North Carolina Synod ELCA Spirituality
Committee |
2012 Retreats |
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| Chuck Korte, Co-Chair, Synod Spirituality Taskgroup, offers these suggestions for congregations wanting to plan an inexpensive congregational spirituality retreat. The Synod's Spirituality Taskgroup is happy to be a resource for congregations that would like to organize their own overnight retreat focused on spiritual growth and/or renewal. | |
| Synod
Servant January 16, 2012
Nurturing the Spiritual Journey
How to plan an inexpensive congregational spirituality retreat Chuck Korte, Co-Chair, Synod Spirituality Taskgroup, offers these suggestions for congregations wanting to plan an inexpensive congregational spirituality retreat. The Synod’s Spirituality Taskgroup is happy to be a resource for congregations that would like to organize their own overnight retreat focused on spiritual growth and/or renewal.****************************************************** Organizing such a retreat for your congregational members is not as difficult as it might sound and can have a big payoff in terms of the nurturing that it gives to the spiritual journeys of those attending. If we really want to deepen our relationship with God, we often need to dedicate some special time in a special place where this is the sole focus. Retreats can provide the attendees 1) new resources for enriching their spiritual practices, (2) increased motivation for seeking a deeper relationship with God and Christ, and (3) much-needed blocks of time free from the usual stresses, distractions, and pressures of everyday life. It is quite possible to do a retreat solely with volunteer talent within the congregation or with other resource people that the Spirituality Taskgroup can help identify for you. Thus the costs for such a retreat can be quite low, covering only housing and meals at the facility where the retreat is held. With the right design, cost, and location, a congregational retreat can be a very popular option for folks and you should have no problem getting a sufficient number of people to sign up. The basic requirements for putting on a congregational retreat are as follows:1. Identify the objectives of the retreat. What will people gain by coming? 2. Identify any resource people that might be needed for any
presentations, 3. Identify a facility that can accommodate your needs 4. Work out what you will need to charge, hopefully having this
figure be as The Synod’s Spirituality Taskgroup is happy to assist you in any of these steps and can be an especially valuable resource in identifying people who might be able to do presentations that you would like to offer. So, for any assistance, contact either of the co-chairs of the Spirituality Taskgroup, Rev. Dick Little (704-455-7951) or Dr. Chuck Korte (919-829-1510). Following is a model outline of a retreat that was actually used at a retreat this fall by Holy Trinity in Raleigh. The focus was on five spiritual practices. Each was presented by either a pastor or by a lay member of the congregation and then time was provided for participants to use this practice in a period of private meditation. Maybe this will give some ideas or inspiration for what you may want to plan in the future for your own congregation!Schedule: Fri. 6:30 - 7:30 pm Light supper 7:30 pm Opening Taize Worship 8:00 pm Introductions/retreat overview 8:30 pm Session 1: Journaling 10:00 pm Session ends Sat. 7:30 am Optional time of prayer and meditation 8:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am Session 2: Praying with scripture (lectio divina) 10:30 am Break 10:45 am Session 3: Walking meditation (labyrinth)Noon: Lunch 1:00 pm Session 4: Creativity and the spiritual journey 2:00 pm Free time3:30 pm Session 5: Centering Prayer 5:00 pm Closing worship/Eucharist 5:30 pm Depart |
Our May,
2010 Retreat, |
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Additional Retreats |
Eastern North Carolina Lutheran Via de Cristo Weekends:
For Details, please click on the following: Eastern NC Lutheran Via de Cristo
Western North Carolina Lutheran Via de Cristo Weekends:
For Details, please click on the following: Western NC Lutheran Via de Cristo
| REGISTRATION FORM - NAME;___________________________ CIRCLE: Male Female Roommate: (if you wish to share a room)____________________________ Your Address:__________________________ City, St, Zip:______________________________ Phone:__________________________ E-mail:___________________________ Dietary Restrictions:_______________________ Mobility Issues:___________________________ * To print this Registration Form, bring your cursor to the top left of this form. Hold down the left mouse key. Drag the cursor from the top left to the bottom right of the form, (painting all of the text). Upon painting all text, right click on the form. Select "Copy" from the drop down menu. Then, open your word processor application. Right click on the new page. Select "Paste" from the drop down menu. The form should appear on the word processor page. From there, the form may be elarged to the size you prefer. Then print the form. |
On Line Registration? |
Fill out the form below. Then, within 10 days of registering, send your full payment to , (see address below). This will insure you a spot at the retreat. |
| Name: Male or Female: Roommate: Address: City:State:Zip: Telephone: E-mail: Dietary Needs: Travel Needs: Mobility Issues: |
Please fill out this form; then click "Submit", (bottom left of this table). When you click "Submit", you will see an acknowledgement with the information you posted below. Make check out to "North Carolina Synod of the ELCA"
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