama of The Holy Eucharist. Because the Eucharist is central to our identity as Episcopalians, it is crucial that we go deeper in our understanding.
This day will explore our liturgies with a particular focus on the Holy Eucharist and its variations during the Church year. There will be some attention to the history of the rite but the primary focus is on the theology embedded in the rites themselves. We say the “rule of prayer is the rule of belief,” but what do we mean by that? How are the prayers expressing our beliefs? Participants will walk through the Eucharist as well as explore other expressions of it from alternative texts. The format will be presentation, discussion, and time for individual reflection. Participants are invited to bring a journal or notebook.
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Cost:
| $35, includes lunch
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Friday, April 30, 2010, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Program Day: Experiencing Contemplative Prayer
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Facilitator(s):
| Jim Banks
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| When asked what is prayer, a common response is, “Talking with God.” But what about listening to God or being with God or even experiencing God? Come to experience a variety of Christian prayer forms that disengage the calculating mind. The day will alternate between teaching, discussion and practice in a relaxed setting. Participants will experience praying with scripture, prayer beads and Centering Prayer, concluding with a contemplative form of intercessory prayer.
Jim Banks is a spiritual director trained by the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC. He is currently enrolled in post graduate studies in religious experience at the University of Wales in the UK.
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Cost:
| $35, includes lunch
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Monday, May 3, 2010, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Program Day - With our 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, October 1, 2010, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Program Day
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Facilitator(s):
| The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor
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| To be announced
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Cost:
| $35, includes lunch
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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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